Issue 41 27.01.21
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Group seeks 500 residents for Care Club THE NHS has called upon a care operator to provide urgent specialist care to older people as Dorset’s hospital beds fill with Covid patients. Encore Care Homes, which has four purpose-built care homes in Dorset and Hampshire, has partnered with the NHS to temporarily welcome in extra non-Covid residents at short notice as coronavirus patient numbers rise and pressure increases on hospital staff. In response to increased demand, the group is looking for more than 500 Dorset residents with adult social care experience to join the newly-formed, not-forprofit care agency, Care Club. Tony Spotswood, chairman of Encore Care Homes, previously served as CEO of The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundations Trust. He said: “I have seen first-hand the incredible and relentless work that the NHS team undertakes on a daily basis. The care teams at Encore Care Homes are steadfast in their desire to help to relieve the pressure on the NHS locally during this unprecedented time. “Our staff are enthused by the launch of Care Club, which aims to rapidly expand the team to meet demand; ensuring we safely welcome a large number of older Dorset residents for short-term specialist care. “I feel great pride in the teams
at our care homes who have continued to deliver the highest standards of care to our residents during this collective fight against Covid-19. Furthermore, I am heartened that Encore can assist in the battle by helping local hospitals to manage the current crisis.” A range of roles are available including registered nurses, care practitioners, senior healthcare assistants and healthcare assistants, based in Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch. Care Club members will ensure the delivery of personalised continuity of care to the residents. People who are looking for a change of career and are new to care are also encouraged to sign up to Care Club. They will be provided with an induction and full training, a ‘Buddy’ to work alongside as they get to know the role, and ongoing training support. Benefits for Care Club members include high rates of pay, a cash bonus for every full shift worked, and the flexibility of choosing the care home they wish to work at, as well as their hours. Care Club members will also be included in the rollout of vaccines across Encore Care Homes. Strict Covid-19 protocols are in place at Encore with all incoming residents being tested for Covid19 before they arrive.
New home help service is launched
The chief officer of an influential care group has signed up to do her bit in the fight against Covid-19. Bev Proctor, acting chief executive of the Independent Care Group, has become a Covid-19 vaccine volunteer to help tackle the pandemic. She will be providing the vaccine from a GP surgery in her home town of York. Bev said: “Given the need to get the vaccine out quickly, particularly to vulnerable groups, it felt like the least I could do to contribute. It is so important to get the vaccine administered across the country and I’m happy to do what I can to help.” Bev joined the ICG as its operations director in 2018. Prior to that her career had been predominantly in healthcare.
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A NEW homecare company has been launched in West Yorkshire. Amethyst Care Service Ltd will provide a variety of home help services to the elderly community within a 10-mile radius of Holmfirth near Huddersfield. These will include everything from home help and light domestic duties to companionship and trips to appointments. The new business has been created by the experienced and highly qualified Kim Hardy, who has worked in health and social care for 30 years, managing care homes for 20. The dementia and end-of-life specialist, who is also a clinical hypnotherapist, trainee Reiki practitioner and Soul midwife, said: “It’s really exciting to be launching this new business, and I’m really glad that I have done it. My passion is to care for people and see the person not the disease or disability. “A service like the one that we are hoping to provide is so needed right now for elderly people who are having to isolate at home on their own. “Everything in the world is geared up to technology and a lot of elderly people wouldn’t be able to do things such as an online shop, so I’m hoping that I can help in any way and offer some companionship.” Kim added that she has put full Covid policies in place and will make sure that she is tested at least twice a week. She will also wear full PPE when going into clients’ homes to ensure they are safe.
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Kathy’s long service recognised by home A CARER at Shipdham Manor in Shipdham near Thetford has been thanked and recognised for giving 30 years to the home. Senior care assistant Kathy Fisher, who has lived in the village for many years, joined the home in 1990 as a care assistant, before becoming a senior care assistant, followed by head of care. She was then responsible for overseeing the delivery of support and care for residents with a range of needs, many of whom she had known for years through close-knit village life. Recently, when she reached retirement age, Kathy stepped down from her head of care position to become a senior carer again, and reduced her hours, but decided she couldn’t yet leave the home. She said: “I love my job and have always found it very rewarding. I feel privileged to have known and cared for so many wonderful people over the years. I have had the pleasure to work with such a supportive team and we all support and care for each other. “The staff, residents and relatives at Shipdham have become family to me and I couldn’t think of a better place to work. I have made lifelong friends here.” Kathy was recently thanked and recognised for her outstanding commitment to the home and its
Georgia Cecile and Fraser Urquhart.
