Issue 75 22.09.21
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Owner has to draft in staff with Covid A CARE home was forced to draft in staff who have Covid19 because it had nobody else to care for its 12 residents. The scenario happened at the Caledonia home in Holyhead where 11 of the residents have coronavirus themselves. Owner Ann Bedford said the 15-bed home which specialises in dementia care only survived the weekend because two members of staff who had tested positive for Covid agreed to man the night shift, caring for the residents who also have the virus. She took the desperate step after being told by the Isle of Anglesey Council that they did not have anybody available that they could send to help. She said: “Even before Covid impacted on us, residential homes were struggling to recruit and now there is absolutely no spare capacity in the system, nowhere to turn. “I have never known a situation as bad as we faced over the last weekend. As a matter of course we have contingency plans in place to cope in emergencies but even these buckled under the strain. My heart sinks when I think about for the weeks and months ahead. “We felt abandoned and alone. I called on social services for help but they were facing their own emergencies.
The shortage of carers on Anglesey is at dangerous levels and is being intensified by the pandemic. According to Ann, there was already a recruitment crisis in social care before the pandemic began and the problem was now even worse. She added: “I contacted one reputable care sector recruitment agency and their reaction when I asked for temporary staff was ‘You must be joking’. They were overwhelmed by pleas from desperate care home owners. “I cannot praise enough the two staff who volunteered to come in despite having the virus. “I feel desperately sorry that we were in a position where we had no choice other than to call on them. “The night-shift is tough and extremely tiring. It really knocked them for six and both these staff are now suffering much more from the symptomatic effects of Covid. “I am so grateful to them but this is a situation which should not have been allowed to happen.” All the residents are double vaccinated, including the 11 of them who have tested positive. The Caledonia is now in lockdown, unable to accept any more residents and closed to visitors until September 29.
Olympian celebrated at home
Having spent eight years with his dog, Lucky, Bruce Harris was over the moon to be able to bring her with him when he moved into Rogers House Residential Care Home in Wigmore. They say a dog is a man’s best friend and that is certainly the case with Bruce and Lucky, who have been joined at the hip since Bruce rescued her. “I share my life with Lucky,” said Bruce. “When I realised that I needed to find a care home, there were plenty of people who would have taken Lucky in, but it wasn’t an option. I knew she was staying with me and being able to bring her here was like bringing family with me. It’s just like being at home really. Lucky has settled in so well, we can still go for our walks and she’s good, she comes when she’s called. It’s great.”
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SUNRISE of Winchester recognised the life of former resident and much-loved Olympic medallist Adrian Metcalfe OBE. Adrian lived at Sunrise of Winchester for 10 years before passing away in July. During his career Adrian set a UK record for the 400m in 1961 and won silver relay medals at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, the 1962 European Athletics Championships and the 1964 Summer Olympics. He then moved into broadcasting, as a commentator and then as head of sport at Channel 4, while holding roles on the International Olympic Committee and International Association of Athletics Federations. In 2001 he was awarded an OBE for services to sport and broadcasting. Reminiscence co-ordinator Emma Cole said: “Adrian was a lovely man with an amazing life history. An Olympic champion, circus ringmaster and TV broadcaster to name a few. “Adrian continued running daily for as long as he could, and we enjoyed the one-to-one time with him taking him for his daily run. He shall be remembered fondly.” Adrian’s sister Lynne Mayo, who first found art while recovering from a stroke aged 64, has painted an artistic interpretation of his life and achievements in his memory. The painting has been presented to Sunrise of Winchester.
