Issue 90 12.01.22
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Care homes on “war footing” due to Covid CARE homes in Wales are on a “war footing” because of desperate staff shortages caused by the skyrocketing Covid infection rate. According to Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales, the sector is facing its worst ever crisis with reports that 75 per cent of staff were off work in some homes, either because they had contracted coronavirus or they were selfisolating. The situation is so bad that as a last resort homes were introducing “firebreaks” to temporarily restrict visiting as the highly infectious Omicron variant tore across Wales. Domiciliary care companies were also struggling badly and were often unable to provide the usual level of care. Mario warned that the situation was only going to get worse before things got better. So much so, that some care homes were likely to be forced to declare an NHS-style “critical incident” because they were unable to cope. But he feared reinforcements might not be available because statutory organisations like local health boards and councils were also short of staff. Mario added: “The scale of the challenge is one we have never faced before. It’s really, really tough out there. “The First Minister reminded us in 2020 that the social care
sector was in a fragile state before the pandemic because of its precarious finances and the shortage of staff. “After two years of this, the pressures have been building up and now we’re facing a completely different challenge because the Omicron strain of Covid is so prevalent and so transmissible. “As a result, we’re seeing problems we’ve not encountered before. “Care Forum Wales members have been reporting being down by up to 75 per cent in terms of staffing shifts. We’re on a war footing. “The social care workforce has been heroic right through this pandemic. It’s taken a pandemic for people to realise how essential these workers are – just in the same way as the NHS and other services. “They are rising to the challenge but it’s incredibly difficult and it’s probably going to get much worse before it gets better. “It’s quite possible that some care homes will have to call on the statutory services. There are plans in place and we have been working with Welsh Government and our colleagues in health boards and local government. “We may have to declare what the NHS would call a critical incident and in that case the only place you can go is the statutory agencies.”
New Care is to create approximately 800 new jobs in multiple disciplines across the North of England in the coming 12-24 months. The care home provider is continuing to expand at pace, having recently opened its ninth facility. New Care will open a further three new care homes in Adel, Wilmslow and Lymm in the near future, and a further four facilities are also under construction with practical completion dates planned throughout 2023 and January 2024. With approximately 810 employees currently, the 800 new jobs over the course of the next two years will see New Care double in size. The operator will be recruiting a wide range of individuals covering care, hospitality, housekeeping, maintenance and wellbeing.
Home to help free up hospital beds ONE of Preston’s newest care homes has won a contract which is helping to free up acute beds in hospital this winter. Ribble Court Care Home in Much Hoole, near Preston, has won a short-term contract with the Clinical Commissioning Group. The CCG has block-booked seven beds in the care home to help relieve pressures on the NHS. Jen Roberts, nominated individual for Ribble Court, said: “We are delighted to be working with the CCG. At this time of year hospitals are under a lot of pressure to discharge people to free up an acute bed. “We are offering a set number of rooms in our care home to people who are medically fit for discharge from hospital but who still need physiotherapy, domiciliary care or an assessment. “It means they can continue to get the
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wrap around service they require but, with us, in a more homely type environment. It also frees up a number of much needed acute hospital beds.” Ribble Court was recently rated ‘Good’ in its first official CQC inspection. It is the highest accolade a new care home can receive. Staff were praised for being ‘kind and caring’ and for treating residents with ‘dignity and respect’. The care was described as ‘high quality care’ from ‘a consistent team of staff who know residents well’. The home also won praise for its Covid and infection prevention training and procedures and it was noted that robust system are in place in the home for regular testing for people using the service, staff and visitors. All staff have complied with the NHS vaccination programme.
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Cumbria care home rated outstanding for the third time
Provider’s Lincolnshire branches partner with local heroes in the air BLUEBIRD Care’s Lincolnshire branches have launched an official partnership with the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. Homecare providers Bluebird Care Lincoln, South Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire and the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance Services are both seeking to raise awareness about their services in the region through the partnership. Linc and Notts Air Ambulances skip traffic and use the sky in order to undertake dangerous and highstake missions to transport vital medical support to people suffering devastating illnesses and serious injuries to remote places. Bluebird Care on the other hand operates on the ground, but so too delivers essential care to their customers. Their care visits, which are delivered directly in their customers’ homes, range from companionship to live-in care and medical treatments. In addition to raising awareness, the partnership will also be raising money for charity during key milestones throughout the year. £172 was raised during Halloween events alone and the two companies are now turning their attentions to fundraising activities in the festive period. The beginning of the partnership was marked by the Linc and Notts Air Ambulance hosting care supervisor
Tracy Metcalfe, wellbeing and engagement officer Michael Bryce and recruitment and marketing officer Paulina Jezierska from the Bluebird Care offices. Michael said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance and supporting their incredible cause. “This exceptional team work tirelessly across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire to save the lives of absolutely anyone that needs their critical support and, without any government funding, require a considerable amount of donations to keep operating. “With the long-term partnership plans in place, we will strive to raise funds and awareness to aid their lifesaving work. “I, along with everyone at the Bluebird Care Lincoln branches, hope that our partnership with Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance will prove to be beneficial for this inspiring cause and last long into the future.” Harriet Webber, director of the three Lincoln branches, experienced first-hand the heroic actions of Lincolnshire and Nottingham Air Ambulances when they came to her rescue during an accident in the past. It was this life -hanging experience that spurred her to establish the partnership with the regional Air Ambulance service.
