The Carer #65 March/April 2023

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Much like you our readers and all involved in adult social care I waited with bated breath to see what the Chancellor would do in his Spring Budget to support the sector

We here at RBC publishing also produce a title for the hospitality and licensed on trade And we quickly saw that the Chancellor was offering relief on duty for draft beer

But with respect to adult social care, there was nothing!

It comes as no surprise to see that the sector is absolutely dismayed I think it was the failure to even address the issues that is so galling When Jeremy Hunt was Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, he said social care needed at least an extra £7bn a year just to stand still

It is possible the Chancellor, when he was speaking at the time, never thought he would ever see himself in a position to deliver that shortfall, and now that he is it appears to be a pledge long forgotten

Currently here are 165 000 vacant posts in adult social care - the highest rate on record -and it is astonishing that the government failed to set out a workforce plan for social care

One area the Chancellor could have taken a lead which would have proved popular not only with the sector but also the wider public, was to offer incentives or perhaps even compensation to cover staff who were forced to leave the sector due to the mandatory vaccine policy, which was eventually dropped

I remember that back in November 2021 a House of Lords committee warned that the government’s case for the mandatory vaccination of NHS staff was insufficiently robust and that it failed to deal with how the health service would mitigate the subsequent loss of staff

I think they also based their conclusion on the loss of over 40 000 staff as a result of compulsory vaccinations in adult social care being introduced the same month

So I think the Chancellor’s failure to offer an amnesty of some sort with incentives and compensation to get those clearly dedicated and experienced people back into the sector is a real missed opportunity

I would also add to that, we often hear the argument that “care staff could get more working in a supermarket It may be the case but it is a point I often raise a trade shows (and we are at one this coming week at Birmingham s NEC UK Care Week) We have many adult social care workers from various sectors visiting our stand and I often ask the question Given the choice where would you rather work supermarket or care home?” Not once has anyone ever said supermarket!

So once again I would reiterate the point a missed opportunity by the Chancellor to encourage staff back into the sector

And please follow us on Twitter and encourage as many of your followers in the sector to follow us as well! We post all the latest news daily @TheCarerUK

I can always be contacted at editor@thecareruk com

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EDITOR

Peter Adams

SALES EXECUTIVES

Sylvia Mawson

David Bar tlett

Guy Stephenson

TYPESETTING & DESIGN

Matthew Noades

PRODUCTION & WEB ADMIN

Charlene Fox

Editor Peter Adams

Third of Care Providers Considered Market Exit Amid Financial Pressures

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

Financial and workforce pressures have also seen 42% of providers forced to close parts of their organisation or hand back care contracts to Local Authorities

One survey respondent described the current climate as genuinely the most perilous period in the organisation s 50-year history going onto say that their “ability to provide residential care and supported living is seriously compromised ”

WORKFORCE PAY “KEY PRESSURE”

The Sector Pulse Check report illustrates that workforce-related cost pressures, driven by increases in the National Living Wage, were a standout concern for providers with 92% citing workforce pay as a key pressure on their organisation

Concerningly 81% said that Local Authority fee increases did not cover the increasing costs of workforce pay in 2022

Low wages relative to other sectors as well as a perception that better opportunities exist elsewhere were identified as key drivers of difficulties in recruitment and retention, with 95% of respondents saying that increasing pay would have the most impact on boosting staff numbers

Cumulatively the impact of financial and workforce challenges faced by the adult social care sector leave some of the most vulnerable in society at risk of not being able to access the support they need and has a knock-on impact for wider society families communities and the NHS

The foundations for a sustainable and new-found future have been set out by Hft and Care England in the report’s recommendations

Despite the difficulties facing many care providers, the organisations describe an unwavering desire to work with Government to harness the sector s innovation energy and commitment to ensure those who

draw on care and support are empowered to live the lives they choose with dignity and independence

COST OF LIVING CRISIS

Kirsty Matthews Chief Executive of Hft says: The crisis of the pandemic was swiftly met by another; a cost of living crisis characterised by spiralling inflation and catastrophic increases in utility bills Political and financial efforts have been focused on tackling the broader impact of these national challenges but we are still at risk of forgetting about the mostly hidden social care sector and workforce which has determinedly continued to support our society as the country lurches from one crisis to the next ”

“As a provider, I empathise with my peers across the sector having to close services and turn away referrals because of financial constraints and staff shortages This is made more critical at a time when we need to further support our partners in the NHS by preventing admissions to hospital or enabling the discharge of people to social care

“We can no longer afford to ignore the fact that our sector is being driven out of the market without acknowledging the devastating impact this is having on the lives of the people who draw on our support the National Health Service and the wider economy

“We hope our research illustrates key issues that Government could work to address in the short term to provide a longer-term solution to ensure the sustainability of this very important part of society

NEW FUTURE NEW VISION

Professor Martin Green OBE Chief Executive of Care England says:“The Sector Pulse Check report corroborates many of the concerns I – and others in the sector – have been raising with Government for many years ”

We want to craft a vision that enables people to live well through a system of support in which health and social care systems act in a

coordinated fashion focused on those who draw on care and support and are financed adequately and appropriately to allow for innovation and investment

“Now is the time to shift the needle This needle needs to point to a new future, one which sees social care as part of the solution in terms of how we look after our nation We require a new vision where success is measured in outcomes and in terms of the benefit delivered to people and communities more widely The whole system needs to work together with a shared vision and purpose to ensure this becomes a reality for all

Organisations staff and the people we support are all suffering as a result of the current roadmap This landmark report must be the last which reaffirms the current reality and it is incumbent upon Government to respond if the sector is to continue to provide quality care and support There is an opportunity to lay the foundation for meaningful reform within the current funding envelope and it is one that should be grasped with both hands ”

ENHANCED SUPPORT

Among the recommendations made by Hft and Care England are that the Government develop a pay framework to establish a minimum care wage, align benefits, terms and conditions with NHS staff and establish a professional register for care workers in England

In addition they recommend that the Government continues to offer enhanced support for energy costs equivalent to that offered through the initial Energy Bill Relief Scheme expiring on 31 March 2023 and remove the 5% VAT surcharge currently applied to energy bills until energy prices stabilise closer to 2021 levels

The full report can be found at https //tinyurl com/ypnc9pjd

Care Home Residents Embrace Their Musical Spirit

Heatherfield House Care Home in Armadale enjoyed a visit from artistic group Caterpillar Music The children s group arrived for a specialised class and embarked upon an afternoon of singing and dancing with the residents

Intergenerational classes are a great way of bringing the community together and the activities delighted young and old alike Residents who no longer live near children or grandchildren especially enjoyed chatting with the kids

Heatherfield House part of the Holmes Care Group regularly arranges

activities as part of their mission to provide outstanding care and support to the elderly

The home was chosen as February’s winner of the #keepingresidentsactive competition run by Person Centred Software recognising the work staff put in to ensure the residents are active and fulfilled

Alan Bogle resident of Heatherfield House said: We loved having the children visit us It was a magical day as they bring such joy!

Caring for Yourself as a Carer

You can’t properly care for others if you aren’t also caring for yourself.

Stairlift and home lift company Stannah’s (www.stannah.com) treasured occupational therapist, Kate Sheehan encourages Carers not to neglect their mental health, and shares her top tips for maintaining a healthy work-life balance

Choosing to care for others is a compassionate and kind act It is a highly valuable role that often comes with a significant investment of time and mental effort for those who undertake it with little recognition of its true impact

When focused on others, it’s easy to neglect the small things that contribute toward your own health and wellbeing

Many informal Carers may feel guilt over taking time out for themselves but remember you re doing the best you can with what you have and which may look different each day so be kind to yourself and follow this routine:

Take a break: If you feel able take a break It might not be possible to take as much time away from your caring role as you want or need but take the time wherever and when you can however short it may be Take time to rest and do some of the things that you enjoy and that will benefit your mental health

Fresh air and exercise are known to be good for both our bodies and brains; consider taking a walk or going to the gym If you are a creative individual draw or paint in your free time Choosing activities you can complete in stages or pick up and put down as needed can also be beneficial as you can invest as much or as little time as you need

Be realistic Think practically and establish what is realistically achievable for you and the person you are caring for Overscheduling appointments or creating long to-do lists which you are then unable to complete,

may result in feelings of frustration or disappointment Although planning time for rest and recovery is essential for you both, don't be afraid to say no or ask for adjustments if this is what you need

Try to open up: Consider sharing how you feel with someone whether a friend a fellow Carer or even a professional While practical support can be beneficial so can a listening ear Many informal Carers find having a space to share and process their thoughts and feelings helpful especially when caring for a close family member or those with progressive and fluctuating health conditions

If you are not ready to share details about your caring role with others, try letting those in your life know that your responsibilities may reduce your capacity to maintain and nurture those relationships This will help them to understand if you are not always able to sustain your friendships and allow them to offer support if they feel able In addition booking time with a friend or planning activities in advance can give you something to look forward to and allow you to plan around it meaning you may be less likely to cancel at short notice

Use smart technology: Could technology help you? With a wide variety of assistive tech available there may be products that shoulder some of your responsibility while supporting for the patient’s independence For example items like automatic medication dispensers can be filled once a week and will then alert the person when it is time to take it In addition chair sensors and pagers allow Carers to be notified when someone needs support or tries to get up unaided, so you can leave the room without worrying about their safety

For protecting your mental health it s important to practice self-compassion and try to understand your limits Recognising the early warning signs of fatigue will help you take proactive steps to rest relax and avoid burnout

Volunteering Local Students Putting a Smile on Care Home Residents' Faces

Residents at a local care home have been enjoying visits from The Beaconsfield School students who have been carrying out volunteer work as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award activities

Over several weeks pupils from the school have been visiting Signature at Beaconsfield During this time they have got stuck into a range of activities including giant scrabble, big balloon games, arts and crafts and quizzes alongside the 69 residents at the care home

Despite their differing generations connections were made as residents and students swapped anecdotes and stories Students were able to benefit from the care home residents experiences while residents were able to embrace students young at heart approach to life

Alongside providing care and companionship for residents inside the care home pupils from the school have additionally helped to maintain Signature at Beaconsfield’s grounds benefiting from residents’ backgrounds in gardening and were eager to pass on their knowledge and help to the group

This has included the planting of flowers, as well as herbs and vegetables that will be harvested later this year

The collaboration between the care home and school marks a corner turned for both generations following the Covid-19 pan-

demic period

Reflecting on the sessions Helen Abbott Activities Coordinator at the care home said:

Bringing the youngsters into the home after the COVID period has been fantastic The opportunity to provide the residents with 1 to 1 activity sessions has been a joy and it is wonderful to see their faces light up when given the chance to engage with the children in the Beaconsfield community ”

Pat B a resident at Signature at Beaconsfield added:

The students are very friendly – it makes the home feel like it would be if I was at home with my grandchildren I look forward to them coming every week they truly make the care home a wonderful environment to be in

When asked how the students have found visiting the home Miss Holt Duke of Edinburgh Manager at The Beaconsfield School said:

“The students have enjoyed attending the care home each week and look forward to it on a Friday afternoon The students have built relationships with the residents and have learnt about the resident’s stories, their favourite games and how hard it is to garden It is a fantastic opportunity for the students at the Beaconsfield school ”

The Value of Care Home Workers:

Recognizing and Supporting Essential Staff

Working in a care home is a challenging job that requires physical, mental and emotional strength Caregivers provide care for vulnerable elderly and sick people which can be stressful and painful at times In this article we will discuss the challenges that caregivers face at work and we will also look at how innovation and new products can help reduce the burden on carers care home-owners and managers and contribute to the growth of the care home industry

Teams comprise of many elements that can help to make a team great, the individuals within the team, their passion for their chosen vocation, the thought of helping others and feeling they have made a difference on a daily basis, but also the systems and medical devices that can transform their daily duties; permitting them more time to care and less time on resource hungry processes especially at a time where care workers are generally in high demand across the UK with the much publicised staffing shortages

According to the ONS there were almost 1 5m estimated open job adverts as a daily average during December 2022 Using data from the jobs search engine Textkernel it said healthcare accounted for almost 190 000 or 12 7% of all vacancies Healthcare also accounted for the two occupations with the largest number

of job adverts nationwide, with 31,870 adverts for support workers and 21,170 for nurses

With such an undeniably high number of job vacancies in the sector the need for smarter systems that reduce the burden on each carer and the care homes in which they work is essential for the future of the profession and the care home industry

Innovation is crucial for the future of care Manufacturers such as Wellell Inc can through their products help care home owners and managers to reduce the burden on carers with new tools to make their job easier and improve the quality of care for residents

Demand for Adult Social Care Hits Record High While Support from Local Authorities Drops

There are more requests for publicly-funded social care in England than ever before, yet the number of people receiving it continues to fall finds a new report from The King’s Fund

The latest figures show that requests for support from both older people, and particularly working age adults have increased significantly to around 1 98 million Yet the number of people receiving longterm care has fallen to 818 000 in 2021/22 a 55 000 drop from 2015/16 Older people have been worst affected with numbers receiving long-term care down to 529 000 in 2021/22– a fall of 23 000 in just one year

The authors of Social Care 360 say the most likely reason for this long-term trend of falling receipt of care despite increasing demand is the financial challenges facing local authorities who pay for publicly-funded social care The cost of commissioning care is also rising

The report shows that requests for adult social care had been steadily rising since 2015 but then sharply fell in 2020/21 most likely reflecting a reluctance for people to come forward for services during the Covid-19 pandemic Requests have now bounced back to reach an all-time high

The total number of new requests for support increased from 1 92 million adults in 2020/21 to 1 98 million in 2021/22 The number of new requests from working-age adults increased from 578,000 in 2020/21 to 612 000 in 2021/22 (5 8 per cent) Requests from people aged 65 and over increased from 1 34 million in 2020/21 to 1 37 million in 2021/22 (2 2 per cent)

Simon Bottery Senior Fellow at The King s Fund and lead author of the report said ‘It’s likely that local authorities will see the number of new requests for adult social care pass the two million mark for the first time this year but on current trends fewer people will end up receiving long-term support That means that more people will have to pay themselves rely on family and friends – or go without

care entirely

The report also shows that staff vacancies in the social care sector are now the highest since records began Between 2020/21 and 2021/22, the number of vacancies in adult social care rose from 110 000 to 165 000 However, while care-worker pay continues to rise due to increases in the statutory minimum wage it struggles to compete with other sectors

The report identifies a number of other key trends: Local authorities are paying more for care home places and home care In real terms the average weekly fee paid by local authorities in England for care homes places for working-age adults rose by 2 5 per cent to £1 428 in 2021/22 The average weekly fee for older people s care home places increased 2 6 per cent to £767 The average hourly rate for externally commissioned home care rose 2 9 per cent to £18 88

• Total expenditure in 2021/22 was £2 6 billion more in real terms than in 2010/11 but this reflects shortterm, Covid-related funding – some expenditure in 2020/21 and 2021/22 was on support for the social care sector rather than individuals’ care and totals are not comparable with previous years

The number of unpaid carers receiving direct support from local authorities fell from 338 000 in 2020/21 to 314,000 in 2021/22 The number of carers receiving support has not increased since 2015/16 and fewer of them now receive paid support such as cash payments The number of people provided with respite care has also fallen, from 57 000 in 2015/16 to 33 000 in 2021/22

Simon Bottery added ‘The report shows that many of the critical indicators for adult social care are going in the wrong direction yet the government s main reforms such as the introduction of a cap on lifetime care costs have now been postponed until 2025 and there is little action so far on critical issues such as workforce and carers The government has an opportunity to move from words to action in its reform plan promised for the Spring

Empowering Carers To Tackle Dehydration and Malnutrition Through Awareness and Education

Nutrition and hydration are crucial to an individual’s health at any stage of life Nourishment and hydration support our whole body system including our immune system which can protect us against viruses Preventing malnutrition and dehydration promotes health and well-being while also reducing pressure on health and social care systems We know that risk factors such as falls, anxiety, confusion, UTIs recovery from illness and wound healing are but a few of the areas which can be improved by nutrition and hydration

Roughly three million individuals are facing the risk of malnutrition in the UK with many more suffering internationally The global community needs to explore opportunities to raise awareness about the dangers and encourage good practices to help combat malnutrition and dehydration as a whole Hence why here at Nellsar, we are going all out for Nutrition and Hydration Week by championing a week-long campaign for everyone to understand more about what they need to do to maintain health and well-being through food and drink

For the inaugural day we hosted ‘Mocktail Monday which included a few mocktail recipes for the residents to choose from demonstrating that staying hydrated can be fun when integrated into daily activities

Tasting Tuesday included a workshop for the residents on herbs and spices providing information on some of the properties culinary herbs hold and the benefits to overall health in particular digestion

On

Wednesday a Global Afternoon Tea Day was held across each of our 13 care homes where we explored the top 5’ finger foods

Thirsty Thursday was an important day in our awareness week providing tips on ways to stay hydrated Homes set up lolly trollies tea-tasting sessions and hydrating foods sessions while some homes trialled Jelly Drops which are hydrating sweets and more Fluids can come from the foods we eat as well as the

By Leni Wood, Head of Nutrition and Wellness at Nellsar (www nellsar com)

number of drinks we consume in a day Foods like soups stews fruits and vegetables especially broccoli cucumber strawberries courgette and watermelon contain high levels of water contributing to the daily fluid intake Hydration is essential to all body systems from lubricating joints and digestive health to organ function Older adults can become prone to dehydration as the sense of thirst can diminish in later life

The Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea Fruity Friday and Sundae Saturday are among the most vibrant days of Nutrition and Hydration Week at Nellsar giving residents the chance to get creative with fruit and veg whilst also learning useful foodie tips; including how fibre plays an important role in the health of all people including older adults This helps to improve digestion, mood quality and an overall feeling of well-being

Sundae Saturday’ showcased different options such as dairy free and low-sugar A low-sugar alternative is a nice option for people with diabetes and dairy-free options for those who are vegan or dairy intolerant Malnutrition and dehydration in the health and social care sector can be avoided in most cases With staff training and resources being aimed towards these areas of the health service I believe it can be greatly improved I believe the focus is slowly but surely shifting to improved person-centred nutrition and hydration which is accessible for all those living in homes across the UK There is still a way to go but if we can make waves in Nellsar then other homes can do the same

I’m sure everyone is doing their best to care for their residents at a time when budgets are extremely tight It doesn’t have to cost more money to improve the nutrition and hydration of those in your care It is all about education best practices and looking at the roles and responsibilities of staff Imagine the time saved if those in your care felt happier and healthier simply by having a better nutrient and fluid intake People sleeping better feeling better appetites improving ulcers and pressure sores healing faster and medication side effects like constipation and headaches avoided – all through food and drink I see it happening on a weekly basis in my line of work

If any care providers are reading this, I urge you to apply your focus to person-focused nutritional health and hydration – I assure you that you won’t regret it

Latest Census Data Shows “Demographic Time Bomb” Set to Hit UK Care Sector

Rapid growth in the number of over 65s living alone looks set to drive a surge in demand for later life social care and other public health services according to retirement specialist Just Group

Analysis of the 2021 Census data1 released last week shows that 3 3 million over 65s are now living alone – a 15% increase from the 2011 Census when 2 9 million over 65s were in one-person households

The extra 420 000 over 65s living alone – three in 10 people among this age group – is significant because research2 demonstrates a close link between living alone poor health and greater use of public health services

Stephen Lowe group communications director at Just Group said the growth in the sheer numbers of people in this age group, was likely to start increasing demand for health and social care services

Every year household data shows the clock is running down on a demographic time bomb for the UK s creaking social care sector he said

