Issue 18 29.07.20 We are committed to supporting customers in these unprecedented times, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me or a member of my team to talk about how we can help Derek Breingan, Head of Health and Social Care 07818 454674
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Register now for the first of our webinars THE line-up of speakers has been revealed for the first in a series of online webinars launched by Caring UK. The Exceeding the Boundaries of Care event takes place on Tuesday, August 4 between 10.30am and 12pm. The free event will feature national speakers and exhibitors. They are aimed at proprietors, managers, financial directors, individuals working within purchasing departments, matrons and senior nursing staff of care homes, nursing homes, dual registered homes, retirement villages, ancillary care organisations and domiciliary care agencies who work in the independent elderly care sector. Kicking it off will be Nadra Ahmed OBE, chairman of the National Care Association. She will be followed by Steve Gardner, head of training at Oomph! Wellness, Hilary Cragg, partner and practising solicitor at Nash & Co Solicitors, Andrew Tovey, senior implementation manager, at the Office of the Public Guardian and Judith Manners, director of Opus Pharmacy. There will a chance at the end for delegates to question the speakers. Event director Judith Halkerston said: “We are really excited to be presenting our first series of Caring UK webinars during August and September.
“Our regional care conferences have been delivering information and networking opportunities to key decision makers in the care sector for 20 years and we are delighted to unveil this exciting new addition to the brand. “As we have all had to adapt and change the way we live and work, it seemed the perfect time to launch our online webinars which allow us to continue to present professional and informative events with national speakers and exhibitors. “Moving forward, we are committed to extending our online programme to run alongside our popular and successful live conferences. “We hope that as many of you as possible will join us and that these online events will prove just as invaluable as our conferences and will allow busy delegates to benefit from them.” Register your place at https:// zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QomV21SQG-LLEoz2aW8Xg Further webinars featuring a wide range of speakers are planned for Tuesday August 25, Tuesday September 15 and Wednesday September 30. Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are also available. To find our more call Tony Barry on 01226 7634605 or Bev Green on 01226 734288. Alternatively, email tb@scriptmedia.co.uk or bg@ scriptmedia.co.uk
Group bucks trend and is recruiting
Wellness is the word at Belong care village in Atherton as care workers take part in an initiative designed to boost health and fitness during the pandemic. Rolled out at the beginning of lockdown, the scheme has been a great success, with participants reporting a number of positive outcomes, including improvements to energy levels, sleep and team morale. A key part of the scheme is the step challenge, which has seen staff clock up the miles in a bid to become more active in their everyday lives. Team members document their individual achievements through a shared online platform, with those making the biggest improvements awarded a certificate and trophy. Belong Atherton receptionist Penny Duddle is pictured with her weekly award.
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BALHOUSIE Care Group is bucking the national trend and recruiting across its care facilities. The Perth-based provider is ramping up recruitment as it re-opens its care homes to visitors after a four-month lockdown. Balhousie Care Group created temporary jobs and casual contracts during lockdown as it sought to fill spaces created by staff who were self-isolating or facing childcare demands. It now has permanent roles available, including carers, support workers and nurses, at its care homes in Perthshire and Angus. Jill Kerr, chief executive officer at Balhousie Care Group, said: “We’re on the hunt for people who are excited about a career in the care sector and the rewards and opportunities for progression that come with it. “In return for a commitment to high standards of care, we offer competitive salaries and training, and the chance to be part of an innovative and award-winning company in a growing sector. “We’re delighted to be bucking the trend and offering positive news to job seekers at a challenging time for everyone. “It’s an exciting time to be joining Balhousie Care Group as we continue to invest in our facilities and our people.” Among the homes recruiting are Balhousie North Grove in Perth, which specialises in dementia care, Balhousie Pitlochry, Balhousie Lisden in Kirremuir, and Balhousie Glens in Brechin.
