Issuu

Issue 63 30.06.21

The weekly online newsletter for the care sector

Councillors support care priority call MORE than nine in 10 councillors from across the political spectrum have called on the Government to give greater priority to social care and start committing more resources to it now, a poll for the Local Government Association has revealed. The survey of more than 600 councillors showed that 91 per cent agreed with the statement, coming in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic which has exacerbated pre-existing pressures on the system and their consequences for people who draw on care and support. The LGA supported the survey, which was run by Survation for Social Care Future, a movement campaigning to bring about major, positive change in what social care does, how it works and how it is understood by the public. The LGA, which represents councils, said the results are a reminder of the urgent need for long-awaited proposals on the future of social care and how we fund it to be brought forward at the earliest opportunity and before the summer parliamentary recess. Ninety-four per cent of councillors agreed with SCF’s vision that the function of social care is to ensure that we can all ‘live in the place we

call home, be with the people and things that we love, in communities where we care about and support each other, doing the things that matter to us.’ Councillor David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Social care has been on the frontline throughout the pandemic and there has never been a more crucial time to find a long-term solution to how we support all those who draw upon and work in these vital services. As this survey proves, local councillors across the country and of all political colours are overwhelmingly in favour of social care being a major priority for the Government along with the funding needed to not just get through the pandemic, but to build back better from it. “Millions of people who draw upon or work in the field of social care deserve to know that their and their families’ future is secure, after all they have experienced over the past 15 months. We look forward to government bringing forward its proposals as soon as possible and before the summer parliamentary recess.” These findings build on SCF’s earlier polling which showed strong public support for this vision of social care.

Care group unveils new rock project

Teacakes were on the menu at Barnes Lodge as resident Gloria Gorringe showed her fellow residents how to make an old favourite of hers. Using her old tried and tested recipe, Gloria, a resident of the Tonbridge care home, asked staff if they could make her favourite teacakes in their baking activity. The residents got together to give it a go, following her recipe and chatting about their own memories of baking. General manager Nicky Pett said: “Gloria’s recipe was a real hit with the residents. She could clearly recall the recipe and how to make it. The activity prompted a lot of discussion amongst the residents about what they used to bake for their families and their favourite things to cook. It was a great nostalgic activity with lots of reminiscence, which is great for the residents.”

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CARING Homes has launched a project called My World Rocks to celebrate National Care Home Open Week. The operator, which runs 70 care homes across the UK, is asking local communities, both groups and individuals, to get involved in this project by painting rocks with pictures or phrases that are close to their hearts. The group’s homes will be creating their own rock gardens which will contain painted rocks from staff, residents, relatives and the local community. The initiative also ties in with National Thank You Day, which takes place on July 4, aiming to thank people who have worked tirelessly to help others during the pandemic. Managing director Tracey Fletcher-Ray said: “It’s been a difficult year for our residents, relatives and staff in terms of having members of the community come into visit us and we still can’t open up our homes in the way we might want to during National Care Home Open Week. “The My World Rocks project is a great way of getting our communities involved during National Care Home Open Week and throughout the summer.” In some areas homes will be organising events, subject to Covid restrictions, and inviting members of the community to join with their residents to do some rock painting. To find out more about Caring Homes and My World Rocks visit www.caringhomes.org

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Home shares story of reigniting resident’s love for writing A HERTFORDSHIRE care home has shared the inspiring story of one of its residents to mark the recent National Writing Day. Self-proclaimed bookworm and author Hilmar Warenius, 79, has attributed his recent move to Foxholes near Hitchin as the motivation that reignited his life-long love for writing. Titled ‘Magic Bullets Magic Targets’, the former doctor and University of Cambridge graduate’s memoirs detail his journey into medicine, the background of a successful marriage raising three much-loved children, as well as a story of politics and tribulations, featuring a significant clinical trial in the time of Margaret Thatcher’s tenure. Utilising a wealth of his favourite reading material, which includes novels, anthologies of poetry, scientific books, and Charles Dickens’ ‘Great Expectations’ and ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, Hilmar has already put pen to paper, contributing more than 100,000 words to his memoirs, along with 39 written poems. Hilmar arrived at the family-run care home at the beginning of 2021, having wanted a change of setting after a prolonged period of isolation throughout the nation’s lockdown. Having sold his house and yearning for a sense of community, Hilmar

