Issue 77 06.10.21
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Call for new dialogue not contempt PROVIDERS have called for Health Secretary Sajid Javid to stop criticising care workers and start tackling the crisis in the sector. The Independent Care Group is angry after Mr Javid said those working in care should “go and get another job” if they didn’t want to have the Covid19 vaccine. “I feel Mr Javid should seriously reconsider those remarks,” said ICG chair Mike Padgham. “What we are looking for from Mr Javid is solutions to the crisis in social care and not remarks that inflame the situation. “I am sure that the Health Secretary knows the blood, sweat and tears social care workers have shed this past 18 months caring for people on the front-line in the fight against Covid-19. “If he wants further evidence then I invite him to visit my care business to see the situation firsthand. “What we need to get social care through the current crisis is constructive dialogue and understanding, not confrontation and contempt.” The ICG wants the November 11 deadline for carers to have both vaccinations to be allowed to work to be delayed. “There is no such deadline in
the NHS and no such deadline for relatives and family visiting care and nursing homes, so why should carers have this sword of Damocles hanging over them,” Mike added. “Even with the vaccine, people can still catch and pass on Covid-19 so the rationale behind the compulsory vaccination is flawed anyway. It is merely being used as a draconian stick to beat the social care sector. “At the moment, the sector has 120,000 vacancies and there are predictions that this could increase by a further 40,000 because of compulsory vaccination. “That spells disaster for the care of our oldest and most vulnerable people as we head into the most challenging period, winter. “Providers are already falling by the wayside and the historic figure of 1.5m people living without the care they need will by now be much greater and will be growing fast.” The ICG has called on the Government to step in and tackle the crisis in social care like it is doing over petrol and food shortages. It has warned that a raft of challenges is mounting which could push some care providers to the brink of survival just before winter.
Chairman’s Fund goes to group
A Chepstow care home explored its residents’ wild side by opening its own tattoo parlour. Residents who visited the parlour in the Severn Lounge at Castleford House received temporary tattoos of their choice while enjoying a cold Corona beer – the only Corona allowed in the home. Head of activities Amelia Pace said: “We used tattoo machine sound effects and rock and roll music to create a rebellious atmosphere, which everyone appeared to love.” The home also recently hosted a water park in its gardens. This consisted of residents going down a giant water slide on a adapted rubber ring.
A BIG THANK YOU
FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING TO KEEP OUR MOST VULNERABLE SAFE AND HAPPY …
WE’RE IN AWE OF YOUR SELFLESS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.
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CARE South has awarded local not-for-profit group Caring Canines with a £2,400 Chairman’s 2020 Fund award. The Fund has been established with the aim of benefiting Care South employees, volunteers and community groups who provide a service to care homes, care at home offices, clients or residents. Its purpose is in “Supporting Care South’s Friends”. The cheque presentation took place at Care South’s Fairlawn home in Ferndown where chairman Jane Stichbury and CEO Simon Bird were joined by members of the Caring Canines’ team and some cuddly companions, including an eightmonth trained puppy with L plates attached. Simon said: “We are delighted to be able to support Caring Canines and the work that they do. “We have worked closely together for some time now and the award made from the Chairman’s 2020 Fund is a further way of supporting our very good friends at Caring Canines.” Caring Canines offers the assistance of its assessed, vaccinated and insured dogs in the Bournemouth and Poole community to break down barriers and enhance the lives of those people who miss canine companionship or benefit from it. Interacting with a friendly pet is known to help residents, and Care South’s has recently been welcoming the friendly pooches into their homes for cuddles.