Kathy Fisher receives her gifts from Shipdham Manor manager Kay Emsley. residents with a special presentation to mark her 30 years. Home manager Kay Emsley presented her with a certificate, gifts and flowers, surrounded by her colleagues. She added: “It’s been an absolute pleasure and delight to spend some time spoiling Kathy for everything she has given to our home. “Reaching 30 years of service is an incredible achievement, and it’s really no exaggeration to say that she has made a huge impact on everyone she has supported. “Being such a central part of Shipdham village life means she is loved and respected by so many people and has become a friend for residents, their relatives and all her colleagues.”
THE 2021
CARING
UK AWARDS
Scottish jazz sensation wows residents with virtual concert
RESIDENTS at a care home have been treated to an exclusive digital concert by one of Scotland’s most exciting jazz stars, Georgia Cécile. Georgia, with her boyfriend and jazz pianist Fraser Urquhart, prerecorded a 30-minute performance of her favourite songs specifically for customers of Blackwood’s Broom Court in Stirling. The 31-year-old, who was named best vocalist at the Scottish Jazz Awards last year, was eager to get involved with the project when she heard about it through the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival. Flora Hay, care services manager at Broom Court, added: “The jazz concert was fantastic and thoroughly enjoyed by our residents. Due to
social distancing we had a small number of residents attend the concert, which was shown on a new smart TV we had installed for the occasion. “Our residents absolutely adored listening to Georgia and Fraser perform – one of our residents in particular was overjoyed and said she loved it. She has quite complex needs and really enjoys music, so it was a really lovely event to organise.” The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival worked with Georgia and Blackwood to record, create and stream the concert direct to Broom Court care home, which accommodates and cares for residents with a wide range of disabilities.
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Tim is crowned NACC Care Chef of the Year 2020 Home unveils visitors centre to continue to remain Covid-secure AN OXFORDSHIRE care home has introduced a new purpose-built visitor centre to allow families and friends to visit their loved ones this winter, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues. The newly created space at Churchfields Care Home, based in Cassington, will enable families to stay connected in a safe, warm and welcoming environment. The room includes an airtight, toughened glass screen, as well as an air purifier, surround sound system and WIFI connection, to enable other family members to also link in virtually at the same time. The warm and welcoming visitor centre features a ramp to allow easy access, and visitors will enter and exit the room through a different door from staff and residents, to minimise the risk of infection. Churchfields is also among the first in the country to install Hydroxyl generators, which is an air purifier that sterilises the room, providing real time protection against airborne allergens, pollutants, and viruses. Alongside full deep cleans, the use of the generators in between visits
will add an extra level of safety to help ensure all visits remain Covid-19 secure. Owner Jane Roberts said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to introduce the visitors centre to allow our residents to see their family and friends in a safe and secure environment. “Our families and the local community play a huge part in daily life at Churchfields and it is wonderful to be able to reconnect again. “In the interim this purposebuilt facility will keep our families connected in a lovely setting over the winter months.” Churchfields has been using Cellmark, a local Laboratory, to carry out all of its weekly surveillance testing. This has enabled the home to receive Covid-19 test results within 24 hours, rather than the usual five-toseven days. This service will continue in the home, alongside the use of Roche Rapid Testing kits, to provide a multidimensional approach to keep the residents safe, well, and connected to family members.
Birdwatching boost for nursing home residents TWO Shropshire based companies have united to help nursing home residents across the county participate in the largest wildlife survey in the world, the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. Family-run nursing home operator Morris Care and Upton Magna based CJ Wildlife, one of the UK’s leading specialist suppliers of garden bird and wildlife products, have worked together to set up feeding stations and identification boards for residents. Residents have been enticing birds into their gardens with the new feeders and specialist bird food, as well as making homemade feeders ahead of the Big Garden Birdwatch, which runs from January 29 to 31. Morris Care chief executive Lucy Holl said: “We are very proud of
the beautiful gardens and green spaces our Homes enjoy and know that for many residents, birds in these gardens provide an important connection to the wider world and bring a great amount of joy. “CJ Wildlife has been both generous and supportive, helping us to entice even more and providing information boards so residents can recognise them too. “The Big Garden Birdwatch gives our residents the chance to give something back, because nature needs us too.” Almost half-a-million people join in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch every year. The public is asked to spend just one hour watching and recording the birds in their garden, balcony or local park, then send their results to the RSPB.
