The Carer #29 Summer 2015

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SUMMER 2015

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2 Editor's Viewpoint Nurse Call Alarms 32 Kitchen Equipment 34 36-39 Furniture & Fittings 40 Fire Safety Dementia Care & Training 41-43 Property, Finance 44-46 & Professional

Delay in the Implementation of the Cap on Care Costs Care and Support Minister alistair Burt announced earlier this month that the implementation of the £72,000 cap on care costs will be delayed until april 2020.

Limits on the amount an individual paid towards their care were due to come in to force in 2016 however ministers have now pushed back the plans amid fears from councils about how they would meet the costs.

Officials said the Government was still fully committed to introducing the cap within this Parliament but wanted to make sure it was feasible from the beginning.

The decision came after an LGA letter sent to health secretary Jeremy Hunt which said it would be “deeply damaging to press ahead with a costly and ambitious reform programme if the very foundations of the system we are reforming cannot be sustained.”

From April 2016, care costs for those over the age of 65 were to have been capped to £72,000 over the course of their lifetime, and the intended changes would have also meant councils could only reject cost coverage for people with assets above £118,000, instead of the existing £23,250 threshold.

This means more people would have to pay for their care, either at home or in a care home, for 10% of these people costs can exceed £100,000.

Despite this, the changes initially intended for next April also projected a more generous system of state help.

In the letter to ministers, dated 1 July and signed by health and care chair Cllr Izzi Seccombe, the LGA called for “frank assessments of prioritisation” yet clarified that they were not asking for funding changes to be entirely suspended.

It said: “This means considering postponing new costly initiatives – even those we fully support – if that is the

only way we can secure sufficient funding for mainstream social care services.

“We do believe that reforms can wait and that addressing the more pressing matter of funding for the system itself should be our shared priority.”

The cap was part of a series of changes being instigated under the 2014 Care Act as well as part of the Conservative Party’s manifesto.

Delaying the cap therefore represents a clear break from commitments outlined in the Tory election manifesto, despite the fact that ministers will now be able to inject as much as £2bn into social care in England.

The manifesto originally stated: “We will cap charges for residential social care from April 2016… so that no one has to sell their home. For the first time individual liabilities will be limited, giving everyone the peace of mind that they will receive the care they need and they will be protected from unlimited costs if they develop very serious care needs such as dementia.”

According to the government’s cost estimates, this decision will save £590m in 2016-17 and £2bn until the end of the austerity programme in 2019.

Izzi Seccombe welcomed the delay.

She said: "The announcement to delay the second phase of the Care Act is a positive recognition from government of what the LGA has been warning - that we cannot try and reform the way people pay for adult social care when the system itself is on such an unstable foundation.

"Local government was ready and able to implement the next phase of the Care Act - we have supported the need for reform to the way people pay for their care and still believe this to be necessary.

"In an ideal world, we would have funding for both the system and the reforms, but we have to be realistic

about where scarce resources are needed most. Local authorities have already implemented phase one of the Care Act and if both the reforms and the care system were fully funded, we would not need to suggest a delay.

"Any money from delaying the reforms must be put back into adult social care services and support putting it on a sustainable footing. The funding gap in adult social care is growing by a minimum of £700 million a year and, whilst this will not cover the rapidly increasing care costs councils are facing, it will be better than to attempt to push forward with changes on shaky grounds."

Caroline Abrahams, charity director for Age UK, said: "The Government is right to delay implementing the cap on care costs as the top priority must be to stop the social care system that millions of older people depend on from collapsing in its entirety.

"At the moment there are growing concerns that the social care system is in a cataclysmic state of decline and unsustainable on its current basis. From this point of view, introducing the care cap would have been a distraction.

"What matters now is that the Government grasps the scale of the galloping crisis in social care and uses the Spending Review to bring forward effective solutions, which must include significant investment to fill the funding gap that is at the heart of the system's difficulties. The clock is ticking.

"Meanwhile, there is a continuing need to protect older people from the risk of endlessly spiralling care costs: that problem which the Dilnot Commission was convened to address has not gone away. However, the version of the cap the Government wanted to bring in was set too high. If there is to be a cap on costs in future, as Age UK hopes, it must be fit for purpose and worthy of the name."

PAGE 2

THE CARER

SUMMER 2015

VIEWPOINT EDITOR

HaS tHe “can”, that is the single greatest issue facing the care industry today been kicked down the road once more? there is no doubt that the decision to delay implementing the cap on social care costs breaks a manifesto commitment by the government, and furthermore, breaks that commitment only weeks after the general election.

Health Minister Alistair Burt did concede that the “difficult decision” to postpone the introduction until 2020 was a result of concerns raised by the Local Government Association which had appealed, I understand for a two-year postponement. From what I have read the insurance industry who were expected to come forward with products to cover the first £72,000 per costs failed to materialise, which was a significant factor in the decision for the delay.

The decision has been welcomed by various care industry sectors, however, there is to me a note of caution. It is a clear U-turn on an election manifesto commitment, and no-one seems to be addressing that!

And the concerns that have been put forward for the delay now would have been blatantly apparent prior to the election.

However, was the cap a good idea in the first place? And how many people would it have actually benefited? According to Labour's shadow care minister, Liz Kendall, the cap meant pensioners would actually face paying £150,000 for their residential care before the government stepped in to help.

And, whatever the care costs themselves, the so-called "hotel and accommodation" costs – the room itself, the bed, the food, the heating were not included at all. Resulting in an average £230 a week that doesn't count towards the cap. The Telegraph reported back in November 2014 that the average care home resident would gain nothing from Government pledges to cap their fees, and would die without ever reaching the £72,000 cap.

I noted with great interest what Stephen Burke, director of the Good Care Guide website said in an article in the Guardian: “The cap on care costs was a bad idea, very poorly implemented. It is a con that would have benefited few older people and their families. It should be scrapped not postponed. The real issue is the substantial underfunding of care for our ageing population. The government needs to address the funding of care urgently to stop more and more older people missing out on care and support they need.

“The care crisis is already having a huge impact on older and disabled people and their families and means more people having to pay for their own care, struggle on their own or rely on family and friends. It is also having a massive knock-on effect on the NHS as more older people are admitted to hospital because of the lack of care at home. Without urgent measures to address care underfunding, the whole system is in danger of collapsing given the growing demands and cost pressures.”

It is abundantly clear that underfunding is the pressing issue, and the cap was, to many industry leaders papering over cracks, chronic underfunding is the greatest challenge and chronic underfunding will impact even more over the next four years. Once again we here at The Carer would be very interested in your views so please feel free to drop us a line or an email details are on this page.

Peter Adams

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SUMMER 2015

THE CARER

Red Tape Adds Over A Billion Pounds to the Care Home Sector CoMplianCe noW costs the care industry £21,250 per firm with independent care homes having to stump up £26,000, but the true cost is much higher, according to the Forum of private Business.

Businesses in residential care spend over £8,200 on external consultants to ensure compliance out of a total spend of just under £26,000 per firm. Organisations who undertake social work without accommodation spend around £21,600 on compliance with just over £7,000 on consultants and other social activities spend £6,750 on consultants out of a total of £17,700.

These figures are expected to increase significantly as a result of the increase in the budget and the general increases in employment – care homes saw a much greater increase in general payroll costs than other sectors.

“While everyone wants a high quality care system in this country to take care of an aging population, the Kennedy report has shown that there is tension between compliance needs and care needs” said the Forum’s Managing Director, Ian Cass.

“We have become really worried that punishments for care home managers in particular will lead to a new slew of paperwork that cannot help with the care of their charges. Caring for the most vulnerable in the community should be one of the most rewarding jobs that a person could have but the industry is beset by low pay/margins and increasingly bureaucratic workload”.

The survey revealed: • SMEs in the care industry spend £21,250 compared to £14,200 for a typical SME • Internal compliance costs have risen to £340 million

• Consultants account for £181 million or 35% of the entire cost • Red tape adds up to £520 million in terms of salaried staff costs but this equates to over a billion pounds in lost care costs/ • The big difference between the care industry and other sectors is the cost of industry specific compliance (including the CQC) which accounts for £5,800 per firm.

• Members spend 15% less time on employment law, the same amount of time on health and safety and 50% less consultant costs than other firms • Costs are likely to increase due to punitive measures being targeted at care home managers • The Forum believes that the increase in the National Living Wage will mean that radical deregulation is required with a much greater focus on care.

The cost of compliance in the care industry has risen to £521 million with £181 being spent on external consultants.

Costs per firm are £4,760 for health and safety, £5,500 for employment law, £5,230 for employment law and £5,800 for industry specific legislation and environmental compliance.

The Forum also stated that confidence to invest may also be dampened by increased costs to the National Minimum Wage (NMW), stating that many wage structures are indirectly affected and may make it harder for businesses in labour intensive industries such as social care (where budgets are being cut) and those businesses that have overseas competition. Setting the Annual Investment Allowance at £200,000, which was lower than anticipated, was still however welcome as it gives SMEs some stability and the proposed increase in wages were mitigated by the reduction in corporation tax and an increase in the employment allowance to £3,000.

Barchester Healthcare Collects Gold Award for Health and Safety BarCHeSter HealtHCare’S Health and Safety team were delighted to collect a roSpa Gold award for occupational Health and Safety at an awards presentation held on 16th June at the exCel, london.

This year was Barchester’s first attempt at entering the awards so the Health and Safety team, led by Director of Health and Safety Cath Dyson, were extremely proud to receive the Gold Award.

The RoSPA Awards promote the importance of occupational health

and safety and acknowledge organisations that excel in this area. They are internationally recognised and have fast become the most sought after accolade by organisations from every sector.

Cath Dyson, Director of Health and Safety at Barchester said: “My team and I were thrilled that Barchester was awarded Gold, and collecting the award was a very proud and exciting moment. Winning Gold on our first entry attempt clearly demonstrates the commitment of my team and the support from our senior management team who regard health and safety as a key management function.”

Walks With Hawks A Flyaway Success At Cheltenham Care Home a HoSt of feathered friends flew into Sandfields, when the care home hosted a fun event in association with Walks with Hawks.

Following the success of the care home’s participation in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch earlier in the year, residents at Sandfields had the rare chance to experience the art of falconry and to get up close to different species of hawks, owls and falcons.

There was an opportunity to handle the birds and the session also included a talk about the importance of protecting birds of prey and conserving their habitats.

Ruth Baggs, home manager at Sandfields, said: “Many residents here have an active interest in wildlife and nature and, as everyone enjoyed getting involved in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch earlier this year, we took the decision to invite Walks with Hawks to bring some of their magnificent birds along to Sandfields.

“The visit was a real success and you could see from the residents’ reactions just how engaged and fascinated they were by the chance to get so close to such impressive birds of prey. It was fantastic to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.

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THE CARER

SUMMER 2015

Women Are Bearing the Brunt Of Caring, Finds Revitalise Study a neW study by national disabled people’s charity revitalise has highlighted the pressure felt by women to assume caring roles ahead of men.

While acknowledging that 42% of the UK’s 6.5 million unpaid carers are men, the charity’s study has revealed a perception among female carers that they are victims of a gender bias which may be unfairly forcing them into caring roles.

The survey found that twice as many women as men thought the gender of a person was a factor in their becoming a carer (34% vs 17%).

When quizzed further, 8 out of 10 (78%) of the female respondents agreed that women feel more pressured into the role of carer on account of their gender. However, this contention was shared by only half of the men (53%).

9 out of 10 (89%) female carers felt there was an expectation in families and society that women take on the role of carer, to which over 8 out of 10 (84%) non-carers also agreed.

Significantly, 4 out of 10 (37%) non-carers thought men tried to evade the responsibility of providing care.

But when it came to the question of men’s caring capabilities, 8 out of 10 women (78%) and 9 out of 10 men (91%) were in unanimous agreement that men were just as good at caring as women – an opinion also shared by 8 out of 10 (83%) non-carers.

Women’s feelings of injustice extended to the workplace too; 84% of female carers felt there was a greater expectation that women should abandon their careers to become carers.

The Revitalise survey also painted a stark picture of the plight of the UK’s unpaid carers, both male and female. Half (48%) of the carers who responded to the survey – 83% of whom were 50 or over –

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There are approximately 10,000,000 people over the age of 65 in the UK. People over 65 are at a higher risk of choking, with a majority of them not being able to use the standard choking protocol. LifeVac is a revolutionary new product designed to save the lives of people where abdominal thrusts and back slaps are either ineffective or not recommended to be applied. LifeVac is a single suction device, three times more effective than the standard choking protocol. The unit is so easy to use it can be self operated or applied by another.

said they provided 24/7 care for a loved one, yet over a third (34%) said they had never had any significant time away since they started caring.

The impact on the emotional and physical wellbeing of carers was also clearly highlighted: 6 out of 10 (60%) said they put the health of their loved one ahead of their own. A third (32%) admitted that they sometimes felt depressed and/or resentful at being a carer and that sometimes they lost patience or got angry at the person they cared for (34%).

Revitalise is holding up its study as evidence that much more needs to be done to support unpaid family carers – especially in terms of regular respite from caring – and also that the perceived issue of gender bias within caring needs to be addressed.

Revitalise Chief Executive Chris Simmonds commented: “On the surface this might make quite depressing reading, but it’s important to acknowledge that many people don’t regard caring for loved one as a burden or a chore. In our survey, 6 out of 10 carers said they were happy to be carers because they felt it was their duty.

“But the fact remains that most carers are under incredible pressure and get very little support. Revitalise has been providing respite support for disabled people and carers for over 50 years, so we know a thing or two about the importance of regular time off from caring, as well as the devastating impact that a lack of regular respite can have.

“We think our research has opened the door on an issue that deserves urgent attention. If women are bearing the brunt of the duty of care, if they feel unfairly pressured into giving up their careers, hopes and plans solely because of their gender, then we think that is quite wrong.

“We’ve always believed that disabled people should have the same rights and freedoms as non-disabled people – and exactly the same principle should apply to all carers too.”

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The spray’s disinfecting properties eliminate 99.99% of bacteria while it effectively cleans greasy streaks and uses alcohol to leave glass streak free. Flash 3in1 is a product that ensures hospitality operators are best equipped to give their guests the perfect experience.

When staying away from home and eating out, guests are acutely aware of cleanliness standards and naturally expect attention to the small details. Their first impression can make or break a business’ reputation. While it takes years of hard work and determination to build

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SUMMER 2015

THE CARER

PAGE 5

Debate Over Benefits and Harms of Psychiatric Drugs an expert has argued that long-term use of psychiatric drugs for many conditions, including antipsychotics and drugs prescribed for people with dementia, may do more harm than good.

His views are countered by a professor of mood disorders and a psychiatric patient as part of a debate published in the BMJ. In the article, Prof Peter Gøtzsche of the Nordic Cochrane Centre in Copenhagen argues that many drug trials have failed to properly evaluate the effects of many drugs. Prof Gøtzsche points out that a study of antipsychotics in people with dementia showed people taking the drugs were more likely to die than those not taking antipsychotics. He also suggests that evidence for the effectiveness of dementia drugs such as cholinesterase inhibitors – which are usually prescribed to help with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease – is lacking.

Countering this argument, Prof Allan Young from King’s College London and John Crace, a psychiatric patient, point out that all drugs are assessed by regulators both before and after they are licensed for use. They argue that, although any treatment may do both good and harm, it is important assess the risks for individual patients on a case by case basis.

Dr Simon Ridley at Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, said: “This important debate focuses on a wide range of drugs used for numerous conditions, but it is very diffi-

cult to generalise about the relative benefits and drawbacks of such a large number of varied treatments.

“The dangers of long-term use of antipsychotic drugs for symptoms of aggression and agitation in dementia were highlighted in an Alzheimer’s Research UK-funded study in 2009, and since then moves have been made to reduce their use. Antipsychotics may be prescribed in the short term to help with agitation, an extremely challenging symptom of dementia, but these drugs should only be given when there is no other option for dealing with these symptoms, and their use should always be carefully monitored.

“The most commonly-used drugs for dementia, cholinesterase inhibitors, have been found in several studies to help some people cope with symptoms such as memory loss. Although these do not work for everyone and the effects for some people may be small, many people report significant benefits with these drugs offering relief from distressing symptoms. Alzheimer’s Research UK would not support the removal of these treatments from people who may benefit.

“All medicines carry side effects and it is important for the potential harms of any drug to be weighed against its possible benefits, and for treatments to be monitored closely. Ultimately, we still need treatments that can stop the diseases that cause dementia in their tracks, and these can only come through research. With 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, the need for continued investment in research has never been more urgent.”

tHe SearCH for the 2015 Kp of the Year award is now in full swing, with entries from across the foodservice industry, including restaurants, schools, pubs, hotels and hospitals. the award, which is the brainchild of warewash equipment specialist Winterhalter, is designed to celebrate the contribution kitchen porters make to the foodservice industry.

Each year top chefs add their weight to the cause – the latest being Shaun Searley of The Quality Chop House.

“Many people don’t understand what kitchen porters go through on a daily basis,” he says. “They are so often left out of the appreciation loop. We need to show that appreciation – KPs are a really integral cog in the make-up of a restaurant.”

This year the prizes include £1,000 cash for the winner, plus a celebratory meal, plus a Winterhalter machine for their establishment. There are cash prizes for the two runners up, too.

A big supporter of the KP of the Year Award, Shaun reckons the industry needs to buck up its ideas when it comes to KPs. “It’s our job

as chefs and waiters to show our respect and include them in everything we do,” he says.

Nominate your KP at www.kpoftheyear.com – the online form should only take a few minutes to complete.

The prizes for 2015 are £1,000 cash for the winner, plus a celebratory meal for them and their friends, plus a Winterhalter warewasher worth up to £8,000; plus £250 cash each for two runners up. In addition, Winterhalter is offering a prize to every single KP who is nominated, in the form of a special KPotY Oliver Harvey presentation tin and apron.

For the latest interviews and videos on the KP of the Year visit the video gallery at www.kpoftheyear.com.

Winterhalter provides a total solution for warewashing, from pre-sales advice to after-sales service, training and maintenance. Alongside its market-leading dish and glasswashers, the company’s range includes utensil washers, advanced water treatment machines, cleaning chemicals and detergents. For further details, call Winterhalter on 01908 359000, see www.winterhalter.co.uk, or www.winterhalter-scout.biz or email info@winterhalter.co.uk.

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THE CARER

SUMMER 2015

Carers Top Poll of Most Unappreciated Jobs as Care Home Providers Warn of Shortfall neW reSearCH reveals 75% of people believe those working in care don’t receive the status or praise they are due. the YouGov research was commissioned by anchor, the not-for-profit housing and care provider, and comes as the charity urges a change in attitudes towards carers, as they look to fill more than 2000 job vacancies in england in the next 12 months.

Professional footballers were named by 83% of people as the job most overvalued in society, closely followed by reality TV stars (80%) and hip hop artists (51%). And 39% believe politicians receive greater status than they deserve.

The research comes as care providers warn that a shortfall in carers is expected to reach 718,000 by 2025[i] as people live longer and require more support to live life to the full in older age. Anchor is encouraging people to challenge the negative perceptions of a career in care by finding out about range of opportunities available in the sector as care homes throw open their doors for Care Home Open Day. With thousands of new jobs on offer, Jane Ashcroft CBE, CEO of Anchor believes it’s time to challenge out-dated attitudes towards care workers. “Perceptions about what a career in care entails are out of date and it’s time that

changes. The breadth of different roles in care is huge; it’s time to throw the stereotypes out. Care is a very rewarding job where you can make a hugely positive impact on the lives of older people, and develop a long term career.

“The overwhelming majority of carers are hard-working, skilled, and committed. At a time when more and more of us will need support in later life, we should celebrate that.

The YouGov poll also reveals that care hits the mark when it comes to the things most of us want from a fulfilling career. The majority of people (60%) said a good work/life balance was most important to them. Working with a good team was chosen by 54% of people, followed by having a challenging and varied role (47%), and flexible working (42%).

Liam Fleming, 26, started his career as an Activity Coordinator in one of Anchor’s care homes in London and has since been promoted to a manager of a retirement housing property. “I get the opportunity to be really creative and find the right activity for our residents. I know them personally and have the freedom to organise activities that bring a smile to their faces. It’s a good career and you will make really great bonds with people and learn so much. If you have the right attitude and you have empathy, it really opens up opportunities for you.”

Residents at Yarm Care Home Enjoy Visit from Local School Children reSidentS at Yarm-based ayresome Court care home enjoyed a visit from local school children who taught them the technologies of the 21st century.

Year 7 and Year 8 pupils from Conyers School in Yarm taught residents how to use IPads and IPhones, while other residents who preferred more traditional fun enjoyed games of dominoes and Connect Four with the youngsters.

The visit was part of a community cohesion and active citizenship outreach programme run by Conyers School.

Barbara Holton (86), a resident at the home, said: “I’ve never won anything in my life. Thank you, you’ve made my day’, after Owen

Hutchinson (12) showed her how to play a ‘21’ card game and how to calculate using an iPhone.

The residents were so thrilled with their new friends that several of them pleaded for the students to stay, with one resident showing her appreciation of the visit by singing a traditional Irish folk song.Lin Cordey, Manager at Ayresome Court, said: “We’d like to say a massive thank you to the staff and students from Conyers School who visited us. We were overwhelmed to see how maturely the students interacted with the residents, assisting them to get around and chatting to them about their pasts - who said anything about a generation gap!

Adaptawear Adds New Summer Clothing Products! adaptawear has added two new great summer clothing products to our range: the elasticated Waist Men’s polycotton pull on trousers and the richmond Short Sleeve Wrap over dress for the ladies.

The Carer is published by RBC Publishing Ltd, Suite 4, Roddis House, Old Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth, Dorset.

Contributions are welcome for consideration, however, no responsibility will be accepted for loss or damage. Views expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team. Whilst every care is taken when compiling this publication to ensure accuracy, the publisher will assume no responsibility for any effects, errors or omissions therefrom. All rights reserved, reproduction is forbidden unless written permission is obtained.

All material is assumed copyright free unless otherwise advised.

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SUMMER 2015

THE CARER

Crunch Time For the Car Sector?

Care england, the largest representative body for independent social care providers, has published a ground breaking report on the state of social care warning of a collapse in the system if providers and commissioners do not work together and more nurses are not recruited into the independent sector. it states that the next five years will be crucial in ensuring that the care and support services that many people rely on remain sustainable.

Professor Green, Chief Executive of Care England, said: “This positive vision attempts to define the contribution that the independent care sector can make to avert a major disaster for the NHS and Exchequer. It makes very little sense to have dividing lines separating primary, hospitals and social care when people with long-term conditions – working age or elderly – frequently use all three.

Evolutionary rather than revolutionary changes are needed with different elements of the system working together

rather than in silos”.

Care England is uniquely placed to comment with an authoritative and representative view. Members have attempted to help Local Authorities by making efficiency savings in order to accept below inflationary fee rises and fee freezes, but this is now unsustainable. Increasing instances of Judicial Review and continued provider attrition are the only consequences arriving from the current way of working. Neither commissioners nor providers can afford the former, and individuals that we care for cannot afford the latter.

Martin continued: “An inability to recruit nurses in the independent care sector is one of the main issues that is causing additional pressure to be placed on the care home, acute sector and commissioning budgets.

We are in the process of developing a new hybrid role for nursing in the care home sector which would fall between a care worker and a nurse, but there is still a major supplyside problem, which the Government needs to urgently address if the nursing home sector is to survive”.

‘Thanks for the Memories, Children’ say Dementia Care Home Residents CHildHood MeMorieS for the young and not-so-young were rekindled when pupils from a lymington primary school visited a dementia care home in the town.