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Webinar to launch zero per cent VAT campaign for social care A CONSORTIUM of homecare providers has united to lobby the government for a change to the sector’s current VAT regime, which they say is punitive. All homecare providers are being invited to attend a webinar on Thursday August 6 where the issues facing the sector and plans for the lobbying campaign will be outlined. Founding consortium members are hoping other providers will join them in the campaign. At the start of the pandemic Ken Deary, CEO of Right at Home and Martin Jones, CEO of Home Instead Senior Care conceived the idea for the consortium when VAT charges on PPE brought into sharp focus the inequity of social care’s VAT status. Goods and services provided by regulated social care organisations are exempt from VAT, meaning that they do not charge VAT on their services. However, their current VAT status means they cannot reclaim VAT on expenses. The group want social care services to become zero-rated for VAT. Ken said: “Homecare providers are at the front line, providing an invaluable service to some of the most vulnerable in our society. “We are a silent partner to the NHS, playing a key role in alleviating pressure on hospital beds by keeping people safe and well in their own
Martin Jones
Ken Deary homes. Our sector is made up of many small, independent operators. Costs go up year and year and we operate under this punitive VAT regime that sees margins squeezed. “Social care providers operate in a highly-regulated sector and as such there are many associated costs of running a business. Regulatory fees, training, office overheads to name but a few. And we were already facing increased financial pressures, even before Covid-19 with the cost of pension provision, National Living Wage increases to name but a few.” The sector welcomed the temporary
change to the VAT status of PPE during the pandemic but says it needs to see a permanent change to the sector’s status. Martin added: “While we welcomed the temporary suspension of VAT on PPE which has been a huge help, we are urging the government to go a step further and make a wholesale change that will benefit clients and carers alike. “As a sector we are really keen to reinvest any savings into delivering an even better service for our clients and to better support our carers. “This would be through increasing
rates of pay to carers, additional training opportunities, allowing carers to spend more time with their clients for those providers who are forced into delivering shorter duration calls. “Providers would have more flexibility to invest in technology to support clients with items such as Raizer chairs, for example, becoming more commonplace.” The consortium argues that they should operate under the same VAT regime as mobility aid retailers, which serve practically the same client base, who are already zero rated. Ken concluded: “The cost to the Treasury to change social care to zero rated would be relatively small annually, but it would make a significant contribution to keeping financially under pressure social care providers in business, both in the short and long term for the huge benefit of their clients, carers and, let’s not forget, the NHS.” Founding members of the lobby group are Ken Deary (Right at Home UK), Martin Jones (Home Instead Senior Care UK), Michelle Fenwick (Heritage Healthcare), Lise Fyfe (Caremark), Alex Green (Radfield Homecare), Wayne Smith (Bluebird Care) and Yvonne Tomlinson (Kare Plus). They will all be presenting at the webinar.
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CARINGWEEKLY
From carers to a couple
Bespoke contact centre launched for all enquiries
SUNRISE Senior Living UK and Gracewell Healthcare have launched a new contact centre to provide a personalised service for people looking for a care home. By offering a sensitive and personable service for new enquiries, the two providers hope to ease the difficulties associated with residents joining a care home setting for the first time. The contact centre has also adjoined an existing care home to fully embed the service within the organisation. Open seven days a week between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am and 5.30pm Saturday and Sundays, Sunrise and Gracewell believe the new bespoke service will give new callers a positive introduction to the operators and maximise sales through effectively capturing incoming leads. The centre will be led by Rachel Warburton, who joined the organisation in January and has more than 20 years’ experience in customer service roles. She said: “I am really excited for the contact centre to open officially and for my team to settle into their roles. “We have a unique opportunity to make a difference to our potential residents and their family members during a time that may be both difficult and upsetting for them. “My team and I have the chance to make the experience of finding the right care home as positive and worry
free as the process can be, and to embody the company’s core values and ethos right from the very first contact and to give the very best, first and lasting, impression of what it means to be a part of the Sunrise and Gracewell family. “We are really looking forward to working with the director of community relations and homes admissions advisors within each home to support the sales process and enhance the volume of sales leads and opportunities. “We have a great team who can’t wait to help potential residents and their family members navigate the process of finding the right care home in the best way possible, so they can live their best lives.” The new contact centre employs eight community relations coordinators who have had extensive training. As part of each community relations coordinator’s two-week training programme, new recruits were given first-hand experience of what living at a home is like for residents. This included shadowing care shifts, embarking on memory care training, and spending time within the homes to develop a true understanding of the group The centre, which received significant investment from Sunrise Senior Living UK and Gracewell Healthcare, now takes up to 100 calls a day.