“These latest government figures show double-digit growth in the number of over 65s living alone over

the past decade Older people are more likely to suffer from health conditions as well as loneliness which in itself can contribute to deteriorating health

The almost inevitable knock-on effect from this will be an increased demand for public health services such as social care, piling pressure on a sector that is already struggling to cope ”

Research from Just Group s 2022 Care Report – the tenth in a decade-long series – found that threequarters (75%) of those aged over 65 have not thought about care, planned for it or spoken to loved ones about it

Fifty-nine percent also said that they were confused by recent government announcements on social care

Stephen Lowe added to concerns that the social care system could be overwhelmed when such a large unprepared cohort starts to increasingly need its services

Sector’s Disappointment at Chancellors Spring Budget

CARE providers, and industry bodies have reacted with dismay to the Chancellor s spring budget earlier this month

The Independent Care Group (ICG) says there was nothing in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s speech to tackle the 1 6m people who cannot get the care they need

ICG Chair Mike Padgham said “I’ll add an extra ‘E to Mr Hunt’s list and that is, ‘Excluded’

“There was nothing in the budget to tackle the rationing of care, help us to recruit the 165,000 staff needed or support those unpaid carers who are giving up so much to help others

“It was another opportunity missed With a rare, £30bn fiscal windfall, the Chancellor had an opportunity to give social care the minimum £7bn a year extra he has previously admitted the sector needs ”

The ICG says more money is needed to pay frontline care staff better so that the sector can tackle the 165 000 staff vacancies in the sector

“Care and nursing homes and homecare providers are struggling and closing and more and more people are going to end up going without the care they need ” Mr Padgham added

“Government after government of all political colour have failed to tackle the crisis in the sector On social care this Government like all others before it has failed to fix the roof while the sun was shining ”

In the past when he was Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee Mr Hunt said social care needed at least an extra £7bn a year “just to stand still”

Mr Padgham added: “Mr Hunt seems to have forgotten that pledge and instead left social care to continue to struggle ”

Professor Vic Rayner OBE CEO of the NCF said: “The next General Election has to take place by the end of 2024 and the announcements

made today are those that the government is banking on making a tangible difference by then

“Making working in care more affordable is absolutely the right thing to do Two elements of today’s budget support that ambition, and we welcome both the increased availability of funded childcare and the extension of the Energy Price Guarantee to ensure that households are not faced with further catastrophic increases in energy bills However we are disappointed that there is no further tailored support for the catastrophic energy costs being faced by all of our not-for-profit members

“The recognition that workers over 50 are an integral part of the workforce is welcome but the government has missed a massive opportunity to lay out clear strategy for investing in a fully funded workforce plan that enables the care workforce to be paid at a rate that recognises their skills knowledge and expertise

“The focus on getting the nation working reveals an obvious gap in the Chancellor’s logic Carers UK suggests that 41% of those who became carers in the last decade are aged between 45 and 65 prime working age according to the Chancellor Therefore supporting their ability to stay in the workforce by increasing both the support to carers and the availability of high-quality care through a sustainable social care sector should surely be a fundamental tenet of the Chancellor s announcements ”

Professor Martin Green OBE Chief Executive of Care England says:

“The Autumn Statement announced £7 5 billion for the social care sector over the next two years aimed at creating an additional 200 000 new care packages supporting the discharge of people from hospital to ease NHS backlog whilst also being split across adult and child services Care England’s recent Fair Cost of Care analysis shows that

even with this funding, the deficit for older person’s residential and nursing home stands at around £2bn per annum While the £7 5bn represented a step in the right direction the Spring Budget was an opportunity to reinforce this progress and move towards a sustainable funding settlement for the sector It was an opportunity that, unfortunately the Government did not take with a notable lack of any announcements targeted at the sector Against the backdrop of a workforce crisis and rising vacancies, the rising cost of living and increasing energy costs the stabilisation of the adult social care sector should be the Government s priority in the coming months The NHS cannot survive in the long term if the social care sector is unsustainable A political consensus must be forged on how to fund and support our vital sector sustainably over the long term

Martin Green added: “Social care is vital for the future of local people and local economies It supports some of society’s most vulnerable, often living with lifelong conditions and is a source of employment for millions of hardworking dedicated people across England Social care must become a priority for the country With an ageing population and demand for services to increase the Government requires a sustainable roadmap for the social care sector that will meet the country s social needs and support the NHS in reducing waiting lists Care England will continue to work pragmatically to present solutions which seek to resolve the issues faced by all those within the sector and those who draw on care and support Investment in the sector is key and will only be achieved with a clear long-term care strategy which is properly funded and we hope that the forthcoming Implementation Plan due to be published in Spring delivers on this ”

Outstanding Social Care Manager Receives MBE

A NATIONAL CARE GROUP registered manager has received her MBE from HRH Princess Anne, as part of The Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2022 for her outstanding services to social care

Julie Shield registered manager at Abbeyvale Care Centre – part of National Care Group’s Essential Care and Support services in County Durham – attended the ceremony at Windsor Castle on 28 February 2023

Becoming a Member of the Order of the British Empire is the latest and most prestigious in a number of awards presented to Julie throughout her career She was named National Care Group s Pandemic Star of the Year was one of the first to receive the Silver Chief Nursing Officer Adult Social Care award from the UK Government in 2021 and won Employer of the Year at the Caring UK Awards in the same year

The MBE reflects her dedicated service to the residents at Abbeyvale Care Centre and the social care sector as a whole in which she has worked since 2000 In particular Julie’s

efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic ensured her service was kept completely Covid-19 free, selflessly putting the health and wellbeing of the people she supports above her own

Julie said: “I’m honoured to receive such an award for work that I love to do and to be included on a list of incredibly well-deserving people

The commitment of the passionate and hard-working team around me along with the wonderful people we support has made Abbeyvale and National Care Group such a fantastic place to work over the past 23 years I m excited to see the progression of Abbeyvale and to continue leading such a vital community service for the elderly and those with a diagnosis of dementia

James Allen CEO of National Care Group said:

Establishing a service that caters to a wide range of complex needs is a challenge but Julie has done this exceptionally at Abbeyvale creating a care home that offers a positive and comfortable environment for the people we support

“Recruitment and Retention, a Modern Crisis in Care”

The adult social care sector has consistently faced challenges with high staff turnover and vacancy rates In fact, in 2022, the number of vacancies increased by a staggering 52%[i] to a total of 165 000 Similarly the starter rate fell between 2018 to 2022 from 37 3% to 30 8%; an indication that whilst staff are leaving in their masses recruitment is failing too

With the renewal of the Workforce Development Fund expected to land in April 23 the industry awaits their support in terms of funding and learning and development opportunities with veiled breath More must be done to value and motivate our staff inside and outside of the doors of the workplace

In a person-centric career it seems obvious People are power in this situation of course As owners, managers and employees of care homes, we must all act to create support networks that truly value one another, support one another and encourage both personal and team development in every chance that we get If we are to recruit and retain care staff within a demanding environment, we must place our people first, and in this case, there is significant weight in their investment

This is why we set up the Employee Assistance programme; to aid staff and their families in matters relating to their personal and working life to make them feel a valued member of our society and in their own

For point of clarification the EAP assigns any and all members of staff with a contact for advice on their mental and physical wellbeing their legalities and for citizens advice in an inclusive holistic package This stands to support employees if there are issues at work or at home as we recognise the duality that occurs within the system of life far beyond the walls of employment And if an employee feels valued at home they should feel valued at their place of work; the same is true for the inverse situation

As part of the programme they also have the opportunity to speak to an external counsellor at any hour of the day; a particularly important chance as a number of care staff work through the night to provide residents with support and supervision

Burnout is the reality of the health industry, and the way out is by providing a support network that sees value in the harsh truth that stands when others fall, and helps when others can’t If an employee feels empowered in their work, and by their team members, they will feel motivated and confident in their own thought and abilities; and the same is true at home

Additionally staff must not only be valued but rewarded for their work In a physically and emotionally demanding environment we must celebrate our staff who in many cases have continued throughout the

By Catherine O ’Dea-Hughes, Director of Goatacre Manor Care Home

pandemic, and continue to stand strong Employee benefits packages are a great way to keep staff happy, healthy and engaged with their line of work and best behaviours must be encouraged too if we are to create a truly content and motivated team

Best behaviours go beyond great work, they transcend into great leadership By making examples of how team members have acted - in and beyond their line of work - your staff will feel encouraged and supported amidst a positive and inclusive working environment Management and leadership are two related yet separate entities, and team leaders and managers must foster leadership through great examples and through attentive listening When staff have the tools to foster development, they use them, and in turn make their own solutions This is how we retain staff, we support them, and we act as their first cheerleader in all that they do; for our duty of care is not limited to residents in care, but also for our colleagues

This support must also extend to the recruitment of staff New staff can present fresh energy and new optimism to a workforce With the rate of new starters decreasing in recent years, we must look towards creating new solutions at fast pace

See recruitment is a competition, and those who win are often those who offer the best package Many employers assume employers only change or leave jobs because of their pay This perception is changing, and many individuals seeking employment place deep emphasis on work benefits and on the cultural aspect of an employer

Employee benefits can range from free meals, advice on how to upskill and professionally develop, support with childcare and provide options to buy annual leave The cultural aspect comes from who and what the workplace offers, supports and celebrates, and can be a deciding factor in accepting or declining a job offer As mentioned above, staff want to be valued and rewarded, and this must be portrayed in job descriptions and interviews if new members are to join a team A motivated, happy and successful team attracts similar individuals, and whilst this is an entity less quantifiable than employee benefits, they are seen in a person s character, their persona and their team ethos

Additional benefits can be the provision of free or funded learning and development programmes with a roadmap toward progression within the industry; actions which lead to committed and qualified staff members; determined to achieve above and beyond their initial terms of employment

In simple terms, retaining and recruiting staff must come from within, and moves must be made to foster and support inclusivity, encourage and reward achievement and provide avenues for further development if we as an industry are to stem the flow of staff and keep standards high for those who are in need of our help

[1] https://www sk llsforcare org uk/adult-soc al-care-workforce-data/Workforce-intell gence/publications/Topics/Recruitment-andretent on aspx

Guidance Released to Support Care Workers in Providing Care to LGBTQ+ People in Later Life

Skills for Care has published a new framework to support social care workers in providing care to older lesbian gay bisexual trans queer (LGBTQ+) people

This new framework was commissioned and funded by Skills for Care and developed by the University of Strathclyde and the Pride in Ageing programme at LGBT Foundation It was created in collaboration with older LGBTQ+ people

The release of this framework comes as LGBT+ History Month is recognised across the UK in February

People from an older generation may have felt they couldn’t be open about their sexual orientation or gender identity Many will have grown up during a time when homosexuality was illegal or less accepted and before transgender rights were enshrined in law Many older LGBTQ+ people still face the impact of subsequent or ongoing discrimination despite improvements in equalities and the legal status of LGBTQ+ communities in recent decades

These experiences can still have a lasting impact on older LGBTQ+ people today and so it s vital that people providing care and support understand these issues

Care workers need to feel confident in supporting LGBTQ+ people with all aspects of their lives including coming out their personal relationships and support networks and legal rights – this new framework aims to support care workers in developing their knowledge skills and values so that they can confidently support people with this important aspect of their lives

The comprehensive framework includes a background on LGBTQ+ issues and awareness; a look at health and wellbeing issues later in life including research about LGBTQ+ inequalities; information on providing personalised care and support covering topics of trans-affirmative care, intersectionality, supporting people with dementia or HIV and understanding intimacy and sexuality later in life; and recommendations for leadership education and service development to continue to improve care and support in this area

The framework is intended to be used by social care employers employees training providers regulators commissioners policy makers and others to build their own knowledge of LGBTQ+ issues to support colleagues understanding, and to create learning programmes which will allow teams to better support LGBTQ+ people in later life

Oonagh Smyth, CEO, Skills for Care says:

We re very proud to be part of the creation of this important framework which we know is something that people working in social care want and need

It’s vital that care workers are comfortable supporting people with all aspects of their lives and identities which includes their sexual and gender identity and personal relationships

We know that older LGBTQ+ people may face specific inequalities and challenges and care workers need to understand these issues so that they can provide the most effective person-centred support to each person drawing on care and support

Dr Paul Martin OBE, Chief Executive, LGBT Foundation says:

LGBT Foundation welcomes the launch of this new framework by Skills for Care, which is the result of an innovative partnership which brought together our Pride in Ageing programme s dedicated work around the needs of older LGBTQ+ communities with University of Strathclyde s excellence in teaching and research around social care

We would like to thank all of those with lived experience who took part in coproduction sessions to develop the themes of this framework and we hope this piece of work inspires further conversations across the social care workforce around access to equitable inclusive and affirmative social care for LGBTQ+ communities

The new framework has also been positively welcomed across the sector with workers highlighting the need for such guidance

Luke Adams-Fallon, an independent adult social care consultant, said:

This long awaited and much needed learning framework not only fills a gap but also provides an opportunity for real recognition of serious issues and a step forward in valuing diversity

Rachael Williams Dual sensory loss and deafblind specialist worker said:

Not only do we need to use professional curiosity to explore the intersectionality of a person but also be mindful of the laws and environments that have been part of their life journey

View the framework at https://www skillsforcare org uk/Support-for-leaders-andmanagers/Supporting-a-diverse-workforce/LGBTQ-learning-framework aspx

Beaucare Select St Fillans Care Home For Activity

Afternoon as Part of 30th Anniversar y Celebrations

The people living at St Fillans Care Home were treated to a floristry session by equipment and hygiene supplier Beaucare last month after being selected by the company

As part of Beaucare s 30th Anniversary celebrations this year the company decided to give back to some of their long-standing customers by offering them a choice of prizes As a long-term supplier to Excelcare Beaucare offered one of their homes to receive an activity afternoon of their choice

Instead of making the choice internally Excelcare decided to share the offer with their homes ask them to put forward an activity idea and submit them to the team at Beaucare to pick a winner!

In their response, the team at Beaucare said they wished they could grant every home s activity wish, but eventually declared St Fillans Care Home in Colchester as the winners Their wish was to have a floristry class for the people who live there, as they enjoy

arranging flowers and having a visual creation to admire! Floristry sessions also help to stimulate a person s senses and in turn boost a person s wellbeing

Their prize was recently awarded when a florist arrived at the home to host the session Rather than bringing fresh flowers with her the florist decided to use imitation flowers so the colourful arrangements people made could be cherished forever

The florist helped residents to make their colourful creations and showed examples of some arrangements people could take inspiration from Residents enjoyed taking part chatting with their friends and sharing connected memories throughout the session

At the end of the activity everyone had a colourful creation they could keep!

The people living and working at St Fillans would like to thank Beaucare for choosing St Fillans and facilitating an enjoyable afternoon for residents

Fo further information visit www beaucare com or contact Emily Lamb, Senior Area Sales Manager, 01423 873666 sales@beaucare com/ELamb@beaucare com

System for Challenging Social Care Decisions ‘Failing those Who Need It’

Adults receiving social care in England and Wales are being failed if they try to challenge decisions made by local authorities according to an inquiry conducted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

Evidence published by the equality and human rights regulator reveals local authority processes are confusing and slow with risks that people do not get the care they need Social care users and their loved ones find making complaints difficult and stressful often at a time when they are in crisis

The EHRC launched its inquiry in July 2021 to understand the experiences of social care users and carers who have challenged decisions made by local authorities It examined the procedures in place among local authorities across England and Wales and gathered insight from social care professionals too

The inquiry found that some people are deterred from seeking help by a complicated system that should instead be upholding their rights to challenge decisions about their care

Marcial Boo Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: “When social care works well it makes an enormous difference helping people live their lives as they choose But the social care system in England and Wales is struggling with people’s needs being balanced against tight budgets

While local authorities are facing huge pressures they must protect people’s rights when making decisions about their care Effective ways for people to challenge those decisions are crucial to ensuring that good decisions are made and people s needs are met ”

The inquiry heard that some people are not given crucial information about how to challenge decisions and under half of the local authorities surveyed always signpost users to independent advice or support This creates unnecessary barriers for users and fears of negative consequences if complaints are made including loss of access to the social care needed

There is also poor collection and analysis of equality data This missing information could help councils to understand how well they meet the social care needs of different groups so services can be improved

Marcial Boo added: “People who receive social care should not be left in the dark about how to challenge decisions that affect their wellbeing dignity and independence so fundamentally

“Our findings demonstrate that improvements must be made to the accessibility of information the clarity

of the complaints process and the availability of support

The need for reform and additional funding for local authorities to deliver social care is widely acknowledged Our inquiry sets out a number of steps that should be taken now to uphold equality and human rights standards when people challenge decisions about their care ”

The EHRC makes recommendations for local authorities in England and Wales the UK and Welsh governments and other bodies with a role in the care system

The recommendations include a call for the UK Government to make the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) the statutory complaints standards authority for adult social care in England, and for the LGSCO to receive new powers to initiate investigations into areas of concern without the need for individual complaints

Michael King, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman said We welcome the Equality and Human Rights Commission s inquiry report which echoes the issues we regularly find in our investigations about adult care services of which we uphold more than two thirds

“People have a right to good quality care that respects their basic rights to dignity autonomy and fair treatment If things go wrong there should be transparent, effective and accessible procedures in place for people to challenge decisions made by their local councils

“But we know this is not always the case, which is why we have been calling for statutory signposting to our service As the newly-empowered statutory complaints standards authority, we would ensure complaints were dealt with clearly and consistently across the country and that lessons from complaints were properly scrutinised and embedded

We have previously highlighted our concerns about the erosion of effective local complaints processes and the particular challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing the complaints process The EHRC s report confirms the problems we are finding with access for people with communication needs as we increasingly look at complaints through the lens of human rights

“The EHRC has made a number of pragmatic recommendations which support the powers we have been calling on the government to give us including the ability for us to carry out investigations where we think there is unremedied injustice regardless of whether we have received a complaint ”

Call for National Tariffs for Social Care Ser vices

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for national tariffs to set the price of social care packages to end the current unfair squeeze on providers

The Independent Care Group (ICG) says setting such national tariffs would protect care providers and give them a fairer price to deliver services

The call comes after the President of ADASS, Sarah McClinton admitted that “Councils have squeezed down prices paid to providers over many years ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: It is good to see the president of ADASS give this honest account of what is happening to care providers

The price paid by local authorities to care providers has been squeezed and squeezed for many years to the point where it no longer reflects anything like the true cost of looking after people in their own home or supported living or in care and nursing homes

“The end result is that providers are being pushed out of the market especially with the added pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic dire staff shortages and spiraling costs ”

He said he understood the pressures on local authorities who had themselves been chronically underfunded by successive governments

“The current funding regime is brutal and unfair with government cuts hitting local authorities hard and pitting them in a fight with providers to buy care at the lowest possible price,” Mr Padgham added

“This is the worst possible scenario in which to provide care for our oldest and most vulnerable people Low fees, combined with the Covid-19 pandemic, the current staffing crisis and rocketing costs are combining to push providers to the edge of survival ”

Alongside a national minimum wage for care staff the ICG is calling for national tariffs to be set which all care commissioners had to adhere to when buying care packages

At the moment we have a postcode lottery of care with providers paid different fees up and down the country Mr Padgham added This sets providers against local authorities when we should all be working together to provide the best care National rates would remove the need for local negotiations which are both time-consuming and divisive ”

These suggestions were part of the Five Pillars of Social Care Reform document which the ICG published last autumn It sets out what the ICG believes are the actions required to save the sector