An award-winning Scottish accordionist will dazzle residents at a Loanhead care home every month. Matthew Maclennan will play traditional Scottish folk music, including favourites such as Skye Boat song and other Scottish Jigs and many more to the residents at Mansfield Care’s Pine Villa. The multi-prize winner has been performing at functions regularly since the age of 15 and will now become a familiar face around the care home. The 36-year-old also regularly features on BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Take the Floor’ programme hosted by famous Scottish musician Gary Innes, and has also recorded his own album ‘Traditionally Inspired’.
INGLEWOOD care home, run by Cumbria County Council, has been rated outstanding for the third time in a row. Following the CQC inspection in September and October, the service was rated outstanding overall and for being caring and well-led. It was rated good for being safe, effective, and responsive. This inspection found that people using the service benefited from outstanding care that had improved their wellbeing, enhanced their independence and gave them the opportunity to join in with activities in the local community. Inglewood is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 40 people aged 65 and over. At the time of the inspection there were 28 people living or staying at the home. Alison Chilton, CQC’s head of inspection for adult social care, said: “When we inspected Inglewood care home, we found that people in its care were truly respected and valued as individuals. “We were particularly impressed with how Inglewood respected not only individual needs, but also valued their skills and interests to further enrich people’s sense of purpose. “One person in their 90’s who was previously a yoga teacher, was given the opportunity to pass on their skills to staff. Another person using the service enjoyed writing the home’s monthly newsletter, sharing updates and celebrations from the home. “They felt valued and proud to do
these activities. “Overall, we found staff had gone above and beyond to keep people safe during the pandemic and staff felt they were highly supported and motivated by the manager to provide excellent care. “The manager was considered a role model and an inspiration to staff, creating a caring, compassionate, and supportive culture during challenging times. Unsurprisingly, feedback from people and their families was extremely positive about the “outstanding” care and kindness of staff. In fact, some believed the care at Inglewood was beyond outstanding. “I encourage other providers to read this and other CQC inspection reports for services rated outstanding, to see what they can learn.” Inspectors found: n There was a caring, compassionate, and supportive culture, led by a committed registered manager, who was supported by well-trained, dedicated staff. n Care was tailored to people’s preferences, abilities and needs. n People were involved in daily decisions about their care and were supported to live healthier lives. Their views and experiences were paramount. n People thrived at Inglewood and their wellbeing and independence improved. n Staff provided compassionate care to people at the end stages of their life.
Operator calls for age equality in living wage PARK Lane Healthcare, which owns Magnolia House and The Manor House in Cottingham, is calling for young carers to earn the same living wage as their older colleagues. The operator, which also manages care homes in Rotherham, Croston and Pickering, increased its living wage for all care staff, regardless of age, to £9.50 per hour from the beginning of December. The wage increase comes four months ahead of the national living wage increase, resulting in an almost £400 bonus for Park Lane staff. Chris Lane, finance director at Park Lane Healthcare, said: “We are incredibly proud of all of our hardworking staff, but over the past two years, they have exceeded our wildest expectations, and this needed to be recognised. “We wanted to acknowledge that the care provided by an under 22-yearold is as valued as the care provided by a 23-year-old carer, and we thought the best way to do this was putting our money where our mouth is and matching the salaries. “Younger people work just as hard as older people in the same roles and
Chris Lane should be compensated as such. We hope other care homes will follow our example and match the wage for young carers.” National living wage is currently £8.91 for employees over the age of 22, which is set to increase to £9.50 next April. The wage for 21–22-year-olds will increase to £9.18, and 18-20-year-olds will increase to £6.83 nationally when the changes come into effect. Senior carers and managers will also see a pay increase of 59p per hour, the equivalent of the increase in pay applied to living wage salaries.
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Not-for-profit provider’s real living wage move ANCHOR, England’s largest not-forprofit provider of housing and care for older people, has posted a strong financial performance in its half year results announcement. Highlights include: n A recovery in occupancy and operating margin in line with the organisation’s Covid-19 recovery plan. As part of this, occupancy in care homes reached the March 2022 yearend recovery target, rising to 84.1 per cent by September 30. n New properties delivered on time, and seeing good consumer demand, in line with Business Plan target to build 5,700 affordable and energy efficient homes over 10 years. n Continued A+ stable rating from S&P and G1/V1 rating from the Regulator of Social Housing The organisation has also voluntarily committed to paying the Living Wage Foundation’s Real Living Wage rates. The trading statement includes the announcement of the decision to apply the Living Wage Foundation rates of pay across all current National Living Wage hourly rate roles across Anchor from December 1. Chief executive Jane Ashcroft CBE said: “We’re committed to providing competitive rates of pay, an excellent range of benefits and outstanding
Anchor chief executive Jane Ashcroft CBE. opportunities to develop your career in a hugely fulfilling sector. “We recognise that our achievements would not be possible without the efforts of our skilled and dedicated colleagues, and I would like to thank them for their continued work. “Availability of a suitably qualified and experienced workforce is crucial to achieving quality services for residents, high levels of regulatory compliance and occupancy and therefore a sustainable and successful business.” The organisation will also be working towards gaining Living Wage Employer Accreditation.