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Group celebrates Jo’s new ambassador role MARIA Mallaband Care Group is celebrating the success of clinical quality team member and trainee nursing associate Jo Stokes, who has been selected to become an ambassador for Health Education England. Jo will be working amongst other trainee and qualified nursing associates to support HEE, to promote and grow the role. The Nursing Associate role is a registered role with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and came of out the Shape of Caring Review in 2015 which recommended a bridging role between support workers and registered nurses. The role, which is delivered as an apprenticeship, offers a career development and progression opportunity for support workers and, whilst a role within its own right, offers opportunities to progress on to registered nurse training allowing organisations to grow their own registered nurse workforce. Jo said: “As far back as I can remember I have wanted to be a nurse. I had never wanted to be anything else. “As an HEE ambassador, I will have the chance to contribute to the future of this great profession and offer my support to others who are looking to fulfil their career ambitions as I have.” Michelle Henderson workforce lead for Nursing and Midwifery NorthEast
Jo Stokes
and Yorkshire Health Education England, added: “Ambassadors play an important part in championing the role as well as supporting us to understand the issues or barriers in practice so we can share and learn. “She has already supported with some webinars with local authorities in raising the profile of the role.” Jo will shortly be completing her TNA programme to become a fully qualified nursing associate, and after this will also become a TNA advisor, supporting new TNAs at MMCG in addition to her ambassador role. Her new role provides a wealth of opportunities for her, including representing the interests of nursing associates at national or local events, meetings, and conferences, as well as promoting the nursing associate role in schools and colleges to engage the younger generation with the health and social care sector.
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Extra care residents party like it’s 2021 RESIDENTS of Watling Court enjoyed a party to celebrate the end of lockdown restrictions. Prior to the pandemic, the residents at the Gravesend extra care housing scheme would enjoy a party with live entertainment on an almost monthly basis, so when lockdown kicked in, it was difficult for them all to be apart. But with restrictions relaxed enough to allow larger gatherings, the residents were able to get together for a drink and a dance. Helen Goulding, housing officer at Watling Court, said: “It’s been a really difficult year for residents living in
extra care schemes, as the apartments are treated as individual homes, they have had to mostly stay at home, and we’ve had hardly any social gatherings at all. “It’s been incredibly isolating for many and as we pride ourselves on our community atmosphere and tackling loneliness, it’s been hard for us all but to be able to get back to some normality now and have our party nights back has been absolutely wonderful. It’s been excellent to see the smiles on their faces, they said it was the best party ever and were all chatting about it the next day.”
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York homes unite to promote the benefits of working in care
Margaret Ofiri-Koree, manager of Jewish Care Kun Mor and George Kiss Home, with Gold Standard Framework staff champions.
Home wins award for its end-of-life and palliative care JEWISH Care’s Kun Mor and George Kiss Home in Friern Barnet has been awarded a national Gold Standards Framework Quality Hallmark Award for its delivery of end-of-life care during the pandemic. This is the third time that the home has been awarded the accreditation. The Gold Standards Framework Virtual Awards recognise health and social care providers delivering quality care in the final year of life. The Gold Standards Framework Centre, in association with Hospice UK, provides expert training for frontline staff in health and social care to enable a ‘gold standard’ of care for people nearing end of life. Registered manager at Jewish Care’s Kun Mor and George Kiss Home, Margaret Ofiree-Kori, said: “In these unprecedented times, going through the GSF re-accreditation process was a testament to the resilience of our team. “Like many other care homes, we had our fair share of challenges, as we sadly lost some residents to Covid19 and to other causes in the past
16 months. My team and I worked tirelessly to ensure that the Advance Care plan and end-of-life wishes and preferences were met with dignity at all times. These were carried out with kindness, empathy, love and respect. “We also gave support to those relatives going through the grieving process. I applaud my dynamic GSF co-ordinator and the entire team who have all worked hard to enable us to achieve our reaccreditation award.” Jewish Care’s Kun Mor and George Kiss Home is one of 59 GP practices, care homes, retirement villages, and hospital wards which will receive the prestigious GSF quality hallmark across the country during the virtual ceremony. Before the pandemic hit, GSF provided face-to-face workshops, but have successfully adapted and moved online to adhere to Covid-19 regulations. The training has been a huge success and has supported both families and patients to discuss end of life care planning and what matters to them at the end of life.
