Issue 56 12.05.21
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Association supports fee waiver calls THE United Kingdom Homecare Association has added support to calls for registration fees for homecare workers to be waived by the Government in Wales. In last week’s Caring UK Weekly we reported how in April 2020 homecare workers in Wales were required to become registered with the statutory regulator, Social Care Wales, in order to work in social care. An earlier, voluntary, registration fee of £20, increased to £25 and has now increased to a compulsory £30 per care worker. Currently the registration fee requirement only applies to homecare workers. Staff working in care homes are not required to register until October 2022, nor do others working in social care, such as those working as directly employed personal assistants. Registration is also not required for comparable roles in the NHS. The UKHCA is now supporting care workers calling for the £30 registration fee to be waived this year. Policy director Colin Angel said: “We support the registration of the social care workforce, as it is intended to improve their recognition as professionals. “However, the application
of a £30 fee currently places homecare workers at a financial disadvantage to their colleagues in social care and health. “The pandemic has been an emotionally demanding and physically exhausting year for front-line homecare workers, and the high quality support they deliver continues to be vital. “We need to retain our experienced and dedicated staff and attract new people with the right values to provide the care we all expect when we need it. “UKHCA supports homecare workers in Wales and calls for the Welsh Government to waive the £30 fee this year and ensure future fee arrangements are equitable.” Keri Llewelyn, managing director of All Care and a UKHCA member, added: “£30 may not seem a lot of money to some but to those care workers at the lower end of the wages spectrum it is a big chunk out of their household budget for little immediate benefit. “What we do not want is to put barriers in the way of our ability to recruit high standard new employees. “This register was conceived with good intentions but currently the fees structure has caused discontent.”
Challenges raise funds for charity
Residents at a Somerset care home enjoyed a reminiscence session and craft activities to celebrate how much they respect the nurses who support them – and nurses up and down the country – on International Nurses’ Day today (May 12). A couple of the residents living with dementia at Camelot House and Lodge in Wellington shared their memories of working as nurses when they were younger. Resident Pam Francis is pictured doing syringe art. The team supported residents to make – and wear – nurses’ hats, talked about equipment that nurses use and had interesting discussions about their internal organs, including a little quiz on the subject. The residents also had a fun session making colourful art pieces using syringes containing diluted food colouring. Resident Pam Francis is pictured doing syringe art.
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RESIDENTS at Royal Star & Garter have raised money for the charity by taking part in a series of challenges inspired by NHS hero Captain Sir Tom Moore. They were participating in the national Captain Tom 100 challenge, which aims to build on the legacy of Captain Tom, who last year raised millions for the health service by walking in his garden. Following his death earlier this year, aged 100, The Captain Tom Foundation teamed up with the organisers of the London Marathon to encourage fundraisers to take part in their own challenges around the number 100. Senior community fundraiser Lauren Baker said: “Residents and staff in our Homes wanted to do something to be part of the Captain Tom 100 challenge. “And the Central Services team from our Hampton office also wanted to do their bit. It’s great to raise money and celebrate Captain Tom at the same time.” At the charity’s High Wycombe Home, residents completed a 100lap challenge around the garden fountain, while in the Solihull Home they finished a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle in 100 minutes, and covered 100 miles on outings over the weekend. In the Surbiton Home, residents wrote down 100 words of kindness. Staff at the Central Services Office also took part, walking a combined distance of 100km.
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Radis Community Care has appointed a new manager to its founding Visiting Care branch in Reading. Russell Paul, who has a wealth of experience working with young people, will manage a team of more than 30 care workers who work in the local community to support people in their own homes. Radis, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is one of the largest care providers in the UK and prides itself on being a family run business that places clients’ needs at the heart of its business model. Russell’s education and management career spans over 17 years with a diverse range of skills ranging from project management through to business development.
