Domiciliary Care Business by Script Media

Issue 1 20.10.20

Care

BUSINESS

The online magazine for the domiciliary care sector

Provider to roll out app across its franchises

Operator wins top accolade

Care

HOMECARE provider Bluebird Care plans to roll out the innovative recruitment app Care Friends as part of its recruitment process across its network of 200+ franchises in the UK and Ireland. Care Friends is an employee referral app that uses gamification to incentivise staff to share jobs with their friends and contacts straight from their phones, as well as allowing managers to reward staff instantly for great work. Care Friends was created by Neil Eastwood, author of ‘Saving Social Care’, and was launched in June in partnership with Skills for Care. He said: “I am delighted we are now partnering with Bluebird Care nationally, one of the most respected brands in homecare. “It is validation of the excellent results we have seen across our pilot homecare sites, which have continued apace since our official launch just three months ago. “This partnership demonstrates the potential of Care Friends to support the recruitment and retention of a high-quality homecare workforce, at scale.” Employees that join the industry through referrals are more likely to stay in the care sector for longer, and Care Friends will allow Bluebird Care to access hidden talent within local communities.

The Bluebird Care workforce also benefit; the app financially rewards the employee at each step of the referral process as well as allowing them to collect bonus points as a thank you, or be recognised for an accomplishment, such as long service. Several offices from across the Bluebird Care franchise network have been piloting the app for several months. Katy Falconer, head of people, engagement and culture at Bluebird Care, added: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Care Friends, this innovative app is exactly what we need to help us improve both our recruitment and retention. “Some of our best carers have joined Bluebird Care because they were inspired by other friends and family in the care sector. “With Covid-19, our recruitment process has been streamlined and we are increasingly using technology to ensure we comply with social distancing guidelines. “It is great that our teams can benefit from recommending friends in this way and managers can instantly acknowledge outstanding work straight to the care assistant’s phone. “Recognising and rewarding our carers have always been our top priorities and we look forward to utilising the app more.”

Care

GMB has launched a domiciliary care campaign to help save a ‘service in crisis’.The ‘Taking Care’ charter has been set up to tackle the lack of funding, poor wages and 47 per cent staff turnover in homecare. The union has identified six key action points for local and national governments and care providers to ensure people get the care they deserve in their homes, while care workers are treated with the dignity they deserve. Rachel Harrison, GMB national officer, said: “It’s clear to anyone who has any involvement in domiciliary care that the service is in crisis. Whether it’s the poor wages, and in some cases non-payment for the time carers have to spend out there in the community, or the resulting 47 per cent staff turnover that causes a further crisis in recruitment; there is massive problems for both staff and providers. All parties and all governments need to address the chronic problems and ongoing crisis across care.”

A BIG THANK YOU

FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING TO KEEP OUR MOST VULNERABLE SAFE AND HAPPY …

WE’RE IN AWE OF YOUR SELFLESS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.

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ORAN Care has been recognised as an industry leader in innovation after winning the Scottish Care Award for Technology and People. As part of its mission to raise the standard of care at home, the Fife-based company is committed to finding new ways of using technology to improve the standards of care delivered. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of technology across the care industry and Oran Care intends to remain ahead of this trend by using technology to assist clients beyond just care visits, helping them to feel even more safe, connected and confident living at home. The company has done this through several key developments. These include creating podcasts to keep service users entertained and informed, providing video updates on the latest company news and implementing electronic monitoring systems to create a highly responsive care service. Managing director Jonathan McFarlane said: “Technology can only ever be as good as the people who are using it. “We’re so grateful to have such a fantastic team of carers who go above and beyond, day in and day out to improve the wellbeing of our service users. “We will continue to find new ways to improve the quality of care for our service users at every opportunity.”