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Provider fined after putting its residents ‘at significant risk’
Miss Surrey winner brings cheer during surprise home visit RESIDENTS at a Woking care home were left overjoyed and inspired after receiving a surprise visit from 2021’s Miss Surrey. Determined to give something back to the local community following her prestigious title, 19-year-old Dhwani Kothari recently toured the grounds of Nellsar’s Princess Christian Care Centre, greeting and sharing stories with residents, while adhering to the social distancing protocols still in place following the Government’s easing of restrictions last month. During her visit, Dhwani applauded and paid homage to the outstanding care delivered by all the team at Princess Christian, whose collective strength and cohesion has been instrumental in promoting the physical and mental well-being of residents – a core strategy at Nellsar – over the past 18 months. Dhwani, a carer and medical student, was born in Mumbai, India, and moved to Surrey with her mother aged six. From the age of eight, she became a carer for her mum, Ekta, after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Since then, she has become increasingly engaged with the condition and with medicine more generally, taking up a place at the University of Leicester to study
medical science with dreams of becoming an NHS doctor. Christine Foster, activities manager at Princess Christian Care Centre, said: “We were delighted to welcome Dhwani to Princess Christian to meet our residents and show them her winning crown, with some even getting to try it on. “She was kind enough to spend her day chatting with the residents and sharing stories of her recent triumph, which they all really appreciated. “Having spent time caring for her mother, Dhwani understood how to connect with the residents on a meaningful level which was wonderful to see.” Dhwani’s unwavering devotion to social care has extended well beyond her family background, having taken up an enduring interest in connecting with the community’s local residents. And Dhwani made it her personal mission to gain an insight into all of those residing at Princess Christian, trading tales and showing them her dress, provided by Pamela Jane Bridal Boutique in nearby Camberley, and crown before exchanging smiles in some heart-warming photographs. Ekta, who is now tumour-free, joined her daughter on the visit to Princess Christian Care Centre along with her son, Jai.
A COMPANY which ran a Norfolk care home for older people has been fined £81,000 after pleading guilty to putting its residents at significant risk of avoidable harm. Diamond Care (UK) Limited, former proprietor of Pine Heath in High Kelling, was handed the fine at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court. It was also ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge. This criminal offence was prosecuted by the Care Quality Commission, which was awarded its £5,500 costs. Matthew Jenkins, CQC head of inspection for adult social care, said: “Care providers have a legal duty to take all reasonable steps to protect people in their care from risks to their health and wellbeing. “Diamond Care failed its residents in this as it did not adequately maintain Pine Heath’s boilers, despite warnings they were not in good working order. “When these boilers inevitably failed, vulnerable people – whose health could be jeopardised by prolonged exposure to cold – faced a significant risk of avoidable harm. “The majority of care providers do an excellent job. However, when a provider puts people in its care at risk, we take action to hold it to account and protect people. “I hope this prosecution reminds care providers they must always take all reasonable steps to manage risks to people’s safety, including ensuring facilities where care is provided are fit for purpose.” The poor condition of Pine Heath’s
two aging boilers was raised with Diamond Care by environmental health officials in 2015. Despite this, essential maintenance was not undertaken. A year later, one of the boilers terminally failed – but the home still took no action. After five more months, in November 2016, the home’s sole remaining boiler broke down. This left its 40 residents without heating or hot water when outside temperatures reached below freezing. Although portable electric heaters were eventually provided in residents’ rooms, thermometers to ensure adequate temperatures were not issued for over a week. Residents also had to bathe in cold water for several days. The risk to people’s health was worsened by the overall poor condition of the building. It lacked sufficient insulation and had unfit windows, which maintenance checklists repeatedly flagged as needing repair. Under the Health and Social Care Act, care providers have a legal responsibility to ensure premises used by people receiving their care are safe for their intended purpose. As Diamond UK failed to act after it was told Pine Heath’s boilers were likely to fail, it pleaded guilty to putting its residents at significant risk of avoidable harm. This is a criminal offence. Pine Heath closed in 2017. Care is not currently provided from the site and Diamond Care does not run any other CQC-regulated services.
Noodle joins Epsom care home RESIDENTS at Linden House have welcomed the latest addition to their family with open arms. Noodle, a mixed breed three-yearold dog, regularly visits the Epsom care home and receives lots of attention – and sausages – from the residents, who are always delighted to see him. The pooch is a regular at the home and is always doted on during visits, with residents feeding him, as well taking him for walks to the local park. Activities coordinator Pip Lewis said: “The residents are always so pleased to see Noodle, some ask me every day when he is coming back. “Noodle is very well behaved and seems to adapt his behaviour
depending on who he’s with. For some he’ll sit quietly on their lap, but for those who want to take him to the park and throw the ball, he’s a bundle of energy. “It’s well-known that animal visits are excellent for those with dementia, but I think most people’s moods are lifted when they get to spend time with a dog as happy and well behaved as Noodle!”