New care home opens its doors A BURSCOUGH care home has opened its doors for the first time for viewings, following strict Covid-19 guidelines. Having booked by appointment, guests were taken on a tour of Lily Wharf Lodge. As the opening coincided with World Chocolate Day, guests were also treated to an array of sweet treats once they arrived in the dining area that looks out onto the courtyard. Home manager Carol Dwyer said: “The day was very enjoyable, with guests and staff enjoying the large selection of chocolates and
sweets. We are excited about the new opening of Lily Wharf Lodge, and we look forward to meeting our new community members. “Community is the heart of Lily Wharf Lodge and we are excited to work more closely with the local area in the near future.” The home will open when able to anyone in the area who may be feeling lonely and isolated to attend events such as community coffee mornings and musical memory cafés that help bring people together, inspire conversation and new friendships.
GORDON Price recently retired from Brunelcare after nearly two decades as a Somerset community carer. Not only did he grow his career with the Bristol based charity, caring for more than 450 people across nearly two decades, but Gordon also found something he wasn’t expecting – true love. He met his now wife Sue at the charity after she joined his community care team five years after Gordon started with Brunelcare. The twosome would care for people in their own homes together and ended up falling in love and getting married. Gordon said: “I started with Brunelcare when I was 48 in 2003. I had a full head of hair then. “I absolutely loved working at the charity, my team was great and my clients became my family. “I would visit people in their own homes providing care across Somerset, the job was so fulfilling, “I’ll miss my colleagues and clients immensely. What I didn’t expect to happen at Brunelcare is finding the love of my life, this, alongside delivering extraordinary care to extraordinary people was the best part of the job.” Before joining Brunelcare, Gordon was an engineer for 33 years before
Gordon Price and his wife Sue. deciding on a change of career. Sue and Gordon met on shift one day and said there was an instant spark. They have been together for 12 years and have been married for a decade. Together, Sue and Gordon have 15 children between them from previous relationships and 23 grandchildren. Gordon said: “When Sue and I worked at Brunelcare, towards the end of our careers we were usually on different shifts. “We were like passing ships in the night so it’s lovely to be able to spend quality time together at our home. “We enjoy gardening, baking, going on walks and waking up and thinking, what shall we do today?”
With the implementation of face masks for staff in health and social care, management and staff at Chandos Lodge Residential Home in Stourbridge became conscious that residents, especially those living with dementia and those hard of hearing, became increasingly confused with who was looking after them when the requirement for staff to wear masks was implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, an idea soon became a reality when T-shirts were ordered with the staff member’s photograph, name and position within the home all printed on the front. The idea has proved a huge success, with residents recognising staff much more easily and feeling more comfortable with those looking after them.
Group appoints land director KAREN Green has been appointed as land director for care home construction company Savista Developments. Karen, who has more than 17 years’ experience sourcing off market opportunities, acquiring sites and obtaining planning permissions, plans to support Savista Developments by overseeing the ultimate acquisition of sought-after care home development locations
across the South of England. She said: “With a strong ethos and the aim of Savista Developments to be the leading developer of exceptional environments, delivering innovative solutions for later living lifestyle on behalf of its sister company Hallmark Care Homes, Savista presented the ideal opportunity for me to join the Hallmark family and to deliver on the company’s ambition.”
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CARINGWEEKLY
Young ‘hugs in a bag’ creator gets to visit residents
Sonnet Care Homes’ CEO Julia Clinton (first left) with team members Kirsty Anderson, Michaela Clifford, Fran Prentice and Janet Preece joining in the Hawaiian party fun.
Provider’s got talent to entertain its residents STAFF at two Braintree care homes have unveiled an array of musical talent to entertain residents during the coronavirus lockdown. From an Elvis tribute to belting out summer sounds, team members from The New Deanery and St Mary’s Court in Bocking have kept residents in high spirits with their in-house entertainment. With safety paramount during the pandemic, all external entertainment and visitors had to be cancelled. The Sonnet Care Homes’ activities team responded quickly, taking advantage of the sunshine to arrange garden parties in the spacious grounds. Finance director Jo Moore has been singing in bands ranging from rock and roll to function bands since she left school and was soon persuaded to provide live music. During the recent heatwave, the team arranged a Hawaiian cocktail and mocktail party, with staff dressing up in grass skirts and floral print shirts and Jo entertaining residents with numbers including Sunny Afternoon, Summer Holiday and
Surfin’ USA. She said: “I’ve really loved it, it’s been such a privilege and a nice change from looking after the finances. “It’s been a difficult time and our residents have really missed going out and seeing family as well as our usual entertainment programme. It is lovely to see everyone singing along and tapping their feet, it has really brightened their spirits.” Jo also loves singing Elvis Presley numbers and was in for a surprise when activities team member Russell England made an entrance in full costume to belt out three favourites. The team also features care worker Clair Tomalin, who demonstrated her skills playing wartime classics on the flugelhorn at the residents’ VE Day party. Sonnet Care Homes’ CEO Julia Clinton added: “Our whole team has been focused on keeping residents safe during the lockdown and I’m proud they’ve gone way beyond the call of duty to bring fun and happiness to our community.”