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DOMICILIARY CARE BUSINESS

Huntingdon homecare provider introduces ‘formula for change’ A NEW in-home care provider has launched to be a catalyst for change. Taking the lead of Visiting Angels, Ian Lintott, aims to raise the standards of care in the region, while providing much-needed support to both clients and their families. “I’m extremely proud to now be in a position to help make an impact in the care sector,” said Ian. “Not just in my village, but for the whole of Cambridgeshire. It’s always been my ambition to build a business with a strong message at the core. “I’m determined to raise quality standards and want to be one of the first people taking steps in the movement to appreciating care staff with our different approach: I’m confident that Visiting Angels has the best formula for helping to do just that.” That ‘formula’ is what Visiting Angels calls ‘carercentric’. Simply put, it means treating care staff at the centre of everything they do, valuing them for their commitment and rewarding them both financially and with the opportunity for career development. Issues in the industry usually leave carers feeling little-to-no appreciation and without any form of progression – this is exactly what Ian and the Visiting Angels team are determined to change. “We take pride in how we differ from other care providers,” he added. “We commit to giving our caregivers a better wage, provide longer care visits with clients to ensure job satisfaction and incentivise them to deliver premium-quality standard of care. “The purpose is to make them feel more valued in their role and enjoy their work which, in turn, will

Ian Lintott, managing director, and Sam Kingston, registered care manager. result in them delivering a much better quality of service. “We call them our ‘Angels’ so we want to make sure they are treated that way.” Ian and Sam Kingston, his registered care manager, recently received approval to operate from the Care Quality Commission. Based at Ermine Business Park in Huntingdon, Visiting Angels is already on the hunt for local

care workers to satisfy the growing demand for its service. Within the next 12 months, the pair hope to bring at least 50 new jobs to the area. Sam has worked in the care industry for almost a decade and has developed a passion for in-home care. In that time, she has realised that staff should be at the heart of the organisation as their happiness translates to clients. “I began my career as a support worker before progressing to manage a large care team, to now being at Visiting Angels,” she said. “In my experience, it’s always been when carers are treated fairly and really treasured as a crucial part of the team that we achieve great results. It was clear to me then that embedding those values from day one was for the greater good.” In the wake of Covid-19, the pair recognise that their essential service is in demand more than ever before. Visiting Angels hopes to alleviate the pressure that has been place on local hospitals by helping people get back into their own homes. “The care sector offers some big challenges, but I’m determined to solve them,” added Ian. “I’m committed to highlighting in-home care as a viable career, while also setting myself a target of becoming the biggest care provider in Cambridgeshire. “Right now, at this difficult time, we’re in a position to change lives and I’m confident that, as a team, we can do just that.” Visiting Angels Cambridgeshire will serve families of Cambridge City, South and East Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Fenland.

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DOMICILIARY CARE BUSINESS

Provider shortlisted for three national awards

Westmorland Homecare staff outside the new branch’s office at Lancaster, from the left: Katie Pennington (care coordinator – recruitment), Christie Parker (care manager) and Sarah Macaulay (care coordinator – administrator).

Homecare company expands again and creates 15 new jobs A HOMECARE company is expanding again and has created 15 new jobs. Westmorland Homecare has opened a new branch in Lancaster. It is manned by experienced managers and the company has taken on 15 new home care assistants to look after people in the Lancaster and Morecambe area. And it is hoped that more staff will be taken on in future as its operation grows in this part of north Lancashire. Westmorland Homecare provides hundreds of hours of care each week, which enables anyone aged 18 and above, including elderly and often frail people, to live independently in their own home. Its services include homecare, such as help with housekeeping and meal preparation, and personal care, such as help with dressing, bathing and getting in and out of bed. Earlier this year the Kendal branch was given an ‘outstanding’ rating in all five key areas following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission. “We will be covering Lancaster, Morecambe, Bolton-le-Sands, Carnforth, Halton, Heysham and smaller surrounding villages,” said care manager Christie Parker, who has worked in the care sector for 10 years. “Since Westmorland Homecare was established in South Lakeland and Poulton-le-Fylde we have had a growing number of inquiries for the Lancaster and Morecambe area. “We can see a real need for highquality, reliable care within the area and wish to develop the service to meet that need. “More and more people are choosing to receive care within their own homes, no matter what their need and we believe that everyone should have that opportunity. “We believe passionately that care should be wholly focused on the client’s wishes and always do our upmost to achieve that.”