TWO York care homes have been celebrating Recruitment Month by spreading the word that social care is the place to work for a rewarding and successful career. Using the tag line, ‘you come for a job and end up with a career’, the teams at Ebor Court in Nether Poppleton and Handley House in Clifton are promoting the benefits of working in a care environment to draw new workers to the sector, as well as those who are keen to progress through the ranks. Each day, care team members have been sharing information on social media about working within a care home environment, access to training and career growth opportunities, along with their personal highlights throughout their career. The posts have been a huge hit, with many comments each day from residents’ families, friends and people within the local community thanking them for all that they do and even sharing their own stories about how the team member has impacted their lives. During the month long campaign, Handley House activities co-ordinator Sue Swatman shared her experience working at Ideal Carehomes. She said: ‘In my time with Ideal Carehomes I have learnt so much, grown as a person and met some incredible people. “I always loved to help people and I found my passion helped me to reach new and exciting career heights. “Management at Handley House has always supported me to achieve my goals, giving me access to many educational pathways to continue to progress in my role. “I feel the guidance I have been given had made me extremely confident in my work and I look forward to what the future holds.” After successfully launching the Ideal Academy training pathways
Handley House activities co-ordinator Sue Swatman. prior to the pandemic, head of development and engagement, Sarah Colling is keen to attract more people to work in social care. She added: ‘We have run the recruitment month to reach out to anyone looking to start a career in care, or those who are looking for the next step in their care career. “We have so many ‘success stories’ of people throughout our teams who have moved up from care assistant all the way through to home manager after successful training via our Ideal Academy, and as a growing company opening more care homes, there are always plenty of opportunities for career growth.” Alongside the recruitment campaign, Ideal Carehomes is committed to supporting the team’s wellbeing, launching an internal wellness pathway giving them direct access to any support they may need. The pathway consists of a 24-hour counselling support line, face to face stress management training, regular mindfulness techniques and advice on nutrition, exercise and ways to reduce stress and improve overall health and wellbeing.
Residents show their green fingers A GROUP of green fingered residents at Connors House enjoyed getting stuck into some late summer gardening jobs. With the seasons preparing for change, there is still plenty to be done outside for the keen gardeners at the Canterbury care home. So they recently spent some time potting some new plants. Lucky enough to have some outside spaces at their feet, the residents have several garden areas surrounding the home, including a sensory courtyard. And between them, they like to keep that outside space in tip top shape all year round. General manager Christine Devlin said: “We have some lovely gardens
Resident Pamela Pearson. and the residents really love to help keep them in shape. “No matter what the time of year is, there is always lots that can be done, so we are all enjoying this transition of seasons and the jobs that brings.”
A pair of care workers are celebrating after completing a 26-mile walk to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society ahead of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Having seen firsthand how Alzheimer’s can affect individuals and their families, carers Emma Leahy and Emma McLellan, who are both employed by CHD Care at Home’s South West Surrey branch, wanted to make a difference and raise awareness of the condition. The challenge involved completing a demanding 26-mile walk around the Lake District, which saw the duo put on their hiking boots to combat rocky terrain. Overcoming both physical and mental challenges, the pair were delighted to raise almost £2,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society in the process. They are pictured either side of Elizabeth Leahy.
CARINGWEEKLY
Olive Swanston Finlay, who is believed to be the oldest person in the North East, celebrated her 109th birthday at The Manor House in Whickham. She celebrated her momentous birthday with a (Covid-safe) party with family and friends and being entertained by a guest singer. A 109th birthday card from The Queen was the icing on the cake for Olive’s extra special day. Olive has nine grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. She lived with her daughter Karen and her husband Dave before moving to The Manor House in June 2020. Olive puts the secret of her long life down to gin and tonic.