Exemplar Health Care has announced the appointment of Dr Graham Rich as its new chairman of the Board. As part of his role, Graham will be supporting the Board to develop and implement the company’s strategic plan. He will work with the existing leadership team and advise on clinical governance, external stakeholder management and digital transformation. Graham has a wealth of experience in chair and non-executive director roles across the healthcare and technology sectors. He started his career as a GP and has held a series of senior leadership positions including CEO of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, CEO of West Hull Primary Care Trust and director of health services for Boston Consulting Group. Graham was most recently appointed chairman of Healios, a rapidly growing technology enabled service for children and young adults with mental and neurodevelopmental issues. A new manager has taken the helm at King’s Manor Care Home in Ottery St Mary, Devon, with exciting plans to build even more relationships with the community. Marita Westaway brings a wealth of experience having worked in the care sector for 20 years, latterly as a home manager in Honiton. As well as bringing fresh energy and seeking to build on successes within the home, she is planning to extend King’s Manor’s long-standing tradition of working with the wider community too. Previously community engagement work has included sponsoring the town’s Food and Families Festival, with the home’s chef giving a cooking demonstration at the 2019 event, and joining the Rotary Club, which moved the start of its Christmas Santa Sleigh run to the home. Ottery’s amateur dramatic society has also been allowed to rehearse their panto in the home’s cinema space. Charlene Frodsham has joined the team at the Belong Wigan care village, taking up the post of experience coordinator and working alongside residents and colleagues to provide a creative programme of meaningful occupation via events, one-to-one and group activities. Initially from a customer service background, Charlene’s enthusiasm and cheerful nature prompted her to take on the role of community champion for the supermarket brand Asda. It was here that her talent shone as she organised community challenges and fundraising activities for local groups and charities, including those which provide dementia care and support for adults with learning disabilities. When donating board games to Belong, she was ‘blown away’ by their set-up, which far exceeded her expectations of a typical care provider. Two new marketing and communication professionals have joined Careline Lifestyles, an independent provider of nursing and residential care who operate nine homes from Teesside to North Northumberland. Bronwyn Mogie (pictured) joins the company as their marketing and communications manager after a career with some of the world’s biggest advertising agencies in London where she produced work for brands such Google and Unilever. Her latest role was with the marketing team at Northern Gas and Power helping them become the fastest growing business in the north. Nick Mitchinson has taken up the role of communications officer. With a background in digital marketing and a specific expertise in social media management and analysing and enhancing campaign performances, he is looking forward to creating a new digital presence for the company.
Cornerstone Healthcare has appointed Deborah Bailey as commercial director and a key member of the senior management team. Deborah has more than 20 years’ experience in senior healthcare management roles. She started her career as a nurse, quickly progressing to primary roles within the NHS, where she spent more than 10 years as a senior manager in clinical commissioning. More recently Deborah has been instrumental in the growth of several private sector organisations in high level business development roles. Deborah will be joining the senior management team and will play a pivotal role in the next stage of the company’s ambitious growth plan. Cornerstone Healthcare Group Ltd operates three specialist nursing homes in Hampshire and Surrey and has further homes in development in Somerset and Bristol. apetito has appointed Jethro Lawrence, former head chef at the 2 AA Rosette Woolley Grange Hotel and BBC MasterChef: The Professionals’ quarter finalist, to the role of development chef within its business. Jethro will be working closely alongside the company’s in-house dietitian Emily Stuart and the existing team of chefs headed by Phil Rimmer. His appointment is set to drive further value and innovation into the menu line up for residents across the company’s growing customer base. Jethro was initially one of five top chefs that were handpicked during the pandemic to help develop the highly successful Culinary Inspirations range for apetito, in what was described as ‘a unique approach to product development’.
Aldringham Court near Leiston, part of Healthcare Homes, has announced the appointment of its new manager, experienced care specialist Sarah Robertson. She spent time working in childcare for Suffolk County Council before becoming an NVQ assessor and verifier. Losing her mother influenced her decision to instead pursue a career in nursing, specialising in acute haematology and oncology. She took on a new role managing a team of care staff delivering end-of-life care to people in their own homes and developed the staff training. She has also managed a nursing home in Lowestoft that supported 60 people and led the home’s significant improvement in its Care Quality Commission rating, supporting its position as a preferred provider of end-of-life care. Sarah hopes to build on the home’s positive reputation and to raise awareness of the support it provides to people in the community requiring care.