Hilmar Warenius

quickly rediscovered his creative edge and love for writing in a supportive and thriving environment that he now proudly calls home. He aid: “I was very lonely before I came to Foxholes, and not in a good place at all. I think there is far too much of a concept that care homes are necessary for people who are getting old and are no longer able to look after themselves, but I think that’s foolish. “You can still live a very active and fulfilling life within a secure existence without worrying your children or your family. “Overall, I’m a much happier person since joining the Foxholes family.

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“I think when you get to a certain age, and you’re left in a big house with lots of responsibilities, then you shouldn’t take all those worries with you. “Instead, take a break. It’s a much better idea to be free and do other things. I’m still running my business, a small biotech business that I oversee from my room. “I also play the guitar. In fact, I even play for some of the residents in the lounge when they can’t go to sleep at night.” The multi-talented writer even credited the diverse array of personalities around him at the Hitchin home in playing a significant

role in his creativity and inspiration when putting pen to paper. He added: “My motivation stems from living events and the intricate variety of people I’m lucky enough to surround myself with on a day-to-day basis. Writing occurs mainly in my subconscious. “Often it decides when and where it wants to appear, so having the right environment to trigger that is crucial. “It may suddenly be triggered by something I see or hear on the radio, but often it’s memories, close or distant. “It’s about sharing the thoughts of another mind and gaining a unique perspective. It’s about being alive at the time the words are or were written.” Neil Gandecha, estate manager at Foxholes, added: “Hilmar has lived a very eventful and interesting life, so we’re extremely grateful in being able to play a part in reigniting his love for writing again. “Being a family-run home, it’s important to us that people feel right at home when they join our extended family. “We’re pleased our strong sense of connection and community has reignited Hilmar’s previous passion for writing and we’re all eagerly waiting for the completion of his much-anticipated memoirs.”

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Provider fined £80,000 after woman died due to blocked catheter

Richard Flinton and Mike Padgham.

Care workers thanked for Covid-19 response NORTH Yorkshire care providers have joined the county council in thanking frontline social care workers for their amazing efforts fighting Covid-19 over the past 15 months.  Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group, has teamed up with Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, to record a video of thanks for all social care workers.  It is part of efforts to recognise the heroic effort social care staff have made ahead of NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers’ Day on July 5.  Mike said: “In thirty-plus years in social care I have never known a period like the past 15 months and the efforts of our frontline social care staff have been amazing.  “Providing care for someone else is the greatest role of all, but doing so in the midst of a cruel and unrelenting pandemic takes it to a higher level.

“Our amazing staff, here in North Yorkshire and across the country, have selflessly put their own health and safety to one side to care for others, day in and day out.  “It has been physically hard, emotionally draining and a heroic effort.  “I look forward to Monday when the country comes together to loudly and publicly thank our social care staff and other NHS and frontline workers for all that they have done this past 15 months. They richly deserve that recognition.  “And looking further ahead we hope that July 5 – chosen to mark the day the NHS was founded – can be a landmark day when social care reform is announced and we can begin to rebuild a sector that has been devastated by years of neglect and under-funding and ravaged by this dreadful pandemic.”