To prepare for their move to secondary education, 34 pupils from the William Gilpin School at Boldre have been working on an arts project reflecting on their lives so far.

In workshops led by an Art Therapist, they decorated ‘memory boxes’ filled with drawings, photos, toys, ticket stubs and other items associated with school plays, trips and holidays.

Six children showed off their work on a specially organised trip to Colten Care’s Linden House dementia care home.

There were smiles all round as they talked face-to-face with residents and explained the significance of the personal collections they have gathered.

Ticket stub in hand, ten-year-old Charlotte talked about her memories of a stage version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She also had a train ticket to London from a trip to the Natural History Museum. Asked about

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her discussions with residents, Charlotte said: “They asked about everything I had in the box and the fun and memories I’ve had at school.”

Mandy Stevens, Activities Organiser at Linden House, said: “This was the first time we have welcomed such young children in as a whole group. After the visit, residents were coming up to me and saying how much they enjoyed it. We wanted the experience to complement our wider focus on gentle memory stimulation. Our home has many memory-themed rooms and garden spaces and talking about times gone by is something that our residents find very therapeutic.”

The visit was arranged through the Sway-based charity hArt, standing for Hampshire Art for Recreation and Therapy. Art Therapist Sam Lewis said: “This is the first intergenerational project we have done. For the children, the aim was to help their transition to secondary school by reflecting on their time in education so far and bring closure on their final years of primary. For the Linden House residents, it was a further chance to talk about memories of youth, something that can be therapeutic on the dementia journey.”

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SUMMER 2015

THE CARER

PAGE 9

Dementia Costs Society In Wales £1.4 Billion A Year a neW report, the hidden cost of dementia in Wales commissioned by alzheimer’s Society, exposes the financial and human costs of dementia to society in Wales. it estimates that in 2013 the total cost of dementia in Wales was £1.4 billion, an average cost of £31,300 per person per year.

This report follows Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia UK report released last year and was written and researched by the London School of Economics. The hidden cost of dementia in Wales is the first of its kind to give an analysis of the economic impact dementia has on Welsh society and will be the subject of a panel discussion; ‘Can Wales afford to ignore Dementia?’, to take place on Tuesday 14 July at the National Assembly for Wales.

Sue Phelps, Director of Alzheimer’s Society in Wales said: ‘There are 45,000 people living with dementia in Wales. The report estimates the financial cost of dementia in Wales is £1.4 billion, which is nearly a quarter of the health and social care spend by the Welsh Government each year.

‘Dementia is life-changing for people living with the disease and for those who support them. This report found that people with dementia, carers and their families currently shoulder around two-thirds of the costs themselves.

This amounts to £298 million for private social care, and equivalent to £622

million in providing unpaid care to people with dementia.

‘Their sacrifice and support is integral to how we care for people living with dementia, however, it is not fair or sustainable that carers continue to foot the bill. With an ageing population, the number of people with dementia is set to grow, so too will the costs – there needs to be ongoing collaboration in how we approach caring for people with dementia in order for Wales to fulfil its ambition in becoming a truly dementia-friendly nation.’

Key findings of the report indicate: £196 million spent on healthcare costs – these costs are particularly high for people with severe dementia living in the community, and those with moderate or severe dementia living in care homes £535 million spent on social care costs (publicly and privately funded), social care costs are nearly three times that of healthcare £622 million is contributed by the work of unpaid carers of people with dementia £6 million is spent on other costs include police costs including missing person enquiries, advocacy and research Sue Phelps continued: ‘The findings of this report reinforce the need to have a National Dementia Strategy for Wales to underpin the existing vision in setting out how we will manage what is becoming a growing issue in Welsh society.’

Double Success for New Milton Care Home StaFF at a Hampshire care home are celebrating a double success.

Colten Care's Kingfishers in New Milton has received the Gold Standards Framework Care Homes Accreditation Award for the high quality of care provided.

The Quality Hallmark Award was presented by the Gold Standards Framework.

Kingfishers was also rated 'outstanding' for the caring of its residents in the latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

According to the CQC: "The service was caring. People were treated with dignity, respect and kindness. Staff were highly motivated and knowledgeable about people’s needs, likes, interests and preferences."

The report added: "Staff were exceptional at encouraging and supporting people to be as

independent as possible and to live the life they chose."

Overall the CQC rated Kingfishers as 'good' following the unannounced visit by inspectors in March.

Rebecca Hannam, Home Manager, who is currently on maternity leave, returned to The Meadows home to take part in a celebratory photoshoot with Barbara Harris, Acting Home Manager, and members of staff.

Mark Aitchison, Colten Care's Chief Executive, said: "These are fantastic accolades for Rebecca, Barbara and their team. They should all be justifiably very proud.

"For me it is a great example of the team working together to continue to raise their already high standards. Receiving external recognition for their efforts is testament to what they have achieved."

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THE CARER

SUMMER 2015

FCA’s Interest Rate Hedging Product Review: The National Association of Care Catering An Opportunity for Care Home Operators? Care Cook of the Year 2015 is Crowned

by Charlie Enderby Smith, Solicitor, Carter-Ruck

tHere HaS been an interesting development in the Courts relating to the FCa instigated interest rate Hedging product review, which many care home operators will be following with interest. like many small businesses with large property portfolios, they will be eager to know whether the grounds have began to shift in relation to the review, the aim of which has been to provide compensation to small business owners who have been mis-sold one or more interest rate Hedging products (iHrps) over the last 15 years.

KPMG had previously been approved by the FCA to supervise the allocation of compensation to victims of the mis-sale of IRHPs by Barclays Bank. This compensation was an end result of a wider review into Barclays’ conduct whilst selling IRHPs, which KPMG were also appointed to oversee. Critics of the compensation awarded for the mis-selling have since been vocal, with many expressing concerns that the compensation has not been fair or adequate.

Holmcroft Properties Ltd was one of the businesses mis-sold derivatives by Barclays. The nursing home operator was disappointed by the amount of compensation it was offered in respect of additional losses (i.e. losses arising indirectly from the Banks’ mis-sale) and further disappointed by KPMG’s conclusion that said offer was ‘appropriate, fair and reasonable’. Holmcroft is now challenging the decision by KPMG not to require Barclays to award more compensation in the courts.

Permission for a judicial review of this decision has been granted by the Administrative Court. This means that KPMG’s decision, and potentially the entire IRHP

Review, will be scrutinised for fairness by the courts.

Whilst it was not the role of the judge at this stage to decide whether or not KPMG’s decision was wrongly taken, this judgment signifies a step in that direction and will be welcomed by those businesses affected by the misselling.

Revealingly, the judge commented on the considerable general public interest attached to these proceedings. He explained that he had taken this interest into account when considering the merits of the application, which was a factor weighing in Holmcroft’s favour.

The full judicial review of the merits of KPMG’s decision, and perhaps of the Review as a whole, is to take place at some point between 1 October and 21 December 2015.

The potential consequences of a decision in Holmcroft’s favour for the Review as a whole are as yet unclear. However, the comments made by the judge about the wider public interest/importance of this issue, and the resources thrown at resisting the progress of this application (Barclays, KPMG and the FCA all resisted with two barristers a piece), indicate that the ramifications are likely to extend far beyond Holmcroft’s own position.

Any business that has engaged with the FCA IRHP Review and has been left dis-satisfied with the redress they have received (or lack thereof) should follow Holmcroft’s progress with this application carefully. In the meantime, any of these businesses, or indeed any other businesses that missed out on the Review or were considered too large to join it in the first place, may also want to consider seeking legal advice in relation to any claims that may be open to them in the courts.

Omnicell Announces Consolidation Of UK Businesses oMniCell, inC. a leading provider of medication and supply management solutions to the global healthcare market announces its plans to consolidate each of its uK businesses, Surgichem limited and MtS Medication technologies.

The company’s headquarters for Europe, the Middle East and Africa is now based in Irlam (Manchester). This move will allow Omnicell to take advantage of Manchester’s strong talent pool and transport networks to support the company’s growth and expansion, as well as reinforce its heritage as a leading provider in medication adherence packaging and automation.

The existing MTS and Surgichem product brands, Easyblist and Nomad, will both be renamed as ‘SureMed® by Omnicell’ over the coming months and will be accompanied by a new visual identity. Combining the leading multi and sin-

gle-dose packaging technologies of MTS Medication Technologies with the complementary Surgichem offering in one location is expected to accelerate the development of new medication adherence products and service offerings to benefit health care providers and their patients across the world.

Paul O’Hanlon, Omnicell Managing Director for UK & Ireland, comments: “For over 20 years, the mission of Omnicell has been to help improve patient care. It is now widely accepted within the healthcare community that medication adherence is key to delivering better clinical outcomes and cost-efficiencies and Omnicell is tackling the issue of medication non-adherence through innovative solutions. We believe the bringing together of Surgichem and MTS Medication Technologies under Omnicell UK, demonstrates Omnicell’s commitment to the global adherence market.”

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oliver SMitH has been crowned the national association of Care Catering (naCC) Care Cook of the Year 2015. the chef at Wetherby Manor care home, Wetherby, claimed the coveted title at the national final of the culinary competition.

Barking & Dagenham College’s Technical Skills Academy played host to the finale of the annual competition that spotlights the skill, talent and dedication to excellence demonstrated by chefs in the care sector on a daily basis.

In front of industry colleagues, associations and media, 11 worthy finalists pulled out all the stops to impress the judges with their specially-created menus that showcased real knowledge and understanding of the nutritional and dietary needs of those in a care environment, as well as innovation and flair.

Oliver’s winning menu of pork tenderloin, celeriac puree, crispy potatoes and apple followed by chocolate mousse with beetroot gave him the edge that clinched the top prize. Oliver impressed the judges with his well-balanced menu that tasted great and was fun to eat. He also demonstrated innovative use of beetroot in the dessert, great cooking of the pork and delivered on a nutrition front.

Oliver said on his win: “I am overwhelmed that I have won, especially within a group of such talented and like-minded chefs. The food they all produced was amazing. I absolutely loved the opportunity to meet other chefs and get an insight into what they do and their opinions. I also made new friends. It really has been an incredible experience.

“My residents have all tried my winning dishes so they will be thrilled that I have won!”

Matthew Dodge of Coombe Hill Manor in Kingstonupon-Thames took second place, with Samantha Smallwood of Sunrise Senior Living of Edgbaston taking third place.

Matthew Dodge was also awarded Highly Commended Main, with Paul Burch of Dukes Court Care Home, Wellingborough receiving Highly Commended Dessert.

Neel Radia, National Chair, NACC, says about the national final: “What a fantastic national final.

Congratulations to Oliver, our NACC Care Cook of the Year 2015. The competition was fierce and Oliver proved that he is at the top of his game. All the finalists put on an incredible show of culinary excellence and they should be applauded for their achievements. They proved themselves to be superb ambassadors for catering in the care sector.

Open to all chefs and cooks in the care sector (both NACC members and non-members), entrants are required to create a delicious and nutritionally balanced two-course menu, main and dessert, suitable for service users in a care setting and with a total food cost of no more than £1.50 per head based on four portions.

In just 90 minutes they are tasked with producing a first-class menu that demonstrates innovation, costing ability, suitability for the environment, adherence to nutrition guidelines, great taste, and overall menu balance.

As well as the esteemed title of NACC Care Cook of the Year 2015, the overall winner received a superb prize package and trophy.

For more information on the NACC Care Cook of the Year 2015 competition visit www.thenacc.co.uk.

The Freedom Range from Steelite International tHe FreedoM range from Steelite international has been specially designed to be easy to use for care home residents. Heather lovatt, head of marketing, Steelite international, says “Meal times are often one of the few independent pleasures left for those with age-restricted mobility. this range gives patients the confidence to eat unaided and removes the task of assisted feeding for the care-giver.”

The plates feature an undercut shoulder which is a clever design that helps get the food onto the fork or spoon. This enables eating without assistance. The wide food area adds

stability and helps hold the plate in place during a meal.

The curved rim catches any overspills and prevents foods from slipping off the plate.

“The coloured items in the range are designed to look like standard tableware, allowing patients to enjoy meals alongside their family and friends, without feeling isolated or excluded.

The colours are also specifically chosen to aid vision and memory stimulation for people with dementia.

The range is durable, cost-effective and comes with Steelite International’s lifetime chip warranty. Less breakages will mean that the care home will save money.

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A Caring Approach to Waste Manageme The food waste is sent to Grundon s Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Facility in Surrey. There it is processed into valuable bio? fertliser and is used to generate renewable electricity.

As Tim explains, the decision was taken to try and consolidate waste management under one contractor.

We used to have two or three companies involved in the various waste disposal streams but new charges were introduced which didn t work in our favour, so we took the opportunity to review the contract, he said.

Wherever possible we try to work with local suppliers and companies with personality. We looked at a lot of options but Grundon Waste Management impressed us, they were also a long?standing family business and right from the start, worked hard to give us the solution we were looking for. For us this was the closest we could get to a local business with a very personal approach.

Although Grundon were a very competitively priced solution, organisations divert materials from landfill, encouraging

Family?owned Birtley House is not just acost wasn t the deciding factor. Visiting the Colnbrooktofacilities or send waste to its EfW facility, where incine and realising that we could virtually eliminate the waste recycle we creates around 37 Megawatts of electricity, the vast major Nursing Home. It is located in the heart sendof to landfill, together with the fact they could offer a total solution for all our waste streams, was what made the which is exported into the National Grid. the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Grundon s Phil Steer, commercial manager, who works with and is Beauty, just a few miles from Guildford difference.

Birtley House, said: We have a very good working relation It also helped us to understand the processes better ourselves very proud of its long tradition of offering a with and in turn, we were able to pass that information on to ourthe team, the operation runs very smoothly and we are home from home for those who need staff to help make them more efficient when it comes toalways looking for new opportunities to support them, henc the introduction of the dedicated food waste service. additional support as they get older. disposing of waste.

Grundon was able to give us advice on how to classify waste They are very keen on green credentials and it s importan

Inevitably, Birtley House generates a considerable amount and of we ve noticed a difference in that nursing staff are nowto ensure waste is disposed of by recycling and throu them waste — from infectious healthcare waste, sharps and out?of? more careful about waste disposal. At one time a lot ofour material EfW plant instead of going to landfill. date drugs to offensive waste such as dressings and would go into hazardous waste bins which didn t need to be incontinence pads; together with general waste, recycling andand, as we were being charged per bag, we have there hazardous waste, including detergent bottles and disused managed to cut costs a little there. electrical items.

Grundon already has a strong track record in helping Since 2015, Birtley House has been working with Grundon Waste Management, a relationship so successful that the contract was recently extended to include a dedicated food waste collection service and provision of waste management services for some on?site events.

For more information on the range of services provided to care homes speak to Phil Steer01628 call 501591 or emailphillip.steer@grundon.com .

Tim Whalley, Properties Director at Birtley House, says the team is constantly looking at new ways to improve its green credentials: Previously we have composted as much as we could, but this method wasn t always suitable, so we were keen to take advantage of Grundon s expertise in this area.

It means that all food waste from our nursing home kitchens and supported?living Mews flats is now segregated into food caddies before being collected and sent to anaerobic digestion facilities, which is much more environmentally?friendly and marks another big step forward for us in the way we manage our waste.

SUMMER 2015

THE CARER

PAGE 13

Almost Half of Councils (48%) Unable to Meet Full Demand for Elderly Care alMoSt one in two councils (48%) is unable to provide care for everyone who requests it at the first point of asking, according to research conducted by prestige nursing + Care.

Freedom of Information requests submitted to 103 UK councils for the period 1st – 31st January 2015 reveal almost half of Councils were unable to find a care provider to cover all care requests. The number of unfilled hours ranged from 21 hours to 4,124 over the month.

The average number of hours not placed at the first point of asking across all councils was 582 per month – equivalent to the hours worked by five additional care workers. When assessing just those councils where not all care was immediately placed, this rose to an average of 1,221 hours per month, equivalent to 10 extra care workers.

Projected across all 433 UK principle authorities, this equates to 2,165 extra carers that are urgently needed, rising to 4,330 among those councils where not all care was immediately placed. Since 2010 social budgets have been squeezed to the effect that now only the most acute levels of care are provided for by local authorities, highlighting the severity of the situation. This is clearly a critical national issue, yet Labour is the only party to directly pledge recruiting more care workers as political parties fail to tackle the issue head on in the run up to the election.

Ageing population already takes its toll – set to worsen over the next decade Separate analysis of ONS data found that the over 65 population in the UK is projected to have grown by 23% in 2015 to almost 11 million, and rising by 49% in 2035.

If the care gap grows at the same rate as the over 65s population (23%) this would mean that by 2025 the average council would be unable to fill 716 hours of care a month, equal to a shortage of more than 310,000 hours UK wide, equivalent to the work carried out by 2,558 care workers.

Considering population growth among the over 75s – the age at which the need for care is likely to increase – this demographic is predicted to increase by 37% to 7.3 million in 2025 when the care gap would be equal to more than 2,849 care workers.

In contrast, the number of carers has risen by an average of just 0.2% a year between 2012 and 2014. As a result, the ratio of over 65s to care workers has risen from 10.4 in 2010 to 12.2 now. If current trends continue, the ratio is projected to reach 14.2 older people to each carer by 2025 – a rise of 41% from 2010.

Regional variations – Scotland particularly hard hit In Scotland – where care for the elderly is guaran-

teed but a shortage of workers is critical – 50% of the councils surveyed were unable to provide care for everyone who needs it. The number of unfilled hours ranged from 284 hours to 3,525 hours.

The average number of hours not placed at the first point of asking in Scotland is 645 hours, equivalent to 5 care workers. This rises to an average of 1,290 hours among just those councils who were unable to provide care – equivalent to 11 care workers (and above the UK average of 10).

Across the UK, 1.4% hours were unfilled compared to the total number of hours requested. In Scotland this rises to 1.7%. Edinburgh in particular – an affluent area where the industry struggles to recruit and retain care workers – is overstretched with 35% hours of care requested unfilled in January.

Other areas that particularly struggle to meet demand for care are Northamptonshire (where 36% of the total hours requested were unfilled), Suffolk (24%), Windsor (21%) and Devon (16%). In these regions the local demographics are likely to have an effect; an older and wealthy population as well as increased competition among the younger workforce all mean that recruitment and retention of care workers is a challenge.

Jonathan Bruce, managing director of Prestige Nursing + Care commented on the findings, “There is a clear shortage of carers with councils unable to find providers to cover requested care, something that will only increase as the number of older people in the UK continues to soar, and the number of people requiring care rises. Under the coalition cuts to council budgets have meant it is now only the most serious cases that qualify for council care. Yet even those in urgent need are in danger of not receiving the care they need.

“In light of this, it is alarming that only one of the major political parties has set out a clear aim to recruit more care workers and even then it is not clear how this will be delivered. Care and an ageing population should be a key issue policy for the outcome of the looming election, yet the contenders have failed to address one of the key challenges.

“Care workers choose their profession in order to help people, and although care and nursing was recently voted the most fulfilling sector to work in****, a key reason for the difficulties in recruiting staff is the demanding nature of the job and relatively low pay, impacted by a lack of government funding. There are going to be extraordinary demands on our care services in the years to come and we need action now on providing adequate reward and strong career prospects to those we need so desperately to join the profession.”

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PAGE 14

THE CARER

Evaluating The Role Of Admiral Nurse In Care Homes viCtoria elliot is a principal Care Consultant (research & innovation) at the orders of St John Care trust (oSJCt), the uK’s second largest not-for-profit care home provider.

As part of her role, Victoria monitors the impact of relationship-centred care, as well as initiatives introduced to minimise the unnecessary use of antipsychotic medication.

Last year, she was appointed a Fellow of the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE), making her the first fellow working within the social care charitable sector, and only the third nurse in total, to be appointed a Fellow.

With recent studies showing that nearly 800,000 people are living with dementia in the UK, care homes across the country are looking for ways of providing appropriate care and support.

One expert resource that has been effectively utilised over recent years is the appointment of My Home Life Admiral Nurses (MHLANs) – named such to reflect the collaboration between Dementia UK, My Home Life and Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) in establishing the role in 2010. MHLANs are tasked with providing skilled assessments of dementia care practices, as well as providing practical advice and support to families and carers of those with the condition.

Here, Victoria Elliot, Principal Care Consultant for OSJCT, reflects on the research conducted by the Association for Dementia Studies (ADS) at the University of Worcester, which evaluated the role of Admiral Nurses within OSJCT. “Thanks to funding from the Burdett Trust, we were able to undertake an in-depth look at the important part MHLANs play within OSJCT. As a result, we discovered a lot about the positive impact these practitioners have on the care and support provided to OSJCT residents, families and employees.”

The MHLAN Role: What They Do & How They Do It “The most frequent task undertaken by MHLANs was giving expert advice and support to residents, staff and families in a variety of ways. It was not simply the practical elements of support that were valued, though, but also the emotional aspects of that support, which was demonstrated through encouragement, objectivity, or simply listening to difficulties and concerns.

“Their remit also extended to support regarding internal processes, such as training and accreditation, as well as enhancing both the care culture and environment within a home. They also play a role in speaking at external events, such as conferences.

The Impact of the MHLAN Role on Residents, Staff and Care Homes Victoria continues: “The evaluation demonstrates that MHLANs have a direct positive impact on the experiences of residents within care homes by improving quality of life and helping to resolve certain issues.

For example, the Admiral Nurses assisted care teams with improving residents’ physical health, reducing pain, increasing independence and meaningful engagement, and generally improving the well-being of residents.

“Key areas of impact among care home employees included improved knowledge and skills (67% of respondents), being able to provide better care for residents living with dementia (64%), feeling more supported in doing their job (58%), and being more confident about doing their job (54%).

“The evaluation also found evidence that the MHLANs raised the profile of OSJCT as an organisation by hosting events like dementia cafes, as well as liaising with external professionals whilst advocating on behalf of homes and residents.”

Conclusions Dr Simon Evans, ADS Project Manager responsible for the research into the Admiral Nurse role, notes: “This research demonstrates the value of Admiral Nursing in care homes and the potential it has to improve support for residents, families and staff. This is important at a time when increasing numbers of residents have dementia. Our report makes a number of key recommendations for organisations that want to adopt this successful approach to dementia care.”

Victoria concluded: “This comprehensive review of the role has underlined the fact that Admiral Nurses significantly improve the quality of care provided to residents with dementia and their families.

“As an organisation, OSJCT recognises the added value such a role brings to the relationship-centred care service we offer. We hope the report will be a useful resource for other care home providers who are seeking to support staff, improve links with the community and, above all, improve the quality of the care and support they provide to older people.”

Wiltshire Care Home Residents Enjoy the Glitz And Glamour Of Las Vegas At Annual Tea Dance Care HoMe residents and staff from across Wiltshire were invited to let their hair down and enjoy a Fun day inspired by the ‘entertainment capital of the world’ – las vegas.

Over 140 residents and staff from 17 homes run by The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), the UK’s second largest not-for-profit care home provider, attended a Las Vegas themed Tea Dance on Tuesday 16 June at The Assembly Hall in Melksham.

This year’s annual event offered residents a chance to experience the glitz and glamour of America’s ‘Sin City’ with live music from an Elvis tribute act and other musical treats, as well as casino roulette tables, a pop-up photo booth, a buffet tea and a bar.

Special guests included Melksham Town Mayor Councillor Terri Welch, OSJCT Deputy Chairman and Trustee Brian

Goodson, OSJCT Head of Volunteering Lee Palmer and OSJCT Customer Relationship Advisor Beverly Wilson.