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Irene celebrates centenary with writing trophy A 100-year-old woman from Crewe has won the Grow Old Disgracefully writing competition with a vivid childhood memory of being saved by a bathtub, almost a century ago. Irene Schofield, a resident of Belong Crewe care village, impressed a panel of judges with her ‘Saved by a bathtub’ story, a true recollection starring her four-year-old self, and took away the accolade for authors who reside in care facilities, proving the value of sharing memories, however old they may be. Set on a warm summer’s day, the tale recalls a young Irene sneaking out of an afternoon nap to finish cleaning bedroom windows her mother had begun washing before leaving to attend to a visitor. Having lost her balance on the windowsill, the helpful toddler toppled 40 feet, landing safely in a tin bath dedicated to her brothers’ mining work clothes. Once she was located, checked-over and cuddled by her horrified mother, a now dirty Irene was sent for a cleanup, ironically, this time in the family’s bathtub. She said: “I never did get thanked for cleaning those windows. I’ve always
been better at telling stories than writing them. “When working as a shop assistant years ago, every time I’d dress and wash the windows, I’d think about what happened to me. I thought other people would enjoy reading about my mischief, and so decided to share it with the world. It’s amazing that I won, I’m still in shock – I’ve never been famous before.” The competition was set up by The Grow Old Disgracefully Charitable Trust and invited the over 90s to pen short stories to the theme of childhood anecdotes, with a judging panel made up of BAFTA-winning film actress Virginia McKenna; children’s author, Lauren St John; BBC broadcaster Nicholas Owen; crime writer Peter James; and Scottish literary agent Judy Moir. Kathryn Farmer, general manager at Belong Crewe, added: “We’re ever so proud of Irene’s win. It just goes to show that a good story can stand the test of time. “Her win has inspired our other residents to regale us with a number of personal tales, many of which involve them growing old a little disgracefully.”
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Residents complete personal challenges for MS charity RESIDENTS and staff at Meadow House nursing home in Swaffham, Norfolk have completed a series of activities and personal challenges to raise £400 for the Multiple Sclerosis Trust charity as part of a national MS Awareness Week. The home, which is part of Healthcare Homes, provides residential and nursing care for residents with a range of physical disabilities and specialises in the care of those living with MS. The Meadow House team hosted a range of personal challenges and activities for the awareness week, which traditionally has a ‘blue’ theme. These included karaoke, bingo, games, tombola and a raffle, as well as personal challenges with sponsored walks, indoor cycles and even waxing. Manager Joanna Jankowska said: “Meadow House enjoyed a fantastic
week raising money for the MS Trust; a charity that is very close to our hearts. Everyone really got behind the various activities and fundraisers to raise money for vital research. “I would like to personally mention our resident Lavanda Norgate who walked around the home for 12 miles and cycled 14 miles, which is just fantastic. In addition, our maintenance specialist Chris bravely volunteered to have his chest waxed at the end of the week. “To raise £400 is an amazing accomplishment; thank you to everyone who sponsored, donated, bought raffle tickets and took part to make the week so much fun and for such a great cause.” Since 2016, Meadow House has raised more than £3,800 for the MS Trust through a variety of home and community-based fundraising activities, including a parachute jump.
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Government’s ‘lip service’ to care in Queen’s Speech THE Government paid lip service to social care in the Queen’s Speech, betraying hundreds of thousands of older and vulnerable people who cannot get the care they need, campaigners say. The Independent Care Group is furious that plans for social care reform were once again delayed as the Government set out its plans. It is calling for plans to be set out immediately and the Government to be held accountable for their delivery. Chair Mike Padgham said: “How dare the Government delay reform of social care yet again? “Older and vulnerable people have been betrayed and reform has been pushed down the road to some indeterminate time. “Yes, social care was mentioned in the Queen’s Speech but in reality, the Government was just paying lip service to the reform that is now so long overdue. “If the Government is so committed to reforming social care, as the Prime Minister and other ministers keep telling us they are then we need to see it happen. We need some accountability and the Government to be held to account if it fails to deliver.
In the Queen’s Speech the Government said it would bring forward proposals on social care reform. But Mike said that wasn’t good enough. “We have had too many promises and pledges, we now need to see action,” he added. “We need the Government to set out what it plans to do and set strict deadlines as to when it is going to do it, so that it is accountable to the hundreds of thousands of people who are being failed by this Government today and every day.” Mike’s comments were echoed by Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England. He added: “This is a missed opportunity. Without the much needed, not to mention heralded, reform it is questionable as to how much longer the sector can be expected to limp on. “A sector that supports and employs vast swathes of the population cannot be ignored. “We stand ready and willing to help the Government deliver its manifesto commitment, but the Health and Care Bill which has a focus on the NHS, is not the vehicle to deliver this
huge shift as it will not produce the system change that is necessary to ensure the future sustainability of the sector. “Sadly, we have been here before and it is simply unfathomable as to what will influence the Government to bring about reform; surely they can’t be waiting for provider failure and further chaos in the already overstretched NHS. “The oven-ready plan is truly burning, or maybe the Government forgot to ever put it in the oven.” Nadra Ahmed OBE, executive chairman of the National Care Association, said she was disappointed by the lack of commitment in the Queen’s Speech by the government to address the reform of social care. She added: “It will take a politician of great vision and passion to address the reformation of social care. “Someone who understands that the neglect of a service that supports the most vulnerable members of our society is like a cancer which is not being treated. “I feel deeply disappointed that despite our fragility pre pandemic our sector has fought a frontline battle over the past year to support
those who were most at risk and this administration has failed to create a roadmap to reform and support. No timescales can only mean that little thought has gone into this far.” And Vic Rayner, CEO of the National Care Forum, said the lives of millions of people now hang on the phrase ‘Proposals on social care reform will be brought forward’ that were uttered in relation to a reform priority for social care. “This is such a missed opportunity to make a number of core things really clear,” she added. “The first is that the Government recognises just how central social care is to rebuilding communities, enabling all of its citizens to live the fulfilling lives that they want and to the ability of the NHS to function. “The second is that the social care we have now is not working for all who need it and that we owe those citizens a duty to make it better now and to commit to investing and developing social care fit for the future. “Finally, that this is the moment to be bold and ambitious and confident that if we make the right choices now, we can make a transformational change to the lives of millions.”