RAF Crew Help Staff Spruce Up Terraces and Flowerbeds at Veterans’ Care Home

Crew from RAF High Wycombe have helped staff give a care home s outdoor areas a spring clean

Eight service personnel donned gardening gloves and brought brooms rakes and trowels when they came to Royal Star & Garter in High Wycombe to help staff clean terrace areas and tidy outdoor spaces

Royal Star & Garter is a charity which provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia The charity also has

Homes in Solihull and Surbiton

The visit took place on Monday 6 March The volunteers spent three hours cleaning areas outside the Home s Activities Room and outside the nursing and dementia care areas

They cut back foliage and cleaned out raised garden beds pulling out weeds which had sprung up over the winter and turned over the soil

The RAF crew also brought with them cakes to share with Royal Star & Garter staff and residents

The cold weather prevented veterans from venturing outside to help but they were able to watch through the windows while some green-fingered residents passed on advice

RAF High Wycombe has chosen Royal Star & Garter to be one of its official charities of the year Among those helping with the spring clean was Flight Lieutenant White He is Officer in Command of RAF High Wycombe’s Station Charities Committee, and said “We had a great time at the Home, helping to get the outdoor areas ready for the warmer weather, and it was helpful having residents share their gardening knowledge while we worked We are pleased to be supporting Royal Star & Garter as our local charity and cannot wait to visit the Home again soon I am extremely grateful that the wonderful staff at Royal Star & Garter are taking such good care of those who have served their country so proudly

Lauren Baker Senior Community Fundraiser at Royal Star & Garter was also a volunteer on the day She said We are incredibly grateful that the crew from RAF High Wycombe took the time out of their day to join us equipped with gardening tools and cake to help with our spring clean We were able to cut back and clear away vegetation that had grown over winter and the veterans are now looking forward to making good use of the outdoor spaces in spring and summer Residents had a good time chatting to us and gave lots of useful tips and advice as we went about our work ”

Operation Br ycem: Take Action To Avoid Illegal Working Penalties

With the UK care sector firmly under the Home Office spotlight

Anne Morris, immigration lawyer and MD of employer solutions law firm, DavidsonMorris (www davidsonmorris com), urges care providers to take action to avoid illegal working penalties

Under Operation Brycem, the Home Office is targeting UK care providers by ramping up immigration investigation and enforcement efforts within the sector

This enhanced scrutiny comes at a time when overseas recruitment is providing an operational lifeline for care providers facing business-critical staffing shortages In particular the addition of care workers to the Shortage Occupation List last year has led to more care homes than ever recruiting internationally

But sponsoring foreign workers places onerous compliance duties on the care provider, and failing to meet these duties risks enforcement action

The Home Office has powers to investigate and penalise employers for breaching their immigration compliance duties This includes carrying out immigration raids making arrests and imposing substantial fines Care providers will also want to avoid the reputational damage of illegal working allegations

WHAT CARE PROVIDERS HAVE TO DO BY LAW

All UK employers are required to comply with the Right to Work regime verifying every worker s eligibility to carry out the work in question before they start employment and in some cases during employment should the worker's permission be time-limited

Under the legislation, employers face civil and criminal penalties if they have hired an illegal worker and knew or had reasonable cause to believe they did not have the right to work

In addition to Right to Work checks employers that have obtained a sponsorship licence to sponsor foreign workers such as care workers also have to meet additional compliance duties These include recordkeeping for each worker they sponsor and monitoring and reporting certain changes to the Home Office via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS)

Sponsor licence breaches can result in a licence downgrade suspension or revocation impacting the organisation s ability to recruit and continue sponsoring overseas workers These are clearly unwanted repercussions for care providers already struggling to maintain staffing levels

COMMON AREAS OF IMMIGRATION RISK

The UK immigration rules are complex and subject to frequent change meaning even the most well-intentioned employer can find

themselves exposed to illegal working allegations

Through our work in the care sector we have identified the following common areas of compliance risk Ask yourself these questions

ARE YOUR HR PRACTICES CONSISTENT?

It’s not uncommon to see differences in working practices within one organisation, particularly between head office and individual care homes But if those responsible for hiring at a local level are exercising discretion in respect of immigration compliance, or are not performing Right to Work checks correctly or at all, the business as a whole will be put at risk of enforcement action

Likewise, inconsistent quality of personnel records can expose the organisation to allegations of non-compliance

WHO IS ACTUALLY WORKING FOR YOU?

We re aware of instances where individuals - who have been properly vetted and the Right to Work checks have been completed by HR or head office - are not the same as the individuals who actually turn up at the care home to work The care home manager is advised by head office that Mr or Ms X has passed the required checks and is starting employment with them but the manager has no idea that the individual is not the same person who the company actually recruited This exposes the organisation to illegal working allegations in addition to the related safeguarding issues

ARE YOU MAINTAINING YOUR SMS?

As a licensed sponsor, updating your SMS is a mandatory requirement This includes notifying of changes of circumstances such as salary band changes, leavers, switchers and changes in work location Managing your SMS should be a daily concern The Home Office expects your SMS information to be a snapshot of your business at any one time, meaning it has to be accurate and kept up to date

ARE YOUR LICENCE CONDITIONS BEING BREACHED?

In practice sponsored workers working hours and locations can easily pose a compliance risk Shifts are typically long and often run on But sponsored workers have to stay within the working time parameters of what is permissible under the organisation s licence

Employees may also be required to work in different homes Again this can present problems if the company s sponsor licence prohibits sponsored workers from working in locations other than those recorded on the SMS

ARE YOU PERFORMING FOLLOW-UP CHECKS?

If a worker has time-limited permission to work in the UK, their employer has a duty to check the individual's right to work does not expire during the course of employment Failure to carry out these follow-up checks risks allegations of illegal working

ARE YOU RETAINING PERSONNEL RECORDS?

The Home Office has the right to request employee documentation for up to two years after the employee has left your employment We often see instances where personnel records have been deleted or destroyed before this date This is not accepted practice and would be regarded as a breach of your Right to Work duties

HAS YOUR LICENCE EXPIRED?

Sponsor licences are allocated for a period of four years If you do not successfully apply to renew your licence in advance of the expiry date the licence will automatically expire If your company s sponsorship licence expires, your sponsored employees will no longer be lawfully employed The expectation is that you have effective processes in place to renew your licence on time

A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO COMPLIANCE

We recommend care providers take a proactive approach to complying with their sponsorship and Right to Work duties:

AUDITS & SPOT-CHECKS

Mock immigration audits are effective in identifying areas of risk and non-compliance and allow the employer to resolve issues It s also helpful for management to regularly conduct informal document spotchecks across its network

HR POLICIES

You should have specific HR policies relating to sponsored worker recruitment management and record-keeping Policies should provide guidelines, standards and processes to ensure your operations are consistent and compliant

ONBOARDING & PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS

As part of your pre-employment checks, you are expected to take reasonable steps to ensure the identity documents submitted are genuine and that the person presenting for work is the same person the documentation relates to

If your recruitment is handled centrally by head office we advise holding a welcome video call on the first day of employment between the person in head office who recruited the individual the care home manager and the new starter to confirm they are the person who was actually recruited

TRAINING PERSONNEL

All personnel involved with recruitment, onboarding and line management of sponsored workers should be trained and skilled in meeting immigration duties Evidence of an ongoing commitment to best practice is a strong indicator to the Home Office of compliant operations

KEEP INFORMED

The Right to Work regime has undergone significant change in the past 12 months alone and the Home Office expects all sponsor licence holders to be up-to-date on the duties placed on them

Subscribe to updates on changes to the rules to ensure you stay informed and can react accordingly by adapting policies and processes and communicating these changes internally

RECORD EVERYTHING

The Home Office is looking for evidence of a sustained approach and consistent standards when managing sponsor licence documentation Also ensure your record-keeping extends to the full degree of the requirements If in doubt – keep it

As Energy Prices Surge, Wolf Laundr y Offers Assistance To Care Homes

Commercial laundry expert Wolf is tackling the cost-of-living crisis within the care industry by providing expert personalised advice comprehensive consumption figures and additional training

Barnsley-based Wolf Laundry has more than 30 years experience within the laundry sector and provides bespoke commercial laundry equipment across the UK to heavy users including care homes, universities and holiday parks

Recognising the energy cost pressure facing the care home market Wolf Laundry is working with clients to help them better understand usage and educate them about the cost savings that can be achieved by switching to gas

Wolf Laundry research showing figures for their Primus Dryer range reveals electricity rates reach £9 18 for a 24kg capacity load of laundry but in contrast the same brand of the machine holding an identical capacity fuelled by gas was almost half the price costing £4 92

Joshua Brown Director at Wolf Laundry said: “We aim to provide the most transparent information to help our clients make the best choices for them We cannot deny that right now gas is much more cost efficient but we’re working with customers to help them understand the options

“We’ve recently rolled out a training programme for the care home sector focusing on achieving optimal hygiene as efficiently as possible We’re working on a one-to-one basis with several care homes to help them find an efficient, long-term solution

“We appreciate that our customers are making difficult choices about energy bills and trying to balance

that with long term sustainability targets Together we re able to come up with bespoke packages to suit a client s particular business requirements and our customers are really welcoming this helpful and transparent approach ”

Providing a comprehensive range of the best commercial laundry equipment on the market, Wolf Laundry stocks washing machines, dryers, and finishing equipment as well as its own range of detergents and other products to assist with infection control

Joshua added: In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis and with spiralling energy costs the price of a load of laundry is increasing

With care homes running on fine financial margins ensuring each load of laundry is cost-effective can be one of key factors as to whether they can stay open or are at threat of closure It s as stark as that

One of Wolf Laundry s care home clients have the Schulthess W range washing machines installed

Steve Holroyd Secretary of Warmest Welcome Care Homes said: The information that Wolf has provided us with helps us make the best choices and for us that’s still electric but the consumption figures have shown us what else we should be considering right now in regard to how much each load of washing costs and how much that could change throughout the cost-of-living crisis

“With costs rising, we were able to consider everything very carefully to ensure that we can save money where necessary and ultimately, have additional resource for other needs within the care home ”

For further information call today on 0800 840 9598 or visit www wolflaundry co uk

G-Touch Wireless Care Home Solution

Genee is a UK leading manufacturer of innovative affordable interactive technological solutions Genee plays an integral role across all major industries including health care to support patients, residents and staff

Having supported Care Homes through the pandemic The G-Touch Wireless Care Home Solution is one of Genee’s most impactful solutions yet The solution includes; the G-Touch Interactive Screen Electric Mobile Trolley and a Wireless Battery Pack It s portability specially designed and simple to use interface as well as its multitude of applications are specifically built for residents and staff in mind

Don t just take our word for it The Dove Haven Care Grouphave said the following

We have recently implemented the Genee Interactive touch tables into our homes with great results!

Our residents really enjoy playing on the touch table singing karaoke as well as solving puzzles and completing quizzes individually or in a group environment We find the table really improves the mood of our residents and helps them work and play together around the touch table at the same time They are great in aiding our residents living with sensory impairment and encourages their general rehabilitation and independence We have been able to increase activity time and availability without increasing our staff’s workload

The difference that these tables have made is amazing! Residents have embraced the technology and every day we find new ways to use it The benefits of the Interactive tablehavebeen shown to improve residents mood and greater physical social and cognitive activity and positively impacts on relationships with care staff friends and family

With the table being portable it does not restrict where it can be used The service users are attracted to it due to the size of the screen and the portable aspect of it When service users are having 1 1 time with our activities co-ordinator other service users are watching and

wanting to get involved

The table is easy to use and can be used by all ’

The G-Touch Wireless Care Home Solution comes with 5 years on-site warranty as standard with no additional costs Our dedicated team will bring the equipment to the care home assemble and install the solution and test everything on site We will also support you with free online training to ensure your Care Home gets maximum use of this incredible solution

Interested to find out how affordable we are? Get in touch today and reference the code #TheCarer +44 (0)1902 390 862

sales@genee-group com

www genee-group com

Taking Care of Fire Safety

By Rob Yates, Head of Building Products Fire Safety in the UK and Ireland for Siemens (www siemens co uk)

All buildings have their own specific requirements in terms of fire safety and risk assessments are the primary method of ensuring that a fire alarm system meets those needs Care homes are no different although the nature of the elderly occupants and their mobility issues need to be a particular focus in selecting an appropriate method of protecting the occupants and the care home itself from the threat of fire

In the majority of buildings evacuation plans are a core element of fire safety procedures and while this is also true of a care home the fact that it may be impossible to evacuate some of the residents has a direct impact on the requirements outlined in the respective standards In BS5839-1, for example, the following clauses need to be considered

If occupants need assistance from staff to escape and there are more than 10 sleeping persons the system should be addressable

Residential care premises should be provided with automatic connection to Alarm Receiving Centres (ARC)

Signals to Alarm Receiving Centres cannot be delayed from residential care homes

ADDRESSING THE SPECIFICS

Given all of the above it is easy to appreciate that early detection of a fire incident is particularly important in a care home Many care homes operate with older conventional fire alarm systems Picking up on the first point, these need to be upgraded to addressable systems to enable the location of an incident to be identified quickly In doing so it is important to consider the options in terms of cost implications associated with this migration Some systems will require replacement of not only the devices but also reconfiguration of the wiring into a loop Others do not thereby offering considerable savings in installation costs

The ability to identify the location of an incident quickly can be further enhanced through powered floor repeater panels allowing the situation to be reviewed without needing to go to the location of the main fire panel The ever-increasing use of cloud-based technology (see final paragraph) can take this a stage further, with apps available which allow monitoring of fire safety on a mobile phone

In many applications delays in sending a fire alarm signal to an ARC are often deliberate to allow time to investigate to see if it is a false alarm or of a scale that can be tackled safely with a fire extinguisher However as is clearly stated in the British Standard this is not the case in a care home

Turning to the issue of false alarms as indicated in the extract from BS5839-1 the requirement is for a

maximum of 1 false alarm per 20 detectors annually

Obviously zero false alarms is an even better scenario in an application where an alarm can cause panic confusion and considerable disruption Systems are now available which will provide a guarantee of no false alarms with multi-criteria detection technology which detects a fire incident quickly without being impacted by deceptive phenomena such as toasters or steam Crucial to this is drift compensation whereby the sensitivity of the detector is automatically adjusted to reflect the build-up of dust or dirt without importantly affecting response times

CLOUD-BASED TECHNOLOGY

Increasingly as in so many of our day-to-day activities the internet and the cloud are becoming pivotal in the latest fire detection solutions

Digitalisation has made significant advances in terms of ease of use of fire safety systems User interfaces are becoming ever more graphics-based with the swipe click drag and drop approach so familiar from our mobile phones

Online portals can provide an overview of a care home’s fire safety, or, for those organisations operating a number of facilities, across all connected sites Multi-site dashboards can provide locations of all sites in one place with a status bar indicating the respective status of each in real-time with a simple colour-coded approach to identify sites where problems may be occurring

Interoperability is a phrase that has been around now for some time in terms of building management systems and it is gathering momentum as digitalisation increases This is the potential to connect multiple systems which can then compliment each other An example would be a CCTV camera able to zoom in on a fire location or record the operation of a call point, while a lift can report return status or louvres can be automatically activated in the event of an alarm activation to aid smoke ventilation

Care homes offer their own specific challenges in terms of fire safety By understanding those challenges and adopting a fire safety approach which reflects them residents and the buildings themselves can be effectively protected

ROB YATES

Rob Yates is Head of Building Products Fire Safety in the UK and Ireland for Siemens He has over 30 years’ experience in the fire industry

Unilever Food Solutions Identifies the Top Future Menu Trends

Unilever Food Solutions, the global leader in professional food service, released its first Future Menu Trends report 2023 this month, developed in collaboration with more than 1 600 chefs in over 21 countries The report was launched at an event for leading chefs and food industry experts at Hive Unilever’s Foods Innovation Centre in Wageningen the Netherlands as well as via a livestream

The top eight trends identified in the Future Menu Trends report 2023 are Irresistible

Vegetables Modernised Comfort Food Low-Waste

Menus, Wild & Pure, Flavour Contrasts, Feel-Good Food The New Sharing and Mindful Proteins

“Identifying the hottest global trends is critical in our quest to provide solutions for chefs who are contending with challenges ranging from labour shortages to tackling sustainability issues like food

waste,” said Hanneke Faber, President of Nutrition Unilever “With the release of the Future Menus Trend report, Unilever Food Solutions is not just sharing future trends but also offering solutions-based insights and adaptable recipes to inspire chefs and help them feel prepared for the future ”

Unilever Food Solutions anchored the Future Menu Trends Report 2023 around eight core themes based on global data extensive inputs from more than 1,600 chefs, global social media analytics and the expertise of hundreds of chefs who offer practical, real-world applications

All eight trends include suggested recipes ingredients and techniques to provide tangible solutions for chefs and food operators

Read more at www unileverfoodsolutions co uk/ chef-inspiration/menu-trends-report html

MP Demands “Radical Change” for Adult Social Care

Additional Government spending on social care is “unavoidable” to prevent other essential council services being swallowed up says former cabinet minister Damien Green

Mr Green s warning came as he called for a two-pronged approach to resolve the sectors long-standing funding crisis in England

This would include a state-backed universal care entitlement and a new form of insurance designed specifically to finance more expensive care costs in old age, known as the “care supplement”

Mr Green said the proposed system would be similar to pensions in which a basic service is provided and people can also voluntarily top-up their contributions via a private system at a level they can afford

Speaking in a parliamentary debate earlier this month Mr Green said: “We need to find an acceptable way to allow those with the capacity to improve their own provision to do so

Mr Green added “I suggest we should create what I call the care supplement: a new form of insurance designed specifically to fund more expensive care costs in old age just like the private pension system that tops up the state pensions of millions of people It would allow people to buy insurance at the level they can afford in order to provide peace of mind I do not think that the care supplement should be compulsory as indeed auto-enrolment for pensions is not compulsory so we would not get into the slightly sterile debate about death taxes and dementia taxes phrases that both of the main parties have thrown at each other over the years ”

Mr Green identified four areas to fix social care

“The first is the workforce which has already been mentioned It needs to be bigger bigger by more than 100,000 and to achieve that it needs to be better paid and have a higher status I would like nurses working in the care system to be on the same Agenda for Change pay scales as those in the NHS, otherwise they will keep moving from the care system to the NHS ”

“The second area is the voice of care within the new integrated care boards That change represents a chance to improve the integration of the health and care systems without creating another massive bureau-

cracy but I slightly fear that the ICB system is settling down with the voice of care providers not being loud enough at the table Local authorities are clearly a key player in the system, but so are other providers and their voice needs to be heard

My third point is about the use of technology not only for sharing information between different parts of the system, but for giving those in receipt of care more control over their daily life We are not exploiting the range of available technology anything like enough to do that and if we get it right the prize is that more people will be able to stay in their own home for longer That is better for them, most importantly, but it is also better for the taxpayer so it ought to be a high priority It is particularly important for people living with dementia

“The fourth area is an extension of that notion of people staying in their own homes for longer through the provision of housing As it happens in one of the Minister s previous incarnations I spoke to him about this issue We are failing to build anything like enough supported housing for older people, particularly in retirement villages Taken together, the last two measures I mentioned technology and the provision of suitable housing would mean that many people were able to stay in their own home for longer As I say that is a double win: it is better for the taxpayer, but most importantly, it is better for people as well Most people want to live in their own home for as long as they can