Residents start summer with European cruise RESIDENTS at Skylarks care home in Nottingham have enjoyed a trip across Europe thanks to a three-day cruise with a difference. The mock-cruise took people on a short voyage to France, Spain and Italy through a whole host of different activities and foods, culminating in a captain’s dinner at the end. Nikki Foster, house leader at the Church Farm Care operated home, said: “We wanted to start of the summer with a bang and, even though we can’t enjoy a real European cruise, we’ve been able to offer a taste of the Mediterranean to both family members and staff alike. “The captain’s dinner was a real highlight as we had hairdressers and makeup artists come in on the morning of the meal to get everyone glammed up for the big night. “We even brought in two local musicians, Lady Rose, who provided live music throughout the night to make it as magical as possible.” The first destination, France, saw both staff and family members dress up in traditional French outfits and participate in various activities throughout the day, such as painting and grape squashing, ending with a

Parisian-inspired menu. The next stop saw the cruise dock in Spain, with arts and crafts including sombrero and garland making and Spanish cuisine, and then, on the final day, the ship arrived in Italy where residents spent the day making their own pizzas and tiramisu. Each day, the home was decorated to tie in with the country’s theme and traditional music was played to really transport those living at Skylarks to the different locations and completely transform the home.

A CARE provider has been ordered to pay almost £100,000 after an 87-yearold woman suffered avoidable harm at its nursing home.   Lanemile Limited, which runs Haven Lodge in Clacton-on-Sea, was fined £80,000 at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court. The operator was also ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge. Lanemile previously pleaded guilty to failing to provide safe care and treatment to Sylvia Macknay at Haven Lodge, which caused her avoidable harm. This criminal offence was prosecuted by the Care Quality Commission, which was awarded its £17,000 costs.   Mary Cridge, CQC deputy chief inspector for adult social care, said: “This is a distressing case and I welcome Lanemile’s guilty plea.  “Sylvia Macknay had every right to expect safe care at Haven Lodge, but Lanemile failed in its specific legal duty to protect her from 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.”   In June 2016, Mrs Macknay suffered a stroke in her own home. She was admitted to hospital where, as part of her care, she was catheterised.  After 11 weeks, Mrs Macknay’s condition had improved enough for her to be discharged to Haven Lodge for nursing care. However, she remained reliant on a catheter. A fortnight later, on

September 3, Mrs Macknay’s daughter visited the home. She found her mother semiconscious in bed, in considerable distress and calling for help.  She alerted staff who found Mrs Macknay’s catheter was blocked.  Mrs Macknay was subsequently transferred to Colchester General Hospital where she died the same day. Urinary sepsis associated with the catheter was cited as a cause of her death.   A CQC investigation found serious failings in Lanemile’s care of Mrs Macknay, including a lack of appropriate assessment before it admitted her to Haven Lodge.  Following her admission, Mrs Macknay’s safety was threatened by gaps in staff training and poor communication. Lanemile expected its carers to escalate concerns to its nurses, however carers were not trained in catheter care so could not identify problems before they worsened.   Lanemile had also not ensured a process to monitor how much fluid Mrs Macknay received through a feeding tube, or whether this corresponded with urine collected in her catheter bag.  Mrs Macknay’s safety was further risked because the home’s plan for her care lacked detail and accuracy. Records referred to her by the wrong name and stated she should be encouraged to drink over a litre a day, when she was nil-by-mouth.  All these failings were avoidable. Consequently, Lanemile admitted it failed in its statutory responsibility to provide safe care and treatment to Mrs Macknay, resulting in her suffering avoidable harm.

A resident at The Hall Care Home in Thornton Le Dale enjoyed a trip down memory lane when some woolly lambs visited for a cuddle. Valerie Woodcock previously spent many years caring for sheep as a shepherdess in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire and loved looking after the animals she and her husband kept on their farm. Valerie said “her heart skipped a beat” when she held one of the lambs, bringing memories of her time as a keeping Herdwick sheep, which are normally found in the Lake District, flooding back. Home manager Nicky Beach said: “It was wonderful to be able to bring back memories of Valerie’s previous life as a shepherdess and to create new memories for all our residents.”