Karen Johnson, OSJCT Wiltshire Volunteer and Activities Manager, commented: “It would have been hard to replicate our 1950s and country-and-western themed tea dances of previous years, so this year we took inspiration from one of the most enchanting and entertaining cities in the world.

“Our annual themed tea dance is an opportunity for our residents to spend quality time with each other, while meeting new people from OSJCT care homes from throughout the county.

“The activities co-ordinators from our homes are always thinking of new ways for residents to have fun, to socialise, to experience music and the arts, and to remain active – so this is just another fantastic way of keeping people entertained and happy.”

SUMMER 2015

Over 700,000 Care Workers Set To Benefit From New ‘National Living Wage’ – But Extra Funding Essential Or Services Will Suffer tHe neW national living Wage (nlW) will deliver a welcome pay rise to between 700,000 and one million frontline care workers by 2020, according to new analysis by the independent think-tank the resolution Foundation.

The Foundation – which earlier this year called for and costed a plan to make social care a living wage sector – welcomes the new ‘premium’ minimum wage, which should make a big difference to low-paid care workers.

However, implementing the new premium minimum wage will require significant new public investment in the social care sector, which has a very high proportion of low-paid staff and limited scope to absorb these higher wage costs through rising productivity. Rising demand for care will also increase the pressure on staffing and wage costs.

The analysis finds that the cost of meeting expected rises in the National Minimum Wage were already estimated to cost around a £1bn by 2020, a figure that will could double to £2.3bn with the new premium minimum wage (the so called National Living Wage) for workers aged 25 and over. However, savings to the exchequer via offsetting reductions to in-work support should significantly lower this figure.

This extra funding will need to be found amidst deep spending cuts in local government, which funds social care. The Foundation estimates that on average non-protected departments will face spending cuts of around 16 per cent by 2020, relative to their funding in 2010, and cuts to local government are likely to be significantly higher.

The Foundation notes that there are considerable fiscal benefits to raising pay in social care, as well as the huge benefits to staff and their patients. It estimates

that up to half of the gross public costs of raising pay in social care will be returned to the Treasury through higher tax revenues and lower in-work support. This would bring the net public cost of implementing the new premium minimum wage in social care down to £1.2bn by the end of the Parliament.

Failure to fund the necessary investment in social care could lead to more employers failing to pay staff the legal minimum, says the Resolution Foundation.

Earlier RF research has found that 160,000 workers are currently losing out on around £130m a year through failure to pay even the NMW. This figure could rise significantly without extra resources and big improvements in enforcement.

The Foundation is urging the government to act quickly in making a commitment to fund higher pay in social care, which could make a huge difference to millions of workers, and the vital service they provide.

Laura Gardiner, Senior Policy Analyst at the Resolution Foundation said: “The new ‘premium’ minimum wage is a welcome move towards tackling low pay, particularly social care where at least 700,000 workers are set to benefit.

“But implementing this new ‘premium’ minimum wage will be challenging in the care sector and will require significant new public investment. Failure to do this could result in a major escalation of the illegal ‘wage theft’ that already blights the lives of far too many care workers.

“It is unrealistic to expect councils to find this extra money given the scale of cuts they’re facing. It is important therefore that central government steps up and commits to providing this vital investment in social care, which will give a major boost to staff and improve the quality of care.”

From Care Cook to International Success Suzanne SpurGin, the General Manager at a Sunrise Senior living community in Surrey has received international recognition for her work.

Suzanne, a qualified chef, has recently returned from a trip to San Diego, USA, where she was given the Sales Leadership award at the Sunrise Senior Living Awards. She faced tough competition from people in the UK, as well as Canada and the USA, where Sunrise is based.

Suzanne first joined Sunrise’s community in Frognal, Kent 11 years ago as Head Chef, having worked in the catering for her entire career until that point.

After deciding she wanted to change career paths, her potential was recognised

and she was moved into a managerial role there before going to the Banstead community where she has been for 6 years.

When presented with the prize, Suzanne was praised for the outstanding way she has managed her team, ensured the community is of a high standard and driven consistent high occupancy at the community.

Suzanne, who is General Manager of Sunrise’s community in Banstead, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been given this award. I was up against people from the USA and Canada, where Sunrise has around 250 communities, so it was never going to be easy!

“Of course, my team at Banstead have played such an important role in me receiving the award – it’s as much theirs as it is mine.”

OSJCT Care Workers Earn Medals of Merit for Outstanding Work Six Care workers from the orders of St John Care trust (oSJCt) have received prestigious awards from the British branch of the world’s oldest order of chivalry – the Sovereign order of Malta.

The Order of Malta’s St John’s Day Ceremony, which was held at the Brompton Oratory in London on 24th June, was attended by hundreds of people including Knights and Dames of the Order, the Venerable Order of St. John and World Ambassadors.

During the event, employees received Bronze and Silver Medals of Merits for their continuous hard work, dedication and commitment to the care and livelihood of residents across Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Lincolnshire and Wiltshire.

This year’s recipients were: • Cristina Pashmi, Quality & Compliance

Manager from OSJCT’s Operations Centre in Witney – Silver Medal • Penny Myerscough, Care Leader from St. Wilfrid’s Priory in Arundel – Bronze Medal • Lesley Tysom, Head Chef from Ridgeway House in Royal Wootton Bassett – Bronze Medal • Lynette Woodhouse, Senior Carer from Patchett Lodge in Holbeach – Bronze Medal • Alan Goulding, Volunteer from Beckside in North Hykeham – Bronze Medal • Lesley Bath, Senior Specialist Night Carer from Southfield in Stroud – Bronze Medal Dan Hayes, Operations Director of The Orders of St John Care Trust, commented:“We’re absolutely thrilled to see that hard work and dedication has been recognised at such a prestigious awards ceremony.

“At the Trust, our goal is to continuously provide the highest quality of care for our residents, so we couldn’t be happier that the outstanding work our employees has been highlighted at the annual Order of Malta’s St John’s Day Ceremony, which is such an important event in our calendar.”

PCMI Signs reinForCinG Your caring, professional image external signage Make your business stand out with eye catching, custom made entrance signs. Car parking and informational signposts made to order. internal Signage Wall-mounted, free standing, projecting, suspended, single or double sided mandatory health and safety, hazard, warning and prohibition signs.

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Believe in better

Bring people together with themed movie sessions

Kick off conversations with live sporting events

Stimulate senses with inspiring documentaries

2015 Ashes Series Now showing

The Italian Job Now showing

Wild Congo Now showing

TV to get everyone talking Sky can bring a lot of benefits. It encourages conversation and inspires activities and engagement relevant to residents’ lives.

I had Sky in my previous home so it’s an added bonus that I can have it here too.

Duncan Smith, Regional Manager, Hallmark Care Homes

Arnold, Care Home Resident

with in-room or lounge packages Give your care home more Sign up to a Sky Lounge package and we’ll give you £500 of OOMPH! vouchers to help you organise activities that can make your residents happier and healthier.

To find the right package for your residents and your business

Call 08442 411 470 The Italian Job Copyright © 1968 Paramount PicturesCorp./All rights reserved.

For customers signing up to a Care Home Sky Lounge Package and/or Sky In Room Package: You will be billed monthly. Pricing shown is ex VAT. Sky TV minimum term is 12 months. Installation of equipment is not included, please call for more information. Charge of £50 per box (plus VAT) applies if Sky does not install your equipment. Channels available dependant on chosen package and scheduling may be subject to change. Some content/channels unavailable in communal areas.

As at the date of print, channels not available in communal areas are: Alibi, G.O.L.D., Watch, Star Gold, Star Life OK and Star Plus. Calls to Sky cost 5.1p per minute (plus 15.97p connection fee) for BT customers. Calls from other providers may vary.

Oomph! voucher terms & conditions: £500 discount voucher off “Oomph! Training” or “Oomph! Monthly Activity Packs” to care homes purchasing their first Sky Care Home TV Lounge Package. No cash alternative available. Voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and expires 6 months after date of issue. Voucher is issued by Oomph Wellness Training Limited. Further terms apply - see www.oomph-wellness.org/sky. Correct at the time of supply 16.07.2015.

SUMMER 2015

THE CARER

New Resources Encourage People To Talk About End Of Life Care SKillS For HealtH is delighted to announce the launch of a new range of resources developed as part of the ‘Working together, improving end of life care through better integration’ project. the project, led by Skills for Care and in partnership with Skills for Health and the national Council for palliative Care, helped to develop these new training materials which aim to increase awareness and further understanding of the importance of professionals working together to support people at the end of their lives.

The pack, which has been released ahead of Dying Matters Awareness week (18th-24th May 2015), is the result of the project’s conclusion that people involved in delivering end of life care (EoLC) find it helpful to talk to other workers and people with the experience of using those services, as it helps them understand how they could work together to provide better care and support.

The project brought together a wide range of people from different backgrounds including professionals and people with experience of end of life care. A network of people, identified as being committed to improving end of life care and known as “champions”, were brought together in a series of workshops to explore their own experiences and discuss what mattered to them. A number of common themes emerged from these conversations, which have been translated into a set of key messages. This work has in turn formed the basis for all resources and films included within the training pack, now available to download from www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/eolc , including; • ‘It helps to talk’, a film looking at the importance of communication. The fictitious film is based on real-life experiences, telling the story of a person with Motor Neurone Disease who conveys her end of life wishes to her son and sis-

ter.

• PowerPoint ready-made presentation for individuals to conduct their own training • ‘Practical messages for front line workers’ an interactive PDF • Educational project resources including Key Messages hand-out, Project Summary and Project Guidance.

Anne Barrett, Skills for Health Associate commented: “We set out with an aim for this project to improve end of life care by encouraging people to work together in an integrated way and provide guidance to individuals in daily practice. These new resources help to extend the supportive environment and enthusiasm for best practice generated in the workshops – and put this into daily working practice. End of life care is a sensitive subject area but not one that should be ignored; the key messages that were developed will help those in the front line within every day practice provide even better care.

“We want patients to worry less about their health and make the most of every day, knowing that they have the support they need.”

Further feedback from the project bought attention to the focus on how essential it is that people in different job roles work together in order to provide excellent end of life care. In addition to the training pack resources a film, ‘Understanding roles – working together for better end of life care’ and accompanying booklet has been produced which describes all of the different job roles that may be involved and what needs to happen to make sure that everyone works together to provide the best care that they can.

All of the above resources and films have been developed in partnership with Skills for Care, the National Council for Palliative Care and Health Education North Central East London.

For more information and to download the resources visit: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/projects/item/ 147-end-of-life-care

Carol Shaves Hair Off For Charity a CaterinG and laundry assistant who works for taymer nursing Home in Silsoe has shaved her head for charity.

Carol Raggett, from Luton, took the bold decision a month ago in order to raise funds for Dementia UK. In front of an audience of 25 residents, relatives and colleagues – her hair was completely shaved off and in the process raised £300 for the cause.

It took only two and a half minutes to complete the shave and will take more than six weeks for even an inch of Carol’s hair to grow back, but she believes it will all be worthwhile.

Carol said: “Raising money for

Dementia UK is a privilege as it is a cause very close to my heart. From personal experience I know dementia can be devastating to families. My mum passed away with dementia and so I really wanted to do something to help.”

The charity fundraiser generated a lot of interest in the home with lots of people turning up to watch and more importantly donate.

Heather Baker is the activities organiser at Taymer and helped pull the day together to make it one to remember. She said: “Carol is a very special lady! All her colleagues have been very supportive of her fundraiser and we really want her to know how very proud we are of her.”

PAGE 17

PAGE 18

THE CARER

Nearly 2.5 Million Bed Days Lost In Five Years As Crisis Escalates neW FiGureS from age uK show an escalating social care crisis in england with 2,431,120 bed days lost to the nHS between June 2010 and March 2015 as people wait too long for vital social care. not only is this upsetting for the individuals and their families and detrimental to their health but it also comes at a huge cost to the taxpayer. it costs a staggering £669 million to keep people in hospital waiting for social care, with most of these being aged 65 and over.

In the last year alone, April 2014 to March 2015, shortages in community health and social care services have meant the NHS has wasted hundreds of thousands of beddays whilst patients wait for the right care and support in the right place, including; • 174,138 days waiting for a place in a residential home • 215,662 days waiting for a nursing home place to become available • 206,053 days for help from social care workers or district nurses to enable people to return to their own home • 41,389 days for home adaptations ranging from grab rails to ramps and stair lifts.

An NHS bed costs on average £1925 a week[iv] compared to about £558 for a week in residential care[v] or £356.58 for home care based on three hours of care per day over the course of one week.

The average number of patients who were kept in hospital unnecessarily because social care was unavailable increased by 19.3 per cent between 2013/14 and 2014/15.

In this period 44 per cent more patients were waiting for

health and care packages at home compared to the previous year, and 32.8 per cent more patients were waiting for a place in a nursing home.

These waits for care and support outside hospital are happening against the backdrop of £2.4 billion (31.2 per cent) cuts from social care budgets for older people since 2010[vi][vii], mostly as a result of reduced funding for local government from central government. Therefore, local authorities are finding it more and more difficult to provide the social care people need.

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: ‘These figures show that year on year, older people are being trapped in hospital in ever greater numbers because of a delayed assessment, care home place, home care package or home adaptation.

‘Without decent social care when discharged, whether to their own home or to a care home, hospital stays are often much longer than they need to be and older people are more likely to be readmitted because their recovery stalls.

‘Why waste precious NHS resources in this way, when it would be so much better to fund social care properly instead? This would unblock the log jam and help our hospitals to work more efficiently again. Not only would a properly resourced social care system transform many older people’s lives and make sound financial sense, more people of all ages could also get speedier treatment in hospital when they need it.’

‘Policy makers must face up to the fact that an ageing population means increasing numbers of older people needing good social care, and unless and until we provide it the pressures on our hospitals will become more and more unsustainable.’

Grimsby Care Home Triumphs in Awards a Care HoMe in Grimsby has been awarded a prestigious accolade in recognition of its highquality care.

Kirklees Care Centre, based in Kirklees Waltham, picked up the ‘Specialist Adult Care Award for 2015’ in the first care home awards organised by North East Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Judges said the 21-bed care home, which specialises in caring for younger adults with learning disabilities, demonstrated the delivery of high-quality services to users requiring specialist care.

Manager Michelle Holliday said: “We take pride in every part of our work in the pursuit of delivering high-quality care and making our residents happy. It was a lovely ceremony to attend and we couldn’t be more thrilled with this award.”

It comes after Kirklees Care Centre recently became the first care home in the PrimeLife group to achieve an outstanding rating in an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

Shona Noon, PrimeLife Regional

Director with responsibility for Kirklees, said: “Kirklees is a shining example of how to deliver quality care in an individualised, personal way, not just meeting the needs of clients but really enhancing their lives and creating a vibrant, fun atmosphere in which to live.”

Diane, sister of one resident, said: “My brother is happy living here. The residents get looked after well and they have regular outings and treats. Most importantly, the staff are so helpful and friendly.”

The inaugural ceremony saw more than 90 care home staff and NHS employees come together to present and receive a variety of awards from 14 different categories to reward good practice and celebrate the hard work care homes do.

Jeanette Logan, Service Lead for Older People at the CCG, said: “These awards were the aspiration of The Long Term Providers Forum.

We received excellent feedback from care homes, services users, families and other stakeholders who attended the ceremony saying they were delighted to see their hard work recognised.”

SUMMER 2015

Care Home Chefs Compete for Title of Care South Chef of the Year 2015 CHeFS at Care South homes across the South of england put their culinary skills to the test when they took part in the final of the company’s Chef of the Year competition, held at the unilever development Kitchens in leatherhead, Surrey.

Four Care South chefs took part in the cook-off, during which participants were given just over an hour to create a main course and dessert to wow the judges. This was followed by an improvisation session, which saw the chefs use their creativity and skill to make a tasty dish from a collection of different ingredients.

In order to create a shortlist of chefs for the cook-off, lucky members of the company’s Senior Management Team visited all of Care South’s care homes across the South of England and sampled each of the menus for themselves.

Each year, the Chef of the Year competition celebrates the hard work and creativity of Care South’s in-house chefs and rewards talent and skill in the preparation of meals for residents. The winning chef will be announced at Care South’s Stars Awards ceremony in June, when individuals from across Care South’s residential and home care staff will be recognised for their outstanding contribution to care.

Director of Residential Care Services at Care South, Graham Brittain, said: “At Care South, we’re incredibly proud of the commitment and creativity of our talented in-house chefs who work so hard to prepare meals that our residents will enjoy.

Our chefs go out of their way to incorporate residents’ favourite dishes into their menus and to meet individual requests. The Chef of the Year competition is a great way to recognise their dedication and skill.”

Limited Understanding Around Palliative Care neW FindinGS published in June by Marie Curie show that there is limited understanding of what palliative care can do, who it benefits and when to introduce it. it reveals that professionals do not receive enough training in the area and often miss the opportunity to consider whether there is a palliative care need.

Findings from a Marie Curie – commissioned survey of 500 UK clinical professions: • Over a third (39%) say that a lack of relevant experience amongst staff delivering care is a barrier to meeting the needs of terminally ill people • Over half (55%) consider better identification of an illness as terminal to be highly important in improving the quality of patient care George McNamara, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at

Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘Shamefully, palliative care has been overlooked for too long. Too often those at the end of life are being let down by a system that does not meet their needs. Dementia is the most common cause of death in women and many people living with the condition spend their final days in unfamiliar hospital surroundings rather than in their own home with loved ones. The system must change. Training must be seen as a necessity, not an optional extra.

‘Good palliative care takes into account a person’s emotional, physical and spiritual needs, as well as the needs of their family – improving dignity and quality of life at this critical time. Well-trained professionals should encourage people with dementia to discuss end-of-life care while they are still able to make informed decisions. The option of palliative care should be made available to all those with a dementia diagnosis.’

Staffordshire Care Home Scoops Dignity Award a StaFFordSHire care home has been awarded a top prize for putting people’s dignity at the heart of everything they do.

Staffordshire County Council presented Burntwood based Bracken House with a ‘Dignity in Care’ Award in the Dignity Learning category. The awards recognise care services that respect an individual’s dignity, ensuring they are treated with respect, they can freely express their needs and wants, and they can maintain the maximum level of independence, choice and control.

Bracken House is a resident care home managed by the Accord Group that offers specialist support for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Helen Brown, Unit Manager, said: “we put the dignity of our residents at the heart of everything we do, with many of

our carers going that extra mile for the people they care.

We are delighted to have been recognised with this award.

“The issue of providing good quality, dignified care has been a topic of national importance in recent months, so this award is testament to the great team that work here that provide outstanding care and go that extra mile to ensure people are treated with respect and dignity no matter what their condition.”

Councillor Mark Sutton, Cabinet Member for Social and Health Care at Staffordshire County Council, said: “The Dignity in Care awards in Staffordshire are a celebration of really good and thoughtful care.

We are seeing more and more that dignity, respect and compassion are essential in any type of care, and it is key that we recognise and reward this.”

SUMMER 2015

THE CARER

PAGE 21

Invest £5.2 Billion in Prevention to Overhaul CRELLING HARNESSES LTD Health and Social Care, Government Urged 12 Crescent East, ThorntoninveStinG a further £5.2 billion in prevention and helping people stay healthy is urgently needed to overhaul the way social care and health services are provided and reduce growing pressures on the system, social care experts have warned.

A report by Ernst and Young (EY), commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) and based on sector views, proposes to the Government to use next month’s Budget to divert £1.3 billion into a transformation fund each year until 2019/20, equalling a fund of £5.2 billion by the end of the decade, to develop a new health and social care system.

The report suggests a transformation fund should focus on preventative measures and aim to prevent complex and long-term conditions, which can cost the system almost £88 billion each year – a cost that is growing with the ageing population.

It identifies the significant contribution that preventative measures can make. For example, spending just £1 on local friendship networks can save almost four times that amount on mental health services whilst £1 spent on school-based smoking and bullying prevention can save as much as £15.

The report also recommends that the transformation fund should be supported by a pooled health and social care budget of at least £6.6 billion in 2016/17, eventually leading to the pooling of all money for health and social care.

Figures show that 30 per cent of health and care service users use almost 70 per cent of the health and social care budget and the LGA has long warned that the adult social care system is under immense and growing pressure.

The necessity for further budget savings worth £1.1 billion this year combined with growing demand and escalating costs mean that despite councils’ best efforts they are having to make tough decisions about the care services they can provide.

A transformation fund would help local government leaders to pro-

tect the future of social care for the elderly and disabled by investing resources into a system which focuses on keeping people healthy and out of hospital, rather than putting the majority of money into providing care for serious conditions. Local authorities and health partners recognise that social care must be properly funded to enable councils to alleviate pressure on health services.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “This report supports what councils leaders have long been warning, that we need an urgent and radical change to the way in which we provide care for the elderly and disabled.

“We need to think now about how we help people to stay healthy, rather than pick up the pieces when it is too late. This is not fair on people who deserve the best and most dignified care and it is putting an additional pressure on a system caring for a growing number of people with complex needs and which is already buckling under the strain.

“It is social care services which keep people out of hospital and living in the community for longer. Social care and health are two sides of the same coin – it is quite clear that without adequate funding, social care simply cannot alleviate the pressure on the NHS. No one wants to see their elderly or disabled relative stuck in hospital when they could be at home – but sadly this is something we still see too often.

“The LGA has long argued for a bigger and longer Better Care Fund, with a transformation fund, so that more money can be put into prevention rather than continual crisis management and to make the system more sustainable. The Government needs to invest money in a system which will be there to look after people now and in the future, and commit to a long-term strategy to ensure that people get the care they need.”

The LGA will be using EY’s findings to outline what councils need from the Government in the coming Comprehensive Spending Review.

CV-Library - The UK's Leading Independent Job Board Here at Cv-library, the uK's leading independent job board, we recently asked our care candidates where there was room for improvement within the sector. ranking first was the standard of training which has led to difficulties in staff retention and caused many care homes nationwide to close.

Job boards like CV-Library offer a solid network of services to help you recruit the best and support you in creating a strong workforce, so here's some exclusive advice from us on how to provide exceptional service in care.

Know what you need. It is pointless making 'reactive' hires simply because you need

the staff. Talk to current employees about gaps in the workforce and tailor your job spec accordingly. At CV-Library, we have over 2.5 million applications from candidates each month, so we're in the optimal position to spot the latest trends that create a lasting workforce.

Recruit the best. Don't settle for “they'll get the job done”, aim for “they're the top talent we need”.

We receive over 190,000 new candidates every month to ensure that you can browse the latest prospects. You also have the option to include criteria to screen candidates so you can be sure they have the raw necessities you need in providing professional care.

For more info on how CV-Library can help recruit candidates who care, see our advert below.

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Crelling Harnesses is a friendly family based company offering a full range of seatbelts and harnesses for children and adults with special needs.

Over the years we have designed a large range from simple belts to full harnesses for use on all aspects of special needs equipment including: • • • • •

Vehicle Seats Wheelchairs Stair Lifts Bathing chairs Aircraft Seats

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PAGE 22

THE CARER

SUMMER 2015

Technology Is The Answer To Better Care, Say Four In Five UK Adults 80% oF uK adults believe that technology should be able to make care more efficient and effective, according to new research from everyliFe technologies – the health and care software developer.

77% of UK adults have concerns about the quality of formal care received by those receiving care today, and cite healthcare as the sector that can most benefit from better technology systems (36%), ahead of education (11%), transport (9%), law and order (9%) and utilities (5%).