A SURREY school pupil who created ‘hugs in a bag’ for local care home residents during lockdown was able to visit the home in person – with PPE and social distancing allowing her to come and greet grateful residents face-to-face. Eight-year-old Savannah Kimber, who attends The Royal Prep School in Hindhead, hit upon the idea of ‘hugs in a bag’ during coronavirus lockdown as she looked to find something that would help to cheer up residents of the Huntington and Langham Estate who have been having to socially distance. The concept involves two colourful hand prints, which are attached via lengths of wool and can then be draped around a neck to mimic a hug – with the idea being to spread happiness and comfort, but without compromising resident safety. With the initiative going down a storm in the home, and with appropriate measures allowing the prospect of a visit, the team at Huntington and Langham invited Savannah to come and see some of the residents so they could thank her in person. With an appropriate distance between them, Savannah and her younger brother Reece, who also joined her for the visit, donned masks, gloves and aprons, before visiting the garden room at Huntington House where several residents were there to greet them. Charlie Hoare, director of the Huntington and Langham Estate, added: “Savannah’s hugs brought great joy to the estate – both for residents and staff, so we felt it only
Savannah Kimber and her brother Reece with a resident at the Huntington and Langham Estate. right that she came to meet some of our residents, offering them the chance to express their thanks for such a lovely and thoughtful gift. “We’ve only recently been in a position where, following government guidance and undertaking our own additional precautions, we can welcome people back to visit residents in the homes. “With Savannah having worked so hard to uplift spirits, we wanted to give her the chance to speak to them face-to-face. “It was lovely to see them interact and the residents thoroughly enjoyed meeting both Savannah and Reece, which proved yet another morale booster.” In preparation of the visit, staff at the estate had put pictures of residents wearing the ‘hugs’ around the room in decoration and to highlight just how appreciated the gesture was.
Home manager Nicky Bickerstaffe with some of her team and artist Nellie Hearn.
Home receives donation
THE team at Kingsmead care home in Swindon has received a special gift. The home, which is part of the Healthcare Homes (Spring) Ltd and provides residential care for up to 40 people, was recently contacted by Nellie Hearn, a former professional dancer turned professional artist. He got in touch to offer a piece of art in recognition of the efforts the team has gone to during the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this month Nellie delivered the special painting called ‘Make a Wish’, depicting a colourful dandelion flower, which will be hung in the home’s reception for all to enjoy.
Home manager Nicky Bickerstaffe said: “We’ve been quite overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of our community during the pandemic. “We were very touched when we heard from Nellie, who was so keen to gift something to our home in recognition of the work of the team. “The painting has already been admired by many and we hope that people will enjoy it for years to come.” The home has appreciated a tremendous amount of support from the local community during lockdown, with letters, gifts and donations regularly received for staff and residents.
A resident at Linden House care home in Epsom celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by residents, a relative and staff. Hilda May Lake was joined by her son Brian as she marked her landmark day with a show from a local entertainer arranged by staff at the home. Although she received lots of birthday cards and presents, none were more special than the official birthday card she received from the Queen acknowledging her special day. Hilda was born in London in July 1920, shortly after the end of the First World War, and would later move to Luton, Bedfordshire, to work as a personnel officer. While in Luton, Hilda married and had one son before her husband passed away in 1960.