My original idea for a universal care entitlement accompanied by a care supplement would take the burden of social care funding away from local authorities, which is good and more importantly offer certainty and security for the increasing numbers who will need social care in old age No one would have to sell their house and see their inheritance disappear everyone would have the chance of receiving better care and fewer people would be left unnecessarily in hospital beds as they wait for social care to be available I am conscious that none of this is easy and that it will take political courage and possibly political consensus to achieve but it is absolutely necessary if we are to provide peace of mind and security to frail elderly people who richly deserve it ”

Care Home Residents Pay Tribute to Ukrainian Team Member’s ‘New Chapter’

Care home residents in Hindhead have paid tribute to a brave Ukrainian colleague who marks her first six months of working there

Having witnessed the devasting impact of the conflict in her home city of Chernihiv, situated close to the Russian and Belarusian borders, Iryna Shust, her son Bohdan and dog Druzhock fled following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24th February 2022

The trio s 1 700-mile journey took them to a host family in Surrey where Iryna found work in August 2022 in the hospitality team at Signature at Moorlands Lodge a care home in Hindhead

Coinciding with the care home s celebration of International Women s Day, Iryna was one of Moorlands Lodge’s 95 female team members who were presented with daffodils by residents recognising the expert care and support they provide

The care home also led an activity to champion the impact of famous women from around the world including Princess Diana and Mother Teresa

Having since settled in Surrey Iryna recounted her journey where she left Chernihiv after it was locked by Russian troops for two months along with the kindness and compassion that she was met with at the care home

Iryna Shust 50 a team member at Signature at Moorlands Lodge said:

“The beginning of the war was a fateful date for all Ukrainians, crashing our homes hopes and lives From the first days of the war my native city suffered from shelling, bombing and airstrikes We had no food, no water, no electricity no phone connection with relatives and friends

“My house and many others were ruined, a lot of houses were damaged a lot of people were killed but the enemy never entered the town We decided to move to the UK to start a new life and I m very grateful to our host family who helped us to obtain UK visas and to start my new Signature chapter

“l am very happy to work at Moorlands Lodge, where residents and colleagues have become new friends Each have been understanding and supportive, I am grateful to everyone here ”

Rachel Yoxall General Manager at Signature at Moorlands Lodge said:

“Each of the women living and working within our home has an inspirational story to tell “The past 12 months have been particularly challenging for Iryna and we have been determined to ensure she was met with a nurturing environment when she arrived She has settled to become a treasured part of the Moorlands Lodge family ”

The

Offering

Apprenticeships Are The Key To Building Sustainable Careers In Care

It s well documented that the National Health Service (NHS) and the social care sector are facing the greatest workforce crisis in their history A report by the Health & Social Care Committee highlights how the NHS was advertising 99,460 vacant posts while the nation’s social care provision is more than 100 000 employees short It s clear that to tackle the crisis more needs to be done to attracting and retaining young people into the profession

Here Karen Roberts, Assistant Principal – Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement, at Cheshire Colleges South and West outlines how apprenticeships and more hands-on learning could help tackle the crisis

When it comes to recruitment in the care sector it s not all doom and gloom There is some good news on the horizon as a report by the Work Foundation has found that despite social care s challenges being exacerbated by Covid-19 and Brexit the pandemic has given people a new-found appreciation of the sector

The number of people applying for social care roles has increased by 39%, with 17% of all jobseekers reporting they are likely to pursue a career in the sector in the near future However retention remains a problem with one in seven current social care workers actively looking for a role outside of the industry and alternative career options

At Cheshire Colleges South & West one of the largest Further Education colleges in the UK we too are witnessing a strong demand from young people looking to take a course related to the care sector as the opportunity for a rewarding career in care is evident The opportunity for ongoing employment in the sector is clear

Another appeal of training in the care sector for some is the entry requirements that are achievable for many The Level 3 Health & Social Care Diploma allows places to be offered at 16+ to those who have typically achieved 5 GCSEs at grade 4 including a 3 and 4 combination for Maths and English

The broad nature of the course gives learners the opportunity to go straight into employment after graduation or the opportunity to continue their learning either by embarking on careers in the health and caring professions or through further qualifications a possible career in nursing occupational or speech therapy HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

With greater numbers of young people exploring care as a career a focus should also be put on retaining them when qualified and in position One answer could be through learner centred apprenticeships which offer students hands-on experience from the off-set and are tailored to their specific needs and job role requirements

Most nurses and care workers will tell you that health care is predominately a practical sector where workers have to get stuck in from day one and so if looking to attract and retain the most suitable people, it s best to offer courses that provide real world experience such as demonstrations where students can quite literally get a feel for the job and what it entails on a daily basis

Practical learning can only work if there is closer co-operation between education and industry - where courses are designed for the learner and opportunities for experience are shared by companies whether the 100 hours’ work experience needed for the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care or longer placements for apprentices

Providing learners with practical experience while training will also lighten the load on employees in the long term Too many new employees are thrown into a busy physically and emotionally demanding roles with little training or a simple induction with the rest needing to be learnt on the job

What s more a lack of adequate practical training can negatively impact on the quality of care given as well as job satisfaction and retention With apprenticeships practical and emotional skills can be learned during the qualification period meaning they are better placed to hit the ground running when employed

The education opportunities presented now provide learners with a series of stepping-stones with care workers starting on the Level 2 Health Care Support Worker Apprenticeships and an option to progress through the bands into Band 5 nursing or degree courses depending on their ambitions and capabilities

By undertaking an apprentice-based hands-on approach, that integrates with industry, a cohort of new employees will be created that are well informed prepared and highly skilled This approach will not only help plug the current gaps in the work force but provide solid foundations for a career in care

Future of Care Leaders Conference

Returning with a new name the Future of Care Leaders Conference has re-branded to highlight who should consider attending – the leaders of the care sector Bookings are officially open for the highly sought-after conference being held at The King's Fund London on Tuesday 28th March 2023

The conference is set out to bring key trends challenges and developments in the care industry in front of the people who matter With a new and improved layout and a quality speaker programme, delegates can expect new additions including a networking breakfast and drinks reception to end the day on a high and strengthen relationships made throughout the day

The day includes an extensive programme with informative sessions held by a coveted list of speakers and hosts a selection of exhibitors in the networking space Delegates can enjoy a selection of refreshments throughout the day, as well as a quality lunch included in the cost of the ticket

The programme this year will focus on a range of important subjects which will be discussed in focused speaker slots and panel debates Topics include;

Embedding Net Zero into the Sector

• Raising the Profile of Adult Social Care

What Does Innovation in Care Actually Mean?

Improving Elderly Care Through Human Connection

Supporting the Wellbeing on the Social Care Workforce

Key speakers at the conference include: Liz Kendall MP, Shadow Minister for Health & Social Care; Kate Terroni Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integration and Interim Chief Operating Officer at Care Quality Commission; Nadra Ahmed Executive Chairman of National Care Association; Avnish Goyal CBE Chair of Hallmark Care Homes and Vic Rayner OBE Chair of the National Care Forum; who is also Conference Chair

Use the following link to book your place and view the full programme – www futureofcare co uk

R&RA Joins Forces with Rights for Residents

powerful voice of those in care

“We know how much our voice is needed We hear daily from our members and calls to the helpline how people are being failed by the care system As a united voice for people needing care and their families we will stand up for care rights across the UK and fight for a better care system ”

Leading care campaign groups, the Relatives & Residents Association (R&RA) and Rights for Residents have joined forces

Following the merger the Rights For Residents campaign will continue under the R&RA The merged organisations are also in the process of a rebrand including a new look and a new name which will launch over next couple of months

Rights for Residents was set up in the summer of 2020 by Jenny Morrison and Diane Mayhew as a direct response to the impact of lockdown restrictions on Jenny s mum who was living in care at the time Their efforts have been hugely successful attracting thousands of supporters and helping to ensure the media keeps a spotlight on issues around isolation and residents rights more widely The campaign brought together families from across the country to successfully lobby for changes to the restrictions around visiting

Helen Wildbore Director of R&RA said “We are delighted to have joined forces with Rights For Residents It s a meeting of hearts and minds as we fight together for care rights

Diane Mayhew said: “We’re excited to unite with the Relatives & Residents Association to become a

The pandemic highlighted that the rights of people needing care are up for grabs From poor quality care due to staff shortages to isolation due to visiting restrictions all too often people living in care don’t have their needs met or their rights respected ”

We can t let this go on So our shared goal is to strengthen the fight for the rights of people using care services so that everyone can enjoy a good quality of life with the support they need to thrive ”

In our campaigning there is still so much to do as we continue our call for a new right to a Care

Supporter This vital new right will ensure that noone is ever left isolated from their key family carer More widely we also need urgent reform of social care to ensure the rights of residents are at the heart of the sector moving forwards ”

We also plan to strengthen and grow our helpline and support offer We know that we currently reach just a small fraction of the older people experiencing problems with care We will be developing our website and improving outreach through social media so that we can help more people to get the support they need and stand up for the rights of people needing care

“We still have work to do to do behind the scenes, but there will be more exciting news to share in the coming months as we get ready to launch a new look and a new name with a fresh sense of urgency and purpose

Boost for Care Home as Four Nurses Qualify

Four nurses with a vast range of experience between them will be working with communities at a Suffolk care home after passing their latest exams

Genevieve Nguya Japhet Keteku, Nicholas Mensah and Francis Nyghe have all passed their objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), enabling them to work as nurses in the UK

The newly-qualified nurses have been working at Avocet Court in Ipswich which is run by family-owned Athena Care Homes over the past year as part of the care team while studying for their exams

Genevieve who works on the Powys community was nursing in a primary care setting in South Africa before she and her husband made the decision to relocate

Genevieve had worked in a range of settings including a private hospital and as an occupational nurse working for a large employer

She has experience of counselling; working on a Covid vaccination programme and even gained her prescribing licence back in South Africa

“What I enjoy about working in a care home is being with the people Our residents are really interesting and each have their own unique ways While working here as a carer I have had the opportunity to form a bond and really get to know the residents ”

Nicholas and Francis were both practicing as registered nurses in Ghana They applied to be a part of

the Athena family together and have supported one another throughout their journey

“You have to put a lot of time into studying for the first exam ” said Nicholas having just passed his final exams He is working as a pre-registered nurse on the Cilgerran community at Avocet Court alongside Francis, and both have spent time getting to know the residents and their life stories so they can better understand their needs

Francis got the news he had passed his exams this week and said:

“No-one told me it would be so hard but it was worth it

I wanted to work in the UK because I wanted to experience a different culture and having Nicholas with me has helped because we both understand where the other is at

Ruth Garnham General Manager at Avocet Court Care Home said:

Not only are we gaining four new nurses but four nurses who know our residents and our homes Over the past year Genevieve Japhet

Nicholas and Francis have become valued members of the Avocet family and they have forged relationships with our residents

“We are excited to see them progress in the next stage of their careers and further improve nursing care here at Avocet Court Having four new qualified nurses within the team, plus another nurse currently going through our induction programme, means we can reduce agency use and offer more continuity to our residents ”

The Residential & Home Care Show 2023

The Residential & Home Care Show is making its annual return as the UK’s leadership event for delivering outstanding care at ExCeL London on 26-27 April 2023

The event offers two days of high-quality educational content the opportunity to speak to leading suppliers in the health and social care sector and explore what products and services suit your business needs It is a chance to regroup network with like-minded peers and equip you with solutions to current challenges seen within the sector The two-day event will be jam-packed with knowledge advice and inspiration

Free for all care professionals to attend the CPD accredited educational programme will be delivered over five theatres exploring a variety of topics including

Recruitment and retention:

Health and social care experts will provide you with advice on topics such as employee engagement and how to effectively recruit according to your business needs Explore digital marketing technologies overseas recruitment and the importance of staff retention

Workplace culture and staff wellbeing: understand how to adopt strategies and best practice models into your workplace culture to aid to development and confidence of staff

Digital transformation

You will receive insights and advice on how to make the most of the digital transformation process and implement an efficient cost-effective digital solution for your care home

Business development and regulatory updates:

You will be able to access sessions on planning and implementation of strategies that will help increase the profitability of your care home and hear updates from local authorities to ensure your business complies with the latest regulations

Integrated care systems:

You will gain a deeper understanding of how the NHS and social care services will be working together to provide a higher quality of care

Residents health:

There will be a variety of sessions dedicated to residents health including long covid diabetes and dementia care

REASONS TO ATTEND:

• Free for all care and healthcare professionals

Earn up to 12 CPD points

Take away practical advice and solutions that can be implemented into your own organisation

Join thousands of other Owners Directors, Senior Managers all under one roof and utilise the networking opportunities

Meet and talk with 200 exhibitors showcasing their latest products and services

Build relationships between residential care providers nursing homes domiciliary care providers NHS local government the voluntary sector and suppliers

Learn from over 100 expert speakers who will share key case studies best practice examples and deliver important panel discussions with sector leaders and successful care business providers Register at www residentialandhomecareshow co uk/tcu23

How Social Care Workers Can Support Those Who Are Grieving

By Lianna Champ. Lianna has over 40 years’ experience as a grief and funeral care specialist and is author of practical guide, How to Grieve Like A Champ.

In your working life, as well as caring for the day-to-day physical needs of your service users, you will naturally find yourself providing support and care on an emotional level too As a carer you will develop a unique relationship and bond with each of them You will be instrumental in their welfare on many levels and will often find yourself supporting them through a loss

The value of your ability to help comes from a place of empathy and understanding of what a person is going through therefore you need to have an understanding of grief and the physical and emotional effects

Each loss we experience is totally unique to each of us and even though we may share similar emotions to others we do not follow the same pattern Grief is incredibly personal and even though we may remember how we felt at the time of our own losses, we cannot and should not compare our own loss experiences with someone else’s This just minimises the importance of the other persons feelings and hijacks their experience and can cause them to withdraw and isolate

Grievers are often pre-occupied with their loss and this can present as lack of concentration forgetfulness disrupted sleeping and eating habits and even having little accidents like banging into things also nausea and headaches If their grief is ignored it can have a negative impact on their physical and mental wellbeing and can even lead to depression if left long enough

Your position as a carer is privileged You may be the only confidante and safe haven for your service users to open up to where they have no fear of judgment or criticism

Encourage your service user to talk about their relationship and share their memories Often the intense sadness can be lifted in the times we share our happy memories We then remember and return to grieving This is normal and healthy and the

more they feel able to share their sadness the lighter it can become and the easier it is to open up when they feel overwhelmed eat well - little and often is good It is easy to neglect their nutrition at this time but diet is important in keeping them physically well and supports positive brain function rest and sleep when they need to take in fresh air and, where possible take some gentle exercise Even if we have to force ourselves, we always feel that little bit better afterwards Working thorough grief is physical as well as emotional create rituals for remembering This helps to hone the love through memory When we have rituals we have something positive to focus on that we know we have to do

If you know a service user is grieving and you feel awkward starting the conversation, its good to start with a question which evokes a happy memory -

Ask them how they met their special person

What was the thing they loved best about them

What didn’t they like - this usually raises a smile :)

Talk about photos they may have in their room and this will open doors to other significant relationships in their life

Talk to the service user about how they themselves would like to be remembered and ask if there are things about their loved ones that they would like to be able to do or loved ones that they can incorporate in their own words, thoughts and actions

If you find yourself comforting a someone who has suffered a significant loss remember, don’t jump in straight away with your own experiences Listening is one of the most important things you can do to help anyone We are so used to people planning what they are going to say to us when in conversation instead of really listening to what we are saying to them A good way to do this and to stop your mind wandering is to repeat their words in your head as they say them If they feel heard, that someone has shared some of their pain, it gives a softness in their grief and they can feel the benefit of sharing a really important emotional communication Become a truly great listener – it will change your life and could make you very, very popular

Empowering Positive Action Within Care – Care Roadshows 2023

Care Roadshows are returning in 2023 arriving in Glasgow Birmingham Liverpool London and Cardiff Registration is now officially open and welcomes senior professionals within the care sector particularly those working with older adults

Each show includes free access to an exhibition including between 40-60 exhibitors and entry into a series of seminar and panel discussions that cover topics such as dementia, technology vs human connection and raising the profile of the care sector The events also offer fantastic networking opportunities and the chance to improve the performance of your care practice or business

Founder and Managing Director Emma Barrett shared “Care Roadshow has grown greatly since its launch back in 2011 The 2022 Roadshows reached record breaking visitor numbers and we are anticipating an even higher growth rate in 2023

This year we ve set our mission statement as empowering positive action within care It s about time we stopped talking about changes and started taking immediate action We hope to bring influential members of the care community together at our events in an intimate setting where positive conversations can take place

TRUSTED CARE STAMP

With over 100 events targeting the UK social care sector it is very difficult for care providers to choose which events to attend

Broadway Events the company who run Care Roadshow have recently joined forces with CloserStill Media (who also run social care events) to launch a Trusted Care Event stamp The stamp indicates events that are focused on improving the sector and wanting to make an active difference within social care You can read more about this here

There is great anticipation for the release of the Care Roadshows 2023 programme Register for your free ticket here to be the first to know when programmes are relased

Dates of the 2023 shows:

Care Roadshows Glasgow – Hampden Park Stadium – 18th April

Care Roadshows Birmingham – Villa Park Stadium – 23rd May

Care Roadshows Liverpool – Aintree Racecourse – 25th May

Care Roadshows London – Epsom Downs Racecourse – 17th October

Care Roadshows Cardiff – Cardiff City Stadium – 14th November

Follow this link to find out more: www careroadshows co uk

Cost of Living a ‘Second Health Emergency’ After COVID – Councils and Public Health Directors

Local health chiefs are warning that the increase in costs of essential food items and energy has created a ‘second health emergency’ after the COVID-19 pandemic

At this week s virtual Annual Public Health Conference the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH), said the rising cost of living is having significant health consequences particularly in those communities that have higher levels of deprivation already

The LGA and ADPH have published their Annual Public Health report, which has found that people with least financial resilience are affected the most but increasing numbers of people who were previously just about managing’ now need support

Despite the best efforts of councils and their directors of public health who have provided support such as dedicated warm hubs and access to affordable food the LGA is concerned that current health inequalities could be widened

The report marks the 10th anniversary of the transfer of public health responsibilities to local authorities with it finding that a year of uncertainty about the direction of public health policy and the approach to tackling health inequalities has concerned local directors of public health

However, it found that councils, the NHS and the voluntary and community sector have upped their game once again to respond to the rise in the cost of living building on relationships forged during the response to COVID-19

Economic prosperity and health go hand in hand but the links between the two need to be much more widely understood Councils are calling on the Government to address this challenge by making long-term increases to local public health funding, which can go to support those in communities who need it the most

Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board said

“The increase in the cost of living is having a real impact on our local communities particularly in areas with higher levels of deprivation

Councils have been doing what they can to help; bringing together partners from the NHS and voluntary sector to support those who need it the most Building on the experience of the pandemic, public health is at the forefront of each local response

“However public health services, such as for sexual health or school nurses which are crucial in helping to relieve the pressure on our health and care system continue to face challenging financial circumstances

“To address this the Government should provide long-term funding increases to public health services which do so much to improve health outcomes in our local communities ”

Prof Jim McManus ADPH President and Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire said:

“The last ten years have seen a great deal of progress as a result of the move to local government Directors of Public Health in England are able to work in much closer partnership with local government departments than before to help ensure that our communities’ health needs are put at the very heart of decision and policy making

“There is however still a long way to go and our colleagues in the NHS and voluntary and community sector are a critical part of the work we are doing in public health to help people right from the very start of childhood live longer healthier lives

“However last week new Public Health Grant allocations were published and yet again we find ourselves in an untenable position without adequate funding

“Sadly, these cuts are counterproductive and, despite our best efforts, will inevitably result in vital services being reduced at a time when existing health inequalities have been further exacerbated by the rising cost of living ”