Given technological advances, the overwhelming majority would want to be well cared for in the comfort of their own home (82%) in the future. They also desire a good relationship with their care worker (87%), for their family to trust their care provider (86%) and to receive a care service that enables real-time feedback on care notes (82%).

Paul Barry, Executive Chairman of everyLIFE commented, “Customers demand real-time feedback and transparency in each and every service they consume, and the care market can no longer afford to be left behind. We understand

that supporting an increasingly ageing population is a real concern for many, but there is now an opportunity to work more efficiently towards delivering the best level of service possible to those who need it. Only technology will enable a real transformation in the sector.” everyLIFE Technologies, which is helping to revolutionise efficiency in care services with its PASSsystem software that is accessible on smartphones and tablets, found that the biggest concern about today’s formal care provision is a lack of time being spent with those receiving care (49%).

What’s more, seven in ten adults believe that it is not sufficient that – currently – care notes and medical records are often only reviewed by homecare managers after 30 days.

A fifth of adults have close relatives who are currently receiving formal care. Yet of these, two thirds (66%) believe that the quality of the care received needs to be improved.

Caresys is the One Stop Shop for All Care Home Management Needs CareSYS FroM advanced Heath & Care is a fully integrated software solution specifically designed for care home organisations. it enables the delivery of efficient and quality patient care; providing residential, nursing and specialist care organisations with a complete end to end business application that includes care, financial, operational and management features.

Caresys is used by more than 3,000 residential, nursing and specialist care homes across the UK, catering for all types and sizes of care organi-

sations and offers a fully tailored solution and licencing options depending on the users’ needs. The solution has been implemented in some of the largest care home groups, autistic societies and learning disability organisations in the country.

Advanced Health & Care is a leading supplier of IT management systems for urgent & unplanned care, homecare, residential care, hospices, mobile information for community carers and back-office management systems for NHS trusts, local authorities and care providers.

Reader enquiries - Tel: +44 (0)1233 722 700 or visit www.advancedcomputersoftware.com/ahc

Proven To Dramatically Cut Staff Turnover and Increase Quality of Care We Can help you and by using the Judgement index in your selection process, you can: • Reduce risk to your organisation and improve your reputation and brand • Increase quality of care along with staff and patient morale • Realise profit that you are potentially wasting on hiring the wrong staff You could have an automated assessment system set up within a few days for as little as £50 per month.

For further information about the Judgement Index and how to set up an initiative supporting the selection and development of your people please contact: 0845 0958 164 email info@judgementindex.co.uk or visit www.judgementindex.co.uk

OwnFone Limited oWnFone liMited are uK manufacturers of an easy to use mobile phone which is perfect for care environments for both staff and residents.

An ideal way of communicating internally between rooms or give peace of mind to a resident leaving the home for a doctors or hospital appointment as they can contact you if needed.

Your residents can have an OwnFone instead of costly landline installations.

To make a call you simply press on the name or photo of one of your contact buttons. The contact numbers can-

not not be deleted by mistake or altered in any way.

The handset is pre-programmed with only the numbers that it needs to call (up to 12 contacts) although incoming calls are not restricted as anyone that has the number can call. Changes in contact numbers are made through calling the Customer Services team.

The phones arrive ready to use and can be customised to include your logos and organisation details.

OwnFone Limited is a network operator on the Vodafone signal with flexible airtime plans and long term commitment. Yearly bundle plans available. Example: 50 minutes per month x 12 months = £70.

Call us on 0800 669 6699 or www.ownfone.com. Also email: info@myownfone.com

SUMMER 2015

Dealing With Dysphagia, Helping Patients to Take Tablets and Solid Dose Medicines as Intended dYSpHaGia, or difficulty in swallowing, is prevalent among the elderly. it is a serious issue that occurs commonly within the 50-80 age range in those who have congenital or degenerative neurological diseases such as parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, alzheimer's disease and in those who have suffered from a stroke.

When complications arise, the swallowing process can be a traumatic experience for all involved. It can often lead to choking and shortness of breath. The taking of daily medications often brings on a number of challenges for both the patient and the carer to make sure that correct dosages are taken and also taken in the prescribed method.

When faced with the pain and discomfort of dysphagia, the taking of solid medicines becomes a more daunting task. To ease the situation, medicines are often crushed or capsules opened and in some cases mixed with food or placed in a drink to aid the swallowing process. This, unfortunately, can lead to complications which the patient may be unaware of, and potentially an overdose of their medication. Tablets designed to be broken down in the body and absorbed at a certain rate are absorbed much faster when crushed, and this can lead to an elevated level of risk when it comes to potential side-effects.

Sian Jones, Registered Manager at the Three Roses Home was experiencing a very similar situation.

“I have a resident with Dementia and she has swallowing difficulties and as a result she had been spitting out her medication. I had been back to the GP twice to ask for her medication to be provided in liquid form to be told that it was too expensive but he gave us permission to crush her medication.”

This situation is occurring more and more frequently when it comes to taking solid medication in patients with dysphagia, there is a very limited range of products available that can help with these circumstances.

However, there is now a swallowing gel from the Netherlands that is changing this. Gloup® is a universal jelly that is intended to make solid medicines, such as tablets, lozenges and capsules and also powders, easier to swallow. Gloup® can be used by anyone who struggles to swallow solid medicines; importantly it does not contain gluten or allergens and is sugar-free.

After seeing the product at the Care Show at the NEC in Birmingham, Sian Jones decide to give the product a try, here is what she had to say: “As you can imagine taking 5 tablets every morning as a crushed powder tasted horrible and she would spit it out just like the tablets. We had started to mix it with jam to make it more palatable but she was having none of it and we were concerned that she would be having 5 teaspoons of sugar every day.”

Using Gloup®: “What a fantastic product! It's great as we keep the tablets whole and there is no sugar in the Gloup® so it’s a win win situation, the resident now receives her medication properly and is therefore happier too” Since using Gloup®, the resident is now receiving her medication as prescribed. This will allow the medication to perform as intended, in addition it reduces the staff member’s exposure to airborne particles of the medicines released through the crushing process.

By helping to reduce the stress and anxiety associated with dysphagia, coupled with the knowledge that prescribed medications are being taken as intended, Gloup® is having a huge impact on the quality of life for both resident and care staff.

Reader Enquiries - Tel: 01270 440360 www.batherton-express.co.uk

THE CARER

PAGE 23

How do your puréed meals shape up?

Health Care Services has the complete solution for you: Products • A range of 2mm thick 100% food safe polypropylene food moulds with free lids.

• Thick & Easy food thickener in economical 4kg catering packs.

• COMING SOON - new improved highly durable silicon moulds which can be used directly from frozen.

Support and Training Package Available • 2 day training course with our trained chef on ‘How to improve the presentation of pureed meals’.

Helping you to achieve: ✔ IMPROVED meal presentation ✔ INCREASED dignity at mealtimes ✔ REDUCED preparation time and wastage

For more information call us NOW on Tel: 01773 713713 or Email: sales@hcsuk.co.uk 1 Meadowbank Court, Meadowbank Way Eastwood, Nottinghamshire NG16 3SL

www.hcsuk.co.uk

PAGE 24

THE CARER

SUMMER 2015

Pressure Care tHe CoSt of pressure care is estimated to be £1.5 to £2 million per annum, the cost of healing a pressure ulcer £1,000 to £10,000. each year 700,000 people in the uK develop a pressure ulcer, compared to an estimated 800,000 people in total in the uK suffering from dementia.

However, dementia receives far more public recognition.

Pressure sores are avoidable, pressure care is essential.

Pressure care is a widely used term embracing the narrower definition of direct skin damage, and the minimisation of the risks of skin damage, to postural management of positioning and lateral support whilst in chairs and wheelchairs, beds and recliners.

There is help available from pressure care professionals for all individuals including those suffering from MS, Parkinson’s Disease, motor neurone disease, stroke, cerebral palsy, brain injury and scoliosis. The professionals within the health services dealing with pressure care and postural management are tissue viability nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, neurologists, and district nurses.

The organisations responsible for these aspects of health vary in each area as health is a responsibility delegated in Wales and Scotland. Healthcare policy encourages close co-operation between hospital trusts and local authority social care via local clinical commissioning groups. Typically there will be separate units for complex care, for care home support, and local authority adult social care covering the home. Children’s services are monitored through local hospital paediatric and local authority teams and learning disability units may operate independently.

A body functions through the interaction of the bones, joints and ligaments with the skeleton and its muscles and the nervous system controlling it. Damage to these parts will affect the body’s performance with diminished

mobility and flexibility raising the risk of pressure sores.

There is a higher level of risk where skin covers bony prominences as heel, elbow, buttocks etc. What we should all look for, among other indications are red patches on the skin anywhere caused by pressure affecting the blood supply to the skin and adjacent skins touching each other as a result of immobility e.g., between fingers or between arm and chest.

The extent of tissue damage is assessed using the Waterlow score assessment which grades pressure ulcers between 1(low) and 4(high) and assessments are made according to associated problems like incontinence, diabetes, mobility and neurological deficiencies.

Pressure care is concerned with distributing the pressure over a wider area equally rather than focused at one point and there are measuring techniques called pressure mapping which graphically demonstrate varying pressures and contact area, for example, a seat cushion.

To reduce the risk and alleviate lower level skin damage through postural support there are products of different materials - foam, gel, air, fleece and micro-beads and vacuum systems using some of these materials moulded for an individual shape. Prices for individual products recommended by professionals can vary from under £20 to over £1,000.

Who pays for the products recommended…? If the family member is in a care home, the NHS via the care home support service or complex care team, the care home itself, or the family, or on occasions a local charity, will pay. If the family member is at home the local authority via the adult social care team will help by ‘the special needs’ provision but with public funding under strain there can be delays for approval of several weeks and some families rather than wait pay privately.

Current national health policy is to reduce admissions to hospital by prevention and early intervention with an additional £2 million being made available, a very large proportion of which should be going towards pressure ulcer prevention and care.

MEDORISCARE – Positioning & Pressure Care Products – Tel: 01608 819 219 www.medoriscare.co.uk

C&S Postural Control Equipment We at C&S are proud to have been the national supplier of postural Control equipment for approximately 25 years.

Recognising the need for 24hour postural management we listened to our therapist’s comments and feedback and the supply of Positioning Rolls, both T Rolls and Log Rolls, evolved as a result of demand.

Further aids were added over time

as requests grew with the Alternative Positing Support, the Knee leg Supports, both of these are available in two sizes Most recently we have added an array of new fabrics and colours.

All fabrics meet the UK Flammability standards and carry a CE mark Visit our website on www.candsseating.co.uk or call us for a brochure on 01424 853 331.

Pressure care equipment repair for care homes throughout the UK

Is the pressure care equipment in your UK care home working as efficiently as it should be? Are you sure your equipment is keeping your patients comfortable and safe at all times?

Get ultimate peace of mind by ordering servicing or maintenance services from one of the UK’s top pressure care equipment repair specialists today. We have years of experience in maintaining all makes and models of equipment for care homes, so are well placed to offer you a reliable and efficient service.

By spending a little on equipment servicing today, you could save a lot on costly repairs tomorrow.

Has the equipment in your care home suddenly stopped working?

Don’t worry; simply call in the experts at Pressure Care Services today. We understand the urgency of equipment breakdowns for your patients, so respond quickly to all calls and do our outmost to have your equipment working like new again in no time.

You’ll find that our repair and maintenance services are cost-effective and tailored around your needs at all times. Minimise any inconvenience or discomfort for your vulnerable patients by calling us as soon as you recognise a problem.

Authorised UK repair agent

Call Pressure Care Services now on 01323 743 300 to arrange your equipment repair in Sussex or throughout the UK. You can also dial our freephone number from a landline on 0808 120 4519 for a free call!

www.pressurecareservices.co.uk info@pressurecareservices.co.uk

SUMMER 2015

Snug Positioning Pillows CARING FOR different health needs, whilst keeping patients comfortable are the key priorities in hospitals and care homes. Carers must ensure that patients’ mental and physical wellness are considered alongside medical needs for the best possible quality of life.

Snug Positioning Pillows improve patients’ comfort and safety. Comfort and safety are important factors that contribute to better communication and positive interaction between patients and their carers. Snug Positioning Pillows empower the carers to deliver higher standards of care, leading to effective rehabilitation, faster recoveries and better standards of life.

Snug Positioning Pillows are

uniquely shaped cushions that secure stable and comfortable body positioning in bed or during armchair rest.

Designed to improve lives of bedridden and chair-bound people with little or no mobility, Snug Positioning Pillows aid redistribution of external pressure, helping to prevent skin irritations, bed sores and painful ulcerations.

Snug Positioning Pillows are perfect for people in a coma, apallic syndrome victims, dementia sufferers, visually impaired or immobile people, hemiplegics, people at risk of pressure ulcers, frail elderly, terminally ill and more.

Durable, washable, flame retardant and available in several shapes for different needs, Snug Positioning Pillows help the carers to improve lives of the most vulnerable people.

Call Win Health Ltd on 01835 864866 or visit www.win-health.com

Sidhil’s Bradshaw Bed Range Gets Facelift The popular Bradshaw range of nursing and residential care home beds are used primarily within care home and domestic settings, healthcare equipment specialists Sidhil have further enhanced the presentation of the beds by incorporating a choice of 5 different wood colours to harmonise with existing furniture and finishes.

The Bradshaw range – which includes both Bariatric and Low versions – is now available with wood finishes in cherry, maple, beech and walnut, providing a fully electric, pro-

filing nursing care bed which also matches the needs of domestic and residential care home aesthetics.

Easy to assemble and disassemble, the Bradshaw beds consist of four component sections, the heaviest of which weighs just 23.4kgs. When assembled, this sturdy, fully tested construction is capable of taking a maximum user weight of up to 28 stone (180kgs). The Bariatric version is specially engineered to cater safely for patients weighing up to 50 stone (320kgs).

For further information, please contact Sidhil Customer Services Tel: 01422 233 000 Email: sales@sidhil.com

Medline: Off-Load With A New Solution For Pressure Ulcers HEELS ARE the second most common site for pressure ulcers to develop. To help clinicians provide comprehensive skin care, Medline International is adding Heelmedix™ Heel Protector to its line of pressure relieving devices after successful trials across Europe.

Utilizing the most effective pressure ulcer prevention solution, known as off-loading, Heelmedix redistributes pressure by elevating the heel. Vicky Raynor, Medline Product Specialist, explains “In addition to helping prevent pressure ulcers, Heelmedix can help prevent or manage patients with plantar flexion (foot drop), a relatively common but debilitating condition. This is a benefit of Heelmedix which many other heel off-load-

ing devices are unable to offer.” Complete off-loading of the heel is effective to help prevent pressure ulcers and to foster the lowest average interface pressure among competing pillows and mattresses.

Heelmedix combines carefully selected materials with an open heel design to reduce friction, pressure and shear whilst allowing airflow and easy monitoring. The device comes in three different sizes with colour coded tags for easy identification.

Heelmedix also has a customisable strapping system to suit each patients needs and provide better comfort, protection and results.

Reader enquiries - Tel: 0844 334 5237 or visit uk.medline.com

THE CARER

PAGE 25

PCM –Vikita AirTilt & AirTilt PRO Vikta AirTilt mattress system, with lateral rotation therapy.

Alternating air mattress, 3 cycle (2 up, 1 down, for support and pressure relief) –this is a proven method of pressure care and is widely used in hospitals, care homes and the community.

Additionally, the Vikta AirTilt mattress has an integral lateral rotation therapy system which provides a gentle tilt (not a turning system, as to turn someone you need to reposition them), left - supine/neutral – right, on an independent switch that can be on/off to suit the user’s requirements.

Lateral Rotation provides a redistribution of body weight to prevent pressure build up and provide blood/lymph flow stimulation.

Key features: • The Vikta AirTilt system is easy to install and use –ideal for situations where there are multiple carers attending a patient.

• The Vikta AirTilt eliminates/reduces the need for night carers to turn a patient –therefore reducing costs and disturbance to the patient, and carers/husband/wife. Reduces carer

interventions: less turnings = £ savings • Can speed up discharge from hospital, due to the above reduction in night carer input.

• Improved continuous care, due to the user redistribution / reloading of the body • An improved night’s sleep for user & carer/spouse • Quiet pump and a gentle movement There are two systems: 1. Vikta AirTilt –an overlay mattress which sits on a foam base mattress (the base mattress has to be low-profile so as not to contravene bed-rail height regulations).

PCM can supply a 2” foam base mattress as well.

2. Vikta AirTilt PRO –essentially the same as an AirTilt but the PRO is a replacement system (as it has an inbuilt foam base mattress). The AirTilt PRO is a replacement mattress, with inflated aircells around the outside edge (bumper/bolster) to provide stability & security for the user. The AirTilt PRO fits onto a standard profiling hospital bed.

Both mattresses can be used on profiling beds.

Reader Enquiries - Tel: 01264 366330 www.pressurecaremanagement.com

PAGE 26

THE CARER

SUMMER 2015

Testing For And Managing The Risks Of Legionella: Your Legal Obligations Explained

By Geoff Shalders, MD of Brodex Ltd Significant publicity often surrounds outbreaks of Legionnaires disease but despite this, many people remain unclear about the legal obligations that surround testing for legionella, the bacteria responsible for causing this potentially fatal illness.

Many more are unaware of the best practices that, though not legal obligation themselves, are worth following to ensure any risk assessment procedures are carried out effectively and efficiently.

In the care and residential sector, where the possibility of an outbreak poses an increased risk, it is essential firms have a comprehensive water management strategy in place.

Here’s a look at what that should include…

Legal obligations There are several pieces of legislation that outline a care or residential home’s responsibilities. They fall under the following tasks: 1) Identify possible sources of legionella exposure Managers are legally required to carry out risk assessments of water systems to identify where legionella bacteria is most likely to build-up. This tends to be where water temperature in all or some parts of the system is between 20-45°C, where water is being stored or re-circulated and where bacteria are likely to multiply, as a result of sources of nutrients such as rust, sludge or scale for example. Risk of exposure to legionella will then be greatest at the point where water droplets are produced and dispersed over a wide area, for example from showers and cooling tower aerosols. There is no set time period between risk assessments, but inspections should be regular and must be more frequent where risks are greatest.

2) Manage the risk Once you have carried out an assessment that identifies possible sources of legionella exposure, there is a legal requirement to manage this risk. Drawing up a schematic diagram of your system is always a good place to start. By doing this you can highlight the areas where risks exist, who is responsible for overseeing them and what control methods and other precautions are in place.

These control methods should include avoiding water temperatures and conditions that favour the growth of legionella and other micro-organisms, ensuring water is not stagnating in the system, and keeping the system and the water in it clean.

3) Keep records Keeping accurate records is a critical part of the legal responsibilities facing those in the care and residential sector. Records must report significant findings carried out during risk assessments. They should also detail preventative steps taken to reduce and control these risk and dates of when any monitoring inspections, tests or treatments were carried out. Records of risk assessments

should be retained throughout the period for which they remain current and for at least two years afterwards while records of any tests or treatments should also be retained.

Best Practices In addition to legal obligations, there are a number of best practices that are always recommend considering. As well as giving you that extra peace of mind, they also ensure time and resources spent on water management are used effectively.

1) Bring in the experts While there is no legal barrier to a care of residential home carrying out its own legionella risk assessment, there are still many reasons why it pays to bring in outside experts. Regular inspections can often be time-consuming and that’s without considering additional monitoring and treatment that may be required. Bringing in a team of experts from a trusted water treatment company will speed this process up as well as ensure nothing is missed that could require attention at a later date.

Using an external pair of eyes is also a good way of checking if your current system is best equipped for minimising the threats posed by legionella or whether implementing alternative water systems would be beneficial.

2) Implement a water management scheme Though legal obligations mean you must provide details of how identified risks are managed, it’s worth going one step further and implementing a water management scheme. Having one in place not only prevents and controls current risk, it also provides a future plan for ensuring all maintenance and development of you water system is legally compliant.

3) Train others to be vigilant While businesses, including care and residential firms, and are required to appoint a competent person to deal with legionella risk assessments it is also a wise move to encourage others within your organisation to be vigilant.

At Brodex, as well as offering comprehensive legionella risk assessments and water management schemes, we also provide many of our clients’ staff with digital thermometers, record sheets and basic training so they are aware of where dangers are likely to occur and how best to tackle them.

By making sure your legionella risk assessments and control procedures meet both legal obligations and best practices you can ensure your water management strategy is working to minimise your risks and maximise your investment.

Geoff Shalders is the MD of Brodex Ltd, an independent and experienced water treatment and hygiene company, with offices serving businesses in the North-West, the Midlands and the South-West. They regularly conduct legionella risk assessments and implement water management schemes for a wide range of clients, including those in the care and residential sector.

P&G Professional, Makers Of Flash All Purpose Cleaner, Present Flash 3in1, Developed To Provide The Perfect First Impression FlaSH 3in1 multi-surface cleaner cleans and disinfects in one go, eliminating 99.99% of bacteria and cleaning greasy streaks and finger marks on interior surfaces including tables, desks, chairs, telephones, door handles and glass Flash 3in1 spray provides a high quality multi-surface, kitchen and sanitary cleaning solution designed to deliver better value with every dose P&G Professional (www.pgpro.co.uk), makers of the popular Flash All Purpose Cleaner, presents Flash 3in1, a simple and effective multi-surface cleaner, developed to help businesses provide the perfect first impression. Flash 3in1 has been designed to provide three products in one, a disinfectant,(1) surface and glass cleaner, helping to deliver better value for hospitality professionals.

The spray’s disinfecting properties eliminate 99.99% of bacteria while it effectively cleans greasy streaks and uses alcohol to leave glass streak free. Flash 3in1 is a product that ensures hospitality operators are best equipped to give their guests the perfect experience.

When staying away from home and eating out, guests are acutely aware of cleanliness standards and naturally expect attention to the small details.

Ozofresh Air Purifiers Why use Ozofresh air purifiers as an essential cleaning solution within the Care Home Sector: • Help meet CQC essential standards.

• Higher occupancy rates • Keep that smell of fresh air and remove those unpleasant odours • Reduce the risk of transfer of bacteria from person to person and bacterial infection outbreaks.

• Save money on costly chemical air freshen-

Their first impression can make or break a business’ reputation. While it takes years of hard work and determination to build up a reputation, it can take only a small lapse in cleanliness and hygiene to bring about the downfall of an establishment.

On average, hospitality operators spend about £124.45 each month on cleaning products – that’s almost a whopping £1,500 each year. (2) Therefore, professionals need products they can trust, they need to use a product that they know will provide the perfect clean. Using a brand they trust, helps businesses to reduce risk and guarantee a high standard of clean, the first time, every time.

Commenting on Flash 3in1, Mark Porst, Commercial Director UK & Ireland for P&G Professional said: “We are determined to help hospitality businesses thrive in an increasingly tough and competitive business environment. Flash 3in1 is a high quality product that replaces three products with just one, making it easier and cheaper to clean your business - combine with the efficiency and trustworthiness of a well-known brand and you have a winning solution for busy operators.”

For more information about Flash 3in1 and P&G Professional, please visit www.pgpro.co.uk. ers that only mask bad smells.

We have a wide range of Ozofresh products to suit your needs. The Aura shown above is freestanding and wall mountable and will automatically clear the room of almost any airborne pollutants and bacteria, maintaining a set level of ozone wherever it is installed.

Our Plug In unit is our most popular ozone generator as it is portable and can be plugged into any power point, acting in the background, keeping those odours issues at bay.

Contact us on 0844 248 0107 or visit our website: http://ozofresh.co.uk for more information on Ozofresh products for the Healthcare sector.