THE National Association of Care Catering crowned Tim Ware of Green Tree Court Care Home in Exeter the NACC Care Chef of the Year 2020 at a special online prize giving ceremony. Second place went to Matthew Dodds of Gracewell of Ascot and Cheryl Crook from Heol Don Nursing Residential Centre in Cardiff took third. With Covid-19 still having an enormous impact, the NACC took the decision to bring the postponed national final of its prestigious culinary competition to a close virtually. The finalists competed in a series of online cook-offs that gave each talented chef the opportunity to showcase their culinary skills, creativity and specialist care catering knowledge to the expert judges in the safe environment of their own kitchens. The judges closely watched and spoke to each chef to assess their aptitude in the areas of nutritional understanding relating to their clientele, culinary flair through flavours, menu balance, execution, presentation and hygiene best practice. Designated tasters also ensured the judges had a full appreciation of the taste and texture of each dish. Tim stood out to take the coveted title with his mouth-watering menu of butter roast chicken, Bombay potatoes, spinach and shallot bhajis followed by a dessert of poached apricots, coconut and lime espuma and pistachio filo pastry. Head judge Bev Puxley said: “As chair of judges of this competition for several years, I’ve never ceased to be impressed by the enormous talent and dedication shown by the chefs who work in this hugely important sector of the catering industry. “Tim Ware’s Asian dishes were
Tim Ware beautifully prepared with aromas that stimulated the palate. “The level of spicing was perfect for his care home clientele. This, together with his well-organised method of work, led to his success in a closely fought cook off.” Matthew Dodds was also awarded Highly Commended Main for his ‘Post-war ration meal’ of poached saddle of rabbit, roasted shallots, baby carrots, crispy kale, fondant potato and tarragon cream sauce and James Cotton from Majesticare’s Cavendish Park Care Home in Evesham took the honour of Highly Commended Dessert for his Black Forest Bakewell tart. The finalists had 90 minutes to produce the special two-course menu they had created (main and dessert) that is suitable for service users in a care setting. The competition criteria stated that the combined food cost for both courses was no more than £2.25 per head and it must be nutritionally balanced. The menu also had to incorporate one of sponsor Premier Foods’ listed products.
Youngsters being cared for in Hascombe Ward, children’s outpatients and A&E at Royal Surrey County Hospital have been given a copy of Gerry Giraffe and the Loch Ness Monster – a charming and colourful illustrated story which they could keep. The book was written by Pam Sharman, business development manager at Cedar Court care home in Cranleigh. She said: “The books were a small gesture, but we were thrilled at how warmly they have been received, both by staff at the hospital and by the children in need of care and treatment over the festive period. Hopefully it lifted their spirits and raised some smiles.”
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Advertiser’s announcement
Inspectorate consults on its future role – a lawyer’s perspective By Neil Grant
ON January 7, CQC published a consultation paper on its proposed strategy for the next five years, “The world of health and social care is changing. So are we.” To a significant degree, the proposals are informed by how CQC has had to change its ways of working because of the pandemic. The public has until 5pm on March 4 to respond. The consultation is broken down into four main themes: (1) people and communities; (2) smarter regulation; (3) safety through learning; and (4) accelerating improvement. Running through each of these is a commitment to tackle health inequalities and a desire to hold local systems to account given “It’s not enough to look at how one service operates in isolation.” CQC wants its new approach to be targeted and dynamic, moving away from a set schedule of inspections. “We’ll change our assessments to be more dynamic, and update ratings more often, so that everybody will have an up-to-date view of quality.” Real time regulation would be welcome as the results from an inspection can quickly become out of date. The challenge for CQC will be to introduce a system that is fair and proportionate to providers, while offering the public up-todate assessments of the quality of registered services. CQC intends to introduce digital channels that will make it easier for providers and partners to work collaboratively with CQC. There will be a far greater focus on capturing and analysing information as part of the ongoing monitoring of services. Confidently, CQC claims: “We now
Rachael wins care home hero award Neil Grant have IT systems that can handle large amounts of data, which will enable us to use artificial intelligence and innovative analysis methods. “This replaces more manual handling of data and will ensure we interpret data in a more consistent way.” There will also be an increased focus on culture: “Our assessments of safety will have a sharper focus on checking for open and honest cultures.” At the same time, CQC wants to “play a much more active role in driving improvement.” More ominously, CQC says: “We’ll set a higher bar for what we expect of services rated as good, which should match what the public expects.” Relationships matter and it is hoped that over the next five years CQC will focus more on supporting providers to improve, as it has started to do during the pandemic, rather than revert to a compliance model of regulation based on blame and punishment. n Neil Grant is a Partner at Gordons Partnership LLP.