Age UK Launches Campaign to Support Older People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing

Age UK has launched a new campaign to highlight the huge challenges facing many older people and how Age UK provides solutions and – just as importantly – reassurance

Amidst one of the most difficult winters many older people will have ever experienced, as they try to make their fixed incomes stretch to cover the essentials at a time when prices are soaring new research from the charity Age UK reveals just how big an impact the cost of living crisis is having on many older people s mental health and wellbeing

The research which was carried out in January found that 9 6 million over 60s (60%) were worried about paying their energy bills, and 7 2 million (45 per cent) were worried about affording other essentials such as food

In addition around half (49%) of those over-60s who took part in the research equivalent to almost 8 million people in all were worried about the impact of energy bills on their health This figure rose to three-fifths (62%) of those whose income is £20 000 per annum or less (equivalent to 3 3 million over 60s); and to nearly two-thirds (65%) of those on a very low income and in receipt of benefits (equivalent to 1 6 million over 60s)

The Age UK study also revealed that 10% of the sample equivalent to 1 6 million older people in total, had recently carried out a benefits check to see if they were eligible for any more money demonstrating how concerned they were about making ends meet 6% of the research sample equivalent to about a million over 60s overall reported having sleepless nights because of high energy prices

The Charity is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the huge challenges facing many older people, and how Age UK draws on its expertise to offer practical solutions and just as importantly a sense of reassurance for all those who are buckling under the strain of this

unprecedented cost of living crisis

The charity is shining a spotlight on the tough challenges many older people are facing this winter with the launch of a new film The charity s campaign cites problems such as struggling to afford heating, or electricity, and being socially isolated, pointing out that no one needs to cope with these issues alone and that Age UK is there to help The campaign, entitled ‘Age UK Know what to do’ showcases how services like the Age UK Advice Line stand with older people in difficulty, providing expert advice with kindness and sensitivity, to help an older person and sometimes their family and friends to overcome the particular problems they face Age UK s national services are a lifeline especially for older people who have no one else to turn to The Charity s free and confidential Advice Line is open every day of the year and has access to experts on a huge range of issues an older person may encounter as they age empowering them so that they know what to do in their own situation and helping them to do it The specialist team of advisors are on hand to give expert advice including finding out if older people are entitled to extra financial support For example during the past seven months Age UK’s Advice Line has identified over £2 million worth of unclaimed benefits averaging an additional £4 468 per person Of these older people, four in five (84%) were found to be at risk of fuel poverty

The Charity also offers The Silver Line Helpline, a 24-hour service for older people who need someone to talk to and a Telephone Friendship Service that gives older people the chance to enjoy weekly chats with a new friend Dame Judi Dench, Age UK supporter said: “With the cost of everyday items rising so rapidly it s no wonder so many older people are anxious about their future and how they will be able to manage

That s why I am supporting Age UK as it launches this new campaign to raise awareness of the difficulties older people are facing Age UK offers a range of support for older people including information and advice and friendship services for those struggling alone It s important to not only shine a light on the issues worrying many of those who are older but also on the vital support the Charity offers and the fact that there is help available ”

Caroline Abrahams Charity Director at Age UK said; Our new research tells us there are a lot of older people who are worried sick at the moment particularly about how they can keep their heads above water when every time they go to the supermarket they see that prices have risen again From conversations with older people we know that some live in total dread of their next fuel bill, and are at their wits end as they try to stay ahead of energy costs like nothing we’ve ever seen before

In our experience at Age UK most older people are resourceful and resilient and determined to be self-sufficient but this is an exceptionally challenging winter especially if you are an older person without a lot of money to go round at the best of times Our new campaign points out that life can seem ok on the surface, but underneath it an older person may be finding their situation incredibly stressful because of the horrible uncertainty about prices and the worry they may be unable to make ends meet with no obvious way out

“At Age UK we want older people and their families and friends to know that at Age UK we are here for them we stand with them and we will help them find the best solution for whatever is troubling them and support them with the next steps We totally understand why so many are so worried, but we want them to know that whatever they are facing there is reason for hope we are here to help and they are not alone

Government Set to Cut £500m from Social Care Workforce and Reform Budgets

The Government is set to cut its planned spending on for adult social care workforce, reform and integration by at least £550m according to reports

According to reports in the Health Service Journal, the government is prepared to scale down a pledge it made in the December 2021 social care white paper to dedicate £500m to investment in knowledge skills health and wellbeing and recruitment policies that will improve social care as a long-term career choice”

This amount could be cut to £250m

A further £300m plan to integrate housing into local health and care strategies with a focus on increasing the range of new supported housing options available” could also be cut, it was reported

The money was promised for improving social care workforce standards increasing supported housing and integrating care “into local health and care strategies”, according to senior sources

The sector is experiencing huge staffing issues there are currently165 000 care worker jobs vacant and low pay driving staff to seek better wages in retail and hospitality, care providers and councils have been demanding investment in recruitment and retention

Leaders across the sector criticised the cut King s Fund policy director Sally Warren said: If these reductions are true this would be a shameful retreat from the government Far from fixing social care as they claim the government would be walking away from its commitments to support and improve the social care sector First, the delay to the cap and the extended means test, now – if confirmed – a massive reduction in the scale of ambition to reform and improve the sector – on the workforce housing support for carers ”

Nuffield Trust deputy director of policy Natasha Curry said: “If confirmed, this would be very disappointing

The reform money promised in the white paper was a small pot to start with Any cut to the budget for staff would be particularly worrying as the workforce is under such strain already The fund stopped short of delivering improvements to pay but did at least promise to offer support and training

NHS Confederation policy director Layla McCay said government “should clarify its position” and added: “Leaders have been calling for extra investment in social care particularly around pay to drive recruitment and retention in a system that has at least 165 000 vacancies We know that this would be one of the best and most effective actions that could be taken to reduce pressure on the NHS and fill vacant positions ”

Care England CEO Martin Green said: The government desperately needs to follow through on its funding announcements We are in a workforce crisis and we need a significant amount of money to deliver the workforce strategy I am very upset they seem to have cut the amounts they have offered in the past Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board chair David Fothergill (Con) said “This would be a hugely disappointing reversal of commitments made in the government s 2021 adult social care white paper which hailed new funding for workforce housing and innovation as central to delivering a shared vision for the future and will be of real concern people who draw on care and support

There are huge pressures on social care capacity and workforce and a real need to invest in new models of care including expanding specialist housing Failing to address these issues will have real consequences for people who access social care as well people s confidence in the government s commitment to meaningful reform in this vital public service ”

Recruitment And Retention In Care: Why The Need To Innovate Has Never Been Greater

By Rebecca Pearson, General Manager, Bupa Care Services, Bupa Global & UK (https://www bupa co uk/care - services)

In our business, our people are at the heart of everything we do We look after some of the most vulnerable members of our society, requiring a strong workforce of committed caring people In our post-pandemic world a hot labour market coupled with rising living costs means that the recruitment challenge is fierce

There are many ways that we as care providers can innovate to attract and retain talented people This can range from introducing new technologies that ease pressure on frontline teams, driving engagement, to creating pathways for long-lasting careers and welcoming those with transferable skills into the care sector

As providers we need to be forward-looking and welcome the use of technology to innovate It’s the future of care Digital solutions have the potential to transform the way care is provided which can also drive job satisfaction

We know that caring is a passion for people in our sector, so it s up to us to provide tools that enable them to spend more time with residents; whether through electronic care records to help reduce paperwork digitising our compliance processes or piloting the latest dementia memory apps and games

Retaining talented people is key We know that engaged employees stay with their employer longer so boosting engagement should be in every employer’s workforce strategy Where providers have a network of homes a disparate workforce can be seen as a barrier to engagement However technology can step in and help

A highly interactive intranet can go a long way to drive engagement incentivising teams to get involved

Gone are the days of top-down only company updates; a social media-style intranet can be used as a living breathing hub where people can share ideas gain recognition and crowd-source solutions It s a key pillar of our strategy to increase engagement at Bupa Care Services, and since the launch of our site, we ve seen participation rising week by week

To help people stay committed to a career in care, employers also need to think how to deliver career progression We know our people want to gain new skills so we partner with the Open University to deliver training programmes and apprenticeships and support talented people from overseas to achieve their UK Nurse PIN

It s also important to support our people in staying healthy and happy at work In recent years we ve gained an in depth understanding of the impact of mental and physical ill-health at work, and employers now more than ever need to support their people In fact the latest Bupa Wellbeing Index data shows that a third of employees (33%) believe their employers have a responsibility to support their health and wellbeing, and more than half (53%) say they are more likely to choose to work for an organisation which offers good health and wellbeing benefits

At Bupa Care Services our people told us that they wanted more support with their physical and mental health at a time that worked around their shifts so we ve worked with the wider business to provide physiotherapy and mental health support, as well as GP and nurse helpline access available around the clock

Technology is also key to finding innovative ways to target underrepresented groups For example highly targeted social media advertising can be a valuable tool to entice people from hospitality retail and other sectors while TikTok can also be used to showcase life in a care home to target younger people

Ultimately we know that we’re not alone in facing workforce challenges and some changes will need to be made at a government level But the sector has a lot to offer and through driving innovation within our own networks we help both our people and potential employees see these opportunities and grow long lasting careers with us

Mother Knows Best: High Tea Brings Joy to Local Care Home

A care home in Poole opened its doors to families in celebration of Mother’s Day this March

Upton Bay Care Home, located on Hoyal Road, Hamworthy, planned the special event as a token of appreciation to local mothers grandmothers and even great-grandmothers with as many as 4 generations of one family coming together to mark the special day

Hosting an afternoon cream tea for 30 including residents from the home and infants as young as one the team ensured all families enjoyed complimentary homemade scones with lashings of jam and clotted cream, as well as plenty of fresh brewed tea

Following the sweet treats guests were encouraged to take part in a posy-making masterclass with an array of fresh florals and greenery to choose from to complete their bouquets No one left empty handed as

bunches of the sweet smelling flowers were gifted among family members as well as cards and gifts being exchanged

‘Mother s, in all their forms, really are the unsung heroes of not only our childhoods but our adult lives too ’ commented Sophie Payne Home Advisor at the care home

It was truly a pleasure to be able to facilitate some wonderful family reunions at Upton Bay today and show a little love and appreciation for the ladies at Upton Bay and also in our community ’

‘I hadn’t seem my great-grandchildren in over a year – what a blessing to hold them again on Mother’s Day, said Sylvia, resident at Upton Bay

The care home regularly opening its doors to local residents and community groups now looks towards plans for Easter and the Coronation aimed at connecting residents with their Hamworthy neighbours

Dog Lover Joan Gets a Canine Cuddle for Mother’s Day

Joan Shewry recently celebrated her 100th birthday – and now the centenarian dog lover has been wished a happy Mother’s Day by miniature poodle Mya

The visit was organised by the care team at Walfinch Oxford, who provide care for Joan alongside her son David David says: Joan really appreciates her Walfinch carers – and when they discovered that Joan was a dog lover they arranged for Mya to visit

Mum enjoyed the visit from Mya who is 14 years old – so almost 100 in dog years Seeing Mya brought back lots of happy memories for mum and she and Ann Latham the volunteer from Pets as Therapy who brought Mya to see us, talked a lot about their love of dogs and shared photographs of Ann s other dogs

Joan and her family were always dog lovers Joan explains: “The family had several dogs over the years including Dinkie a Jack Russell who was

A week after sharing their advice on International Women s Day, residents at Heatherfield Care Home in Armadale, discussed their experiences of raising children for Mother s Day

The ladies discussed their plans to celebrate with their children their advice for new mothers and the love they had for their own mothers

Adults across Scotland can be confident that a gift of flowers and some quality time will be warmly received by their parent

Heatherfield part of the Holmes Care Group regularly arranges reminiscence sessions as part of their mission to provide outstanding care and support to the elderly What advice did you receive as a new mother and what advice would you give to new mothers now?

Margaret Orr aged 92 said: “When I was a new mother my Aunt Maggie was midwife and she advised me to get the baby into a routine and I have passed that advice on to others ever since I was a farmer s wife and we would milk the cows and then cool it and feed it to the babies So we didn t advise about feeding or sterilising or such things

Betty Clark, aged 93, said: “It’s a hard thing to be a mother don t overthink it Be confident in yourself and treat your children with respect

naughty and used to get into bed with me as a child Monkey a wire-haired fox terrier, Dinah, a golden retriever, and Toksy

Toksy was a cross between a Border Collie and a Chow which is quite unusual, and she came to us in an unusual way,” says Joan

Our family used to go on holiday every year to a farm in the Lake District and one year one of the farm dogs had a litter of puppies As a cross-breds the puppies were no good as a working dogs with sheep so we adopted Toksy and took her home with us where she lived happily for 15 years ”

Teresa Caboz one of the carers who has a particularly happy relationship with Joan, was there to meet Mya too David says “Teresa enjoyed the visit – but as she said anything that makes Joan happy makes her happy too David adds: “Mum really appreciated meting Mya and Ann It was a great day and a lovely surprise ”

On Motherhood

Anetta Watson aged 93 said: Keep your cool and keep everything calm and relaxed Don’t wake a sleeping baby and don t spoil a baby

Do you have any stories to share about motherhood?

Margaret Orr aged 92 said: When my youngest was a baby in 1957 I was learning to drive in an Austin Cambridge and I would put him into his Moses basket in the back seat of the car I would roll up a towel and wedge it in to stop him from sliding around That was considered safe back then How did/do you celebrate Mother’s Day with your children?

Margaret Orr aged 92 said: We would always have Mother’s Day tea on the farm, all family occasions happened on the farm

Betty Clark, aged 93, said: “I always get flowers, visits and cards My son always gives me a big cuddle and a kiss on the head

Betty

Anetta

Anetta Watson aged 93 said: “I used to make my mum something she would be proud of My kids always treated me to flowers and spend the day with me ”

If your mum was here for Mother’s Day how would you celebrate?

Clark aged 93 said: I would give her a nice big cream cake

Watson aged 93 said: “I would kiss and hug her all day ”

“Don’t Wake The Baby!” - Care Home Residents Reflect

Boss Of Care Regulator Spells Out Vision For ‘Gridlocked’ NHS

The country’s health and social care system is in “gridlock which is harming patients and can only be fixed by long-term funding and technology-driven innovations such as the roll-out of virtual wards

These are the views expressed by Ian Trenholm the chief executive of the Care Quality Commission in a stark interview with Newcross Healthcare s Voices of Care podcast

Spelling out some of the pressures facing the sector - in particular care homes - and outlining ways the situation could be improved he said:

• Exhausted care staff need better pay and conditions

• More long-term government funding is needed

• The regulator needs to change its vision and increasingly highlight good work

‘Virtual wards’ should be rolled out to ease pressure on NHS

The new Integrated Care Systems (ICS) needs to ensure NHS services gets better at working together

The CQC the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England recently released its ‘State of Care’ report which described a system under intense pressure caused by 165 000 vacancies in social care and 133 000 in the NHS

On the impact of this Mr Trenholm said

Increasingly what we re seeing is the backlogs the delays are causing people harm and that s because the system is gridlocked People are stuck They re stuck in an ambulance waiting to go into a hospital because there are no beds They re stuck in hospital because they can t get out because they need some sort of social care And that is going to mean that people will ultimately come to harm

To a large extent that s because there s been some historic underfunding in social care in particular and the story around social care definitely improved over the COVID period, people have understood the vital role that social care plays in the system as a whole But we find that still needs investment, so the fact that the public widely understands social care doesn't mean any more money is really going into social care and that and that historic underfunding is problematic

“And then you overlay that with workforce you overlay that with the geopolitics of today the costs of goods and services the cost of power a very globally mobile health and care workforce There's a number of things that have come together now which I think I would agree means that this is one of the most difficult times the health and care system has ever faced ”

Mr Trenholm highlighted virtual wards as a positive example of ways that hospital admissions can be reduced and pressure on the system can be eased These see patients remain at home and are given the advice and monitoring they need via computers and other technology He said:

I saw an example recently in Newcastle where ironically as part of Covid they had decided that bringing immunocompromised cancer patients into a hospital which was full of people with Covid was not a good idea But equally they couldn t turn off their chemotherapy

They created approaches they created control rooms and they invested in bits of kit and so forth to enable people to have chemotherapy at home be monitored remotely, make sure they could reach into their homes and very quickly give people support if they needed it The patients liked it The patients were having better outcomes because they weren't sitting in a ward all of the time and it was one of those things that Covid forced a new way of thinking

“It did require quite a lot of effort But it's a really good example of a completely different way of delivering care which was traditionally hospital care but using community resources ”

Mr Trenholm told of his fears that the ongoing industrial action across the NHS was only exacerbating the situation saying:

If people are going on strike there s fewer people at work meaning that procedures are being cancelled

That leads to more delays So the strikes are not a good thing I think because there are fewer people at work I really welcome the talks that are going on at the moment between the Royal College of Nursing and government and hopefully that will move us in the right direction and we can get back to a more normal service

We ve seen over the last three years during COVID a workforce which is genuinely exhausted Whilst I think people are relying on their vocation and their desire to deliver great quality care I think the reality is people are exhausted I think when you get to that point it s really tough to deliver the sort of quality of care that you went into the profession to deliver

What we ve seen typically is somewhere between 30 and 40% of the workforce leave social care organisations in a given year which is an incredibly high number for any sector and most sectors would struggle to keep skills keep experiencing if they re seeing that level of turnover

“We’re seeing now a very big difference between what care workers are being paid and what people are being paid in retail and hospitality I think there's a danger that the adult social care sector over trades on the notion of vocation and it gets to the point where vocation and that positivity that you get from working in care doesn't pay the electricity bill it doesn't pay the rent ”

Looking to how the situation could be improved Mr Trenholm called for a change in the way government funds the sector in particular care homes saying:

“I don't think there are any quick fixes The thing that government could do is a long-term sustainable funding solution because I think the danger is what happens is each winter some version of funding for the next three or four months if you re an operator in the social care market you are not going to make long term funding decisions

You are not going to give long-term pay rises to your teams You re not going to take on additional permanent staff you re not going to invest in buildings Half of the care homes in this country are about 50-plus years old and the practical consequence of that is lines of sight width of corridors moving and handling just becomes difficult As a care operator if you haven t got long term funding in place you re not going to be able to go to the bank and borrow the money to build a new care home

On the future of his own organisation Mr Trenholm said its strategy was to move away from solely providing a ‘judging role’ adding:

“What we tend to do is try to look for examples of good practice, be they big or small, call those out in our reports aggregate them produce thematic reports and so forth In our new strategy we talked about being a smarter regulator and that's about trying to break down the questions that we ask into smaller bite sized chunks be able to report on them almost question by question That gives us the opportunity I think to showcase very specific pieces of good work ”

He called on the new Integrated Care Service model to play a part to encouraging better sharing of good practice better pay in care services and closer working together adding:

I think we ve seen in the last couple of years in particular real difficulties around recruitment and there needs to be a more sophisticated approach to that I think ICSs offer that opportunity But I think ICSs can do other things as well I think ICSs can start to look at things like shared spaces They can look at the costs of doing business and look at sharing of costs and a whole range of other things

We talk about primary care secondary care and we talk about adult social care and then mental health as four distinct entities We often talk about primary care as being GPs I think the reality is, that most people get most of their care outside hospitals

“I think the opportunity for ICSs is to tell that story, is to make it clear to people that actually those services which often you can't see because it's a district nurse in a car it's a mental health service in a clinic somewhere that they're unseen services but they're absolutely vital to make the system work ”