Incontinence UK’s New Online Video!

Here at Incontinence UK we understand the difficulties of having a disability and how sometimes it can be awkward to click through a website.

We want to make it easy for people to access the products they need and find out a bit more information about our company. We also want to make it even easier for you to view some of the incontinence products and brands we stock and understand our company a little better, so we have created a neat little short video for you to view!

Watching this video will save you a lot of time and allow you to find out

Microsan Cleaning Products EXPERTS IN essential oil based cleaning products, Microsan has a reputation for both its ethical values and quality, sustainable products.

Microsan’s product range, when used every day and in all areas of the home environment or office, has the power to potentially eliminate common sickness but is gentle enough to be used by the most vulnerable in society.

Endorsed by some of the country’s leading microbiologists, Microsan’s range of essential oil based cleaning products has already successfully bridged the gap between academic and mainstream thinking on the ability of

Stress Related Incontinence StreSS related incontinence, the most common form of incontinence in the uK, may be brought on by sudden by coughing, sneezing or exercise which exerts pressure on weakened pelvic floor muscles. the treatment to alleviate this troublesome condition ranges from pelvic floor exercises medication, or failing these two options, surgery to strengthen and support the bladder outlet.

Stress related incontinence affects around three million women in the UK, and overall, approximately 4 in every 100 adults of both sexes. But these figures may be conservative as it is thought many cases go unreported due to embarrassment or in the belief that it’s an unavoidable sign of getting old, and so suffer in silence. But that isn’t exactly true; incontinence is not a condition that is confined solely to the elderly and infirm, or following childbirth. It’s a fact of life without age discrimination, and can affect the young also.

Combating incontinence involves strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, and in about 60% of cases can be cured or much improved with appropriate weight loss for those carrying too much, and regular prescribed exercise.

These measures are sometimes complimented with prescribed medication. Failing this, Surgery may be offered if the problem persists and is significantly affecting daily life to intolerable

which incontinence products or brands we stock. Within two minutes you will know the range of incontinence products and brands that we stock and you can Play, Rewind, and Pause and come back later to finish watching. We have also added some nice background music to further enhance your experience with us, so sit back, relax and enjoy our new video.

Please visit www.incontinenceuk.co.uk to see the new video.

Carer readers can also get 10% discount off our full incontinence product range by quoting CARER15 when ordering either online or by telephone. essential oils in the fight against illnesses.

Their latest antimicrobial spray is 99.9% effective if used in every clean and in conjunction with other Microsan products.

They have helped educate people as to the unique health benefits their essential oil based products can bring to every man, woman and child. Their years of research and development which have culminated in the antimicrobial airborne defence could quite possibly change the face of cleaning as we know it.

Start using their other products already available to buy and join them in the fight against Norovirus, MRSA everything in between.

Call 01482 656359 or visit www.zephair.co.uk for further details. levels.

But while treatments are ongoing, the problem doesn’t go away; the condition must be managed and controlled.

While the underlying problem is being dealt with you need to get on with everyday life, and that’s where we come in. with more than 30 years experience in the manufacture and supply of incontinence and skin care products provides clinical advice via a confidential helpline or online enquiry service, and is able to offer an extensive range of products to cater for all types and degrees of incontinence.

The strength of the Attends brand lies in the company’s ability to tailor leading-edge absorbent technologies that provide a quality, effective stress related incontinence solutions. 9 times out of 10 when a leak occurs it has nothing to do with absorbency, but with the fit of the product. Attends products are well tailored, odour protected, and highly absorbent which helps reduce the possibilities of leakage, allowing you to get on with your life.

Our aim is simple – to provide superior products for our customers that makes a difference and improves quality of life. We can provide you with solutions to your stress incontinence problem by delivering products that you can rely on to provide effective dryness, comfort, and to maintain optimum skin health. So don’t suffer in silence, there is no need; remember there are millions in the same boat, just give us a call and between us we can look at the products right for you.

For further information, contact 0845 6013272 or visit www.attendslifestyles.co.uk

esemtan® - Effective Skin Cleansing for Residents with Incontinence esemtan® Cleansing Foam is a gentle, quick and effective skin cleanser designed particularly for the skincare of incontinent or bedbound residents. Containing antimicrobial active ingredients, esemtan® helps protect the skin from infection, whilst also having a gently moisturising action. esemtan® Cleansing Foam is easy to use and should be sprayed onto the skin, left for 30 seconds, then wiped with a disposable cloth. The foam has a discreet but fresh scent.

Says Jan Buckley, Manager of a Surrey Care Home: ‘We always use esemtan Cleansing Foam to clean the skin of all our inconti-

nent residents; it’s hygienic and discreet to use, gentle on the skin and has a very pleasant fragrance. The foam mousse is very easy to use, particularly at the bedside or where quick and tactful cleaning is required.’ esemtan® 500ml spray is listed on NHS Supply Chain.

It can also be ordered from: http://www.broschdirect.com/personal-care/personalcare/esemtan-skin-cleansing-foam/prod_4019.html To try a sample, email: mail.uk@schuelke.com schülke UK, Cygnet House, 1 Jenkin Road, Meadowhall, Sheffield, S9 1AT 0114 254 3500 / www.schulke.co.uk

BioCote Protected Dispensers Help Reduce the Risk of Cross Infection ®

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

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

With this in mind, during the summer of 2011 Angloplas became an official partner of BioCote® which allowed it to transfer production of its

dispensers, originally produced in a standard PVC material to the the world's first independently proven antimicrobial PVC with BioCote® silver ion technology.

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.

Ordering You can order Angloplas products directly from its website by going to www.angloplas.co.uk and clicking Hospital, Health and Hygiene or by using the Quick Response code.

There you can use the easy online shopping system, or alternatively if you are NHS or an account customer, via an emailed or faxed purchase order. You can also view and/or download the latest catalogue and price list. Or see advert on this page.

Maintaining An MRSA-Free Zone With Cepheid’s Genexpert® System CEPHEID’S XPERT® MRSA molecular diagnostic test is helping to keep the orthopaedic ward at Northern Ireland’s Craigavon Area Hospital free from MRSA, as Elaine Porter, acting lead biomedical scientist in the microbiology department, explained: “Craigavon is a busy district general hospital.

In 2010, the hospital opened a purpose-built orthopaedic unit, and our department was involved in planning the patient pathway, looking at how to ensure the new unit remained MRSA free. We realised the potential of PCR technology, and so looked for a standalone molecular diagnostic system offering random access MRSA testing, choosing Cepheid’s GeneXpert System and Xpert MRSA test.”

“The major benefit of the Xpert MRSA test is speed of diagnosis. We can now obtain results in just 90 minutes, rather than two days by culture, which is invaluable as it ensures patients follow the correct pathway. If MRSA is confirmed, patients are nursed in a side room, given prophylaxis prior to surgery, and placed at the end of the surgical list to allow deep cleaning of the theatre afterwards. This reduces the likelihood of orthopaedic sepsis and possible repeat surgery, reducing costs and protecting all our patients, not just those that are colonised. Equally important, patients that are not colonised can be nursed in 4-bedded bays, benefitting from each other’s company, and valuable side rooms are freed up. The system has proved very effective and, five years on, the orthopaedic unit remains MRSA free.”

For further information, call 01628 564000, email sales@cepheideurope.co.uk or visit www.cepheid.com

Proven Bactericidal Hand Washes from Evans Vanodine evanS vanodine can provide you with the most effective bactericidal hand washes for your business. trigon® plus and trigon® Foam plus are highly effective, unperfumed, bactericidal hand washes which will remove visible soiling and simultaneously kill a wide range of bacteria. Both products have been developed by evans’ experienced research & development chemists and have been tested by evans’ uKaS accredited laboratory using test methods en 1276 and en 13727. they have also been tested on volunteers’ hands by an independent laboratory to pass en 1499.

Trigon® Plus and Trigon® Foam Plus have been formulated to help reduce the risk of cross contamination and therefore they are especially suitable for use in the healthcare industry, whereby it has been reported that hands are the most common vehicle for the transmission of

pathogens from patient to patient. Trigon® Plus and Trigon ® Foam Plus are also highly recommended for use in catering, food preparation areas, surgeries and nursing homes, as the unique blend of ingredients not only kills 99.999% of bacteria but also provides a soothing and moisturising effect to help protect the skin, making them an ideal choice where frequent hand washing is necessary.

Trigon® Plus is supplied in a 500ml pump bottle, 5 litre refill and a 1 litre cartridge, for use in the Evans Evolve dispenser. TRIGON® FOAM PLUS is available in a 500ml foam pump dispenser and a 1 litre cartridge.

Each cartridge is sealed to prevent air entering during use, minimising the possibility of contamination and is for specific use in the Evans Evolve dispenser.

To download microbiological profiles for both products or find out more about any other product in the Evans Vanodine range, please contact sales@evansvanodine.co.uk or visit www.evansvanodine.co.uk

Rising Elderly Population Keeps Care Homes Vigilant tHe riSe in longevity means that 10 million people in the uK are over 65 and this rising population means that there are more elderly people going into residential care homes. Care homes must remain vigilant when it comes to residents’ health which includes thorough hand hygiene.

Manty Stanley, managing director at TEAL Patents, explains: “Residents in a care home stand a high chance of being unable to get around easily. Much as care homes are designed with this in mind, there’s nothing to beat the sheer convenience of having a mobile, hot water handwash facility where you need it. TEAL designers look to provide the ideal solution to any situation with the launch of every new model.”

TEAL specialises in the design and manufacture of portable

Controlling Legionella LEGIONELLA PNEUMOPHILA and other related bacteria are pervasive, persistent, pernicious and deadly bacteria that potentially exist in all water systems.

Through effective treatment and control, Legionellosis which may be contracted through exposure to these bacteria is an entirely preventable disease.

Because the bacteria are so stubborn it requires a high level of expertise and institutional knowledge to specify treatment and control methods that are suitable for your property.

All methods of control and treatment have limitations due to the variable water flow rate, its turbulence, the water quality (hardness, pH, turbidity) its temperature and, above all time, the distance and stagnation of the water within the water distribution system relative to the control device and dosing points.

Despite the fact that Cu/Ag is recognised as the only modality that delivers advantageous residual and retentive disinfection, it remains a modality which must be closely specified for each application and the operational tolerances must also be well recognised to achieve confidence and success in its ability to function.

Tarn-Pure manufactures and supplies such systems which must be suit-

hot water hand wash units which require no access to mains water and drainage. Working with healthcare organisations for many years, TEAL has developed a range of units which are ideal for the care home environment including the Wash Stand, the PatientWash and the new Super Stallette II, an upgraded model of TEAL’s popular Super Stallette.

The Super Stallette II includes a new, improved tap with a touch-free sensor and a larger, square bowl. Requiring no access to mains supply or drainage, it holds enough water for up to 50 hand washes - perfect for the care home environment.

For further information: W: www.tealwash.com T: 0121 770 0593 E: enquiries@tealwash.com ably specified, installed and thereafter managed by the duty holder for the site in question and routinely inspected and serviced by the service provider.

In order to facilitate the financial control of your legionella solution as well as the operational requirements, Tarn-Pure is able to offer fixed price service options to all customers.

The purpose is to smooth payments for the supply and maintenance of the equipment so that the customer may budget for the total cost of ownership with confidence and plan payments in accordance with the operational needs.

Whether a care home, hospital, factory or hotel/leisure complex, the responsibility lies with the duty holder to ensure that in accordance with the results of a Legionella Risk Assessment, a control programme is designed and implemented to prevent the likelihood of contracting Legionellosis (Legionnaires' Disease).

The HSE Approved Code of Practice L8 (recently revised), clearly defines and advises upon those control procedures and the necessary biocidal modalities.

By request Tarn Pure will specify the correct size and location of the required equipment and upon installation, commission and train personnel on understanding its operation, whereafter, a routine monitoring and servicing programme may be implemented.

Reader Enquiries - Tel: 01494 535 576 or visit www.tarn-pure.com

PAGE 28

THE CARER

SUMMER 2015

Gainsborough Specialist Bathing GAINSBOROUGH SPECIALIST Bathing offers a comprehensive range of integrated assistive bathing, showering and patient transfer solutions to meet the demands of the modern care environment. All Gainsborough powered baths and showering solutions are designed and manufactured in our own UK factory by a team of experts with many years of specialist experience.

Gainsborough products are built with precision, high quality components and materials to deliver the highest levels of safety, dignity and comfort for the user and carer alike. Ergonomics and the reduction of moving and handling risks are considered in every aspect of Gainsborough product design and its range of baths represents the largest collection available in Europe. Through the continual input of care providers, healthcare professionals and transfer specialists, Gainsborough has developed a series of bathing solutions that meet all the requirements of care settings from nursing homes to intensive care hospitals.

Proudly built in the United Kingdom, the Gainsborough portfolio meets European safety standards including WRAS compliance and is regarded as the first choice of leading care providers.

Delivering the right solution for your project Through a network of skilled professionals working nationwide, Gainsborough provides

the design intelligence, manufacturing expertise and complete product knowledge to successfully implement a wide range of bathing installations. From concept to completion and whether required by an architect, contractor or care provider, Gainsborough will work in partnership with clients to provide the most suitable and cost-effective project solution. Site surveys and detailed 3D working drawings are an essential part of the Gainsborough pre-installation service and every customer is supported throughout the purchase process. Integral to this package, Gainsborough’s Aspect™ accessible bathroom design software is a unique, complementary service that provides enhanced visualisation and specification capabilities during project planning stages. This new technology means Gainsborough designers can deliver highly accurate scaled drawings, crisp 3D renderings and bespoke plan drawings so designs can be visualised more effectively and care needs met more precisely.

When bathing installations are complete, peace of mind is assured through Gainsborough’s comprehensive product warranties along with on-site product training, maintenance and service package options and full after-care support. All members of the Gainsborough service team are sensitive to the needs of end users and deliver industry-leading levels of support combined with impeccable work ethics, integrity and respect.

For further details ee advert this page.

Solaticare From Practical Bathing SOLATICARE IS an exciting new toileting solution for those who are confined to bed, whether permanently or temporarily. Sensors within the silicone suction head automatically detect and remove the waste into a sealed unit. Rinsing with warm water follows, then warm air dries the skin. The extraction unit stores clean water and waste, and normally requires emptying/refilling just once a day.

Washing water and air temperatures can be user defined, as can the pause before extraction starts. An optional shower system can improve the experience of washing whilst in bed.

The result is a significant improvement in the quality of life and standard of hygiene for users. It can greatly

The Ultimate Inclusive Showering Solution: Triton’s Safeguard+ Thermostatic Electric Shower tHe triton Safeguard+ thermostatic electric shower has been developed to provide bathroom specifiers with the ultimate solution to meet the growing demand for inclusive showering and combines the key elements of safety, simplicity and design.

Building on the specification credentials achieved by the original, successful Safeguard shower, The Great British Shower Company has worked with a team of Occupational Therapists to ensure the Safeguard+ meets the varying needs of clients.

Offering enhanced features designed around the end user, the unit incorporates truly inclusive design elements such as the tactile temperature control dial, remote start/stop and an optional load bearing riser rail.

Safety Safeguard+ thermostatic offers full assurance when it comes to quality and safety, as well as providing CE Mark, Kitemark and BEAB Care certification.

Incorporating Triton’s tried and tested Tri-Therm technology the shower delivers a constantly regulated water temperature within +/-1°C and shuts off automatically if the cold water supply fails.

design The sleek white gloss of the Safeguard+ complements its functional, contrasting cool grey controls to create a classic look and its central dial has easy to read markings with raised graduations for simple temperature selection.

This intuitive design helps to meet the

requirements of the Equality Act.

Flexibility The standard Safeguard+ shower has a slender, polished stainless steel riser rail with an extra long hose allowing for comfortable showering whether standing or seated. An alternative Safeguard+ grab riser rail package is also available which provides a load bearing riser rail capable of supporting up to 150kg if intentionally or accidently grabbed. This package is also supplied with a supplementary low level shower head holder.

Simplicity Reassuringly the Safeguard+ shower with Triton’s Swivel-Fit water connection will easily adapt to specific site conditions whether replacing or seamlessly fitting onto new routes for pipework and cable. In addition the large top and bottom entry trims, which are removable without tools, have been purpose designed to accommodate standard pipework and cable trunking and ensure a neat finish.

Every Triton shower is rigorously tested before leaving the factory to ensure it complies with the high standards required and is supported by a minimum of a full two year parts and labour guarantee, offering complete peace of mind for your clients.

For more information on Triton’s range of inclusive showers visit www.tritonshowers.co.uk. Also download Triton’s free of charge smartphone app for handy tips and advice whilst on the go or, for the latest promotions and information follow @tritonshowers on Twitter or like TritonInstallers on Facebook.

reduce the amount of time and effort spent on one of the less agreeable aspects of daily living – for both users and attendants.

• Increases personal independence, hygiene, and dignity • Gives a speedy response to an urgent need for toileting • Easy installation, operation and maintenance • Reduces laundry and consumables costs • Can reduce time-consuming and expensive linen changes • Time saving for carers, allowing other activities to be prioritized • 3 models available For further details, an information pack, or to arrange a demonstration, please call Practical Bathing on 0800 019 5570 or 01753 842944 today!

SUMMER 2015

Suitable for all the family, the Kinemagic Serenity is perfect for less able members of the household. Serenity has been designed to fit in exactly the same space as an old bath.

With integrated thermostatic shower control,

DUO FROM Barwood Products features split shower doors that can be individually hinged making it very easy to use. The attractive glass doors offer a hassle-free showering solution for all members of the family, whether the user is in a wheelchair, needs the help of a carer, or simply wants an adaptable shower suitable for all.

a fold-down, anti-slip flooring and secure grab bars, it provides a safe showering experience. The 30mm shower tray threshold guarantees easy entry into the cubicle and the cool-touch thermostatic shower is simple to use and operate and with two options for height of overhead rain shower.

For further information, visit www.kinedo.co.uk or call 020 8842 0033.

Made from 6mm toughened safety glass, the Duo door prevents splashing and the handles provide easy manipulation. Amazingly, the Duo is watertight without silicone.

Two split doors (sold individually) are required for the installation shown here. Side panels (not split) are available in two sizes to create a larger showering

Alton Towers Uses Barwood Products In New Development The UK’s premier theme park, Alton Towers, is adding 120 fairytale lodges and 5 luxury treehouses to its offering.

Eleven lodges and one treehouse will be disabled friendly, thanks to the use of products from Barwood Products, who specialise in supplying modern and contemporary products that meet all disabled regulations.

Each accessible lodge will feature DOC M sanitaryware, grab rails and

shower packs. Barwood Products sales and marketing director Sharon McKenna says: “The lodges have been designed not only to facilitate use for guests with physical disabilities but also those with hearing and visual impairments. It’s fantastic to work with a client that wants to provide the same level of experience for all guests, with or without disabilities. It is a privilege for us to work on such a prestigious project.”

For more information please visit www.barwoodsproducts.com

Numerous recent studies have shown good specification and selection of assistive technology delivers best value. One of the most common care requirements is toileting- simply to get on and off the WC. But it exposes the client and carer to risk- handling strain and falls.

“An Aerolet toilet lifter addresses all those issues, for a fraction of the cost of providing toilet care support,” says Mark Sadler, sales director at Clos-o-Mat, which supplies the Aerolet. “It further has the intangible added benefit of giving the client a feeling of dignity and independence, which itself is proven to help the client cope longer at home, further reducing domestic and residential care costs in the long-term. It obviously depends on how much care the client receives, but an Aerolet can pay for itself in less than four months against providing a carer solely to help the client toilet daily1.”

The Aerolet replicates the natural motion of sitting down and standing up, automatically and smoothly lowering the user over and onto the toilet and then

area. Duo Shower Doors and panels can be installed on the wet room floor or on to a shower tray.

Duo can be fitted in pairs or with a side panel, which allows for freedom of design and total accessibility.

Sharon McKenna, Barwood Products sales and marketing director, comments: “We’ve added Duo to our product portfolio after listening to customer feedback.

We realised that there’s a need for an attractive, transparent, inclusively designed shower enclosure that’s easy for everyone to use, and Duo is it. Not only is it easy for everyone to use, but it’s a fairly hassle-free solution as it’s also quick and easy to fit without silicone.

We’re expecting a great response.” www.barwoodsproducts.com Twitter:@barwoodproducts

On The Level Bespoke Level Access Wet Rooms

Give Someone A Lift- And Save Money Care providers can help people remain independent, with less help, whilst releasing care staff to help other clients- and save money.

PAGE 29

Barwood Products launches Duo Split Shower Doors

Kinemagic Serenity From Saniflo SaniFlo HaS extended its range of Kinemagic shower cubicles to include three new designs: Serenity, design and Style.

THE CARER

raising them to standing, all controlled by the push of a button via integral arm supports on the lift. The Lift can be adjusted to individual leg length and degree of body stability, to as low as 39.5cm (15 ½”), yet can accommodate weights up to 180kg (28 stone).

The Aerolet Tilt is primarily designed for people with balance issues, enabling them to simply lean against the seat and hold the integral arm supports to operate the unit, whilst the Aerolet Vertical is more appropriate for those with limited or no flexion in the hips and knees.

After toileting, the Lift can be raised by degrees to ease access for cleansing.

Aerolets are available exclusively through Clos-o-Mat, already Britain’s leading manufacturer and supplier of toileting solutions for elderly and disabled people. The company is also the only one in its sector with full, inhouse, support, from design advice to installation, commissioning, and after-sales service & maintenance. Clos-o-Mat products have a reputation for quality and durability, with some of its automatic wash and dry toilets still in daily use 30+ years after first being installed.

Reader Enquiries - www.clos-o-mat.com; e: info@clos-o-mat.com; tel 0161 969 1199

MANY ARCHITECTS, surveyors, local authorities and nursing homes are now familiar with On The Level's tried and tested approach to creating safe level access wet rooms using their patented formers in custom made or standard sizes.

Our specialists are happy to explain the product and give technical advice, on site if required, to help problem solve and devise solutions for specific projects. On

A Clear Advantage people tHeSe days demand more stylish

solutions for their bathing and showering environments. Functionality must of course be paramount, but why can’t this be combined with modern materials and aesthetically pleasing designs?

The new range of crystal clear glass shower enclosures provides the solution. With bright chrome detailing, edgeless aluminium frames, and toughened safety glass, function really can combine with stunning good looks.

A full range of styles is available including half

The Level can also recommend and supply ancillary products to complete the shower area including full or half height shower doors, a choice of curtain rails and curtains, seats and grab rails.

On The Level formers are BSI approved for a safe load of more than 60 stone (380kg) and suitable for wheelchairs, and their shallow depth of just 24mm allows them to fit flush into most floor types.

Contact 01525 373202 or visit www.onthelevel.co.uk height, bifold or “stable door” full height. All of these enclosures provide easy access for carer assistance. A range of door sizes from 800mm to 1100mm can be combined to provide space for seated use, or wheeled access.

These enclosures are equally suitable for use on shower trays or on tiled or vinyl wet floors.

For more information contact 0800 019 5570 or visit www.practicalbathing.co.uk

Level Access Wet Room Solutions

● Patented birch ply concealed shower trays ● 18 stock sizes for next day delivery

● Bespoke shapes and sizes in 5-7 days ● Light and easy to handle

● Easy to shape and fit on site

● Half height easy access door configurations ● Environmentally friendly/recyclable

● BSI approved for loads of over 380 kg ● Suitable for all floor types

www.onthelevel.co.uk Tel: 020 3199 8496

Care Homes Must Ensure Full Compliance with Water Regulations in tHe uK, the installation and of any product which will receive or carry water from the public mains must be compliant with the Water Supply regulations, or the Scottish Water Byelaws. the regulations state that there must not be unnecessary waste, or undue consumption of water. the guidelines also stipulate that all appliances must have the requisite backflow protection, in order to prevent contamination of the water supply.