How one manager brought joy to elderly residents during lockdown A CARE home manager who has dedicated more than half her life to social care has been named a Healthcare Hero in a nationwide search celebrating key workers. Danielle Bullent from Gorleston-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth has been awarded the accolade in Quinyx’s inaugural Workforce Heroes Awards. She was nominated by her colleagues from Laurel Lodge residential home in Norwich and her former manager from Park House in Great Yarmouth. Danielle was involved in organising a surprise anniversary celebration for Derek and Phyllis Mapes. The couple, both aged 90, were unable to celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary as they had been apart for eight months because of lockdown. After Derek joined Phyllis at Laurel Lodge in the autumn, Danielle and the team organised a special meal with entertainment, to commemorate the occasion. The 35-year-old mum-of-two began working in the care industry as a care assistant, aged just 17. Steadily progressing up the career ladder, in October 2019 she accepted the role of manager with the Black Swan Care Group home, after completing an NVQ in Leadership and Management. After only 12 weeks in the new position, the coronavirus pandemic hit. Danielle recalls how the past year has been challenging but how she is extremely proud of keeping the care home Covid-free, while prioritising residents’ mental health and wellbeing and maintaining a positive environment for all. Describing work as “her passion”, she said: “I was new to the role and there were many different protocols and procedures to implement around infection control, PPE and safeguarding residents because of the virus outbreak – so it was a lot to get my head around at the start! “There were some real lows – residents missed their families, and the team was faced with significant additional pressure. But looking back they did, and are still doing, a tremendous job. I couldn’t be prouder.” To keep spirits high amongst her workforce of 39, Danielle introduced regular group chats for her team on WhatsApp so everyone could air their thoughts and feelings, while being commended on their achievements. The team could also take advantage of pizza treats and sweet baskets, for when they worked late
Jeannette Henderson and family. or needed a little pick-me-up. The addition of a ‘You Matter’ display, which featured helpful local information and support services and a breakdown of the ‘who’s who’ of the head office team, proved particularly popular with Danielle’s colleagues. Making this difficult time a little easier to bear for the 30 residents and their families, Danielle organised daily Zoom chats between loved ones and ensured the weekly schedule of activities included something for everyone, from cooking or dancing to a music session. A former majorette, she put on a baton twirl show for residents and hand-delivered them all biscuits and a rose on Valentine’s Day. Danielle’s idea of a wishing tree, for the community to share their hopes and aspirations, resulted in one palliative care resident getting a signed Wolves shirt that he had always longed for and signed autographs from his favourite players. And at the end of last year, memory books were created for the families of those who had sadly passed away. The keepsakes featured images of the resident along with messages and memories from the care home team. Enquiries: Visit https://www.quinyx.com
Home’s residents make most of lockdown easing with outings RESIDENTS of Balhousie Care Group are making the most of the easing of lockdown restrictions to take trips with loved ones and have family get-togethers. With the recent change of rules around travel and socialising, the care home group trialled out-ofhome visits between residents and their relatives. Sheilah Harvey, head of operations at Balhousie Care Group, said: “The easing of travel and socialising restrictions meant the time was right to trial out-of-home visits between residents and their relatives and friends. “We’re grateful to our relatives for
working with us to ensure safe and happy outings. “We really hope our local communities will continue to follow Government guidelines so that all of our care home residents can confidently and safely enjoy time again outside of the homes.” One of the first to enjoy the easing of restrictions was Jeannette Henderson, a resident at Balhousie Brookfield care home in Carnoustie, Angus which ran the pilot scheme. Jeannette travelled by car to her daughter Sara’s home, also in Carnoustie, where she enjoyed an afternoon in Sara’s garden with her family.