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A 101-year-old care home resident enjoyed dancing to live music at his birthday party at Great Oaks in Bournemouth. Andre Mauger was joined by his fellow residents and the team for a dance to singer Mike Sidaway. Mike took requests from the residents he could perform their favourite songs for them to sing and sway along to. As a special treat for Andre, Mike took to the piano to play one of his favourite songs, Moon River. Andre received a birthday card from the Queen to celebrate the occasion, as well as calls from his daughter Catherine, who lives in Bournemouth, and his son Simon, who lives in Canada. The pair appeared in the media last year when Simon made the 4,000-mile distance to see his dad in the home’s Covid-secure visiting lounge. MHA Connell Court resident Clarice Tinlin celebrated turning 102 with visits from her family and a trip out to local cafés in Birkdale village. Her father was a master baker – so aged 14, she left school to work in the family’s grocery business. She loved working in the shop, where her quick brain and happy demeanour were a great asset. She continued to work there throughout the Second World War. It was at school where she met her first husband, John. They married in 1940 when he had completed his apprenticeship as a draughtsman with British Steel and she had turned 21. They went on to have two children. John died in 1969 – but sunshine appeared again when, in 1975, she married her second husband Ron. Clarice has a large, blended family consisting of four children, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Vera Yates celebrated her 103rd birthday in style as she enjoyed champagne, cake and glorious weather at her garden party. Vera enjoyed a special birthday party, complete with afternoon tea, freshly made cream cakes and a bottle of fizz to celebrate with the friends she has made at Ash Tree House in Wigan. During the celebrations, much loved singer, Bradley Fox, returned to the home for the first time since March 2020 to put on a special performance of all of Vera’s favourite songs such as Agadoo by Black Lace. The party was attended by special guest, Councillor Stephen Dawber Mayor of Wigan and his Consort, who personally delivered Vera some flowers and sung ‘Happy Birthday’. A Bournemouth nursing home resident has just celebrated her 100th birthday in style. Marjorie Shattock, who has lived in Dorset all her life, has been a resident at Muscliff Care Home for three years. The greatgrandmother enjoyed her presents and cake, and post from the Queen, as she celebrated with family and friends in the nurse-led care home. Born in the Charminster area of Dorset, Marjorie had a career in retail, and loved to dance and swim. And with a passion for travel, she has journeyed to the USA and all over Europe. A century ago, the country was still feeling the effects of the Spanish Flu pandemic – an ironic reminder of where we are today. David George was prime minister, and Charlie Chaplin’s career was blossoming. And now, Marjorie has been able to celebrate her own lifetime of achievements, surrounded by loved ones.
Joyce Wainwright, a resident at Sunrise of Solihull, celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by friends and family. To mark the incredible achievement she was treated to a small party that included a buffet provided by the catering team, with popular songs from the 1940s performed by singer David Knowles. Joyce also took the lead on many of these activities. Alongside this, she received 50 cards from family and friends, including one from the Queen, as well as a huge selection of flowers. Throughout the Second World War Joyce worked in The Royal Army Pay Corps and as a voluntary Red Cross nurse, during which time she also met and married her husband Norman in 1942. After the conclusion of the war they spent 30 years in Surrey, where they had two sons. Gracewell of Edgbaston resident Margaret Boggis recently celebrated her 100th birthday. Surrounded by close family and friends, she marked the big occasion with an afternoon tea party. Alongside this, Margaret received a memory book from the care home containing messages and birthday wishes from the team and her family and friends, as well as a card from the Queen to celebrate the milestone. She was also surprised with a performance by two trumpeters. At the end of the war Margaret returned to care for her parents, before embarking upon a 17-year career in teaching. During this period she taught in a number of schools, including time in Kenya, until her return to the UK in 1963, when she moved to Edgbaston.
Three residents of the same New Forest care home have each notched up a decade of living there. Maureen Marks, Margaret Stancliffe and Jim Giles were the guests of honour at a joint anniversary party at Colten Care’s Belmore Lodge in Lymington. Staff helped them celebrate with afternoon tea in the garden featuring a homemade sponge cake, finger sandwiches, scones, jam and clotted cream, all specially prepared by Belmore Lodge’s chef Oliver Bloxham. Companionship team members at the home presented the three with personal gifts to mark the occasion. Maureen received a pair of earrings to add to her jewellery collection, Margaret was given a framed picture of a cat and Jim welcomed a boxed bottle of his favourite whisky.
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