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For many across the UK, the end of what has been a challenging, disruptive academic year is in sight. Attention is now turning to what comes next – university, a job, or further learning, though for some, the path ahead is less clear. Alexis Davey, of Hampshire-headquartered In Home Care, lifts the lid on a career journey which has seen her travel to the other side of the world and back.

From the UK to Australia and back again: Alexis shares her care story LIKE so many young people, I came to the end of my school career without having a clear idea of what to do next. One thing I did know, however, was that I wanted to help other people, and so a career in care began to look rather appealing. My first job was in a local nursing home and I took to it immediately. From there, I moved into community care work, supporting adults with learning disabilities. I realised then just how much of a privilege it is to help someone live the life they want to lead, with as much support as they need to make that a possibility. During my time as a community care worker, I met people with a variety of stories to share and it was so rewarding to hear their experiences. Of course, caring for someone else means that you cannot help but become close to them. When the worst happens, it is an immensely difficult experience to go through. I recall, and will always remember, the first customer I had who passed away. Sadly, he had no living relatives, but I was there by his side when he passed away peacefully – I will always

Alexis Davey consider myself lucky to have helped him in his final days, and make them as comfortable as possible. Like many young people, the desire to get out and see the world was one that I simply could not ignore, so at the age of 21, I went on a travelling expedition which eventually led me to Australia, where I was able to use my skills from the UK to support individuals in this amazing country. I enjoyed it so much that I ended up staying for more than seven years, primarily working in nursing homes, building my skills and confidence with each passing day.

Returning to the UK and after a break to have my children, I went straight back out into the care arena. I was able to complete my QCF Levels 2 and 3 in health and social care, funded by my employers at the time, before joining In Home Care in 2015. Within a year, I progressed from senior carer to deputy manager and opened the company’s branch in Grayshott, on the Hampshire / Surrey border. Thanks to support from the company’s directors, I took my career further still, moving from deputy to care manager, and then registered manager covering two of the company’s branches. By 2018, I was the operations director of all In Home Care’s offices – my current role and one which I take great pride in. My current role gives me the opportunity to nurture the next generation of care talent. There will be a growing demand for carers in the years to come, with the UK’s ageing population growing, so it is important that the fresh faces are here for the long-term by giving them clear career options to progress and training to help them reach their dream targets. I have been fortunate to have found

a supportive employer with In Home Care, from the directors all the way to the carers out on the frontline. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is the importance of caring for the most vulnerable members of society in the safety of their own homes. Care was a clear path for me to take – it was something I knew I could make a difference doing and that is the case for a lot of carers taking their initial steps into the sector. Peoples’ perceptions of care have changed in the wake of Covid-19 too; now more than ever, we are seeing carers join us from a variety of previous industries, many of whom had never thought of care work prior to the pandemic. And while that is a huge confidence boost for our sector, each carer needs to be made to feel part of a family and clearly shown a career path which they can be excited by. That way, these talented and compassionate individuals will continue to be at the heart of supporting their community for years to come. To all the prospective carers out there or anyone thinking of venturing into the care sector, my one piece of advice would be to follow your dreams and to never give up on them.

Group to host packed virtual event to celebrate Care Home Open Week HALLMARK Care Homes will support Care Home Open Week and Championing Social Care on Thursday (tomorrow) by hosting a live virtual event where attendees can experience a taste of all they have to offer residents. The special event will be hosted by Avnish Goyal, executive chairman of Hallmark and Care England, and will be live-streamed from Henley Manor – the care group’s £1million facility in Henley on Thames. It is being held in association with Care Home Open Week which runs until July 4. He said: “I am delighted to be hosting this event which will showcase everything that is great about our caring communities. “Our teams have worked hard to put together a full and engaging schedule of activities for attendees. “After a difficult year for the sector I cannot wait to make some positive noise as part of our extensive Care Home Open Week celebrations.” Care Home Open Week aims to connect care homes with their

local communities, challenge misconceptions about care and remind everyone that the unique individuals who live in care homes are supported by dedicated and professional caring teams.