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Afternoon tea dished up for key workers STAFF at De Brook Lodge care home in Urmston have been providing local key workers with a tasty afternoon tea to support fellow pandemic heroes. The care team wanted to show their appreciation to all of their fellow local key and frontline workers, landing on a unique lunchtime delivery initiative to say thank you for all they do within the community. Along with the residents they were able to nominate their ‘pandemic heroes’ to receive a free lunch grabbag. With lots of suggestions, the team set to work putting together tasty lunch bags which were themed on a classic afternoon tea, which included, sandwiches, pork pies, sausage rolls, salad, miniature cakes and a freshly made scone with jam and cream, as well as a touching thank you letter. Care manager Corinna Clews said: “We have received so much positive feedback about our lunch deliveries, and I am just pleased to know that maybe the reason a key worker is smiling is because of our team. “I am really looking forward to the day we can invite the community back into our home and celebrate the lifting of restrictions together.” Afternoon tea lunch bags have been delivered every week for the
Old Raven House’s gardener Lee Burnham with activities lead Helen Wise.
Care home buries lockdown capsule The care team wanted to show their appreciation to all of their fellow local key and frontline workers past six weeks to people working in key roles across a multitude of sectors including the emergency services, paramedic teams, local GP practices, chemists and pharmacies, postal service, refuse collectors, funeral homes and even teachers at local primary schools.
OLD Raven House in Hook near Basingstoke has commemorated the recent easing of lockdown restrictions by planting a time capsule in the home’s garden. The residents and staff filled the time capsule with written notes of their thoughts about life during a pandemic, items of PPE and a Covid testing kit, and buried it in the garden underneath a rose bush, a highly scented climbing rose, chosen by the residents. Burying the time capsule was arranged by the home’s activities lead Helen Wise, who wanted to organise something meaningful to help staff
and residents begin to move on from a tumultuous year. She said: “We have spent a lot of time reflecting on the past year with our staff and residents and planting a time capsule seemed like the perfect activity for everyone to get involved in. “We found that writing our thoughts down on paper was therapeutic and we really hope that someone finds the capsule and learns all about our firsthand experiences of the pandemic.” Recent easing of lockdown restrictions has allowed the home to facilitate indoor visits with a resident’s nominated visitor.
Residents get in on the act for Shakespeare’s birthday DRAMA-loving care home residents held celebrations fit for a bard as they marked Shakespeare’s birthday with performances of plays, sonnets and poems. Colten Care homes in Dorset and Hampshire staged their own mini versions of his most famous works, complete with costumes and props. At Whitecliffe House in Blandford, residents and staff acted out scenes from Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Resident Sybil Fish, who played Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet, said: “Doing these performances has been most enjoyable and made us use our grey matter to remember the lines. “Practice makes perfect. It took me back to my school days. When I was in the school play I always had to play the man.” For Ruth Horrocks, it was an opportunity to make her ‘stage debut’ at the age of 88. After playing the part of Juliet, she said: “I feel quite proud of myself for doing it.” Fellow resident Coralie Jackson, who played one of the witches in Macbeth, said: “I remembered many of the lines from having studied the play at school, especially ‘double, double, toil and trouble’”.
The witches from Macbeth brought to life at Colten Care’s Whitecliffe House in Blandford. Left to right: residents Coralie Jackson and Shirley Thomson and Companionship Team member Debbie Easter. Residents also enjoyed the hilarity Team member Caroline Pugh, who of a staff rendition of A Midsummer combined the rhyming couplet style Night’s Dream with both home of Shakespeare with some more manager Chris Lee and operations topical phrases. manager Peter Doyle taking part. For example, when Romeo thought All performances were coordinated Juliet had died, not realising she was and scripted by Companionship asleep, Caroline wrote: “Now this
is where confused thoughts start to roam, For the plague (just like Covid) had kept the messenger at home.” She added: “Several of our residents remember reading the plays at school, while for others it was their first opportunity to explore them. “For one or two as well, it was their first opportunity to do a little acting. Lots of people wanted to play the parts of the witches in Macbeth and they were excited about their witches’ hats.” At Colten’s Court Lodge in Lymington, residents were invited to dress up as a famous person from any era and have a conversation at a specially created ‘Billie Bard Inn’ with Shakespeare himself. The party atmosphere included appearances by characters including Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Pam Ayres and Florence Nightingale. Julia Puia, Companionship Team member, said: “It was a very entertaining way to wish a happy 457th birthday to William Shakespeare. “Everyone got into character, dressing up and doing accents with their lines.” Historians believe Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564 and died on the same day in 1616 aged 52.
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