Extra care scheme is rated good by CQC A DONCASTER extra care scheme for people over the age of 55 is celebrating being rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission following its first inspection. Casson Court in Thorne, operated by Housing 21, welcomed its first residents in April 2019, and provides private and secure apartments with access to on-site care for those who need it. The scheme has a dedicated housing and care manager and an on-site care team which is available 24/7. The CQC report highlighted the scheme’s strengths in developing positive, caring and compassionate relationships with residents. It stated: “People’s care preferences were respected, and staff delivered care in line with people’s wishes. Staff knew people well and understood how their needs should be met and supported people in a dignified, respectful way which maintained their privacy and independence.
Managers made sure, wherever possible, people received support from the same carers, so care was provided in a consistent way.” Housing and care manager at Casson Court, Sarah Hames, added: “The team work hard every day to ensure we provide the best care and support to our residents and for the CQC to recognise this makes me incredibly proud. “I am beyond proud of the team and the commitment they show – without them this would not have been achievable.” Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships to avoid social isolation, follow their interest and take part in activities that are socially and culturally relevant to them is a priority at Casson Court. Alongside a varied activity programme based in a communal area, the scheme also has a café and hairdresser.
Group serves up almost £5,000 to two charities Football dream fulfilled with Ibrox stadium tour STAFF at a Glasgow care home has made a footballing dream come true for two residents. Gordon Miller was over the moon to win a raffle, where a tour of Glasgow Rangers Football Club’s Ibrox was the prize as he has been an avid fan since he was a boy. He chose friend and fellow resident and Rangers’ fan Ken Mathieson to accompany him for the grand day out. Eastwood Court’s activity co-ordinators Lesley Brown and Catherine McAllister got in touch with the club about the home holding an afternoon tea with a raffle to raise funds for the residents, and were delighted when it donated stadium
tour tickets. Manager Michelle Beltran said: “Lesley and Catherine do a great job coming up with activities and ideas that tie in with our residents’ interests and hobbies. “Several of our residents are sports fans and it was lovely to see a prize that resonated so much with Gordon and his pal Ken. “They both had a grand day out thanks to the generosity of Glasgow Rangers.” The tour brought many memories back for the former whiskey factory warehouseman, whose favourite players from over the years include Davie Cooper and Ali McCoist, and he was friends with Bobby Russell.
RESIDENTS and staff at a family-run South East care group have helped to raise almost £5,000 for two UK care charities following a month of fundraising activities. After rolling up their sleeves in charity bake sales and donning their boots in several walkathons, staff and residents across Nellsar’s 13 care homes throughout Kent, Surrey and Essex helped to raise £3,856 for the Alzheimer’s Society and £1,079 for Macmillan Cancer Support – half of which was matched by Nellsar’s managing director Martin Barrett. Viv Stead, recreation and well-being manager at Nellsar, said: “Everyone has had so much fun raising muchneeded funds for charity. “Whether it was baking or walking, all our staff, residents and their family members collectively got into the giving spirit and raised an incredible amount for important causes. “We’re delighted to see some of the funds go towards the millions of pounds needed to pay for Macmillan Nurses, who selflessly support people living with the disease every day. “We’re also pleased to be supporting the Alzheimer’s Society; the UK’s leading dementia research charity dedicated to causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure.”
Having started back in September with the nationwide Macmillan Coffee Morning, where each of the homes whipped up a collection of delectable treats and glorious bakes worthy of a Paul Hollywood handshake, the fundraising continued with several walking events, including a special sponsored memory walk as part of the 10th anniversary of World Alzheimer’s Day. A cheque presentation event for Macmillan Cancer Support recently took place at Sonya Lodge Residential Care Centre in Dartford, Kent, while the cheque for the Alzheimer’s Society was handed over at Woodstock Residential Care Centre in Sittingbourne, Kent. A special ‘Champion Fundraiser’ trophy was also awarded to Woodstock, having raised £735 through cake sales, walking events and a raffle. Viv added: “Overall, it’s been a tremendous effort by all of the homes, from Woking right across to Deal. “The fact our managing director Martin Barrett then decided to match the initial funds raised highlights the recognition of such an amazing fundraising achievement, and it certainly proved to be the icing on the cake.”
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