Residents at RMBI Care Co. Home Lord Harris Court in Wokingham laced up their trainers and enjoyed taking part in a series of games on their sports day. Staff safely arranged activities for everyone to have a fun-packed afternoon, such as the egg and spoon race, hook a duck in a paddling pool, target games, and even a sack race. “We had originally planned to hold the special event outside, but the weather wasn’t the best,” said activity coordinator Tracey Esteve. “However, the rain did not stop us so we held our games indoors as our residents were determined to take part.” Staff members Tracey Esteve, Deane Robinson, Diana Mithiradaas and Lauren Taylor are pictured with residents Joan Parr, Roy Gyngell, Irene Muggeridge and Angela King.
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Operator celebrates its team members BLUEBIRD Care Gravesend and Dartford, Bluebird Care Maidstone and Bluebird Care Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells have recognised five team members with CARES Awards. The quarterly CARES Awards, are an opportunity to show recognition and appreciation for their team members and pay tribute to those who have personified Bluebird Care’s core values of communication, attentiveness, reliability, excelling and safety: ‘CARES’. Clare Mortlock, operations director across the Bluebird Care offices, said: “The CARES awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate some of the wonderful individuals that are part of the Bluebird Care family. “Each and every one of the winners has displayed tremendous commitment and dedication, and personified Bluebird Care and our values. Congratulations to all.” On this occasion, Louise Prince, care assistant at Bluebird Care Gravesend and Dartford’s was awarded the Communications Award. Louise achieved this award for her excellent communication with the office. Continually she displayed incredible dedication towards her customers, always putting their needs and happiness first and ensuring that their care plans are regularly updated with changes that will most effectively support them. Judit Marik, care assistant, and
Bozena Meleti, care assistant at Bluebird Care Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells, also achieved awards. Judit earned herself the Attentiveness Award for her continuous dedication to her customers, consistently going above and beyond, even sacrificing her own personal time off to ensure their needs are being met. In addition to this, Bozena also achieved success, awarded the Excel Award. Bozena attained this accolade for her tremendous commitment towards not only providing care to her customers, but time and time again ensuring they lead a fulfilling life with daily walks and other activities encouraged. Maria Brooker, care assistant, and Rasma Zuje, also a care assistant at Bluebird Care Maidstone, were successful within their office. Maria received the Reliability Award for her outstanding record of attendance and consistent positive feedback from customers and fellow staff members. This continuous glowing feedback exemplifies her hard-working attitude and justified her award success. Alongside Maria was Rasma, who also earned herself a Safe Award. Rasma attained this accolade for the regular feedback she receives from customers who recount their feeling of safety and support when Rasma is with them.
THE 2021
CARING
UK AWARDS
Home welcomes back Tania A LIVE musical performance hit the right note with residents and colleagues at a Worthing care home when a much-loved favourite visited for the first time in over a year. Professional singer and entertainer Tania Rodd, a popular and familiar face at Haviland House, spent the afternoon singing everyone’s favourite songs and lifting their spirits. Wellbeing coordinator Eileen Garbutt said: “Our residents and team absolutely loved welcoming Tania back to our home, it was such a wonderful way to kick start our summer activities. “Cool drinks, ice-creams, ice-lollies, factor 50 and sun brollies were the order of the day and we all had a
thoroughly great time singing our hearts out again at last. “A big thank you to the Havilanders that assisted to make this a brilliant time for our family, especially to those that volunteered their time. “We can’t wait to welcome more entertainers back to our home including Tania in the future again.” As the first entertainer back to the home since March 2020 when lockdown first came into force, social distancing measures were still in place. The Haviland team installed their very own Royal Box, Stalls and a Royal Circle for family members so they could enjoy their time in safety and in true royal style.
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