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CARINGWEEKLY
Key appointment made to expanding strategic team
2.6 Challenge raises more than £15,000 MORE than £15,000 has been raised for Royal Star & Garter through the 2.6 Challenge. The challenge was a nationwide initiative aimed at helping charities feeling the financial effects of the Covid-19 pandemic as a result of cancelled mass-participation fundraising events such as the London Marathon. Royal Star & Garter joined with thousands of other charities to take part in the challenge. Fundraisers including relatives of residents, Royal Star & Garter’s chairman Major General Tim Tyler, and members of staff helped raise a current total of £15,216. Lauren Baker, senior community fundraiser for Royal Star & Garter, said: “With the cancellation of mass participation events, I never imagined we would raise such an impressive amount when we joined the 2.6 challenge – this was a new way of fundraising for us. “Our thanks go to all our fundraisers who took part in great challenges, and
their kind supporters who generously gave money to help us continue providing exceptional person-centred care for our residents.” Royal Star & Garter is a charity which provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia at homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe. Over half the amount came from the CiaO Foundation, a charity which aims to motivate, inspire and help individuals going through challenges. It raised £7,696 through a variety of challenges, including people baking 26 cakes, cycling 260 miles and climbing a flight of stairs 260 times. Major General Tyler raised more than £4,820 through a virtual row between Royal Star & Garter’s three homes. There were also valuable contributions from other fundraisers including the great grandchildren of a High Wycombe resident, staff from the homes and the charity’s administration office.
RETIREMENT Villages Group Ltd has appointed James Ahearne to its expanding planning and development team. Chartered planning and development surveyor James takes up the role of development director, having started his career working for supermarket giant Lidl, where he spent 10 years – latterly heading up its North London property office. He said: “I am delighted to be working with Retirement Villages and aim to build on what I have achieved so far within the sector to help the team to deliver best-inclass buildings, place-making and community experiences.” One of James’ initial major projects is overseeing the redevelopment of Sheer House in the centre of West Byfleet, Surrey. As owners of the newly acquired site, Retirement Villages Group Ltd plans to invest £90million to create a retirement-led, mixed-use community development. James first became interested
James Ahearne
in retirement development on discovering more about the industry during competitive bid situations almost 20 years ago. Since then, he has followed his interest by working for later-living sector companies PegasusLife and Amicala London. Housekeeper Karen Webster has received a prestigious 30-year service award in recognition of her work at Stocks Hall in Burscough. Karen was the care home’s first member of staff when it opened, and although her job title is housekeeper, she does a little bit of everything and will help where she can. Karen is also the raffle and bingo extraordinaire, organising and fundraising for the residents twice a year with her successful Easter and Christmas events.
Scheme to help families know how care homes are managing infection control INDEPENDENT validation of infection control measures within care homes is being made available to the public for the first time in response to Covid-19 with the launch of the S.A.F.E. scheme by Autumna. Standing for Symptom Assessment For Everyone, S.A.F.E. aims to give the elderly and their relatives thirdparty validated information as to the effectiveness of the infection control policies and procedures within a care home. The industry first is the initiative of Autumna, which helps families find care through its free care advice line and the UK’s largest and most detailed directory of care services for the elderly, with some of the listed care providers already taking advantage of S.A.F.E. “We know from the calls to the free Autumna advice line that the number one concern of those considering care at the moment is Covid-19 and whether mum will be safe,” said founder Debbie Harris. “We also knew 60 per cent of care homes hadn’t experienced any Covid19 – but we didn’t know who the 60 per cent were.
“Until now the elderly and their relatives have had no way of knowing how well the care providers they’re considering have responded to the crisis to enable them to make an informed decision about how safe mum or dad is likely to be – and the care homes had no way of evidencing their measures, other than through the own websites.” Care homes displaying the S.A.F.E. icon on the Autumna website must have, in the first instance, uploaded their individual CQC Covid-19 Emergency Support Framework
report onto the site. Plans are in place to extend the validation to include other thirdparty validated assessments of infection control measures, including certification of better staff training and the use of new technologies such as walk-through thermal scanners and remote digital patient monitoring equipment. Debbie added: “The CQC launched its Emergency Support Framework on May 1, but until now there has been no way for the public to know how the CQC has assessed the Covid-19 measures of individual care homes. “By enabling care homes to upload their reports to the Autumna website, we are providing the transparency that families need to make care decisions with greater confidence.” Sister companies Runwood Homes and Sanders Senior Living, which have 23 care homes with a premium listing on Autumna, have been quick to take advantage of S.A.F.E. “We know this is the number one priority for families at the moment,” said Alyssa Kelleher, digital marketing and communications manager at Runwood Homes Senior Living.