A risk assessment deciphers the ‘Fluid (risk) Category’ and the resulting level of protection that is required. Care homes are amongst the premises that pose the highest risk of contamination to the mains water supply and therefore fall within the highest risk category- Fluid Category 5.

Forbes Professional has been approached by a number of care homes that have been subject to an on-site inspection by the local water board enforcement officers. If laundry or dishwashing appliances are decreed to pose a risk of contamination, the waterboard will insist that measures are put in place immediately to ensure that there is no backflow into public

LPD Commercial Laundry Systems lpd SupplY a complete range of Commercial laundry systems and services with laundry equipment for industrial and commercial laundries to include washers, dryers, ironers and spare parts for most manufacturers and model ranges.

You can buy, lease or rent commercial laundry equipment from us and our expert knowledge will ensure your laundry machines are installed and maintained professionally. LPD are a leading supplier to the care home market, we offer cost effective solutions to your laundry needs using the latest technology and highly energy efficient equipment.

All our laundry machines are fully WRAS

water supplies. Domestic machines alone will not suffice in these environments as they do not offer adequate protection.

Forbes is proud to supply Miele Professional ‘s commercial laundry products and dishwashers, which have all been certified as WRAS approved. As such, not only will they comply with all water board stipulations but they will prove to be cost efficient to run, in terms of both water and energy consumption.

Forbes Professional always provides a complimentary on site survey for any business that is having issues with WRAS compliance. We apply our industry expertise and consultative approach in order to devise a bespoke solution for any environment, in accordance with all the necessary regulations.

After delivery, clients have the peace of mind afforded not only by the knowledge that they will be fully WRAS compliant, but also by the backup provided with our Complete Care package. We offer access to premium equipment with no costly initial outlay and a comprehensive same day engineer response service.

Contact Forbes Professional for more information 0845 070 2335 www.forbes-professional.co.uk approved — to comply with the water bylaws and have built in disinfection programs to health and safety guidelines HSG(95)18 if needed. All our equipment can be connected to Automatic Dosing Equipment to ensure that each wash has the correct level of laundry detergent, conditioner and de-stainer added.

Working with customer database in excess of 6000 and a number of the Large Group Operators and Local Authorities — LPD offer a premium quality range packages such as our “Gold Care” — where we take total care of the machines for the whole term. We are also able to offer outright purchase, lease and rental options to suit our customers needs.

Whatever package you choose we have the support and resources to ensure your Laundry runs smoothly.

For further information or a site visit see advert this page or please contact us at sales@lpd.co.uk

Girbau’s Energy-saving ED Series Laundry Dryers tHe lateSt ed Series energy efficient dryers from Girbau uK help care and nursing home laundries to cut energy bills. all four models in the new Girbau ed Series ecodryer range are believed to be the most energy efficient conventional tumble dryers available. they offer a range of load capacities: 13kg, 17kg, 23kg and 33kg.

Designed to be more energy efficient than any other conventional dryer, ED Series EcoDryers feature Girbau’s 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 and prevent heat escaping from ED Series dryers. The highly reliable and accurate built-in humidity control system automatically senses when clothes are dry and activates the cool down process maximising energy efficiency and assuring textile care.

Girbau ED Series EcoDryers feature intuitive and easy to use controls. There are 10 preset programs catering for

most commonly laundered fabrics and new programs are also easy to set up, if required. Three short-cut functions are ideal for day-to-day adjustment: Eco automatically reduces energy consumption for greatest energy efficiency; Soft adjusts drum movement and temperature for delicate items and there is a Half-Load function as well. All three can be used in combination as required. Gas-heated versions are the most economical to run and electric models are also available in all sizes While energy-saving is the key feature of the ED Series, the dryers also offer the durability and low-maintenance for which Girbau has a long-established reputation.

Girbau’s exclusive G-drive system manages the operation of the inverter and motor controlling drum speed so that programs precisely match the drying needs of each different type of fabric while also ensuring the dryer delivers optimal efficiency, longer life and the lowest possible total cost of ownership.

For more information visit: www.girbau.co.uk Tel: 01462 427780 Email: sales@girbau.co.uk

Armstrong Fixed Price Hire Helps Crossreach Care Homes Manage Their Laundry Budget CroSSreaCH, tHe operating name of the Church of Scotland Social Care Council which started in 1869, now operates more than 70 services across Scotland, providing support to some of the country’s most vulnerable people.

Bellfield is a recently refurbished residential home with an excellent reputation in Banchory. With 34 single rooms, all en-suite, the home offers maximum independence backed up by 24-hour care to its elderly residents. The laundry at Bellfield consists of three washers, the newest of which is an Amazon 8kg washer with a thermal disinfect cycle supplied by Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems, and two dryers. The new washer has been supplied on Armstrong’s increasingly popular fixed price hire arrangement which covers labour and parts on any repair and replacement when it is required. The laundry handle all the bed linen, towels, table linen, kitchen items and residents’ personal clothing and, according to Janis Grubb, manager of the home, “works more or less non-stop, genuinely up to 20 hours a day”. Janis has a laundry operator working five days a week, but all the care workers are trained to use the equipment so it carries on working through the night and weekends.

Namemark Nursing & Care Labels at naMeMarK we pride ourselves on our quality of labels and all our products are produced in the u.K. using quality materials, adhesives and printing methods we ensure that our labels are produced to a high standard. at namemark we undertake extensive testing before new labels are introduced making sure that we are completely satisfied with the results.

Namemark – The One Stop Label Solution We understand that the online labelling industry is huge but we also understand that for affordable labels and quick delivery we are the number one solution.

The Namemark Team As parents ourselves the Namemark team have experience of lost school items. We understand that a simple online solution is vital for purchasing labels.

Janis told us that she has been very happy with the reliability of the new washer and the service provided by Armstrong.

Eastwoodhill, another care home in the group housed in a beautiful Victorian mansion near Glasgow, has 36 rooms and a similar sized laundry including a Huebsch tumble dryer supplied by Armstrong on the fixed price hire agreement. Manager Patricia Lawrence told us that the home has recently increased the night shift cover and much of the laundry is processed overnight, although they are also piloting a dedicated laundry worker three hours a day. Again Patricia said that they had been very pleased with the dryer and had absolutely no problems with it.

At Ballikinrain, a residential school in Ballikinrain Castle in Stirling run by CrossReach, Armstrong have so far supplied two Amazon dryers and have taken over the servicing of the other equipment in the laundry.

For further information contact Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems, Ampere Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2AE Tel 01635 263410 or Armstrong Scotland 0141 892 2390 E: enquiries@armstrong-laundry.co.uk Website www.armstrong-laundry.co.uk Namemark Quality Guaranteed At Namemark we only use high quality materials, adhesives and printing techniques. We also carry out extensive testing before we introduce new labels.

Woven & Iron On Clothing Nametapes Namemark WOVEN and IRON-ON Clothing Nametapes are perfect for school wear, workwear and sportswear. They are durable, discreet and easy to use.

Namemark Tough Adult Shoe Labels PROSHOE is our NEW Tough Adult Shoe Label. It allows for four lines of information to be displayed in your shoes. Used by sportsmen and women alike.

Namemark Property & Address Labels NAMEMARK Property Labels can be used to identify personal belongings whilst NAMERS Labels are used as Address Labels on letters, cheques and envelopes.

For further details see the advert on this page.

Suppliers of Laundry Equipment and Dishwashers EQUIPMENT SALES & RENTALS

SAME DAY AND NEXT DAY SERVICE CALLS WE HAVE WEST MIDLANDS COVERED

LPD OPERATES IN AND AROUND THE WEST MIDLANDS AREA. CONTACT US ON:

T: 0333 666 2 555 E: SALES@LPD.CO.UK W: WWW.LPD.CO.UK

EQUIPMENT SALES AND INSTALLATION • SPARE PARTS • SERVICE & REPAIRS • LOW COST RENTALS

PAGE 32

THE CARER

SUMMER 2015

Benefits of Nurse Call Systems aS tHe demand for healthcare dramatically increases, the health care industry consequently has to find ways to boost productivity within caring environments whilst improving patient safety.

In addition to improving the quality of care for patients, well designed and implemented nurse call systems can provide significant cost-savings for Trusts, and Care & Nursing Homes.

First and foremost, at their centre, nurse call systems are life safety systems- critical systems that must work as effectively as possible to benefit healthcare providers, patients and staff alike. Healthcare facilities are likely to have some form of nurse call system installed on their premises as they are becoming ever more essential to help guarantee patient safety and also to provide peace of mind to the relatives of loved ones within the hospital or

care home. Three of the biggest advantages that emerge through the use of nurse call systems include: 1. COsT – Nurse call systems are a highly cost-effective solution for monitoring the wellbeing of patient’s and ensures that their requirements are met as fast as possible to help avoid any unnecessary suffering or discomfort.

This type of technology allows nurses to monitor different zones within a hospital environment and this can help reduce costs in terms of staffing.

2. speed – When it comes to looking after patients or residents in hospitals and care homes, there is nothing more important than responding to emergency rapidly and nurse call systems are a piece of technology which admirably facilitate this.

3. VersaTIlITy – This form of technology is highly versatile and can be adaptable to most situations within a hospital or care home facility. Nurse call systems will act as the sort of early warning system that is necessary to improve patient safety records and ensure that patients are treated as quickly as possible.

For further details see advertisers this page

Introducing The Touchsafe Pro. AID CALL are proud to announce the release of their newest innovation: The Touchsafe Pro. Aid Call are market leaders in the design and manufacture of wireless Nurse Call technology and they have developed an unwavering reputation for bringing safety critical care solutions to care homes countrywide.

Building on the success of their Touchsafe range, The Touchsafe Pro is the product of over thirty-five years of industry-leading experience, an increased investment into research and development, and the invaluable feedback of our loyal customers.

Lotus Care Technology THE NURSEALERT pressure mat has been one of the most successful floor pressure mats due to it being non slip and carpeted which makes it feel very natural under a residents foot. Lotus Care Technology Ltd have many other fall saving devices that can give you peace of mind whilst caring

The Touchsafe Pro has been designed with the Care Home market in mind. Its wireless configuration allows for complete flexibility, facilitates individual resident requirements and provides cost savings into the future. Powerful features will improve the speed of call responses and increase the depth of information available to both staff and management. This will heighten team performance and support staff in providing the most effective care.

For more information visit www.aidcall.co.uk or call 0800 052 3616.

See Advert On Page 3.

for this at risk of falls.

Having many years of experience in fitting and maintaining Nurse Call Systems helps the guys at Lotus Care Technology understand that every home is different and has different needs. They can specify not only the best system for the enviromental factors in the home but also take into consideration the best products that will make your carers and nurses jobs that little bit easier.

For a site consultation or friendly advice call them free on 0800 8499 121 or local 01822 613258.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure WITH FALLS in hospitals and care homes high in media focus, now would be a good time to look into viable solutions to reduce your exposure and improve patient care.

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

Each year, a typical nursing home with 100 beds reports 100 to 200 falls. Many falls go unreported.

Medpage Limited T/A Easylink UK is one of the

leading suppliers in the UK of patient fall prevention products with over 30 years of trading experience, and currently supplying in excess of 10K systems per annum. Our range of bed and chair rise alarms offer competitive pricing without compromise on quality.

Visit our website www.easylinkuk.co.uk to view our extensive range of patient care products or see the advert on page 2.

SUMMER 2015

THE CARER

PAGE 33

Take the hassle out of buying health care uniforms with our

Mister Uniform Ltd WITH THE recent warm weather many of our clients are on the lookout for lighter weight tunics and garments to help keep your staff cool while working. To help your staff look professional and stay cool this summer Mister Uniform are proud to launch our brand new range of “Super Lightweight” summer garments.

Ask one of our friendly team about our brand new Ultra Lightweight Tunic which is proving very popular with our customers.

This tunic is amazingly light at just 145grammes in weight. This is 25% lighter weight fabric than many regular healthcare tunics.

We also offer lightweight 100% cotton polo shirts, light weight chefs jackets and healthcare dresses.

To find out more about our “Super Lightweight range” simply call us and ask one of our friendly staff who’d be delighted to assist you.

To make ordering easy we offer our Free Sample Service so you can “Try Before You Buy”. This means you get to see an actual sample before placing your order.

Why not add your care company logo to your garments by using our Free Logo Design Service?

To see our brand new 2015 Healthcare Brochure call us now on 0117 32 52 199 (we’d be delighted to hear from you).

Email us on: sales@misteruniform.co.uk View our entire workwear range at: www.misteruniform.co.uk

Free Sample Service

£15.95

£15.95

Grahame Gardner - Caring for the Carers Care HoMeS seeking high-quality uniforms need look no further than Grahame Gardner ltd, who have utilised over 100 years experience to create one of the largest healthcare collections within the uK. they have used their vast knowledge to develop a large selection of garments perfect for care home employees, from stylish and vibrant scrubs, fleeces and outerwear, through to traditional tunics and trousers. With an extensive colour palette available, care homes will readily be able to select the best shades to suit the identity of their home or organisation, because no two care homes are the same.

Midshires Clothing MidSHireS ClotHinG in Kettering specialises in bespoke orders.

Customers can choose their design and fabric colours and embroidered logo to enhance their corporate image. In addition to manufacturing uniforms we act as a one stop shop, also providing polo shirts, chef’s wear, and lots of healthcare uniforms from an extensive stock service.

Midshires Clothing is a workers Co-operative based in Kettering,

Quality ID Cards Ltd QUALITY ID Cards Ltd was established in March 2010 to provide an unrivalled service to its customers purchasing ID or Loyalty Cards, production systems, maintenance or service.

Calling on our 8 years experience in card production we will offer total flexibility that can allow us to design and produce a single card using our own production equipment. We can supply complete card production systems comprising design software, printer and consumables with substantial warranty and support. We can

Grahame Gardner have always been viewed as one of the best suppliers operating within the industry, with hard working garments designed and manufactured to withstand the rigours of the healthcare environment. Marketing Director, Katy Brocklehurst comments:"Care Home staff demand a lot from their uniforms.

Whether a tunic, dress of scrub suit, our garments support staff throughout their shift, being comfortable to wear whilst conveying a professional identity. They are also designed to withstand multiple washes, retaining their shape and colour throughout."

To find out more please go to www.grahamegardner.co.uk or call 0116 255 6326.

Northamptonshire in the Midlands. It was set up in late 2010 by Lyn Hope to manufacture workwear garments for her retail company Alpha Workwear. At the time there were no suitable alternatives available locally that could manufacture the garments to an acceptable standard. Due to the closure of several local firms there was an abundance of skilled labour in the area. So Midshires clothing was founded. Today it is still going strong and waiting for your order.

For further details, call today on 01536 526 476, email: info@midshiresclothing.co.uk or log onto www.midshiresclothing.co.uk

provide consultancy, service & maintenance contracts, support and the supply of consumables.

We are concerned about the impact plastic cards are having on our environment so will research products that degrade in reasonable timescales when no longer needed. We are investigating and investing in renewable energy, eco friendly transportation and the reduction of our carbon footprint.

“We found QIDC to be an excellent company to work with, their pricing is competitive and they keep to deadlines. We are very happy to recommend them to others.”

Liz Helling - Director, The Paperchain Partnership Ltd For further details see advert this page.

TO TO ADVERTISE ADVERTISE IN IN THE THE CARER, CARER, PLEASE PLEASE CALL CALL OUR OUR SALES SALES TEAM TEAM ON ON

01202 552333

£15.95

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TELEPHONE: 0117 32 52 199 EMAIL : sales@misteruniform.co.uk WEB: www.misteruniform.co.uk

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THE CARER

SUMMER 2015

Victor Manufacturing Limited For MovinG, storing, and holding hot and cold foods, uK equipment producer, victor Manufacturing can help.

With 70 years of manufacturing experience, Victor is able to deliver an extensive range of catering equipment suitable for a wide range of organisations, including hotels, restaurants, hospitals, sporting arenas and educational establishments.

The product range includes gas & electric hot cupboards, hot plates, kitchen passes, heated plate dispensers and warmers, counter top servery units, pie heaters,

pasty warmers, heated drawer units, refrigerated salad wells, deli bars & counters, patisserie units, heated tiled, ceramic & glass top carvery counters, bespoke and custom food servery counters, mobile heated and refrigerated servery units as well as a comprehensive range of drop-in gastronorm compatible hot and cold food service modules.

The entire range of Victor products are all handled and managed efficiently through the company's comprehensive network of national and local distributors.

For further details see advert this page.

KiD Catering Equipment iF You’re looking for free advice on kitchen catering equipment products, whether it be to repair, service or maybe upgrade to something new, then we would be more than pleased to assist you.

KiD Catering Equipment is here to listen to your requirements & requests and can both advise and provide a solution for all of your kitchen needs.

We undertake for example; flooring, wall cladding, stainless steel fabrication, ventilation / extraction canopies, fire extinguisher suppression systems, gas interlocks, grease traps, sinks, washroom hygiene products, refrigerated cold rooms, kitchen & store room equipment, lounge & patio furniture, crockery, chemicals & sundry

items.

We are main sales & service agents for Convotherm combination steaming ovens, Blue Seal prime cooking equipment, Meiko & Maidaid warewashing systems, Precision, Adande & Foster refrigeration, Calomax beverage units and Moffat & Victor mobile & static hot cupboards/bain maries.

For free, no obligation advice, call us now via the low cost number above, or E-Mail your enquiry and we will endeavour to help you to move forward with your requests.

Finance business packages are available at competitive rates.

For further information, email sales@kidcateringequipment.com or visit www.kidcateringequipment.com or see the advert on page 9.

Fit and Forget - Kingspan Environmental’s New Smart iFOG Management Systems KIngspan enVIrOnMenTal, a global leader in the design and manufacture of commercial waste management, has turned its attention and considerable expertise onto the problem of catering food waste with the launch of its new ‘smart’ fat, oil and grease management system. iFOG is an intelligent system for waste removal that uses naturally-occurring microorganisms to eat the fat, oil and grease (FOG) which builds up in kitchen drains.

It can reduce drain unblocking and grease trap emptying costs by up to 75 per cent per annum, lessening the resultant kitchen odours, while also eliminating all health and safety risks associated with chemical or mechanical methods of FOG management.

The self-contained unit uses high-performance multi-strain bacteria which are scientifically proven to be highly effective at digesting FOG from a wide range of foodstuffs.

The fully managed “Fit and Forget” system

also contains remote-monitoring technology guaranteeing effective, continual treatment 24/7, preventing further build up. “iFOG saves you time and money, and makes for a cleaner, far more pleasant working environment for staff – many of whom, I’m quite sure would be delighted that they don’t have to empty grease traps with the same regularity,” says Mr Anderson.

“It’s also an entirely trouble-free way of ensuring your business is compliant with the myriad of environmental regulations around FOG.” iFOG was Highly Commended in the Sustainable Catering Equipment Award category at the recent CESA Awards 2014.

IFOG is available on a free hire basis for a minimum 12 month contract. Prices start from £2.60 per day.

Learn more about Kingspan’s range of food waste management solutions at http://kingspanenviro.com/foodwaste.

Polyflor Flooring Installed in Award Winning Anya Court Care Home a CoMBination of polyflor’s high design luxury vinyl tiles and high performance safety flooring were used to help create a bright and welcoming atmosphere throughout anya Court care home in rugby, Warwickshire recently.

Part of the Hallmark Care Homes Group, Anya Court was opened at the end of 2014 and provides nursing, residential and dementia care for up to 70 residents at their state of the art facilities. The interior design of the home is focused around encouraging active and independent living that creates a specialist dementia community where residents will feel at ease in their own surroundings.

1300m2 of Polyflor flooring was installed by Galaxy Flooring to provide homely, stimulating and safe environments for residents to live and socialise in. This included a number of cafés, relaxing therapy rooms, hair salons and a cinema room. The uplifting environment ensured that the impressive Anya Court facility took home the prize for Best New Care Home at the 2015 Pinders Healthcare Design Awards.

Hardwearing wood and stone effect luxury vinyl tiles from the Expona Commercial PUR range were fitted in many communal areas, providing the homely and comforting look of natural materials in a floorcovering suitable for these high traffic zones. Expona Commercial luxury vinyl tiles in Grey Pine were installed on the ground floor of the home, in the reception area, hair salon and the vibrant Juke Box Café. The Light Oak shade from the same range was fitted in the dining areas, kitchenettes and hair salon on the upper floors, and stone effect Classic Yorkstone tiles were also installed in the residents’ cinema room.

Polyflor’s safety flooring was installed in bathroom en-suites and toilets used by residents, guests and staff to provide sustainable wet slip resistance in these areas.

The Expona Control PUR range of LVT safety flooring in stunning stone effect

designs - Warm Grey Concrete and Classic Yorkstone were installed in toilets on all floors. With a pimple emboss and carborundum-free safety particles for slip resistance in barefoot areas and shod such as wet rooms, Polysafe Hydro Evolve flooring in pastel shade Danube was fitted into the home’s adapted bathroom and shower areas for all residents.

Safety flooring was also installed in back of house areas to keep the staff at Anya Court safe when at work.

Polysafe Ultima flooring in Mortar was installed in kitchen and food preparation areas for added slip resistance where oil and grease spillages may be regularly be found. Heavy duty Polysafe Modena PUR safety flooring in the neutral Copal shade was used to complete corridors, circulation zones, staff changing areas and laundry rooms. Modena’s sophisticated micro-granite decoration incorporates clear aluminium oxide particles in the vinyl which are virtually invisible to the naked eye to offer a high clarity decoration.

Product samples can be ordered free of charge on the Polyflor website or by calling the Polyflor Samples Direct Hotline on 0161 767 2551. Polyflor flooring contains recycled material and is 100% recyclable via the Recofloor scheme, of which Polyflor is a founding member.

As a manufacturer of flooring suitable for dementia care facilities, Polyflor has recently become a member of the Dementia Action Alliance who are committed to transforming the lives of the 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK. Polyflor is also a longstanding partner of the International Dementia Design Network at the University of Salford.

Further details of Polyflor’s extensive range of resilient vinyl flooring are available from Polyflor Ltd, Radcliffe New Road, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 7NR. Tel: 0161 767 1111. Fax: 0161 767 1128.

Website: www.polyflor.com Email: info@polyflor.com

SUMMER 2015

Nationwide Safety Surfaces people oF advanced years are much more prone to falls and accidents. Care homes, extra care facilities and hospitals are recognising that safety surfaces prevent serious injuries.

Nationwide Safety Surfaces are specialist wetpour contractors with a wealth of experience in surface design and installation . We pride ourselves on providing a quality service that delivers on time and to the highest standard. We have worked closely with care homes and hospitals over the years to provide flooring that effectively reduces serious injuries from falls.

This provides patients, their fami-

Altro - Thinking Big We tHinK big at altro and we’re globally big in premium flooring and wall cladding systems for construction and transport. We love inventing things. Safety flooring and hygienic wall cladding systems are two of our most famous innovations.

We really enjoy working in

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lies and care organisations with added reassurance.

The Nationwide Safety Surfaces team works with you to provide surfacing that looks great and really makes the best of your setting. All our products are versatile for all environments. Our surfacing is porous, so no more drainage issues and the peace of mind that whatever the weather, patients will be able to move freely without the fear of slipping, tripping or falling.