During the fun and informative event, attendees can get an insight into what it is like to live in one of Hallmark’s care homes. They’ll get to meet some of their experienced team members and

trusted partners and find out what they do differently at the family-run care group. The event will be split into a morning and afternoon session commencing at 11am and 2pm. The afternoon session will feature a live panel discussion with some surprise guests, debating ‘How do we restore confidence in the social care sector following the pandemic?’ Throughout the day, team members and residents at each Hallmark home will be taking part in a Danceathon to raise money for Musica Music and Wellbeing, a social enterprise that supports people living with dementia and their caregivers to use music in their daily lives. The Hallmark team hopes to raise £1,000 which will enable Musica to deliver their online music activity library, Musica Connect, free of charge to individuals living with dementia. To view the full schedule of activities and register for the event you can do so at https://bit.ly/ tasteofhallmark

CARINGWEEKLY

Advertiser’s announcement

Mandatory vaccination – a seismic moment By Richard Fairburn

Home’s nurse paints superhero tributes to her colleagues AN artistic nurse has given her care home colleagues a superhero-style boost – by depicting them in an amazing caped-crusader gallery. Lynn Bell, who works at Parksprings care home in Motherwell, has created caricatures of all of her co-workers, inspired by the collective spirit and superhuman effort of the team during the pandemic. She has painted them as she sees them – as heroes. Lynn said: “Each and every one of my workmates has demonstrated an inner strength that would put The Hulk in the shade. “It’s well publicised that Covid19 posed very real challenges for care homes over the last year or so. Parksprings has been no different. “My colleagues’ capacity for compassion and commitment, however, has known no bounds. I wanted to help recognise what has really been a superhuman effort. Most importantly, I just wanted to put a smile on everyone’s faces.” Lynn has been painting from childhood. She moved into the care home sector in 2011 after working as a hospital nurse for five years. She added: “From helping my children – and now grandchildren

– in their school art assignments, to painting friends’ pets, there’s not much I’ve not turned my hand to. I was looking for a new project to get my teeth into. The inspiration was right there in front of me.” Lynn, who normally paints to unwind from a nightshift, continued: “Since starting work in care homes a decade ago, I’ve always loved the sense of togetherness, among staff and residents alike. That applies to the good times and the bad. “In the last year everyone has had so much to deal with, none more so than our residents and their families. “I’ve also seen how all of my colleagues have responded to adversity, how they’ve adapted to new ways of working – and how they’ve kept caring for, and reassuring residents, every step of the way.” “I think what can be overlooked, sometimes, is that care home staff are human too. They have worries, anxieties of their own. Despite that, their commitment is unwavering. They are all my heroes and it’s a privilege to work among them.” The artworks have not only brought smiles to staff – but now installed they are bringing joy to everyone living at the home and their visitors too.

Operator opens new office ALCEDO Care Group has opened a new office in Chester. The office represents a £200,000 investment for the homecare group and supports the company’s ambitious plans to take its services to all areas of the North West over the next few years. Covering all areas of Chester, the Wirral, Ellesmere Port and North Wales, the new office launches with a team of 10 administrative staff and 30 carers responsible for delivering the company’s portfolio of personal care, support, companionship and nursing services to those who wish to remain independent. Alcedo Care is already looking to grow the new office and recruit a further 50 carers with the aim of delivering more than 1,000 weekly care hours across the region by the

end of this year. Managing director Andy Boardman said: “We’ve had many enquiries for our services from Chester and North Wales recently and are delighted to be able to respond to the demand with a dedicated office to serve this region. “In addition to helping existing and potential new clients with high quality value for money care services that will enrich lives and support independence, the new office will also create new jobs for qualified and compassionate carers.” The opening of Chester brings the total number of Alcedo Care offices in the North West to nine and complements the company’s existing bases in Southport, Blackpool, Preston, Lancaster, Liverpool, Wigan, St Helens and Bury.