“Being able to share our CQC report through the Autumna website gives us a platform to address any concerns and to demonstrate the measures we’ve introduced to best protect our residents from Covid-19.” The CQC Emergency Support Framework is based on the answers given by care providers to 15 questions. “It’s not a comprehensive assessment, by any means, but at the moment it’s the only guide we have available about infection control measures within care homes,” concluded Debbie. “That’s why Autumna is in discussions with a range of other sector specialists to provide wider ranging, robust validation to give the elderly and their relatives the information they need to compare the policies and procedures of different care providers.” S.A.F.E. does not mean a provider is Covis-19 free, but it does mean it the care provider is being transparent and proactive about their response to the coronavirus pandemic and how they manage infection control in their care setting.
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CARINGWEEKLY
Care sector crisis: is it safe to put loved ones in a home? MORE than three-quarters (76 per cent) of UK adults don’t think it’s safe to put a loved one in a care home at the moment, according to new research from dementia care specialist Vida Healthcare. The research highlights the impact of the Covid19 pandemic on the population’s perception of social care. More than half (53 per cent) of adults admit they would worry that their loved one’s health would deteriorate if they were to move into a care home, while 40 per cent would be apprehensive about not being able to visit them. However, 64 per cent of adults are more aware of what is happening in the care industry, with almost three quarters (70 per cent) learning more about the sector from coverage in the news, and 29 per cent from social media during the pandemic. In fact, 70 per cent of Brits now value social care staff and the work done in the industry as much as NHS workers, highlighting that concerns over placing a loved one in care is no reflection of the social care workforce. Vida Healthcare managing director James Rycroft said: “Although more people than ever are aware of social care thanks to coverage in the mainstream press and on social media platforms, for nearly two in five (37 per cent) people this is more negative than before the pandemic and almost half don’t know what specialist dementia care is. “There are many types of dementia and people’s symptoms change over time, but at specialist dementia care homes all the residents and service users have a formal dementia diagnosis. “People living with a range of conditions,
including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies, are all supported. “We need to work together to ensure that people seeking high quality care for their loved ones have confidence in the sector. “The health and wellbeing of residents and staff is the first priority of care workers and providers, and we’ve introduced new initiatives during the pandemic in order to adapt and react to the virus and lockdown measures. “Alongside weekly testing and adequate PPE, our homes use OZONE machines to sanitise each room in the building. This covers all surfaces with an OZONE mist and kills bacteria and viruses. “Our laundry uses OZONE technology in all washes which assists with killing off any virus which has made its way onto clothing. “In preparation of admissions picking back up, we’ve created a 10 bed isolation suite which allows us to admit residents and make sure they are clear of Covid-19 before they join the wider
Vida community. We’ve also invested in hiring an admissions manager who is working exclusively with families throughout the enquiry and admissions process to answer any questions and concerns they might have.” The research found that connectivity in social care is also a significant area of concern for many, with just under half (45 per cent) keen to see better technology rolled out across residential care to enable families to stay connected virtually. 46 per cent of people are also worried about the pressure of visiting family members within care homes as we ease out of lockdown, and two in five (40 per cent) are worried about feeling guilty for not visiting. James added: “Alongside protecting staff and residents, one of our main priorities at Vida Healthcare is to continue creating a sense of community and keeping residents connected with their loved ones. “We’ve developed our very own app, Family Team Talk, which is updated frequently and allows families to see a daily snapshot inside our care homes. “The app is user friendly and gives families instant access to catch up on the health and wellbeing of their loved one. “The care sector is working together with vulnerable people, their families, the Clinical Commissioning Groups, Public Health England and GP surgeries to change public perceptions of social care, and ensure all aspects of care and comfort are met with dignity and meets the known preferences and wishes of everyone in social care and their loved ones.”
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CARINGWEEKLY
Homecare provider introduces new pay service for workers Staff receive ‘Ab Fab’ gifts of thanks from residents
COLLEAGUES at The Old Vicarage care home in Leigh, Dorset have all received a special gesture of thanks from the residents. Every member of staff was presented with a treat box by residents, which had been put together by local lady Abby Dare of ‘Ab Fab Cakes’, containing delicious sweet treats to enjoy. The gift boxes were funded by residents and their families, Healthcare Homes and also the home manager Molly Burrows. She said: “It was so wonderful to help our residents say thank you to our team in a very special way. “The treat boxes were our way of saying just how grateful we are to the whole team for working so hard to care for our residents.