Hosted by healthcare expert Suhail Mirza the podcast episode featuring Ian Trenholm is available now alongside previous episodes in the series on various platforms including YouTube Apple Spotify and the Newcross Healthcare website

Continence Care in Residential Care Settings

Incontinence presents as a common problem for a considerable number of people in adult social care, and describes an accidental or involuntary loss of urine or faeces

It is common among elderly people however many elderly people feel ashamed and embarrassed about incontinence concerns This can mean they are often very reluctant to ask for help For people who need incontinence help this can really impact the quality of their life and overall well-being

Women are more often affected by incontinence with 75% of those over 65 reporting urine leakages

For elderly people in care homes 30-50% of them will need incontinence care 60-70% of people living with dementia or Alzheimer s disease will be incontinent

Incontinence is a symptom of underlying problems which with assessment and investigation can be identified and treated Even when a remedy is not achievable optimum methods of incontinence management can produce social continence helping to lessen embarrassment and maintain patient dignity

According to the British Geriatric Society the main causes of incontinence are:

• Urge incontinence (detrusor overactivity) In this condition the patient is unable to prevent involuntary bladder contractions which cause urgency with little or no warning of incontinence The sufferer may respond to this urgency by frequent visits to the toilet day and night Urge incontinence is often made worse by anxiety or fast bladder filling for example after diuretic medications

Stress incontinence (pelvic floor weakness) A small leakage of urine occurs on physical exertion such as standing lifting coughing or sneezing and rarely occurs during sleep at night This is the commonest cause of incontinence in middle aged women and is seen in some men after prostatectomy

• Overflow incontinence (retention of urine) The patient will have a large post-void residual urine volume and may complain of continuous dribbling incontinence or symptoms like stress incontinence Recurrent urinary tract infections are common and the condition is made worse by constipation or anticholinergic medication

Overflow incontinence can be caused by diabetes and some types of nerve damage It also occurs in men with prostatic obstruction

Outflow obstruction This almost always occurs in men who may complain of difficulty in starting micturition poor urinary stream and dribble after micturition perhaps with a feeling of inadequate emptying

• Functional incontinence (e g poor or painful mobility loss of dexterity impaired communication mental confusion and depression) Incontinence is due to inability to reach and use the toilet

Residents in long term care settings have special needs, and the standard of continence care provided varies between each area and between homes and requires specialist products to help those suffering with continence issues

MANFRED SAUER UK

Since 1976 Manfred Sauer UK Ltd has provided a range of innovative urology and continence care products to help sufferers of urinary incontinence But unlike other providers their effective and user-friendly products are often designed and tested with input from end users and healthcare professionals

Listed below are some of their products all available on prescription:

SHEATHS

Manfred Sauer offer five different types of urinary sheath to facilitate the drainage of urine away from the body into a drainage bag

LEG BAGS

Manfred Sauer supply four main types of leg bags with varying capacities

Discreet Thigh Bag can be worn high up on the thigh area and hidden under clothes

Bendi Bag is ideal for wheelchair users who can sometimes find toilet access difficult

Comfort Leg Bag range comes in a variety of materials from velvet smooth real cotton and flock backing

Children's Bag with smaller capacity and proportions

CATHETERS

When performing ISC you need something that is simple to use soft and flexible Manfred Sauer s IQ-Cath male female and paediatric single-use catheters are ready for use immediately and the protective sleeve on the male and paediatric catheters facilitates a no-touch technique

NEPHSYS BAG AND BELT SYSTEM

For people who have had a Nephrostomy, NephSys can drastically improve their lives As well as providing a secure and sterile solution, the system is comfortable and discreet

Contact

or visit www manfred-sauer co uk for more information about each product or to order a free sample

CYBER SECURITY

Why You Should Consider A Cybersecurity Strategy In Your Care Facility

cure so review your current security strategy to ensure that you have the proper policies and best practices in place to meet any required standards or obligatory regulations This should include a review of your security operations network and data security to check that you are protected from exploitation and have prevention and monitoring procedures in place

Carry out a cyber security assessment to identify the types of attack that you may be vulnerable to and assess how prepared your business is to respond to an incident Consider your ability to detect malicious activity, the procedures you have in place to contain an attack and what your incident response process is

Create a best practice guide to help prevent your exposure to cyber threats and share with all employees This should include the use of strong passwords which are updated regularly Software and systems should also be checked regularly, and updates actioned when due The use of two-factor authentication when available should also be implemented

employees for a coordinated calm and fast reaction to an unexpected cyber event

Cyber attacks are on the increase and the healthcare sector is one of the most targeted industries According to a recent survey conducted by email security firm Agari 67% of healthcare organisations in the UK have suffered a cybersecurity incident over the last 12 months Of all healthcare cyber incidents in the last year 48% have been the result of malware or viruses introduced to the network by third-party devices

To help protect your care home or care facility from the threat of a cyber related incident we recommend putting a robust cybersecurity strategy in place to sit alongside your insurance programme You should create a cyber risk assessment and action preventative measures including a best practice guide This will help to reassure your employees customers suppliers and any third parties that you are as ready as possible in the event of a cyber threat

To identify areas of weakness or vulnerability you should assess the security of your information or data Prevention is always better than

Ensure you are following the most up to date guidance on GDPR and that your data protection officer has all the latest information It s a legal obligation of any business to ensure appropriate and proportionate security is in place to protect any personal data held, to safeguard the rights of individuals You must also report any data breaches to the ICO within 72 hours of discovery

Provide your staff with Cyber Security Awareness Training so they can spot suspicious looking communications understand how hackers get in and the importance of strong passwords Educating your entire organisation helps to minimise potential attacks and can also help to reduce internal security incidents It’s also a good idea to create a robust reporting procedure to ensure that all employees are aware of any potential or recent Cyber attacks

With more of us working from home, you should make sure your remote working methods are protected and procedures are adhered to by all

Put together a business continuity plan and share with key

Your immediate response to an event will be key to the overall impact on your business Consider how you will contact everyone that may have been affected as a result of a data breach to help retain your customer database customer confidence brand reputation and trust

Don t wait until you have experienced a cyber attack to put measures in place be proactive and help protect your business now We can help you to develop a robust cyber security strategy as part of your complete insurance programme managing your exposure to cyber risks

Speak to us about arranging cyber liability insurance or carrying out a cyber risk assessment by calling us on 01480 272727 or emailing enquiries@barnesinsurancebroker co uk

Find out more about cyber liability insurance at www.barnesinsurancebroker.co.uk/cyberliability

FOOD AND DRINK

Discover The Power Of Chefs’ Most Trusted Bouillon*

With 25 years' expertise in special diets and nutrition for the elderly Chef Preston brings you the latest insights on providing nutritionally dense dishes for residents

Meanwhile two Michelin-starred Chef Tom has developed a range of classic recipes with a modern seasonal twist, each utilising products from the Knorr Professional Bouillons range in a different way

Knorr Professional s Bouillons are available in Powder Paste and Jelly formats offering chefs versatility and flexibility in usage and application plus consistent depth of flavour every time

Chefs Tom Kerridge and Preston Walker have joined forces with Knorr Professional Bouillons to launch a new training hub for chefs This new online platform The Base contains exclusive recipes video tutorials and training tools that will help other professionals working in Care Homes to improve their skills in the kitchen

Anglia Crown - Popular Dishes for Ever yone

Anglia Crown offer a wide range of hot and cold desserts that are ideal for a wellbalanced, nutritional diet, including choices that do not contain gluten Our Crown Choice and Advantage ranges include some fifty-eight dishes, including our new warming Ginger Chocolate Chip Sponge and delicious, comforting custard that goes with almost any hot dessert

Our Crown Choice cold dessert includes the perennial favourites such as Chocolate Cake, whilst our Crown Advantage range also offer ‘reduced sugar’ desserts All individual Crown Advantage desserts come in packs of eighteen whilst the Crown Choice desserts come in packs of 3 and 6 allowing accurate portioning and cutting down on any potential waste

Many of the Anglia Crown dishes can be teamed up with fresh fruit allowing for additional choice Items such as our Carrot Cake or Vanilla Cheesecake can be accom-

Chef Preston Walker said: I m so proud to be partnering with Knorr Professional Bouillons to create and share recipes and tips that will genuinely help improve the skills of chefs working in this exciting sector GET

panied by whipped cream garnished with seasonal fresh fruit

Our hot desserts are high in energy our hot portions of 170kcal and above provide energy and protein dense options and when served with custard provide over 250 kcal per serving Our cold desserts of 250 kcal and above also meet the energy guidelines in the British Dietetic Association (BDA) Nutrition and Hydration Digest (2017) requirements

VEGAN SUITABLE CHOICES

At Anglia Crown we pride ourselves with the array of vegetarian and gluten free dishes that we offer including an impressive range of desserts This was recognised with us being named at the Vegetarian Wholesaler of the Year 2022 at the VfL Awards for Excellence in Veg n Care Catering

All the Anglia Crown hot desserts are suitable for vegetarians Most of the Anglia Crown vegan products have been registered with the Vegan Society including some thirteen of the dessert dishes ” Anglia Crown are here to help take the strain out of your menus throughout the year Visit www angliacrown co uk for further details

Nutritional Support for Effective Diabetes Care for Older People

Diabetes currently affects a whopping 4 9 million people in the UK And with the condition more commonly prevalent amongst the elderly population catering to those with medical conditions such as diabetes is incredibly important

Effective diabetes care for older people requires nutritional support to help maintain healthy blood sugar level and reduce the risk of complications However Bidfood has recognised through customer insight that catering for diabetes within the care sector is especially challenging as care homes continue to operate under tight budgets and are feeling the impact of rising food costs

Consistently creating nutritious and delicious meals tailored to residents’ individual requirements isn’t always easy especially when you are juggling time budgets stock levels and the skill level of your staff So to help navigate these challenges Bidfood has launched Caterers Campus an online learning platform exclusive to Bidfood customers that takes the hard work out of supporting your team – so you have more time to focus on your residents

Designed by our chefs for your chefs the specialist diabetes module includes understanding the causes and symptoms how to cater for diabetes as well as inspiration to help with menu planning all to aid and equip care home staff with the right information and guidance they need Made up of over 30 chapters the unit also features a knowledge test at the end to really make sure everything has sunk in

To accompany Caterers Campus we ve also devised a comprehensive guide to help carers support residents with diabetes Packed full of advice our guide will fill you with confidence when discussing diabetic care with your team members and residents

Bidfood’s Culinary Development Chef for the care sector Wayne Wright has put together a full seven day meal plan to help inspire those in the care setting when catering for diabetes Here are some of his top tips:

* Be careful with the carbs try to not overdo it by adding in too many

* Make healthy swaps like whole grain sweet potatoes wholemeal flour and lean cuts of meat

* Instead of adding sugar and salt for flavour add herbs spices lemon and lime juice

* Lastly, remember to keep an eye on the portion sizes

See the advert on the previous page for further information

Care homes intending to replace existing gas-fired domestic hot water (DHW) systems with more sustainable electric technologies as part of a decarbonisation strategy should invest in data gathering first recommends hot water specialist Adveco

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

The most consistent issue we see in healthcare hot water systems is oversizing whether through lack of understanding of application design or concerns over providing suitable back up to ensure system continuity The result of oversizing is always the same, unnecessary capital costs for system supply and installation, and ongoing excess operational costs associated with higher energy demands and therefore greater carbon emissions As the

care sector seeks to adopt greener building operations, replacing old gas-fired systems with like-for-like electric is another guaranteed way to gain an oversized system If the replacement system is oversized operational costs climb as the price of electricity per kW remains high Should demand exceed a building s available amperage of electrical supply project installation costs will inevitably soar or even stall the project This can be avoided by understanding your actual hot water demands and designing the replacement to meet those specific needs This is why accurate data is so valuable

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

Organisations which opt to purchase the recommended replacement system from Adveco will receive a 50% refund on the cost of implementing the initial Live Metering service

Talk to Adveco about booking metering at your property https://adveco co/products/live-metering/ See the advert on page 6 for further details

For any care home, the laundry process is critical to maintaining stringent hygiene standards and is therefore service area that will be closely evaluated upon inspection by the Care Quality Commission In order to ensure that your care home has efficient and CQC compliant procedures in place Forbes Professional advises that imperatives go beyond the need for commercial laundry equipment that provides the requisite disinfection

The CQC state on their website that for care homes to achieve their Good rating there is an expectation of a designated room for storage and managing laundry They will also require that ‘laundry processes follow national guidance and correctly manage’ and clean ‘used and infectious laundry to minimise risk of infection Efficient segregation of clean and soiled laundry is essential at all times with

Bring Joy and Connection to the Lives of Older People

Alive Activities have been engaging Care Home residents training carers and connecting communities for over 13 years With person-centred care at the heart of everything they do all their offerings are tailored to the people that they work with Alive are experts in bringing meaningful engagement to older people From training to activity audits gardening to intergenerational links find out how Alive can support you and your residents

TRAINING

Alive offer a range of inspiring training courses on topics that they know to be essential in providing person-centred care Training from Alive will give your staff the confidence and ideas to cater for individual needs and interests They also offer bespoke courses, including coaching programmes, which will be uniquely built with you, to cater for your home’s specific requirements In person or remotely, a common theme throughout all of Alive’s training

Our Animal World

Our Animal World is an educational and therapeutic mobile zoo providing both informative and therapeutic experiences for care homes disabled residencies hospices parties schools and events in Suffolk, Norfolk Cambridgeshire, Essex, North and East London

Laura runs all the sessions and is a fully qualified teacher with significant SEN experience and an Animal

Assisted therapist diploma

Animal visits to care facilities have shown specifically to decrease the agitated behaviours of residents who have dementia and can help combat depression ADHD schizophrenia loneliness autism and PTSD Therapy increases residents social interactions too

Our Animal World are set apart from other similar companies by their purpose-built van which houses 16 individual animal enclosures Each has their own

light source and heat source as required We can also add our 6m x 3m gazebo to the back to extend the spacethis allows up to 30 different species to be brought out in one go This allows Our Animal World to pull up anywhere without the need of going into a venue, although for most care homes we usually set up in a communal area such as a café or lounge

Our Animal World houses over 40 different species of animals including a variety of reptiles amphibians invertebrates mammals and birds We are insured for up to £10 million DBS checked exotic vet and council checked and licenced by Mid Suffolk District Council For the full list of animals or more information visit www ouranimalworld com email us info@ouranimalworld com or call us on 07519 340 788 See the advert on page 5 for details

is encouraging the “whole-home approach” to activities; giving all staff the skills to engage ALIVE ON DEMAND

Alive s newest service Alive on Demand is designed to assist Care Home Staff in providing meaningful engagements both in group and 1-2-1 activities It is a dementia-friendly video streaming platform with supporting materials including quizzes and crafts that easily transforms each topic into well-rounded activity Designed to spark conversation and evoke memories you can easily search for topics of interest or use the filter options to select videos by level of dementia and duration For those living with more advanced dementia Alive offer “calming videos” designed to immerse in relaxation and calm

“It is like having an activities expert in your back pocket!”

For more information, to book in a demo or discuss training options please call 0117 377 4756 or email info@aliveactivities org Visit www aliveactivities org to find out more See page 11 for details

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

Fire Doors are an imperative part of fire safety and are considerations of the design and maintenance of any building but especially residential Article 17 –RRFSO states fire safety provisions (includes fire doors) must be maintained in a suitable condition order

If you are the Responsible Person it s imperative you appoint a competent person to assist in meeting your duties under the fire safety order to ensure fire safety measures including fire doors are kept in working order

Yeoman Shield’s Fire Door Services can help to take the guess work out of fire door maintenance by providing fire door inspections condition reports, remedial work and fire door installation all carried out by FDIS and/or FIRAS accredited team members Having a good maintenance routine will dispel some needs of fire door replacement therefore being more cost effective

ation of Yeoman Shield Fire ction products can also be in the long term financially beneficial by halting impact damage from the start eliminating many repairs in the future and again will extend door lifecycles

Installing Yeoman Shield door protection products such as door protection panels door edge protectors and PVCu glazing bead units will not affect the integrity of the fire door as all products have been tested in situ to the current standard required

Vulnerable frames and architraves can also be protected from impact with Yeoman Shield to prevent dangerous splintering and splitting as well as abolishing the time-consuming, repetitive need for repainting

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

Joerns Healthcare Ups the Anti with Next Generation Stand Assist

Joerns Healthcare s new Oxford Up is a uniquely designed active manual stand aid supporting assisted standing seated transfers and patient rehabilitation Previewed at the Moving and Handling People Conference and OT Show in the latter half of 2022 it commanded a lot of interest and positive review from those who matter

The Up will form part of the Oxford Professional series complimenting the already established Switch Journey and Ascend stand assist solutions Suitable for clients who require some assistance when standing but are able to participate and contribute effort to the process the Up can also be deployed as a useful rehabilitation aid

Manufactured using a combination of steel and aluminium framework the Oxford Up meets or exceeds all applicable design and regulatory standards and unlike other stand assist products it quickly and conveniently dismantles into three separate components This significantly eases storage requirements and facilitates onward transportation in the boot of a car

Reassembly takes a matter of seconds and the Up is ready for use again

Owing to its unique and robust design the Up successfully achieves a safe working load rating of 200kg (31st) Careful attention to component geometry including the single upright mast section, allows for a fully contained footplate, ensuring patients have no risk of toes overhanging the edge and potential conflict with the rear castors or foot opening pedals

Injury reduction fall prevention and ergonomic principles were fundamental considerations during the development phase A large multi-point push handle aids manoeuvrability for the care giver and the foot push pad a common feature on Oxford Professional series products provides a means of generating forward momentum when moving a patient Optimum positioning of the swing-away moulded seat pads and knee support help ensure comfort for the patient Adjustable leg opening allows closer access around furniture promoting improved patient positioning and general ease of use

High-grade castors offer excellent manoeuvrability across many floor surfaces and ensures a smooth and comfortable transfer for both the patient and carer The centralised singular upright mast when compared to comparative products with dual seat posts results in softer transitions over room thresholds and different floor types It effectively serves to dampen the vibration felt through the seat pads culminating in more comfortable and less disconcerting transfers for patients Where additional seated support is required the Oxford Deluxe Standing sling (With Clips) is fully compatible with the Up and available in three standard sizes: small medium and large

order

please contact

Surestop

Making a home safe secure and comfortable can be difficult for those with cognitive impairments long term injuries or medical conditions that cause mobility issues

One of the biggest risks to the home is water damage A brass stopcock is the last line of defence from water damage They are often inaccessible or in a hard-to-reach location What’s more they are susceptible to seizing up If someone is unable to turn off their water in an emergency or when

Just Bowl

When residents enter a care home their daily routine inevitably changes and consequently several forms of physical activity are no longer possible One such activity that is synonymous with older adults is bowls Sadly for many residents when they enter a care home they will no longer be able to enjoy a ‘roll up’ on a sunny afternoon However the Bowls Development Alliance is helping to change that by introducing Just Bowl into the care sector

Just Bowl is a fun easy to play form of bowls that can be used in care homes rehabilitation centres and just about anywhere else Ian McCombes the Just Bowl Manager explains ‘We work with our partners to offer a bespoke training package which is supplemented by our exclusive equipment We provide aftercare support and guidance to ensure that Just

they leave their home even a small leak could cause significant damage to a property

Surestop is a unique device, which works on water pressure No electrics or batteries, enabling the safe management of water use With a flick of the switch, the Surestop instantly turns off the water to a sink, toilet bathroom kitchen or the entire property It is easily installed and a low-cost safety measure that should be considered in every property

