Issue 109 08.06.22
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Masks may still be required in Welsh homes SOME Welsh care homes may still require people visiting relatives or friends to wear masks – depending on the level of risk to residents. That was the message from Care Forum Wales, which represents nearly 500 social care providers, after the Welsh Government revealed they were lifting all remaining Covid restrictions. Chief executive Mary Wimbury said there was still “nervousness” in the sector because they were looking after extremely vulnerable people whose health and wellbeing was paramount. She added: “I think the lifting of restrictions is a step back to the normality that everyone wants. “There’s going to be a mixture of emotions. There will be delight for people who are going to be able to see people’s smiles again in care homes in a way they haven’t been able to for over two years but there’s also going to be a level of nervousness. “It’s impossible to overestimate the trauma that people in the sector have gone through so it is going to have to be risk assessed in each setting, depending on people’s vulnerabilities and how you manage it. “It’s always been about finding the right balance. “We understand why the restrictions have continued because of the vulnerabilities of people living in care settings. “Everyone’s an individual so
those vulnerabilities vary but if you’re going into someone’s own home, that’s their choice. “If you’re going into somewhere that is the home of a number of people, then you have to balance those risks to everybody. “That’s why we have had different requirements for seeing care home residents in their rooms as opposed to a communal area during the last period.” The Welsh Government said the public health situation had continued to improve over the last few weeks. Until now Wales was the last part of the UK with Covid restrictions still in place but the Welsh Government said the public health situation had continued to improve over the last few weeks. However, guidance will remain in place strongly recommending the use of face coverings in health settings to help protect the most vulnerable. Mary added: “My understanding is that the guidance is going to give us a steer on risk assessments and it is going to be for each provider to risk assess. “It may be there will be different requirements in different areas of the home. “What we can say across the piece is that this is an opportunity to move back towards normality but to do that safely.”
Operator is a Living Wage employer
Signature at Bassett joined the nation to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Residents at Bassett got involved by creating decorations and various craft artwork such as handmade bunting, cards featuring the corgi, painting plant pots with the Jubilee logo as well as bags. The care home also had the pleasure of hosting children from local The Gregg Preparatory School who came in and got involved with making the bunting to mark the special occasion. Central to this was a Big Jubilee High Tea party complete with Union Jack bunting, entertainers and a high tea menu featuring sandwiches and a Union Jack Cake designed by Signature’s nutrition and hydration team. n For a full round-up of Jubilee activities from care homes around the UK turn to pages 4 and 5.
HARTFORD Care has been accredited as a Living Wage Employer. Their Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at the operator’s 16 care and nursing homes across the south of England receive a minimum hourly wage of £9.90 in the UK. The rate is significantly higher than the government minimum for over 23s, which currently stands at £9.50 per hour. Chief executive officer Sean Gavin said: “As we continue growing and thriving as a company, we want to show a positive commitment to our incredible teams who work tirelessly to keep our residents safe and especially over the past two years during the pandemic. “We make significant investments in our staff through our bespoke training and development programmes. “We hope that offering the Living Wage will be another incentive for more passionate, dedicated people to come and join Hartford Care. “This is along with all the other current benefits we provide including Wagestream, access to a GP service and Hartford Rewards.” The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to the costs of living. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that wish to ensure their staff earn a wage they can live on, not just the government minimum. Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 300,000 people and put more than £1.6bn extra into the pockets of low paid workers.
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