“They have all gone above and beyond every day, and the residents, their families and I, are incredibly proud of them all. It was a very emotional but happy day.” Residents presented a personalised box to their key worker to say thank you for everything they have done to keep people safe during the coronavirus pandemic. The team has worked tirelessly to keep residents happy and well during lockdown, when they have been unable to see friends and family. They have created innovative ways of keeping everyone entertained and busy, such as helping residents create their own herb garden, using virtual reality headsets to ‘visit’ different places and also setting up a pen pal programme with local children.
HRM Homecare Services has embraced the concept of flexible pay for its staff by launching a partnership with an earnings on demand app. The firm is one of the first Scottishbased care companies to have teamed up with Hastee, a platform which allows workers to receive a portion of their earned pay as and when they require it. Managing director Lynn Laughland said HRM Homecare decided to set up the partnership after surveying its staff about what other benefits the company could offer that would to help improve workforce working conditions. Flexible pay came back as top of the list. She added: “Flexible pay is now a worldwide movement across many sectors. It helps improve people’s financial wellbeing and security, and this app helps achieve that goal. “We pride ourselves on paying our staff well. Caring is a skilled profession, and care team is among the best in the social care sector. “We want to show them that they are valued, by bringing in additional benefits to working with HRM and flexible arrangements that can help meet their needs. Flexible pay is one of those. “This type of support means workers can draw down the money they earn without paying exorbitant interest. Flexible pay is growing in popularity worldwide, as the way to ensure people can take back control of their borrowing, gain financial security and financial freedom.” Hastee says flexible pay can help reduce staff turnover by more than
HRM Homecare managing director Lynn Laughland and carer Kim Boyle. half, as those who are offered flexible payment options are more likely to stay with their current employer. Flexible pay is one of a range of measures HRM Homecare has brought in. It is also encouraging its workers to join the NHS Credit Union, allowing them access to a savings bank with a range of added benefits. Lynn added: “Some of our care staff, like lots of people in our society, haven’t really been regular savers. This will enable people to save at an affordable pace, and we have already had a steady uptake of these facilities, as have organisations like the NHS. “We want our workers to realise, especially after the recent pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic, that we really value them. We hope that by listening to their needs, and introducing these measures, they can see how much we appreciate the work they do for us.”
Antimicrobial medical trolley for care homes and clinics GRATNELLS Medical products have been at the forefront of NHS and hospital storage for more than 40 years. The wide range of products available includes trolleys, frames, trays and multiple optional accessories that can be used to make up the ideal solution for medical environments. Also ideal for use in the health and social care sector, the Gratnells Medical range would fit suitably into care homes, dental practices and other surgeries. The popular Gratnells Medical Compact trolley boasts a small footprint and can easily fit into working environments that are challenged for space. The trolley system is fully mobile, can easily be moved between working environments and is treated with BioCote® offering maximum protection against infection. The complete Compact Range is compatible with all standard sized Gratnells trays which are also antimicrobial in translucent or kiwi jelly tint. In addition to the favoured Compact trolley, the new Gratnells Callero Shield Range is fully antimicrobial and is increasing in popularity throughout the education and medical sectors. Boasting double and treble width trolleys, as
well as the Gratnells Rover, the entire range is flexible and moves with ease. Some uses of the Gratnells Medical range include, but aren’t limited to: n Safely store and move important records and files with reduced risk of cross contamination within care homes or surgeries. n Offers a protected storage solution for essential PPE equipment, as well as a solution for transportation and distribution. n Trays are a suitable alternative for storage of uniforms and can be used by staff to transport clothing and equipment between work and home. n Organise, move and administer medication to patients. n Organise, move and store essential surgical equipment and tools. n Protected home for personal effects including clothing, personal hygiene items and electronic devices. n Add antimicrobial lids for extra protection, particularly when transporting materials. Enquiries: Browse the full Gratnells Medical range at https://www.gratnellsmedical.com/ or call 0800 169 6854.
Residents enjoy afternoon tea IT WAS time for tea at Rogers House residential care home in Wigmore when the residents got together to enjoy a brew along with a selection of fresh cream cakes. From chocolate eclairs to a classic fluffy Victoria sponge, residents were spoilt for choice with the variety of tasty treats on offer. Home manager Jackie Miles said: “At the moment more than ever, it’s all about the little things, so when one of the residents told us she’d like a fresh cream cake, the activity staff thought why not host a cream tea for
all the residents. “Everyone had a lovely afternoon, nattering away and forgetting their worries. “There was a lot of talk about making it a regular Friday activity, so I’d say it went down well.” With life not yet back to normal, staff are recognising the importance of seemingly small gestures and the joy they can bring, putting more emphasis than ever on activities and socialising with one another, while volunteers and entertainers are still unable to join residents.