The Surestop can be installed by itself or with a remote switch

The Surestop is WRAS approved and is limescale resistant so will never seize

A Surestop is peace of mind for you and your home

Telephone 0121 280 1685

Email enquiries@surestop co uk

See page 5 for details

Bowl is being utilised to its full potential

The team have also been working with Sheffield Hallam University to conduct research to identify what impact Just Bowl has had on residents The findings showed that Just Bowl encouraged inclusivity as 83% of the participants had a disability and 75% of the participants were aged 81-101 years of age It also helped to increase physical activity levels with research showing the average levels increased by 40 minutes per week Just Bowl also created a sociable and fun atmosphere as residents were able to bond whilst playing the game which subsequently lead to an improvement in mental wellbeing and happiness and a reduction in anxiety

Additionally the research established that exercise self-efficacy increased following participation in Just Bowl, which suggests that participants felt more confident in their ability to be physically active

For further information on Just Bowl please visit us at UK Care Week at stand E40 or contact Ian on 07741873233 or ian@justbowl org

Alternatively see the advert on the front cover of this issue

Consort Claudgen Includes Wi-Fi Enabled Heaters in LST Range

Consort Claudgen’s low surface temperature heaters range now includes heaters that are Wi-Fi enabled These heaters connect directly to Wi-Fi and heating can be controlled from the digital control panel on the heater or Consort

Connect app Features include a 7day timer with 24 heating periods per day lock function open window detection and custom automations Users can also view the energy consumption statistics of all connected heaters Additionally LST heaters with Wi-Fi and occupancy sensor have a self-learning control ability which uses in-built occu-

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels for Drug-Free Natural Pain Relief

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy

Gels are natural drug-free topical cold therapy gels for muscular and joint pain

chronic arthritic pain postactivity muscle tension general aches and overuse disorders Easy to use and fast acting BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels relieve pain reduce inflammation and swelling without drugs and drug-related side-effects

BIOFROST® Gels:

BIOFROST® Relief Cold Gel for pain relieving cold therapy

• BIOFROST® Active Dual-Action Cold Gel w th Heat Sensat on comb ning cold with heat to treat back pain

BIOFROST® Relief provides instant pain relief and activates body’s own healing through an optimal combination of natural ingredients including ethanol menthol eucalyptus peppermint and MSM Reported benefits of BIOFROST® Relief include lasting pain relief, improved joint movements, comfort during sleep, fewer cramps calmed nerve pain reduced joint and muscle discomfort and faster post-activity recoveries

BIOFROST® Active is a dualaction fast-acting cold gel with heat sensation for effective relief of muscular and joint pain Containing 10 natural herbal extracts (i e Arnica Burdock Roman Chamomile Garlic Watercress Ivy White Nettle Pine Rosemary Menthol)

BIOFROST® Active relieves chronic pain releases muscular tension loosens stiff joints and effectively treats back pain Benefits of BIOFROST® Active include easier joint movements effective pain relief in treated areas discomfort-free sleep fewer cramps and reduced post-activity muscular and joint fatigue

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are usable standalone or alongside other pain relieving therapies (i e medication physiotherapy etc ) BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are suitable for people of any age including elderly and disabled people living independently or in nursing care

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are Class 1 Medical Devices made in Finland

Win Health Medical Ltd: T: 01835 864864866

E: biofrost@win-health com

W: www win-health com

See the advert on page 3

pancy sensors to detect and learn a user s weekly presence in a room It then creates a heating schedule and automatically warms the room according to the detected or predicted occupancy When the room is unoccupied the heater will conserve energy by switching to a setback temperature or frost protection mode

BIM objects are available for download from Consort s website

01646 692172

sales@consortepl com

www consortepl com

See the advert on page 9 for further information

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

At Cash s we aim to capture reinforce and communicate our clients brand equity through quality and innovation from design to distribution

Our product range fully caters for the needs of both small and large retailers and brand owners alike comprising of woven and printed labels

woven badges care labels branded and promotional swing tags garment accessories packaging and barcoding Our ground breaking labelling and security technologies are also able to provide an unrivalled level of protection to our

Do you know someone who struggles to find shoes or slippers to fit? Cosyfeet, the specialists in extra roomy footwear, can help Wider and deeper than anything on the high street their British designed footwear is expertly crafted to fit and flatter extra wide and swollen feet

Now spring has arrived Cosyfeet s newest collection boasts a fabulous

customers brand by assisting to combat counterfeiting and grey market activity

Our industry leading eCommerce system is designed to reduce cost improve efficiency and streamline supply chain management and will fully protect the integrity and accuracy of critical business data The order entry process is very simple meaning suppliers and vendors can spend their valuable time on tasks other than ordering apparel labelling and accessories

Visit www cashslabels com or page 9

Skopos has 50 years’ experience of supplying specialist contract fabrics and soft furnishings to Care interiors With new collections launched each year, many Skopos fabrics are antimicrobial coming under the umbrella of Skopos ProtectPlus including waterproof upholstery options (specifically for care) soil and stain resist fabrics and printed fabrics for all types of Care environments Skopos can offer a fabric-only service or a full service; with site measure product manufacture and installation The Skopos team produce approximately 25 000 made-up items each year including bed-throws cushions and pairs of curtains all manufactured by a highly-skilled team of machinists cutters and pattern makers; items that are delivered and installed into different contract environments

As with all Skopos prints customers are able to order designs across base-cloths for upholstery curtains and bedding Qualities include waterproof upholsteries velvets drapery linen-effect qualities and

blackout/dimout fabrics

With a target reduction of energy consumption at the forefront of everyone’s agenda Skopos are also pleased to have included a new wide-width double-sided blackout lining into their core offer As an optional choice on all Skopos made-up curtains the Reflection lining can be used in 2 different ways depending on the environment it is specified for On the most-part in the UK the lining will be used with the silver side facing inwards towards the room minimising any heat loss through the curtain With the silver side facing out the lining helps to reflect heat thereby keeping the room cooler The lining can facilitate a substantial reduction in energy bills

Skopos also offers a Bespoke design service for statement interiors that are unique to your environment or brand

For samples of any of our collections www skoposfabrics com or see advert on page 5

Raising the Standard of Stair Climbing Solutions

The Stair Climbing Company is one of the leading providers of powered Stair Climber solutions which have been specifically designed to assist those struggling with mobility and independence issues facing people with disabilities

The Stair Climbing Company offers an excellent range of compact easy to use powered Stair Climbers that are ideal for use in both home and commercial settings Offering innovative designs all of the company s Stair Climbers can be separated into two pieces for safe storage and are easily transported and charged In addition all of its Stair Climber’s come with a two year manufacturer s warranty

The Stair Climbing Company maintains one main

C&S Seating Ltd

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

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

mission; to improve quality of life through its range of high-quality and custom devices with built-in seats

The safety and comfort of its customers is of the utmost importance to the company and it ensures that each wheelchair carrier model is designed to cater to individual customers’ specific needs and works with all stair types Furthermore the company provides Stair Climbers for all ages making them suitable for everyone and offers a free assessment for customers

If you would like to find out any more information, please see the details below T 01787 379160 www thestairclimbingcompany com

See the advert on page 15

C&S Seating Ltd is the sole manufacturer of the Alternative Positioning Support – also available in two sizes which has removable side cushions and middle pommel for when more control of the abducted lower limb is required

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

Contact us on 01424 853331 or visit www cands-seating co uk to request or download a brochure pricelist or order form request an individualised quotation speak to an advisor or to place an order See the advert on page 17

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

As a result a wide range of infection control products and technologies are emerging on the market including antimicrobial technology Angloplas range of dispensers are produced in the world s first proven Antimicrobial PVC with silver ion technology and which is exclusive to Angloplas This helps reduce the risk of cross infection by stopping the growth of bacteria and

mould and works continuously for the lifetime of the product reducing levels of bacteria such as MRSA E Coli Legionella Salmonella and mould by up to 99 99%

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

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

Haigh Engineering

Haigh Engineering is excited to share the success of the latest iteration of bedpan machine, Panaway DS, following its initial roll out across multiple healthcare facilities The feedback received from both users and facilities managers has been overwhelmingly positive and we are pleased to see that the Panaway DS is delivering great value for money through improving sluice room up time and the niche but critical matter of ensuring patient waste disposal compliant Users consistently commented on the Panaway DS s ease of use and dependability when it comes to disposing of medical pulp items and patient waste With the intuitive interface and easy-to-follow instructions sites can perform routine maintenance tasks in house reducing the need for specialist technicians allowing for more efficient timely and cost-effective maintenance Additionally the backward compatibility of the machine has made

the transition from older models seamless with little or no need for costly sluice room re configuring and staff retraining

Facilities managers have been particularly impressed with the Panaway DS s focus on ensuring sluice room up-time With simplified installation maintenance costs and Haigh's well known product reliability the Panaway DS helps departments hit challenging SLAs that are critical to keeping the ever present infection risks associated with waste management under control With the alternative being washing bedpans pots and bottles with steam and hot water high energy costs are meaning that the benefits of bedpan macerators have never been greater Haigh s online cost calculator has been an eye opener for many customers seeing just how many thousands of pounds a year they benefit from by using these types of machine instead on top of the core infection prevention benefits

Complementing Haigh s movables approach to sluice room equipment Panaway DS is proving to be the logical step forward for existing and new customers alike meeting the demanding needs of everything from busy NHS acute wards to private elderly care sites where immobile at risk residents require the highest standard of care The team at Haigh Engineering is looking forward to continued developments in providing our clients with the best for the sluice room

If you would like to find out Haigh's Panaway DS can improve your site please contact the team on info@haighmed com or call 01989 763131 - Option 2

www haighmed com

Buyer Beware Specify CHSA Accreditation

By Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (www CHSA co uk)

Buyers and users of cleaning and hygiene goods and services in the care sector need products that are fit for purpose They need to know product claims are legitimate, realistic and relevant and that ‘what’s on the box is what’s in the box’ They also want to do the ‘right thing’ and move towards environmentally and ethically sustainable solutions But those working in the care sector already have many challenges to deal with, including staff shortages, higher demand and tighter budgets Low-cost solutions are tempting but buyers lack the time, resources and expertise to audit their cleaning and hygiene suppliers and the products they manufacture and sell The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association represents manufacturers and distributors supplying cleaning and hygiene products in the UK Our Accreditation Schemes can provide the solution Our Standards, Your Guarantee

The commercial pressures we all face today are immense Interest rates have steadily increased in recent months and the Bank of England may have to go further to control inflation The war in Ukraine continues It’s impacting the cost of energy, which may have stabilised but is still relatively high This adds to the pressure on care homes, increasing their need for low-cost solutions At the same time it is hugely increasing costs for our members particularly our manufacturing members The opening up of the Chinese economy is also hitting prices Its growth rate may not have bounced back to pre-pandemic levels but the rapid opening up has put pressure on raw materials, driving up the cost

Balancing these economic pressures with delivering good quality fit-for-purpose products is not easy In the past the unscrupulous squared the circle by cutting corners A few sheets shorter or a little narrower with the soft tissue Thinner plastic for the sacks Lower absorbency for the cotton mops Our Accreditation Schemes were set up specifically to protect buyers of cleaning and hygiene products from this type of sharp practice and over the 26 years since the establishment of our first Scheme their impact has been impressive

There will always be rogue traders operating outside our Schemes who are more interested in making a quick buck than in trading ethically It’s a problem made worse by the pandemic, particularly when it comes to cleaning chemicals Extraordinary claims were made for these products, for example that they kept an area clean and sterile for days if not months The truth is different A product may keep a surface sterile for days but only in laboratory conditions with very specific testing protocols In the real world inhabited by people it’s not possible New methods of application were also developed Misting was proposed as quick and effective, but the truth is it is more suited to applying cleaning chemicals in operating theatres than care homes These claims are still made today

The fog created by these misleading claims is now being added to with all sorts of environmental claims that often amount to nothing more than greenwashing A typical example is claims of biodegrability Given the right conditions everything biodegrades into its natural elements but it could take thousands of years The claim means nothing without information on conditions and timeframe Chemical-free cannot be true because everything on earth is comprised of chemicals Non-toxic is meaningless The toxicity of a cleaning product relates to its effect on humans when in direct contact In the real world this depends on what they are for and how they are used For instance, toilet bowl cleaners tend to have higher levels of harmful chemicals than all-purpose kitchen cleaners but because of where and how they are used there is no increased risk to the user

How are hard pressed buyers in the care sector supposed to navigate these challenges and get fit-for-purpose product with good environmental credentials at the right price?

We can help Setting and maintaining standards is in the DNA of the CHSA We set up our first Accreditation Scheme in 1997 and now have six They are for manufacturers of paper-based products plastic-based products cotton-based products and cleaning chemicals for general manufacturers and for distributors of cleaning and hygiene products

The Schemes integrity is maintained by the Independent Inspector In 2022 he conducted more than 139 audits In the process, he inspected over 1,500 labels, tested over 507 product lines and physically tested 4 170 individual products

Every CHSA member has also signed the CHSA’s rigorous Code of Practice, which incorporates the Competition and Markets Authority s Green Claims Code It requires them to “maintain a high standard in the conduct of its business”

The combination of our Code of Practice and Accreditation Scheme membership means ever y member:

• Trades ethically and sustainably; Provides quality, fit for purpose products; and Makes sure what s on the box is what s in the box

Our advice to buyers who want to avoid these problems is simple ‘Be cautious ’

1 Be sceptical It if sounds too good to be true it probably is

2 Ask for supporting evidence The manufacturer should be willing and able to show you data sheets or other relevant evidence to support claims

3 Ask for the CE declaration and any other test reports to show conformance to specification

4 Buy from a reputable supplier with a track record

5 Finally specify CHSA Accreditation Our Standards Your Guarantee

Fall Savers®, are an experienced market leading healthcare provider of resident safety solutions for over 15 years

FALL SAVERS ® WIRELESS MONITOR

Eliminate all cables with our new generation falls management solutions!

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

Benefits include:

Safer for patients; less work for staff

Bed and chair pads ava lable One monitor works with two sensor pads Integrates with most nurse call systems

A variety of opt ons including: Call button Pager

Floor sensor mat

Wireless door/w ndow exit alerts

TREADNOUGHT ®FLOOR

Lotus Care Technology

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

Having many years of experience in fitting and maintaining

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

Visit www lctuk com for details

MONITORING

Medpage Falls Management Products

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

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

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

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

Silent Running - Tranquility in Care Homes

Quiet and calm care homes ensure that residents are able to live in a more relaxing and pleasant home environment Similarly carers and staff find that they too benefit from reduced stress when working in a home where noise levels are kept to a minimum

There are many environmental factors that can affect those sensitive to their surroundings particularly those suffering from dementia these can be fluctuations in ambient temperature light and of course noise Repetitive and high levels of noise can originate from a number of internal and external sources for example telephones ringing loud conversations in corridors, and call bells sounding, often one of the largest contributors to increasing the levels of stress and discomfort

Please

in residents

A published study by the University of Stirling stated that unanswered Nurse Call (Call Bell) alarms can be one of the most common causes of stress in dementia sufferers The University recommends fitting call alarms which alert nurses but do not resonate throughout the whole building Alarms can be particularly disconcerting as they may encourage the person with dementia to respond or investigate what the matter is At the very least the loss of sleep will compromise a person s ability to concentrate It can affect their attention levels and capacity to cope, as well as being detrimental to their overall state of wellbeing Personal paging systems are preferable to bells and buzzers ” Modern Nurse Call systems can incorporate a number of methods to reduce their impact in a care home These include zoning whereby there are separate alarm types used depending upon the location of the call In these circumstances dementia sufferers and those vulnerable to noise can be located in one “zone” whist less vulnerable residents live in an alternative zone Each zone can operate different call tones, warning lights or other methods to alert when help is required

Reducing noise levels is essential to create a tranquil environment for residents Pagers have been around for many years are a relatively simple and cost-effective measure in reducing the levels of noise and can be added to most Nurse Call systems Smart Mobile Devices are now becoming more commonplace for care home staff and hold a variety of apps for care planning e-medication etc Many Courtney Thorne clients are now utilising the Go app with their Nurse Call system With the “Go” app nurse call alarms are delivered immediately and silently straight to the handsets alerting the individual carers to all Nurse call alarms without creating any general alarm sound and rarely disturbing the rest of the residents in the home

Calmer residents ultimately means that staff are less stressed also, this creates a happier workplace where morale is greatly improved, staff are retained and CQC ratings improve Clearly the positive ramifications of a quiet Care Home run deep Get in touch today to find out how we can help your home become a quieter calmer, and more tranquil environment

For more information email us at: info@c-t co uk

www.nursecallsystems.co.uk

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Mainteno is a complete cost-effective CAFM software solution designed to simplify the day-to-day maintenance of any organization Whether you're managing planned maintenance or dealing with fault repairs Mainteno streamlines every aspect of the maintenance management process saving you time and money With Mainteno, you can keep everyone in the loop and archive all your communications and documentation in one place, allowing for total control of your organization's assets The software also seamlessly incorporates asset management and tracking for added convenience

Mainteno s interface was designed with practicality in mind allowing basic operation to be learned in minutes and making it easy to become a power user in just one afternoon Despite its elegant usability Mainteno is surprisingly affordable with no set-up fee or lengthy contracts

Mainteno adapts to any organization's maintenance needs and offers a FREE TRIAL so you can see how it can benefit your organization before committing Try Mainteno now and experience the time and cost savings it can provide for your facilities management With Mainteno, you can enjoy a complete CAFM software solution that simplifies your maintenance processes and saves you money, all while providing the flexibility and ease-of-use you need to stay productive

Visit www mainteno com

Digital Employee Recognition Scheme Increases Morale and Productivity

Terryberry offer an all-in-one benefits reward and recognition platform including milestone and service awards lifestyle savings salary sacrifice cycle to work 24hour GP helpline and pension contributions in an easy-to-use platform

It is commonly accepted that workplace morale is intrinsically linked to productivity and retention With the current cost-of-living crisis rocketing basic food and energy bills Terryberry is helping UK businesses ride the storm

The 360 Employee Recognition software and platform incorporates four aspects into one integrated digital hub: employee benefits milestones and service awards social recognition and wellness

The employee benefit section allows managers and HR staff to incentivise staff through a range of benefits from private healthcare life insurance and GP helplines employee perks such as retail discounts and wellbeing schemes such as cycle to work schemes

We all want to know we re doing a good job; positive recognition bolsters self-esteem and super-

chargers dopamine It s a win-win scenario: employees feel good will stay in their jobs and continue working hard Managers benefit from a happy workplace with staff who feel valued and will go the extra mile

The last section is wellness with Terryberry offering services to support an employee s physical mental and financial wellbeing Through support with Mental health and wellness to online gym classes and help with managing your finances

The 360 Employee Recognition software and platform offers HR departments and business leaders an integrated digital hub to look after the basics: everyday workplace morale with customised calendar events for Christmas Birthdays and retirement occasions This leaves more times for managers to come up with valuable team building sessions whether that s in the boardroom or in the pub!

To start prioritising your employees’ wellbeing today, see the details below

T +44 03448262008

www terryberry com/gb

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

workflows were a key factor in their decision to select PASS

Self sufficiency: With a relatively young IT literate workforce they were keen to work in an environment where they could make simple changes to their digital care management system inhouse without having to go back to the supplier each time

They therefore particularly liked the Document Builder function in PASS which gave them the option to build and customise documents and assessments themselves

THE IMPACT

everyLIFE technologies was founded on a passion for empowering care agencies to deliver the highest standards of personalised care easily and efficiently

Through a secure cloud-based digital care software solution PASS was designed with the input of the industry and now supports over 80 000 people With complete care plans, care plan tracking, care records and online as well as offline alerts we work to make critical data accessible secure and usable for your team

THE COURT NURSING HOME BENEFITS FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF PASS

As well as offering care for older people The Court Nursing Home also supports those with dementia, learning disabilities, mental health conditions physical disabilities and sensory impairment Amongst their staff they employ four registered nurses

WHY PASS?