Home donates to charities TEAM members and families of residents at Gracewell of Horley Park have donated to The Little Things UK. This charity aims to help people who are currently homeless in London by providing hot meals and drinks, clothes and other essentials to those most in need. The charity also offers an environment that is compassionate, builds friendship and ensures people do not feel so alone in a big city. Kate Fitches, home admissions advisor at Gracewell of Horley Park, said: “We are delighted to be able to help out local charities in any way we can. The team believes strongly in giving to others. “I am proud of all the team for taking the initiative to collect these donations and support such worthwhile causes.” Gracewell of Horley Park donated 15 boxes of items including hats, gloves, toiletries, sanitiser, biscuits
Care home manager Jack Titterton with prize winner Rachael Twist.
and chocolates, primarily aimed at male recipients as requested by the charity. The team also donated several bags of shopping to Horley Park food bank.
A CARE home worker has won £500 worth of PPE for her organisation plus a £100 experience voucher to spend on herself. The competition, which was run by Nottinghamshire manufacturer Interflex Ltd and its sister company Pinnacle PPE, was set up in recognition of the part played by the region’s care homes in dealing with Covid-19 during 2020. Local care home staff and managers were asked to nominate individuals from their staff who have been Covid care home heroes during the pandemic, going above and beyond for residents in their care. The winner was Rachael Twist, who is deputy manager at Church Farm Care Home in Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire. She was nominated for the award by home manager Jack Titterton. Rachael said: “It was a lovely surprise to find out Jack had nominated me for this award and even nicer to find out I had won. “Obviously as a business we are getting through large amounts of PPE
at the moment, so the extra supplies will come in very useful. And I am very much looking forward to using my voucher when the opportunity arises.” Church Farm Care Home will receive 1,000 disposable face masks, 100 visors and 500 disposable aprons. Rachael will able to choose from experiences ranging from afternoon tea to a supercar driving experience. Home manager Jack Titterton added: “I nominated Rachael as she has covered day and night shifts above and beyond the call of duty. “This has helped to keep us at zero agency staff throughout the pandemic and therefore reduced the risk of Covid-19 entering the home. “Even at short notice Rachael has covered to make sure the people we love and support are safe and well cared for. “Not only that Rachael continues to keep a smile on her face and go above and beyond for everyone at our home! So this is a great way of recognising her continued hard work.”
Advertiser’s announcement
Diabetes workshop aims to support care homes LYNNE Reedman, founder of DUET diabetes, and Professor Alan Sinclair from the Foundation for Diabetes Research in Older People have joined forces to collaboratively develop a new workshop for care providers. The workshop has been created in response to the need to treat and care for an ageing population who live with diabetes, which has been catalysed by the coronavirus pandemic. The new workshop focuses particularly on supporting care homes to ensure staff have the skills and confidence with which to appropriately care for the acutely unwell older person living with diabetes. The three-hour session is framed around existing guidelines including the ‘A Covid-19 Response Action – Diabetes Management in Care Homes’ guidance issued last May by a national multi-stakeholder group of health professionals and scientists. Professor Sinclair, a leading international expert in diabetes, said: “We’re hoping our presentation will help support care homes so all staff
can feel confident that they have the knowledge and skills with which to appropriately care for the acutely unwell older resident living with diabetes.” Due to coronavirus restrictions, this workshop will initially be delivered as a live and interactive webinar with the first session scheduled to take place on February 10. To find out more, including how to book a place, visit https://www. duetdiabetes.co.uk/diabetes-virtualworkshops
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