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CARINGWEEKLY Advertiser’s announcement
New British made sustainable and washable face masks and snoods LAUNCHING today to the care home sector, 1TcA’s new face coverings offer an environmentally sound, cost effective and safe alternative to disposable face masks. 1TcA’s products are made of GRS (Global Recycle Standard) fabric woven from recycled waste plastic and treated with HeiQ Viroblock technology: one of the first textile finishing technologies that have been successfully tested against the virus that causes the Covid-19 disease, SARS-CoV-2, in the laboratory, using the Viral Stability and Persistence test method.
isn’t a wise choice and doesn’t offer a cost effective solution to carer protection. Annual disposable mask supply calculated at 67p per mask, three masks per day approximately equates to £480 per year per carer. Annual use of two protective, reusable and recyclable 1TcA masks, enhanced by HeiQ Viroblock Technology, (one to wear and one to wash) equates to an annual saving of 93 per cent per carer (or £446) vs disposable mask provision.* Made in Britain 1TcA is a proud member of the Made in Britain Association. Their products are supporting British manufacturing with not only the production of the face coverings but also the creation of the GRS woven fabric.
Protecting employees: the problem When supplying staff with either reusable or disposable face covering your intension is to protect your workers and the residents they look after. Agree? But did you know that masks are also potential vectors of viruses and bacteria? This is because, before, during and after use there is a risk of transferring pathogens to and from the surface of the face masks: when staff put them on and take them off, during disposal and when touching the mask during wear or whilst adjusting the fit. How does HeiQ Viroblock tackle this issue? HeiQ Viroblock is a textile finishing technology which inhibits the persistence and growth of viruses and bacteria on the fabric and is a combination of HeiQ’s specially engineered antimicrobial silver technology and a vesicle technology. The silver releases silver-ions to kill the bacteria and inhibit their growth. HeiQ Viroblock is certified as safe and sustainable as all its ingredients are cosmetic grade, bio-based and recycled. Simply put… fabrics and textiles treated with HeiQ Viroblock are resistant to microbes, germs, viruses
and bacteria. Safe, durable and re-usable alternative to disposables 1TcA masks and snoods not only tackle the issue of cross contamination: helping protect carers and residents from viruses/ germs/bacteria, but they are also environmentally friendly. It’s a fact that disposable masks are incredibly detrimental to the environment. 1TcA face masks and snoods, are made woven recycled waste plastic fabric and are durable yet soft and comfortable to wear for extended
periods of time. The expected life span of 1TcA face masks and snoods is approximately one year. Plus the HeiQ Viroblock treatment on the face coverings has been tested to perform for 30 washes at an energy saving 30°C. This ensures a cyclical closed loop that doesn’t endanger the planet. Reusable face masks = a wise investment and cost saving solution Even with the recent government funding into the care sector to help stop the spread of Covid-19, the long term staff usage of disposable masks
About 1TcA: All net profits will go to charity The team at 1TcA: One Thought Changes All, is made up of 3 professional mothers. The 1TcA ethos is to ensure all net profits from the sales of their face coverings and snoods are donated to support sustainable charity development projects. These funds will help vulnerable families and communities in need across the UK and worldwide. Raj Kumari-Byford, founder of 1TcA, said: “Our durable and reusable face coverings offer an ethical and environmentally sound solution to care worker protection. “I consider it my moral obligation to help protect carers from Covid19, as well as helping to reduce the environmental impact caused by wide scale use of disposable face masks.” 1TcA masks and snoods are available for immediate procurement. * Calculations are based on the purchase of disposable masks from a leading national PPE online supplier offering 50 masks at £33.50 per box. Use of three disposable masks per day @ £2.01 per day for a five day week = £10.05 per week, 48 weeks of the year = £480.24 per year. Purchase of two x 1TcA Masks @ £16.99 = £33.98.
Sales enquiries Contact Raj Kumari-Byford on 0207 520 9260, email contact@1tca.com or visit www.1TcA.com