In moving from paper to digital Court Nursing was seeking a solution that would allow them to streamline their working practices and realise improved operational efficiencies

Flexibility: The powerful core functionality of PASS, along with its flexible approach that supports customisable alerts documents assessments and

With the introduction of PASS Court Nursing has benefited from:

Realtime access from within PASS to their service user s GP records without having to contact the surgery or pharmacy

All of their service users documents stored electronically together in one place

• Ability to create and populate documents from within PASS

• Creating their own bespoke documents

• The Smart Observations function within PASS, making use of the Fluids observations feature for example

"GP Connect has provided continuity of care between ourselves and the GP, giving us access to up to date notes regarding the care of our users

In short PASS GP Connect helps us to cut out the middleman meaning that as nurses we can work more efficiently giving us more time for direct patient care

Rebecca Knight Registered Manager For further information visit www everylifetechnologies com

Please

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Don’t Get Lost On Your Digital Journey

The next 12 months is going to see big changes in the residential care sector With around 50% of homes still using a paper system to plan and record care, The NHS Transformation Directorate have big ideas which whilst exciting are daunting to those without the proper tools to make these ideas a reality

So where to begin? Finding the right software provider might appear to be the ideal starting point Will the provider meet all your requirements within budget and customise the software to fit with your own processes? It s only once you have made this decision that your journey will really begin

There is little information and guidance out there on how to implement a new system into a residential care setting, where do you start?

As with any journey you need a route plan At Ablyss we know one size doesn t fit all We understand there are requirements

unique to our customers and are committed to working together to provide the best service for them We understand that the care landscape is always changing and improving, whether via new processes or new technologies We keep up to date with what our sector needs to ensure we are providing the best and most cost effective service possible

Again, let’s ask: So where to begin? Now we know the answer Find a system provider who will share their experience and knowledge with you and get you to your final destination smoothly and safely

From implementing systems into homes for over 20 years we not only know how to help plan your journey, but we ll be there as your co-pilot too Every step of the way So jump on board and get ready to take off!

For further information on the Blyssful Cloud Care System visit www ablyss co uk

Getting Digitisation Right, Ever y Step Of The Way – Top Tips From The Access Group

Care providers across the UK are digitising their records and processes to free up time improve safety and care quality and even staff satisfaction

When selecting and implementing a piece of care software it is easy to be wowed and carried away by all the advanced features, the impressive analytics, the powerful automation and all the potential that unleashes

However, unleashing that potential requires successful selection, implementation and ongoing use of the system

Care providers often tell us that the involvement ‘buy-in’ and enthusiasm of staff across their care services was crucial to achieving this

Here are a few tips on what to do help you get this right at each stage of the process

SELECTING A SYSTEM:

People working in different roles can offer very different perspectives For example a care worker may spot potential flaws and issues or hidden benefits that might not be apparent to management until it is too late

Create a working group involving staff from different roles within your organisation especially those that will have day to day use of the system you are procuring

You don’t need to involve everyone of course, just at least one representative from each role in your service that will have direct contact with the system you are selecting

From these working groups, draw up a checklist of your must-haves and red flags from your new system It doesn’t need to be an overly complex or extensive piece of work that saps your time and causes delays You just need something that outlines:

What our key goals/objectives are – what we want to get out of using this piece of software

Any key functionality or features any system we choose must have

Any characteristics of a system that we feel would not be a good fit for us BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION:

Once you’ve chosen the right system it is crucial to communicate regularly and openly with everyone across your care services Make it clear why you are implementing this new system, which should come out of your list of goals and objectives

How will it benefit service users, your care service and staff themselves? How will it enable them to provide better care and make their jobs easier or less stressful?

Communication should be two way Be open to questions and concerns from staff Listen as they may have thought of a potential hurdle you haven t spotted yet Respond because often these concerns are shared by colleagues and addressing them properly will help people feel comfortable and confident about the change in ways of working

DURING IMPLEMENTATION

During the implementation of your software maintain the approach to communication outlined above You should also identify ‘champions’ people who are especially enthusiastic about the software and the change it brings Often it s best if champions are care workers especially when care workers are using the software directly

These champions should not only act as an advocate of the software to colleagues, but also as a person who can confidentially hear the concerns or challenges that people are having and work with management and/or the software supplier to address them

YOUR NEXT STEP:

If you want to learn more about the full range of care software available to you then we can help At The Access Group we provide a complete ecosystem of care management software with everything you need to improve efficiency safety and care quality in your services

Contact us for an informal conversation whenever you are ready

See the advert on the facing page for further details

The CAREAudits System

The CAREAudits compliance auditing tool is now being used throughout the UK and Ireland in numerous locations by all care service providers Carers and managers are checking everything from CQC Compliance and Safety to Medication Audits Training and Maintenance as well as service users quality and wellbeing

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

The system has over 150 easy to use example audits to select from which you can easily add to or edit your own audits in minutes ensuring simple instant updates of ever-changing requirements App care auditors can use CAREAudits

with virtually no training it’s that simple The Care Auditor s Hands Free Operation guides the user through each audit each question and answer with its own help text standard answers and standard actions required ensuring

The UK has seen a rise in Social Prescribing Services with many NHS Trusts and local authorities now offering services that connect patients with community activities and voluntary groups

Social prescribing is an alternative to traditional healthcare models, which aims to improve health outcomes by connecting people with the wider community It is also a preventative treatment that can be used alongside other treatments to reduce the need for medication

Social prescribing is one of the most effective ways to provide healthcare to people struggling with mental health problems and it s a practice that has been growing in popularity for the past few years However it s also a relatively new field and there aren t a lot of people who have been trained in this area

If you re looking for a new job or are planning to retrain a career in social prescribing this article will give you an overview of what s involved and how to get started

WHAT IS SOCIAL PRESCRIBING?

Social prescribing is a form of community-based health care that helps people with social or emotional problems improve their health and well-being It involves the assessment of someone's needs, matching them with appropriate services and then supporting them to use those services effectively

Social prescribing has been shown to help people access the right support at the right time and can help to reduce the use of acute services It also improves outcomes for patients as they are more satisfied with their care and experience fewer repeat visits to the hospital or A&E

Social prescribing is a way of helping people access services and support they need but may not know about or have the confidence to access alone It can be used as a treatment for people with long-term conditions or mental health problems such as depression or anxiety Social prescribing can also address loneliness and isolation amongst older people in the community

Social Prescribing is an opportunity for GPs and other health professionals to work with local organisations, such as community groups and voluntary organisations, to help their patients improve their health and well-being The aim is for patients to maintain good health by accessing meaningful activities and meeting their needs

There are three main components: the person who makes the referral; the link-worker who helps the individual choose what kind of help they need and where to find it; and the activity itself

One of the biggest challenges in social prescribing is finding people who are knowledgeable qualified and willing to do it It s also important that they have a good understanding of their local area as well as being able to work with other agencies and professionals

Social prescribers are trained to assess the needs of their patients and connect them with services that can help them address those needs

It s a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on not only physical symptoms but also mental health financial stability and other factors

If you re interested in becoming a social prescriber yourself there are three steps you should take:

1 Learn about social prescribing and its principles so that you can understand what it means to be a social prescriber and how it differs from other approaches to healthcare

2 Complete an accredited training course from Need2Succeed this will ensure that you know what your role as a social prescriber is and how best to serve your community

3 Look for opportunities within your area or network with others working toward similar goals this will help you build a support system while also helping others become interested in social prescribing themselves!

If you d like to learn more about our online distance learning courses or specialist training opportunities don t hesitate to contact us today!

Visit https://need2succeed co uk/national-qualifications/level-3-certificate-in-social-prescribing

& RECRUITMENT

Appreciating Our People

By Jarrod Kelly, Consultant and Trainer, Meaningful Care Matters (https://meaningfulcarematters com)

Without a doubt, the success of a team rises or falls on the people who make up that team Of course, there are other factors which can affect a team’s success; lack of resources, understaffing and a stretched budget to name a few I ve seen teams pull together in incredibly tough circumstances and hit goals or targets that seemed almost impossible I ve also seen teams who are over staffed and very well resourced yet they struggle to achieve even the most basic targets that their roles demand

In the Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace Dr Paul White found that 79% of employees who quit their job cite lack of appreciation as a key reason for leaving Why is it then that so many managers and leaders fail to show meaningful appreciation to their teams? Well in my experience most are trying to show appreciation in one way or another but it is often completely ineffective A failure to understand how to appreciate people well can be frustrating for the leader and soul destroying for the team members

Here are four tips to help make sure your appreciation hits the mark

KNOW THE INDIVIDUAL

Some people respond well to a small gift but others just want to be told they’re doing an amazing job I know people who feel on top of the world when their boss sets aside a few minutes to have a coffee with them and show an interest in their life It won t be the same for everyone but an effective leader will take time to learn what makes their individual team members feel valued

MASS APPRECIATION HAS LIMITED EFFECT

Saying well done to your whole team is great and we should do it but it doesn t acknowledge the achievements or contributions the individuals have made In some cases where there are one or two lazy team members, it can actually lead to resentment from their high performing co-workers Why should lazy employees be rewarded in the same way as hard-working ones? Don t fall into the trap of thinking that a gesture of mass appreciation (like a staff Christmas party) will make the whole team feel valued

THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURNS

What works today will be less effective tomorrow

For example if you give your team members a £100 gift card at the end of the year to say thank you it’s likely to be well received the first year If you do it again the next year they’ll be appreciative but not as much as the year before By the third year they’re expecting that £100 gift card and it s now considered an entitlement rather than a bonus Make sure you mix things up so appreciation remains unpredictable and comes as an unexpected surprise rather than a scheduled entitlement

GIVE APPRECIATION, NOT JUST RECOGNITION

Recognition is given for a job well done What about appreciating someone for who they are not just what they do? This is much less common but so much more powerful It might sound like this; I so appreciate the enthusiasm and life you bring to the team We really value your energy, and the team would be poorer without you Comments like that don t just make people feel appreciated they buy loyalty like you wouldn t believe

Apprenticeships Partnership Could Help Create ‘Managers Of The Future’ For Care Sector

The co-founder of an award-winning management transformation programme believes a new class of apprenticeships could help create managers of the future for the care sector

Laura Ashley-Timms Chief Operating Officer of Notion, believes apprenticeships that increase people management capacity in learners could be transformational for the future of care sector management

Speaking at the start of National Apprenticeship Week Laura says: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) now requires a specific ratio of manager level staff to patients in each care setting But there is a shortage of care workers with the required Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care This reduces capacity in care settings which means hospitals are unable to discharge patients into those appropriate care settings which increases

demand for NHS beds If more care workers were able to access that qualification via an apprenticeship, it would increase care setting capacity and alleviate pressure on the NHS

“These areas are strategically important for the UK economy and for UK society as a whole Creating more and better managers, especially in the adult care sector has the potential to relieve pressure on the NHS Announcing their partnership Qdos Training Ltd and Notion have been working together to integrate STAR® Manager into their management and leadership apprenticeships that are the first to fully embed Notion’s innovative (and now research-backed ) Operational Coaching™ and management approach into selected Level 3 and 5 management and leadership apprenticeships

The partnership is initially focused on three apprenticeship programmes Level 3 Team Leader / Supervisor Level 5 Operations / Department Manager and Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care ”

Speaking of the partnership, Laura Ashley-Timms said

We ve always wanted to partner with a quality apprenticeship provider because we see apprenticeships as a powerful way of unlocking untapped talent and potential within organisations of all types Qdos

Do you have team members who struggle to work together?

Often it can seem team members are poles apart and have different objectives. As we ’ ve worked in the care industry over recent years, we ’ ve found the Ever ything DiSC tools to be a game changer for teams

Training is an exceptional provider and has a very impressive programme completion rate

Deborah Johnson Engagement Director at Qdos Training says of the partnership:

“We share Notion’s absolute passion to create the managers of the future Most of us are accidental managers and may not have ever been shown how to manage people let alone learned how to communicate in a way that invites the highest levels of collaboration in the workplace STAR® Manager is a unique approach that enables our apprentices to put into practice the people management and leadership theories they re learning The programme enables them to be more than just managers and instead become brilliant people leaders ”

STAR® Manager was recently subjected to one of the largest academic studies of its type The study carried out by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the Government s Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy found statistically significant proof that the programme improves retention rates and transforms management capability at scale in as little as six months

Website: https://starmanager global/what-is-star/ Contact: hello@STARmanager global

Meaningful Care Matters can assist in developing leadership skills in a person- centred, feelings first, and emotion- centred way MCM is the only health and social care provider registered internationally as a partner with Everything DiSC It has Leadership Coaches ready to support individual needs in becoming aware of emotional intelligence factors to enhance leadership skills.

Ever ything DiSC helps people to understand themselves and appreciate the differences in other team members We may have different motivators and stressors, varying priorities, ways of interacting and working styles

Check out the three tools we can use to help your team work together in a more cohesive way

How

does it work?

Each participant completes an online questionnaire which then produces a comprehensive personalised report helping us to tailor the training to your team’s needs Contact us today to discuss how we can help you through individual coaching via Zoom or group training sessions in person using the Ever ything DiSC tools

Contact us today to find out how we can help your team admin@meaningfulcarematters.com

01273 242335

Check out more information on our Website: www.meaningfulcarematters.com/coaching-tools/

PROFESSIONAL , TRAINING & RECRUITMENT

Braemar Finance Business Barometer – Care Homes

Braemar Finance recently conducted its latest Business Barometer research which examines current Care Home sector trends and the view of business-owners about a range of issues from the cost of doing business to recruitment and retention

In this piece we get under the skin of the data to find out more

COST OF DOING BUSINESS

The cost of energy has had – by some distance – the most impact on Care Homes income with 56% selecting this option Staff pay rises (16%) supply costs (12%) and fuel increases (10%) are the next most cited

Unsurprisingly 89% of Care Homes said they were taking measures to reduce their energy use including in order of most popular measures: Turning off the lights overnight

Replacing equipment with more energy-efficient alternatives

Looking at alternative heating and energy sources

Lowering the heating

• Changed energy supplier

Insulating your building

Unfortunately a quarter of Care Homes confirmed that they had considered closing their business as a result of rising costs and 33% said that they had made redundancies because of the impact of rising costs

Seven out of 10 firms surveyed admitted to passing on additional costs to their customers either partially (60%) or fully (10%)

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

Looking at staff vacancies and the impact of the recruitment and the

retention crisis 61% of Care Homes replied that they currently have a vacancy to fill the highest of all the professions polled A further 49% said they ve struggled to fill vacancies in the past 12 months

When asked how long it took to hire a candidate results indicate it typically takes up to four months:

Less than a month

1-2 months

3-4 months

More than 6 months

Sixty percent of Care Homes say there is a skills crisis in the sector, and a similar number are currently finding it more difficult to fill vacancies

Looking ahead to recruiting in the future, respondents said:

I won t have a problem recruiting adequately skilled staff 33 50%

I will struggle to recruit because there is a skills gap in my sector

43 00%

I will struggle to recruit because there is a skills gap in my region

10 50%

I will struggle to recruit because there is a skills gap in the UK

13 00%

THE UK’S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

The majority (93%) of Care Home businesses surveyed responded that they were either ‘very’ (43%) or ‘somewhat’ (50%) concerned about the UK’s current economic performance Despite this, 16% expected to

The Eden Alternative - What Is It?

The Eden Alternative is fundamentally a modern ‘philosophy of care which at its core is designed to enhance the wellbeing of residents and staff in care settings, the quality of their lived experience and their fulfilment

It aims to build a truly positive culture; underpinned by close partnership working between residents the team and family members

It is also designed to empower members of the care team to think innovatively about practice, to enhance their fulfilment and strengthen retention

It is worth spending 10 minutes to see the Eden Alternative in practice https://youtu be/qK3vTbckZMw

How does it work? It provides training to Care Homes, management and staff and encourages Homes to train their own in house trainers to run the programme if they wish

The philosophy is designed to develop a positive and vibrant culture

empower members in developing a care partnership and help Providers to deliver on their ambitions

How long has Eden been going? Eden has been running such training in over 20 countries on 5 continents for nearly 30 years and started in the USA It began operating in the UK in 2005

Eden UK runs both face-to-face training and online courses which both lead to the accreditation of candidates as Certified Eden Associates, of which there are over 2 000 in the UK and 20 000 worldwide

The Certified Eden Associate Courses The online course runs over 6 weeks x 1hr each week covers the same material as the 3-day Eden Associate courses and comprise 5 elements

a 6 Online live 1-hourly tutorials running weekly

b Working through the Eden Associate workbook

c A series of relevant Eden Video clips

d An Eden course questionnaire to assist learning

e Development of an individualised project that candidates work on to develop innovative ideas

The training sessions can be completed whilst at work or from home Courses dates and frequency The 6-week course runs continuously and a new one starts at the beginning of each alternate month e g

expand in the coming 12 months against 21% who think they will contract 62% hope to stay the same – only 1 5% think they ll close their door permanently

Over nine in 10 (91%) of respondents confirmed they d been impacted by rising inflation and 70% admit it s likely they ll apply for funding within the year

THE ENVIRONMENT

Despite the economic headwinds they’re facing 67 5% of Care Homes are working to limit their environmental impact and 77 5% have considered climate change and other environmental factors within their business plans

82% believe that they can help tackle climate change and a further 18% believe they can achieve carbon neutrality by 2050

NEW TECHNOLOGY

Half of respondents are looking to invest in new technologies over the course of the next year and 65% of Care Homes stated they feel keeping up-to-date with modern technologies is a key differentiator for customers and a reason they may choose their Care Home over a competitor

80% of Care Homes are confident about being able to keep ahead of technological developments within the profession

Braemar Finance has been established since 1992 and offers a range of tailor-made finance solutions to the Professions including Care Dental Veterinary Optical Legal Accountancy Medical Pharmacy and Funeral For more information visit https://www braemarfinance co uk/care Methodology

A l f gures unless otherw se stated are from a Censuswide survey conducted n February 2023 The survey canvassed the op n on of over 1 200 sen or members of the professions across the UK on a range of issues affect ng the r bus nesses

March May July etc

Each weekly online session runs for 1 hour

An Eden “Train the Trainer” course refresher courses and 1 day introduction courses will typically run after the Eden Associate course

Validation of Care Services Care Homes and community care services are validated by an annual online process the cost of which is covered by an annual subscription

Quality Assurance Eden trainers are committed skilled and experienced trainers and deliver training in person or online externally or in house Training is monitored through a variety of methods including Associate training feedback which is regularly obtained and appraised Eden Trainers meet regularly to update course and material innovation

In recognition of the progress achieved by the care provision an award of Platinum Gold Silver or Bronze can be awarded

Eden UK team

The Eden UK team comprises Geoffrey Cox CEO Margot Whittaker Director Sam Bailey Kelly Boweren Kathy Smith

The office is based at 11 Plantation Terrace Dawlish Devon EX7 9DS - 01626 868192 or 07483359472

The key advantages are:

• It improves occupancy

It improves recruitment and retention

• It improves teamwork

Geoffrey Cox LLb MSc

We shall on stand E44 at the Care and Dementia Expo, 22/23 March NEC Birmingham