Christie said the office would be a hub of activity, providing staff support, training and organising care for people in the community. She added: “As the service grows, we will have an ongoing recruitment process to provide care for the increasing number of clients. We have a dedicated recruitment coordinator Katie Pennington and administration coordinator Sarah Macaulay, who bring a wealth of experience. “We look for kind-hearted people who have a passion to deliver outstanding care. Experience is not essential, as we provide full training from day one. “We benchmark all recruitment on the ‘mum-test’ and only employ people who we would be happy to provide care for one of our own family members. “The team and I are thrilled to be opening this new branch in Lancaster. We are looking forward to meeting new staff members, clients and their families.” Westmorland Homecare was founded in 2017 by Doctors Josh Macaulay and Chris Moss. Both had experience of caring for people in their NHS roles as an A&E doctor and anaesthetist but wanted to help people more than while they were just in hospital. As well as the Lancaster and South Lakeland branches, they also have a branch in the Fylde coast and Wyre district, which looks after clients in Blackpool, Poulton, Lytham and surrounding areas. “We believe that every individual should be free to remain in their home as long as they wish, should be able to be as active and independent as ever before and should continue to have rich and fulfilling lives,” added Dr Moss. “We want our clients to thrive and live life to the full, no matter what age they are. That is our mission and something we are dedicated to delivering every day.”

HOMECARE company Home Instead Senior Care has been shortlisted in three categories at this year’s LaingBuisson Awards which recognise outstanding achievement and excellence within the health and social care sectors. Home Instead has been named a finalist in the Homecare category which recognises ‘excellence in the provision of personal care or healthcare in the home setting’. They are also shortlisted in the Public Private Partnership category. This was for innovative collaborations between its local offices in Exeter & East Devon and Cheltenham and the South West Ambulance Service Trust which were developed to reduce falls-related hospital admissions. Home Instead has also been shortlisted in the ‘Outstanding response to Covid in social care’ category. This category looks to celebrate examples of strong culture delivering better care, excellent communication, early responses as well as adapting to and overcoming challenges during the pandemic. Martin Jones, CEO of Home Instead, said: “As ever, these nominations bear testament to our commitment to delivering outstanding care and the pursuit of our company mission

Martin Jones, CEO of Home Instead. which is to change the face of ageing. “We have a passionate national office team, an amazing network of franchise owners, dedicated key players and compassionate CAREGivers, all of whom share our vision and values and who, as a result, provide truly exceptional care. “My thanks go to them for the work they do – these awards would really not be possible without their efforts.” The LaingBuisson Awards take place on November 19.

Group launches new live-in care division ALCEDO Care Group has launched a new live-in care division. Offering 24/7 support at home, Alcedo Care’s Live-in care provides a range of levels, from companionship and emotional support to help with medication, personal care, dementia and more complex care services, with bespoke packages created tailored to suit the needs of every client. Available for individuals or couples of all ages, clients receive a complete one-to-one care service, unrivalled by residential homes, with the ultimate aim of helping clients maintain their independence, routines and lifestyle for as long as possible and provide peace of mind for family and loved ones. Alcedo Care’s Live-in care service also offers short term respite support, covering holidays and trips away as well as hospital discharge convalescence. Now available across the North West, Alcedo Care forecasts that it will create more than 40 new jobs before the end of the year. The Group anticipates the demand for live-in care services will be strong for many years to come. Andy Boardman, managing director at Alcedo Care, said: “There is a real desire to keep loved ones safe and well at home, which has without doubt intensified during the recent pandemic. “Many families were not able to provide the care required due to lockdown restrictions and we saw a big increase in the number of

Andy Boardman enquiries for 24/7 care at home. “Our new live-in care service addresses this need, providing both long term and short term support that is flexible and represents value for money. “The bespoke care packages ensure each and every client receives continuous care that perfectly suits their needs, with all carers trained to Alcedo Care’s exacting standards and employed directly by us. “Using the latest technology, the families of our clients benefit from real-time remote access to our care notes, ensuring they are kept fully up-to-date at time convenient to them.” Enriching lives and supporting independence, Alcedo Care’s Livein care is now available across the North West, with national expansion planned for 2021.

DOMICILIARY CARE BUSINESS

Association leads thanks for Meals on Wheels teams

Franchise marks 10 years BLUEBIRD Care Cardiff North has celebrated its 10th anniversary. The homecare provider offers a unique standard of personalised service from check-in visits to full live-in care support that compliments the entire care journey. Bluebird Care Cardiff North now operates in Whitchurch and neighbouring villages of Rhiwbina, the Heath, Llandaff and Llandaff North, Cyncoed, Lisvane, Llanishen, Radyr, Pentyrch, Pontprennau and Creigiau.

Director Michael Langham said: “I was so inspired with the approach demonstrated by Bluebird Care that I invested in a franchise in my home territory, Cardiff North. “For 10 years we have helped many people to live their lives independently in the familiarity and comfort of their own homes, the place that they want to be. “By listening to and offering a choice, living at home can be tailor made to suit any individual or couple.”