We are able to provide a range of surfaces to suit your requirements, including wetpour (rubber tarmac), bonded bark, artificial grass, grass mats, as well as being able to carry out all groundworks. We are also able to provide safety surface repair kits.

If you have a care home or hospital project in mind, call Nationwide Safety Surfaces today on 01625 528464 or email info@nationwidesafetysurfaces.com

partnership with you, pioneering new technologies and products. You’ve told us you enjoy it too. We’re devoted to sustainability, recycling and reusing our products.

Family owned and run since 1919, we share family values; we care about you, each other and what we do. We’re passionate about creating a great experience for you wherever you are in the world.

Visit www.altro.co.uk to learn about our innovative flooring and walling solutions for the care sector.

PU Antislip Solves Any Slippery Situations pu antiSlip from dr. Schutz offers long term protection, and most importantly, slip-prevention to comply with current european legislation.

Health and safety in care homes is of paramount importance and slip related incidents represent an increasingly high percentage of work and home accidents.

Dr. Schutz’s PU Antislip is simple to use with its ease of application. The product comes as a drum of a two part PU matt sealer and an Antislip additive package. The two products are mixed together on-site with thorough stirring.

The mixed sealer is then simply rolled out evenly on to the floor. Afterwards a

finishing coat of PU Matt Sealer is added and the floor is ready to walk on in 12 hours.

The product forms a hard wearing sealant film of outstanding durability, around 40 microns of thinkness – ideal for areas of high foot traffic. PU Antislip changes the properties of any resilient or industrial floor surface from regular R9 to the safer R10 classification.

The product has been tested by a well known UK laboratory and using the pendulum test the PU Antislip has excellent results in dry and wet conditions, which are well above the acceptable level.

For more information on products and UK stockists call 01296 481220, or go to www.dr-schutz.com

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

SUMMER 2015

Paul James Contracts Ltd introduCinG paul Heffer Managing director of paul James Contracts ltd Paul has been in the contract furnishings industry for over thirty years.

Back in 1992 he took the decision to start his own business and has now been responsible for the furnishing fit out of literally hundreds of care establishments of all kinds throughout the UK.

Mattressman

MaTTressMan Is one of the leading suppliers of mattresses and beds in the UK. We have been in the mattress trade for over 10 years; this experience ensures a service of the highest quality & the lowest prices in the UK. Our dedicated trade sales team believe in putting the customer first, giving exceptional levels of customer services which is renowned among our customers.

Mattressman has the largest selection of contract mattresses, divans and beds from Britain’s leading industry brands.

All of our mattresses are made in the UK in our very own factory based in Norwich, from the simplest guest mat-

His wife and fellow director Jill is a qualified nurse who worked for over fifteen years in a local dementia care home after leaving the N.H.S. This has given the company a clear understanding of the needs of both residents and staff.

Paul has also been responsible for the interior design of many projects and his extensive knowledge of the industry has been invaluable in ensuring good practical design for all kinds of care environments.

Paul has also worked extensively with other designers and has been able to assist them by offering a great deal of flexibility and a very extensive range of products and services. His clients find great value in being able to purchase everything from just one source as it saves a lot of time and hassle.

If you would like to discuss your project please call or e mail him 01359 271802 pjcontract@aol.com tress to the highest luxury mattress; Mattressman has an extensive range of beds to suit all needs.

All of our contract mattresses comply with BS7177 fire retardant standard (Crib 5 / Source 5) which makes them ideal for businesses which require a higher standard of flame retardancy above standard domestic.

Zip & Link and special sizes beds & mattresses are also available on request.

For the Care home industry we have a Special Contract waterproof mattress.

We also have a huge range of bed frames, guest beds & accessories available on our website for fast free delivery.

Quantity discounts available, please call our contract sales team to get a quote today on 0800 567 7625 or visit our website www.mattressman.co.uk

FRANKled – LED Solutions for Decorative Lighting FranKlITe lIMITed have been known for their quality of product and service in the decorative lighting market for 40 years and, over recent years, the Company has built an astonishing reputation for quality led lighting.

The Frankled brand is designed, developed and manufactured in Franklites Buckinghamshire factory which ensures complete flexibility with the lighting options available and total quality control throughout production.

Frankled products fitted with Eco-disc technology can be supplied with standard non-dimmable LEDs which offer a massive average energy saving of 37% against energy saving CFLs. Further options include dimming, emergency lighting and movement detection can further increase savings and reduce costs!

For more decorative luminaires the LED13duo is an integrated, yet replaceable, dedicated LED unit which replaces the tungsten candle lamp. Whilst not affecting the

aesthetics of the fitting, the LED13duo can offer an energy saving of up to 80% without compromising on light output. With a 5 year warranty, these units also negate the need for the constant maintenance involved with traditional tungsten lamps.

Franklite's range of quality recessed downlights can also be converted using the LED13duo technology and will offer an equivalent output to a 50W MR16 and is available in 3 beam angles with reduced glare. Remote emergency gear can also be offered with all Frankled recessed downlights. Also covered by a 5 year guarantee, switching to these units saves energy, costs, and maintenance time.

Franklite have a team of professional and knowledgeable personnel who can demonstrate Frankled technology and discuss individual requirements.

Call 01908 691818, email info@franklite.ltd.uk, visit www.franklite.net or www.frankled.com See the advert on page 39 for details.

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Are You Building, Extending Or Refurbishing a Care Home?

We are one of the UK’s leading suppliers of furniture, furnishings and equipment for the care home industry. Established back in 1992 we have over twenty three years of experience and we would like to help you.

We provide all of the following from just One Supplier saving you valuable time and hassle.

• Specialist Carpeting and Flooring, • Soft Furnishings Including Curtains And Blinds • All Furniture A very extensive range • Profiling And Divan Beds • Pictures And Signage • Lamps And Shades • Cutlery And Crockery

Optional Interior Design Service Full Project Management Including Delivery Scheduling And Placement

Elm House, Drinkstone Road, Hessett, Suffolk, IP30 9AU

01359 271902 pjcontract@aol.com www.pauljamescontracts.co.uk

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

PAGE 38

THE CARER

SUMMER 2015

Shapely Retro Styling Ensures Jenny Stands Out from the Crowd a SHapelY profile combines with an evocation of retro styling in Jenny, a wide-ranging collection of upholstered seating just introduced by Knightsbridge Furniture for the care sector. applications include foyers, lounges and breakout spaces in addition to residents’ rooms and guest suites whilst enquiries are also being received from specifiers fitting out offices and admin areas.

The initial Jenny collection comprises low profile armchairs plus twin and triple-seat sofas, all in low-back, mid-back and high-back styles. Complementary upright chairs come in armed and armless formats, set on either tapered timber legs or contemporary wire frames, and completing the line-up are smart armed and armless desk chairs on cruciform bases fitted with castors or glides.

Epitomising the move towards softer lines in contract seating, the curved profile at the heart of the Jenny

design concept is emphasised by distinctive piping which runs round the outer back of each model. The impact is therefore particularly striking when the seating is presented in two contrasting shades: Knightsbridge has an extensive library of stock fabrics to facilitate this and the company’s in-house production team can also accommodate customer-specific upholstery with ease.

Seating and tables are manufactured at Knightsbridge Furniture headquarters in Bradford using timber from renewable sources. The company also demonstrates its commitment to sustainability through FSC, PEFC and FISP certification, ISO 14001:2004 accreditation for its environmental management system and BS EN ISO 9001:2008 quality management accreditation.

Knightsbridge Furniture holds Preferred Supplier status with the NHS, the SHS, HSE Ireland and key providers of private and charitable healthcare.

For full details on the company’s portfolio of furniture for the care sector, call 01274 731442, e-mail enquiries@knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk or visit www.knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk

Freephone: 0800 917 7943 www.euroservice-uk.com sales@euroservice-uk.com

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Furmanac FurManaC Have been a market leader in motion furniture since 1972 and are now the largest uK-based manufacturer of adjustable beds.

Our range of high quality profiling beds are suitable for use in both care homes and home care situations, to help both individuals with specific needs and to aid their carers. Their use also helps eliminate the risk of injury to the carer that can be caused by lifting while bending.

The MiBed® range of adjustable beds have been specifically designed to

A Unique Solution for Decorating Care and Residential Homes deCoratinG a care or residential home brings its own unique problems. Safety, disruption and durability are considerations in any sizable decorating project. However, when you have occupants who may be very sensitive to smells, fumes and disruption and surfaces that need to be protected from everyday bumps and scrapes and possibly regular accidents, by the occupants themselves, you need products that were created from the outset for this type of application.

Jotun produce paints for harsh environments including oil rigs, cruise

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ships, wind turbines and iconic buildings including the Eiffel Tower and, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Jotun’s decorative paints are as well known in the Middle East and Scandinavia as Dulux and Crown are here, but are relatively unknown in the UK. SENS Allergy Free paint is the only paint accredited by the Norwegian Asthma and Allergies Association. The Use of SENS means a room can be safely occupied the same day after painting and its fast-drying properties allow two coats to be applied in quick succession keeping disruption to a minimum.

For more information contact SML Decorative Paints on 01285 862132 or visit their website at www.smldecorativepaints.co.uk or see the advert on page 17.

A Trolley for Every Occasion!

Wheel In the trolley with all those lovely treats and everyone’s eyes will light up!

PO 300

be more like the high street styles as these can be less daunting and more homely for customers than the traditional hospital-style bed.

We also have a comprehensive range of lift and recline chairs available.

Our years of experience, combined with the finest quality materials offer rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.

We also offer peace of mind, as all our beds come with a full 5 year manufacturer’s guarantee and conform to UK flammability regulations.

Our factory at the heart of the Midlands, has convenient motorway access to all areas of the country, which helps guarantee quick lead times and prompt delivery.

For further information please call our office on 01384 408844, or e-mail sales@furmanac.com or visit www.furmanac.com

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

Introducing our NEW Cheetah range - affordable UK manufactured trolleys.

Whether it’s a hot drink from the tea trolley, a little tipple or a mouth-watering cream tea from the chilled dessert trolley, Euroservice has the answer.

Why not contact one of our experienced sales team to discuss your requirements? We feel sure that a

Euroservice trolley will be one of your best assets, saving you time and enhancing the excellence of your service.

For more infor-

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THE CARER

SUMMER 2015

AICO - Making Sheltered Housing Safer aiCo, uK’S market leader in domestic mains powered Fire and Carbon Monoxide (Co) detection, has developed an innovative product to solve a safety issue facing people in sheltered housing and other vulnerable people that use telecare/Warden Call Systems.

Telecare/Warden Call Systems are commonplace in dwellings for vulnerable people and are an important tool to let people live independently in a safe environment – but in most situations they are not connected with the Smoke and CO alarms in the property.

The new Ei414 Fire/CO Alarm Interface provides a dedicated connection between Aico Smoke and CO alarms and Telecare/Warden Call Systems, enabling an emergency signal to be transmitted directly to that system if fire or CO is detected.

The Ei414 is a flexible device that interconnects Aico RadioLINK Smoke, Heat and CO alarms with most new and existing Telecare/Warden Call Systems. The connection to the Telecare/Warden Call Systems can be made wirelessly with Radio Frequency (RF) signals using RF Universal Transmitters, if available, as part of the Telecare/Warden Call Systems, or via hard wiring directly between the two devices.

As the Ei414 is a RadioLINK device and links to Aico RadioLINK Smoke, Heat and CO alarms wirelessly, it brings all the advantages of a wireless interconnect alarm system; these include far less disruption during installation, increased tenant compliance, more flexible coverage and greatly reduced installation time as a result of RF signal, rather than hard wired, alarm interconnection.

The Ei414 can be powered directly from the mains or from a 12-24V DC supply, from the Telecare/Warden Call Systems for example, and has built-in tamper-proof rechargeable Lithium Cells which will power the device in the event of any mains failure.

Exceptionally easy to use, the Ei414

Applications Engineering SinCe openinG for business in uckfield, east Sussex in 1983, applications engineering ltd has become synonymous with the supply of control and instrumentation products.

Our impressive array of items offered include; pressure switches, differential pressure switches, pressure transducers, pressure gauges, level switches, level sight indicators, flow switches, flow sensors, float switches, solenoid valves, temperature switches, temperature sensors and vacuum switches. We are also pleased to offer ATEX pressure, flow, level and temperature switches, plastic injection moulded parts, and if you need to clean small bore

features a removable key with three settings: On, Off and Test. When ‘On’ the Ei414 responds to an alarm signal from House Coded RadioLINK Aico Smoke, Heat or CO alarms, and switches the relevant ‘Fire’ or ‘CO’ relay contacts to trigger the Telecare/Warden Call Systems. LED indicators provide visual confirmation of mains power and fire or CO alarm activation. The ‘Off’ setting stops all fire and CO alarm triggers being sent to the Telecare/Warden Call Systems, which is particularly useful if a property becomes vacant. The ‘Test’ setting allows a responsible person such as a Warden or Fire Engineer to test the entire system, which would include a signal being transmitted to the Telecare/Warden Call Systems.

“The Ei414 has been developed in response to a need identified whilst working in close proximity with the social housing sector,” explains Neal Hooper, Director of Aico. “The challenge has been to solve a problem that falls in between two specifiers within the same department – one for smoke alarms and another for the Telecare/Warden Call Systems. We are encouraging these two specifiers to work together and call on the expertise of our highly trained Regional Specification Managers to explain the benefits of joining the two systems together and demonstrate how simple it is to install and use the product.”

The Ei414 Fire/CO Alarm Interface from Aico comes complete with a full five year guarantee and has RF performance to EN 300220-1 and EMC performance to EN 301489-1.

Aico is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ei Electronics and is the first name in residential fire protection in the UK. All alarms are designed and built in Europe specifically to meet UK standards and regulations.

For more information, please call 01691 664 100, email enquiries@aico.co.uk or visit www.aico.co.uk.

hose and pipes then we are the UK home for the original and ingenious Jetcleaner.

Needless to say, in order to provide our customers with a high level of service that they would naturally expect, we need to be able to offer swift turnaround of their orders. We can do this more often than not on a next day delivery due to the significant stock holding here at our new location in Horsted Square, Uckfield, East Sussex. We are also open for customers to collect direct from us and we would welcome anyone to come and view our facilities and ISO 9001 approved processes.

If you would like to discuss how we can help you with your control and instrumentation needs, please call us on 01825 764737.

See advert this page for further details.

A New Approach To Ensure The Safety Of Electrical Equipment a neW concept test instrumentation enables care home operators to meet their electrical safety responsibilities in a safe, simple and effective manner – and in line with the latest official guidance.

Seaward’s new Apollo 600 is designed to enable those responsible for maintaining health and safety meet the latest advice included in the IET Code of Practice for the in service inspection and testing of electrical appliances and equipment.

Uniquely, the innovative new Apollo 600 is equipped with onboard risk assessment tools and an integral digital camera to assist the user and ensure a proportionate response to the inspection and testing of electrical equipment.

In this way, the combined risk assessment and electrical safety inspection and testing capabilities of the multipurpose Apollo 600 have been specially designed to mirror the latest advice provided by HSE and the fourth edition of the IET Code of Practice for compliance with the Electricity At Work Regulations 1989, and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

The new guidance stresses the importance of taking a structured approach to risk assessment for the determination of equipment inspection and testing intervals. This puts a new emphasis on the roles of the dutyholder and the person performing the inspection and testing in the determination of retest intervals and the management of test results.

The Apollo 600 includes all of the electrical safety tests required by the IET Code of Practice including, earth continuity, insulation resistance at 250V or 500V, protective conductor current, touch current, IEC lead polarity and portable RCD trip time, without the risk of tripping the installation RCD. In addition to testing plug in appliances, the Apollo is fully equipped to test permanently connected and 3 phase electrical equipment as required by the new Code of Practice.

For broader safety requirements, the new concept tester can also record a wide range of other health and safety inspections and tests, including fire detection and alarm systems, and emergency lighting checks, together with the ability to output a wide range of safety labels and test reports and certificates.

All of this data can be linked with PAT results to provide a comprehensive workplace monitoring systems for health and safety matters.

The introduction of the Apollo 600 is complemented by upgraded test results management software in the form of the PATGuard 3 program to allow data to be downloading quickly and test reports to be created easily.

The new Apollo 600 and PATGuard 3 software are the latest additions to a comprehensive range of PAT testers, accessories and training materials provided by Seaward to help maintain electrical safety in the workplace.

For more details visit www.apollo600.com

PAT Testing Kits and PAT Testers from Parker Bell parKer Bell is a well-established customerdriven company, offering a range of easy to use pat testers and pat testing equipment, and a wide range of accessories and pat testing kits for simple in-house appliance testing.

We believe in keeping it safe by keeping it simple.

Our PB500 Easy PAT Testing Kit is a complete solution in one. The PB500 kit is an all-round package to help you to save money and meet Health and Safety at Work regulations. It includes everything you need to test your electrical items and at a great price. More information here.

The Right PAT Tester For You You can buy everything you need for in-house PAT Testing in our online shop, or contact us to talk over your requirements and we can advise on the best product for you. Any ques-

tions? Call us: 01392 308110 PAT Tester Calibration Regular calibration is essential to ensure your PAT Tester provides accurate test results. Parker Bell provide a regular PAT tester calibration service and certificates. To ensure your equipment is maintained and safe simply give us a call: 01392 308110 see advert this page PAT Testing Course Pat testing or portable appliance testing is an important part of any health & safety policy and Parker Bell provide a practical hands-on PAT Testing course designed for the individuals responsible for carrying out the PAT Testing. This course will ensure that they fully understand the details of PAT Testing.

For further information, see the advert on this page.

SUMMER 2015

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REGULAR THERAPEUTIC SINGING REDUCES AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR Benefits Patients, Staff and Relatives The Silver Song Box displays the words of familiar songs onto a simple colour background with a piano accompaniment and requires no formal musical training to operate.

The system can be used with either a TV or projector.

The findings of a three month pilot study in a NHS Social Care Partnership Trust indicate that the regular provision of singing activities can have a significant impact on the well-being of patients living with dementia, and for those caring for them.

The reduction in challenging behaviour makes for a happier environment and reduces risk to patients, staff and relatives.

THE SILVER SONG MUSIC BOX system has been developed by Sing For Your Life to enable Day Care Centres, Residential Care Homes and Hospitals to provide participatory singing sessions for older people. Singing brings people together and The Silver Song Music Box provides an inclusive activity that delivers excellent cognitive stimulation therapy and an effective reminiscence experience.

The Silver Song Music Box system is already being used in more than 150 care homes and NHS Dementia Units across the UK. It can be operated by a Carer or Nurse who is not a trained musician which enables singing sessions to be provided as often and whenever required. Once commissioned there is no further financial liability.

Regular Singing activities have a significant impact on the well being of people living with dementia by enhancing mood, reducing anxiety and agitation and by reducing the need for psychotropic drugs or restraint.

The Music Box system is simple to use and does not require any formal musical training to operate. It can be used by any staff member or volunteer at any time and has proved very successful in reducing incidents of challenging behaviour.

For more information go to www.singforyourlife.org.uk or call 01303 298546 for an Information Pack

Nursing and Care Home elearning Suite

What We Do:

Blue Stream Academy Ltd provide eLearning and an associated management of information system.

After the success of the GP Practice Suite and the Dental Suite we have now launched our Nursing and Care Home Suite, which is dedicated to the training requirements of care homes and nursing homes.

Some of the key features are: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Role specific training profiles Retake alerts View of completed/incomplete training Search by role type Storage of external training information/certificates Linking of policies to training modules Use of generic policies

Requirements The suite is available nationally and can be used wherever there is an internet connection.

No additional software is required; it is compatible with all browsers and can be used on Android and Apple devices, including mobile phones.

No software purchase is necessary; all technical and maintenance requirements are undertaken by Blue Stream Academy Ltd. Costs: Registration is free. For 12 months unlimited usage the prices are as follows: 1-15 staff 16-25 staff 26-40 staff 41-60 staff 61+ staff

£500 £750 £1000 £1250 POA

(All Prices are subject to 20% VAT)

For an individual purchase of 12 month unlimited usage the price is £49 + VAT. Group purchases are available; please contact us using the details at the bottom of the page.

Below are some of the modules available, the content is constantly checked to ensure accuracy and modified accordingly: ✓ Safeguarding Children (level 1,2 and 3) ✓ Safeguarding Adults

✓ Preparing for an lnfluenza Pandemic

✓ Safeguarding Adults

✓ Whistleblowing

✓ End of Life Care

✓ Consent

✓ Infection Control (Clinical and Non Clinical)

✓ Mental Capacity Act

✓ Domestic Violence Awareness

✓ Bullying and Harassment ✓ Dementia Awareness

✓ Learning Disabilities Awareness Accreditation Blue Stream Academy Ltd eLearning modules are accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners and CPO. The suite can be used to demonstrate competence in all areas of training (external t raining included) show proof of policy awareness and understanding.

This proves invaluable for CQC compliance.

SUMMER 2015

Geopace Training GeopaCe traininG has been the leading provider of phlebotomy training Courses since 2010, delivering training at over 68 locations within the uK and n. ireland.

All courses are nationally recognised and award an accredited certificate.

Geopace have developed a reputation for excellent in training, delivered to a wide and varied student audience including Colleges and Universities, Hospitals, Care Homes and GP Practices as well as individ-

THE CARER

PAGE 43

uals. Additionally, group training on-site provides a very cost effective method for staff education and CPD. Our two-day Introduction to Phlebotomy course assumes no prior knowledge of phlebotomy and leads the students up to the point of live blood draw. Progression courses include Neonatal & Paediatric Phlebotomy and Advanced Venepuncture & Cannulation. A Phlebotomy Refresher Course, completed online, is available to update and renew the student’s accreditation.

For further details Tel: 01525 713377

MediEnlist Partner with TRN (Train) for a Complete Staffing and Training Ecosystem MedienliSt are a rapidly expanding healthcare recruitment company specialising in filling uK nurse and carer vacancies with candidates from a range of european union partner countries. the management go to great lengths to stress they are not an agency, clients will not be tied into crippling monthly costs and will only pay an affordable one off fee for each candidate successfully employed.

MediEnlist work with some of the biggest names in the UK healthcare sector and have ambitious yet controlled expansion plans. Mark Hewitt, Managing Director of MediEnlist has this to say about the success rates of his company, "We are very proud of our track record and are continually striving to improve. We currently have a 64% fill success rate for the Care Home sector and a 96.4% retention rate of Nurses still in employment after 12 months."

The current situation employers are now facing con-

Understanding Dementia taCKlinG tHe stigma surrounding dementia is becoming a priority focus for public health. Current figures suggest that dementia affects one in 14 people over the age of 65 and one in 6 over the age of 80, and it is estimated that 44 million people worldwide are currently living with dementia.

In addition to this there is still stigma attached to dementia which can result in a lack of care and support and delayed diagnosis, so raising awareness of dementia on a broader scale is an essential step in tackling the disease. When faced with facts and figures of this nature it is therefore imperative that new support systems are made available for those affected and also for those who care for them.

RSPH have been working with Alzheimer’s Society Consultancy & Training in developing a qualification which is geared towards helping people to understand more about dementia and which also puts ‘compas-

cerning the new immigration rules on the employment of non EU staff, has the potential to cause massive repercussions throughout the entire healthcare sector leaving a glut of unfilled vacancies. MediEnlist are in the fortunate position that they recruit only from EU partner countries which will not be affected by current legislations.