AS THE debate continues, the draft regulations that will bring in mandatory vaccination for care home staff have been published – and they amount to a seismic change to the requirements on care providers and managers. Download at statutoryinstruments. parliament.uk The chosen path is of an extension to regulation 12 Safe care and treatment. The basic requirement to provide care and treatment in a safe way is qualified by a list of things a registered person must do to comply, which of course include: 12(2)(h) assessing the risk of, and preventing, detecting and controlling the spread of, infections, including those that are health care associated; A new regulation 12(3) will extend that requirement: (3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(h), a registered person (“A”) in respect of ... accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care in a care home must secure that a person (“B”) does not enter the premises used by A unless – B is a service user residing in the premises used by A; B has provided A with evidence that satisfies A that either B has been vaccinated with the complete course of doses of an authorised vaccine; or that for clinical reasons B should not be vaccinated with any authorised vaccine; B is a friend or relative of a service user and that service user is or has been residing in the premises used by A; or (other exemptions not listed here). There will also be an amendment to regulation 17 to add to the records that must be maintained securely, that of “processing evidence provided to a registered person under regulation 12(3)”, the most prescriptive record requirement yet. This is hard law. The wording is “must”. A “strict liability” requirement, no reasonable excuse here. And the arrangements must be in place by the time the regulations

come into effect in October. If your rotas on day one of the new regulations were not supported by that documentary evidence, expect a fixed penalty notice (£4,000 to the registered person, £2,000 to the registered manager) for each offence. The new offence would be in relation to “a person” – don’t have 25 of them on duty on that day without the evidence. The legal definition of “premises” includes the grounds. I have asked my MP to check with the minister whether postmen and pharmacy deliveries will still be allowed to come to care homes. There will be a myriad of problems with these new provisions, not all of which will necessarily be ironed out in the final version. How can staff interviews be managed if the candidate has to submit the evidence first (verbal confirmation won’t satisfy CQC and a check at the door means that “a person” has already been invited onto the premises)? What if the staff member is pregnant, or has reacted to the first dose but still wants the second, or is not yet persuaded that vaccines are safe? What of staff with an 18th birthday coming up but who can’t get one dose let alone both before the date? A strict interpretation excludes a relative accompanying their loved one at the time of admission to a care home. Watch this space, but these regulations are going to tax providers and managers to the limit. n Richard Fairburn is a consultant at HSC Professional.

A talented seamstress who produced clothing that ‘could have graced the pages of Vogue’ has celebrated her 100th birthday at Dove Court care home. Rena Lowen celebrated with cake and cream – and staff singing ‘Happy Birthday” at her bedside, which was decorated with a 100th birthday banner. All the residents celebrated with a karaoke, recreating a good old fashioned knees up with some of Rena’s favourite old time classic pub songs. Rena was born in Lancashire and was a typist by day and seamstress by night. However, her secret to a long and happy life is not just about her love of sewing and fine clothing, but generally leading an active lifestyle.

CARINGWEEKLY

Advertiser’s announcement

Guides every care home professional should read BUSINESS Companion, a free online resource provided by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, has released an indispensable suite of materials for care home owners and managers. All UK care homes must treat residents fairly under consumer law. Complaints must be handled correctly, and all communications

must be clear and accessible. If you are a care home professional and need advice on consumer law obligations, then Business Companion’s in-depth guides contain everything you need to get started. Four key topics are covered. Topic one explains how information about your home and services must be communicated.

Topic two deals with how complaints must be dealt with to comply with consumer law. Topic three discusses fair trading – how residents should be treated and getting your contracts right. The final topic guides care home professionals through the process of creating and maintaining a website, so your communication is correct both online and offline. Included are a wealth of

checklists and staff training sheets with practical examples, so employees are fully aware of what is required of them. View the guides Business Companion covers trading standards law for England, Scotland and Wales. For guidance on the law in Northern Ireland, please see nibusinessinfo.co.uk

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