MediEnlist also recognises that the constant training and development of staff is crucial within any organisation and more so within the Health and Social Care sector. To further expand on the services the company provides, they have recently partnered with TRN (Train) allowing them to supply a complete one point of contact staffing and training ecosystem.

TRN (Train) deliver training programmes to the Health and Social Care sector ranging from short half day training courses up to accredited QCF (previously known as NVQ) diplomas.

To benefit from either or both of these services contact TRN (Train) and MediEnlist on 0191 477 0840 or see the advert on page 41. sionate care’ at the heart of the training. The Level 2 Award in Understanding Dementia has been designed for people not only in the health and social care arena but also for anyone who would want to broaden their knowledge.

Although health and social care professionals want to provide the best care possible there is every chance that they may lack the knowledge or tools to understand dementia and care for someone with the condition.

With eighty per cent of people in care homes with dementia or memory problems, there is a real need to develop a ‘benchmark of ability’ expected of people working directly in dementia care. This qualification is being launched with the intention of being that ‘benchmark’ in improving standards across the board.

Both organisations are committed to making a difference to the quality of dementia care and the plan over 2015 is to embed the qualification as the nationally recognised standard and an essential requirement for those working across adult health and social care.

For more information email dementia@rsph.org.uk or visit www.rsph.org.uk/understandingdementia.

TO ADVERTISE IN

PLEASE CALL OUR SALES TEAM ON

01202 552333

PAGE 44

THE CARER

SUMMER 2015

Barker Ross Launches Barker Judgement Index - Proven To Dramatically Save You Ross Health & Social Care Money Cut Staff Turnover And Increase Quality Of Care tHe BarKer ross Group is launching a new healthcare business, Barker ross Health and Social Care.

This new venture follows on from the integration of the standalone Cardea healthcare business into the Group last year. Barker Ross Health & Social Care will be recruiting across the nursing, allied health, residential care and social work sectors. It will cover permanent, temporary and contract roles in both the public and private sector.

Sarah Richmond, operations director at Barker Ross Health & Social Care says: “It’s a tough sector to operate in, but we feel that the Barker Ross commitment to safety and training is an approach that will really pay off when recruiting for health and social care. Our clients know we have stringent vetting and safeguarding procedures and are rigorous about compliance.

We also know how to generate candidates in a furiously competitive market and

ensure those candidates have a good experience so they keep coming back to us.”

Barker Ross founder and CEO Paul Ross says: “Everyone in our business is given a brief to recruit for one sector at a specific level so they really get to know candidates and clients. This is what we are going to do in the core areas of nursing, allied healthcare, residential care and social work. As we develop the new healthcare business we will be also be able to benefit in terms of operational efficiencies as we share costs and expand geographically.”

The first steps will be to open new offices In London, Cardiff, Cambridge and Milton Keynes.

This move is designed to contribute to the Barker Ross Group’s ambition to achieve a turnover of £64m turnover by 2016.

For further information, please visit www.barkerross.co.uk

and agency referral and ask yourself if you and your residents are worth more?

Trial Offer - Start taking a closer look at the candidates agencies are sending you or even you are finding yourself with our automated system that will sit seamlessly alongside your current selection and interview process.

a reCent conversation with a recruitment agency went like this: Me - if you use the Judgement index to assess candidates you are providing for care organizations we will help increase quality and dramatically reduce staff turnover by 50% or more in most cases?

Recruiter - Why the hell would we want to do that?

Me - to build your brand and reputation on quality?

For further information about the Judgement Index please contact: 0845 0958 164, email info@judgementindex.co.uk or visit www.judgementindex.co.uk or see the advert on page 45.

Recruiter – Our model is sales volume so no thanks!

It’s not to say all agencies and recruitment companies are the same but look at your staff turn-over rates and the candidates who turn out to be unsuitable regardless of the CV

Financing an Outstanding Care Home Businesses in the care home sector may be unaware of pre-existing funding available within their organisations to finance new projects, according to Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank’s head of healthcare, derek Breingan.

Derek was speaking at the ‘Work Smart to Create an Outstanding Care Home’ seminar, which recently took place at the Village Hotel in Leeds. Hosted by DWA Architects and Yorkshire Bank, the event provided practical advice to healthcare businesses from across the UK on how to deliver top class care homes in an industry facing increasing expectations, rising prices and increased resource pressures.

Around 25 professionals from the industry attended the session, which included presentations on architectural design, planning, funding and money management.

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank’s head of healthcare for the UK, Derek Breingan, spoke about the need for businesses to analyse costs and look at existing sources of funding from within their businesses before taking the step to develop a care home. Commenting, Derek said: “With a growing population, improvements in healthcare, and people living longer, there’s a lot of pressure on the care home sector to deliver.

This means right from the start businesses must have robust plans in place to ensure their developments are built on time, on budget and to the high-

est quality.

“We’re here to help commercial businesses in the care home sector source appropriate funding to grow.

What many companies don’t realise is they may already have access to funding which can be made available by securing financial support packages against hidden value in their existing properties.

“The Bank can help them identify this value, as well as providing the support necessary for their care home to be built, from the development stage all the way through to completion. Our size gives us the agility and flexibility to spend time with clients and find solutions which fit their specific requirements.”

Multi-award winning DWA Architects, who have a wealth of experience in developing care homes, spoke to attendees about designing a care home fit for 2015 and beyond. Commenting, David Ward, Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to have co-hosted this event with Yorkshire Bank, and it was a pleasure to welcome professionals from across the industry and provide practical advice on how to develop an outstanding care home.

“Having worked in the care sector for more than 26 years, it was a fantastic opportunity for us to share our knowledge and expertise, and we hope that this will have a positive impact on future care home developments.”

To find out more contact Derek Breingan, Head of Healthcare on: 07818 454 674, cbonline.co.uk/healthcare | ybonline.co.uk/healthcare Alternatively see the advert on the back cover of this issue.

What’s the Difference Between ‘Claims Occurring’ and ‘Claims Made’? You Need to Know!

by Babbar Abbas Care Client Manager Aon - Babbar.abbas@aon.co.uk

a nuMBer of insurers are changing the way that they cover you for claims. i am passionate about making sure you know the difference so your care home is not left exposed. Below i will explain the differences so you can make an informed decision when purchasing your insurance.

A definition • A ‘claims occurring’ basis covers claims that occur during the policy period irrespective of when the claim is made. So you may have changed insurer but they will still accept a claim even though the policy has ended.

• A ‘claims made’ basis covers claims that are made and reported during the policy period only and not once the policy period is over. Your previous insurer will no longer accept the claim as you have moved provider.

On lapsing or cancelling a ‘claims made’ policy, the historic cover paid for has expired. This may seem unfair, but it is becoming more common as it usually limits the exposure for insurance companies.

Examples to make it clearer • Claims occurring basis: Company A is insured with Insurer 1 from period 1st January 2014 – 31st December 2014 and finds a more competitive quote and moves insurers as of 1st January 2015. On 2nd January a liability claim is reported to

Please mention THE CARER when responding to advertising.

Insurer A where the incident date was 30th December 2014. As the incident occurred when Insurer 1 was insuring Company A, claims occurring liability ensures that Company A is adequately covered even though they are no longer insured with Insurer 1.

• Claims made basis: Using the same example as above, with the same dates; if a claim is reported to Insurer 2 and they are no longer insuring Company A they will not proceed to settle the claim. If Company A has not sourced “run off” cover this will put them in a difficult position of not being insured by Insurer 2 and not being insured by the new insurer.

The above examples should illustrate, in my opinion, that a claims occurring basis is usually the most prudent basis to adopt within the Care Home Insurance Sector.

Whilst care has been taken in the production of this article the information contained within it has been obtained from sources that Aon UK Limited believes to be reliable, Aon UK Limited does not warrant, represent or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of the article or any part of it and can accept no liability for any loss incurred in any way whatsoever by any person who may rely on it. In any case any recipient shall be entirely responsible for the use to which it puts this article.

This article has been compiled using information available to us up to 10/07/15.

Reader enquiries - Tel: 0370 218 7091 or visit www.carehomes.aon.co.uk or see the advert on page 8.

Auto Enrolment Guide For Carers tHe uK’S 6.5 million-strong carer community must be signed up for a workplace pension over the coming or their employers will face penalties, says an online pension provider.

According to online auto enrolment firm Smart Pension, staging dates for those that employ even one carer are rapidly approaching – and yet many are still unaware of their responsibilities.

Smart Pension CEO and co-founder Andrew Evans said: “New legislation means that even those that employ a carer to help them around the house must offer a workplace pension. This applies if the carer is aged 22 or over and under state pension age, and is paid over £192 a week or £833 a month.

“If, however, care is provided by an agency, the agency is the employer and those receiving care don’t need to do anything.”

This month, the Government’s workplace pension scheme begins its two-year roll out to smaller firms.

It’s starting with firms that have 30 or under employees, and will move on in a descending order to the other 1.3 million small and micro companies and employers until early 2018.

So what do carers need to know? According to the Pensions Regulator if they are deemed eligible to provide a pension, they can nominate a person to deal with their application and subsequent arrangements if they wish.

For those that employ more than one carer and that pay employees more than £192 a week, and their workers are over 22 and under state pension age, they are legally bound to provide a pension. Even if they don’t meet these criteria employees will need to be given the option to join a scheme, unless they are aged under 16 or over 74.

Smart Pension has outlined the five important considerations for carers and care providers when researching a pen-

sions auto enrolment scheme: • Avoid up front set-up fees. These vary and range between free to £1,500 or even higher. According to Andrew Evans, a fee attached does not guarantee extra support or that you are signing up with a more reputable scheme.

• Avoid annual maintenance fees for employers. This is often a fixed fee and can go anything up to £1,500 a year for a company or a per employee fee.

• Check set-up time. This can vary from minutes to hours, days and quite often weeks. It largely depends on the efficiency of the system and time taken to authenticate data. Check the small print as it should be clear how long the sign-up process is estimated to take and if official papers need to be submitted, meetings held or if the process can simply be completed online, in one sitting.

• Check if letters and documentation is automatically generated by the provider. A lot of pension providers don’t do this for the employer, so employers have to create the communications with employees themselves. This is laborious and is easy to get wrong.

Choose a provider that generates the letters automatically so you know they are compliant with the regulator’s requirements.

• Administration costs to employees. This is the annual fee taken from an individual employee’s funds under administration.

The Government introduced a fee cap in April set at 0.75 per cent but some providers bump that up to nearly 10% in year one with monthly “transaction fee” charges to employees. Choose a provider that doesn’t charge transactions fees.

Over the next few months, the number of companies enrolling their staff is set to dramatically increase from around 10,000 per quarter to around 200,000.

Smart Pension’s system makes it possible to complete auto enrolment in under an hour on any device. At not cost to the employer.

Those looking to discover their staging date can use this calculator to estimate it.

For more information on enrolling carers and pension responsibilities, go to www.autoenrolment.co.uk/personal-carers

SUMMER 2015

Care Provider Offences aGainSt tHe background of the Francis report and the prosecutions arising from Winterbourne view, there is now, from april this year a new criminal offence of ill treatment or wilful neglect in health and social care, which came into force on 13 april 2015, david Corker, Corker of Binning Solicitors explains: Care provider oFFenCeS Sections 20 and 21 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 were implemented in mid-April. Each creates a new criminal offence. These offences criminalise those they deem responsible for the ill-treatment or neglect of people who were meant to be receiving health or social care. The range of persons to whom these offences apply are individuals and organizations which are paid to provide care. Whereas doctors, clinicians and care workers and their respective employers are within their range, parents and others who provide unpaid or informal care are not. Neither offence therefore seeks to intrude into family life or to discourage volunteers.

Both the Winterbourne View and Mid-Staffs scandals revealed endemic patterns of abuse of people who, whilst vulnerable, were neither children not lacked mental capacity. Accordingly, unless there was discrete evidence of an assault or the vulnerable person had died as a result of ill-treatment, there was nothing for which the alleged abusers and their reckless or callous employers could be prosecuted for. These scandals made it self-evident that the wilful neglect of another by a supposed care professional was an evil which Parliament should criminalise and these offences are the result.

The first of this pair can only be committed by an individual. If he/she is paid to provide care to another individual but what is done or not done amounts to ill-treatment or wilful neglect then the offence is committed. There is

Want to Stand Out from the Crowd?

WriteCare Can help you stand out in a competitive market.

Well-written material tells people what great care you offer.

The right words reassure service users, their families and carers. Clear guidance supports your staff. Credible information demonstrates your quality to commissioners and regulators. Strong messages attract the best recruits.

WriteCare can: • Take on jobs your in-house teams may not have the capacity or capability to manage • Provide a new perspective, objectivity and fresh ideas • Offer practical support and advice to encourage positive input from clinical specialists and general managers and build on their enthusiasm for a project • Make sense of health and care jargon and medical terminology, and get the right balance between clarity and the specific needs of the audience

Loans at 1.5% SpeCialiSt HealtHCare brokers, Global Business Finance, have just arranged development funding to extend a devon care home at the exceptional rate of bank base plus 1.5%.

After searching an extensive range of banks for the best deal the team at Global then used their senior banking contacts to tap into an exclusive and

no statutory definition or guidance of what constitutes such harm, the legislators having decided that this should all be entrusted to the criminal courts to determine in particular cases. Whilst this is seemingly a sensible delegation, the inevitable vice it creates is uncertainty. This new offence can be contrasted with its closest analogue, gross negligence manslaughter. Whilst the latter similarly eschews guidance as to what is meant by “gross” and “negligence” its scope is necessarily circumscribed by the fact that a particular harm or result must be present: a death. Here, however, is an offence which is committed by conduct alone in relation to which Parliament has set no clear limits. Will doctors, for example, be vulnerable to police investigation when a prescribed treatment fails or avoidable suffering not averted? Will this section become a complainant’s charter which leads to “front line” care being impeded by a flood of misconceived allegations?

Hopefully such scenarios are like the millennium bug, chimerical. Common sense will prevail.

The second, section 21, offence can only be committed by a “care provider”.

It is modelled on the offence of corporate manslaughter created in 2007. So firstly it can only be committed by a company or unincorporated association. Secondly the traditional criterion of corporate criminality, the “directing mind” concept, is abandoned in favour of a focus on how the organisation organised its activities; did they amount to a gross breach of a duty of care owed by the organisation to the victim of the care worker’s neglect or ill-treatment? Parliament’s intention is that this offence should resolutely focus on the alleged failings of the organization as a whole instead of those of any single individual. This intention is reinforced by a number of measures intended to prevent secondary liability attaching to any individual. Elsewhere in this statute are sections which preclude an individual for being tried for offences of aiding and abetting or encouraging or assisting this offence. Furthermore it is not a pre-requisite for a conviction for this offence that an individual has been either prosecuted or convicted of the section 20 offence.

The strong similarity between section 21 and the 2007 offence should mean that the jurisprudence concerned with this antecedent

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offence, for example in relation to test of causation and the meaning of “gross”, will be read-across.

This offence is a major new legal risk for any business which employs people to deliver health or social care. In an increasingly ageing society its application will grow substantially. Only local authorities are exempted. NHS trusts and GP’s practices for example are both caught. Its enactment requires every affected organisation to ensure that there is comprehensive management and supervision of employees who have contact with vulnerable people. In addition to these controls, to enhance training and guidance and to embed an ethical culture which should ensure that poor behaviour is reported and adequately redressed.

If neglect or ill-treatment has occurred and a police investigation launched then the organisation associated with the alleged perpetrator will need to demonstrate primarily via its record-keeping that, similar to the corporate crime offence created by section 7 of the Bribery Act 2010, it had taken reasonable or adequate steps to prevent that conduct. Otherwise it will face the prospect of high-profile litigation and unlimited fines.

Need help to communicate?

• Challenge assumptions, especially about the target audience’s likely level of understanding.

WriteCare specialises in producing: • Patient information for target groups, including hard-to-reach audiences • Health and care advice for the public • Guidance for health and care professionals – including frontline practitioners, senior clinicians and managers – to support improved ways of working and individual development • Case studies to share good practice • Policy and strategy documents to help implement better practice at national, regional and local level • Corporate information to send clear messages to stakeholders and support compliance with guidelines and legislation.

Contact WriteCare for a no-obligation chat. Call Vicky Burman on 01889 590804 or email vicky@writecare.co.uk. Visit www.writecare.co.uk for more information. unpublished funding scheme that general branch level banks cannot access.

With over £1.5bn in completed loans Global Business Finance are recognised by the banking community as leading UK brokers in the healthcare field and the firm often deals directly at the highest banking level to secure loans for their clients.

You too can benefit from over 25 years of care home sector knowledge and the exceptional contacts that these leading brokers have along with their very dedicated and client friendly team who work hard to tailor packages to clients’ individual needs.

See their advert on this page or go to www.globalbusinessfinance.com

Clear, effective communication benefits your business. But it takes time to do it right. That can be a struggle to fit into a busy schedule.

• Does your website need updating?

• Do your policies need reviewing and refreshing?

• Are your brochures and leaflets ‘past it’?

• Do you worry there are errors in your writing?

WriteCare can help, whether you want a little support or a lot.

A range of professional writing, editing and proofreading services can be tailored to meet your needs – and your budget.

Why not get in touch for a no-obligation chat?

Call Vicky Burman on 01889 590804 or email vicky@writecare.co.uk.

Visit www.writecare.co.uk for details.

Trial Offer to Dramatically Cut Staff Turnover Eliminate Agency Fees and Increase Care Quality

W

e introduced the Judgement Index as part of our recruitment processes in September 2014, and it has made a really positive impact in terms of the suitability of our new recruits. The outcome of this has been that our staff turnover rates have moved from above average for the sector to well below, which has in turn allowed us to eliminate agency and drive up quality.”

“

CEO of Sonnet Care Homes

The benefits of using Judgement Index:✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Reduce risk to your organisation Reduce staff turnover Reduce recruitment costs Reduce training costs Increase quality of care Increase morale Increase engagement Build strong effective teams

When you are ready to assess a candidate or current member of staff through the screening process, there are 3 simple steps:

Case Studies: Results achieved with the Judgement Index Hiring System in just 12 months

Case Studies: The Judgement Index will also deliver measurable improvements in the quality of care in your homes By using the Judgment Index, you will not only be reducing your recruitment and training costs significantly, but also improvement in the quality of care by hiring the right people first time.

The effects of hiring staff that have good values and judgement will ripple through your organisation, and everyone involved from staff to residents and patients will notice the benefits.

The Judgement Index has achieved measurable results in the improvement of quality and client satisfaction feedback, which is essential for referrals and reputation:

• The participant takes the assessment online which takes approx 15-20 mins, either at your premises or remotely.

• A report is generated within seconds and you are notified by email.

• You access the report online or have it automatically emailed to you instantly for review and to see whether the participant is Preferred, Acceptable or Weak and the report arrives with specific interview points that allows you to see through the person who is sat in front of you.

42% reduction in Unsatisfactory 86% reduction in Fair 125% improvement in Commendable

420% improvement in Excellent 250% improvement in Distinguished

Contact: info@judgementindex.co.uk or call 08450 958164 or visit www.judgementindex.co.uk

PAGE 46

ead

THE CARER

SUMMER 2015

Nursing & Residential Home Specialist Agency Eddie Dribble - the best known name in the private care industry

Valuations undertaken - Nursing and Residential Homes always wanted for sale nationwide

emanuel a dribble 26 Arthur Road New Malden Surrey KT3 6LX Tel/Fax 020 8942 0852

Reduced commission rates for owners replying through this advertisement Reduced commission rates for RNHA members

Please mention THE CARER when responding to advertising.

Another Conviction – Are Your Policies And Procedures Up To Date? a direCtor of a Bristol homecare agency was convicted for continuously failing to provide documentation or register with the CQC earlier this year. Bristol Crown Court was told that she continued to provide care services despite not checking the suitability or skills of the people she employed or keep suitable records.

While the manager involved in the case was also refused CQC registration on grounds of a previous criminal record, the recent conviction is a stark reminder that the CQC will take legal action against social care managers operating services

The Horror Of Fixed Rate Loans tHe BanKS’ regulator is still dragging its feet over a misselling scandal hundreds of businesses suffer from.

Fixed Rate Loans were marketed eagerly by high street banks to carehomes and other businesses wanting to expand as demand grew.

Allegedly they would ‘protect’ borrowers from rising interest rates. Only when rates fell did owners discover the true costs hidden in their loan contracts which often had 10 or 20 year terms. Sometimes these hidden charges came

without registration and proper compliance procedures in place.

Quality Compliance Systems (QCS) provide free advice for care managers seeking CQC registration and ongoing CQC compliance support in preparation for inspections against the fundamental standards. By managing your policies and compliance with QCS, you can be confident that essential policies are up to date – so you can concentrate on providing the essential care your service users need.

Contact the QCS advice line on 0333 405 3333 for help with your CQC compliance management or visit www.ukqcs.co.uk/CR157

to half the value of the loan! Businesses either had to pay a huge exit penalty or go on paying excessive interest each month.

If you had a fixed rate loan (often called Treasury Loans or Tailored Business Loans) contact Claims (London) Ltd - currently helping many commercial borrowers with complaints against their banks. We show up unfair conditions, reduce monthly payments, win compensation and get exit penalties waived saving business owners a small fortune.

If you were sold a Fixed Rate Loan – particularly by Lloyds or Clydesdale/Yorkshire look at our website Claims-uk.co.uk or phone 0800 0232 973.

Claim VAT Back On Your Home Care Home Owners Can Get Back Thousands Of Pounds Even If You Are Not VAT Registered Tax-Free From HMRC Due To Mistakes That They Made It's true, care providers can reclaim VAT worth about £3,000 per bed for any residents who stayed in your home between 1993 and 2002 paid for by the local authority.

You don’t have to be VAT registered to make a claim. We can usually find the information required with minimum disruption to your business.

How is this possible? Well in 2002 a care provider called Kingscrest challenged the view held by HM RC and won. There is no cost to you unless we are successful.

Typical claims: 50 beds - £240,000; 40 beds - £170,000; 287 beds - £1.25m.

And the best part is that you get the money in your bank account before you pay us. Don’t forget the tax repayment is free of tax - it is extra profit.

Enquiries: Call Howard on 01233 640985 or email: howard@tax-ideas.co.uk

tax ConSultant Howard Givney says that there are thousands of pounds available to owners and operators of care or nursing homes between 1993 and 2002. this is due to a mistake that HMrC made when introducing vat in 1993.

For the next 9 years they denied owners and operators of care and nursing home to reclaim vat on purchases costing business thousands of pounds.

In 2002 Kingscrest Associates Ltd and Montecelo Ltd challenged the HMRC and eventually the case wound up in the high court where the Judges found against HMRC. The upshot is that for anyone who either owned or operated a residential home during that period you can expect a tax repayment of about £3,000 for each bed after fees and costs, some claims are more than this.

For a residential care home with 20 beds this means £60,000 extra profit. Larger homes and groups with say 250 beds can expect up to £750,000.

Even if you sold the residential care home, you might

still be able to claim so a cheque for something that you have already been paid for might be very welcome.

Of course some homes were held by a limited company and sold as part of asset transfer and for those deals the new owner has unknowingly bought a tax claim as well. Imagine buying a residential home for £300,000 and being given a cheque a few weeks later for the purchase price- tax-free!

Tax ideas can help you to become richer, and if it can’t, we won’t charge you. In an age where everyone seems to be after your money before they do something Howard says he has a different offer. He will put the money in your bank account before he gives you his bill. It really is a no-risk offer.

This scheme puts right the mistakes that the courts said HMRC made when they introduced VAT and gives you a useful amount of money tax free.

To find out more please call Howard on 01233 640985.