Smart tech helps older people stay safe and well in their homes OLDER people are being given smart watches to help them stay safe and independent in their own homes. City of York Council is among several local authorities to trial wearable technology as part of its long-term social care strategy. Roy Grant, head of ICT and digital services at City of York Council, said: “Residents tell us that they want to stay independent in their own homes and mobile for as long as possible. “To help make this happen, we are assessing our ability to reduce some of the impacts of isolation while also helping and supporting our social care colleagues in these challenging times. The council has been working with social care technology specialist Sensing247 and its partner Pinacl, a leader in digital transformation. The smart watches can monitor a range of indicators including body temperature, heart rate and sleep patterns as well as tracking step count to see how active someone has been. The devices are useful in many different health scenarios including patients who are being released from hospital or have a health condition that needs to be monitored. Another use would be monitoring patients who have recently had coronavirus. The wearable technology is supported by state-of-the-art sensors in a home that can collate a range of data. This includes capturing temperature and humidity, movement, how often doors open and close and power consumption. There is also a panic

Mark Lowe

button sensor used to call for help. Meanwhile, Sensing247’s Oximeter device that monitors blood oxygen saturation levels and a blood pressure device are being trialled by Age UK. Both provide alerts to registered contacts based on reading levels. The data is collected via a gateway connected to 3G/4G mobile or broadband and transferred to a Cloud platform for real-time monitoring and analysis. Mark Lowe, Pinacl’s business development director, added: “York is a real trailblazer in looking at harnessing innovative and disruptive technology for the benefit of older people in the city. “The combination of wearable and sensor technology has the potential to be a genuine game-changer for preemptive and outcome-based care. “We are also seeing lots of enquiries from local authorities and social care providers faced with the challenges of looking after the elderly as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic when access to people’s homes is still heavily restricted.”

THE National Association of Care Catering has launched a social media campaign to celebrate the work of the frontline Meals on Wheels services across the country and to say a big thank you to everyone involved. #mealsonwheelsheroes gives Meals on Wheels teams up and down the country the recognition, praise and thanks they deserve as part of the Covid-19 frontline effort, and also for the vital lifeline they offer the elderly and vulnerable living independently in the community all year round. Sue Cawthray, national chair, NACC, said: “The pandemic has highlighted a need that’s always been there. “The elderly and vulnerable living independently in the community are at risk of malnutrition and social isolation. “These issues existed long before Covid-19 became part of our everyday language, but they have been exacerbated and spotlighted by the pandemic. Talking to our members, the onset of lockdown brought about an increase in demand of up to 30 per cent. “As it became difficult for care teams to visit clients or relatives to support their loved ones, the vital role Meals on Wheels services play in the community gained greater recognition. “As well as delivering a daily nutritious meal, it also delivered important wellbeing checks and a friendly face to break the loneliness, which was intensified by lockdown. “The value of the Meals on Wheels services in alleviating malnutrition and social isolation must not be underestimated and we’re determined to spread our recognition and thanks far and wide. “We’ll be championing the #mealsonwheelsheroes campaign right up until Meals on Wheels Week 2020 and beyond to ensure the resurgence in awareness and respect for the service continues.” The Covid-19 pandemic meant the number of vulnerable people living in the community, confined to their own homes and reliant on others, increased significantly, almost overnight. In response, an army of Meals on Wheels heroes stepped up to ensure demand for this essential lifeline was met. From established meals on wheels services to the lunch clubs unable to welcome their guests and the closed pubs, restaurants and cafés that transferred their skill and facilities, to mention just a few, they’ve all worked tirelessly to deliver delicious, nutritious food to those in need. They’ve also innovated to ensure those that are isolated benefit mentally and emotionally from a friendly smile, a wellbeing check and the simple pleasure of a chat – all within the social distancing guidelines. The NACC is calling on everyone

Sue Cawthray, national chair of the NACC. – from its members, industry colleagues, partners, associations and friends to local government, politicians, celebrities and the general public – to take to social media to publicly declare their support and gratitude for all Meals on Wheels heroes. It’s asking everyone to post photographs of themselves with a special #mealsonwheelsheroes thank you message for all their followers to see, like, share and recreate. It’s very simple to take part: n Have your photograph taken holding the special thank you poster (downloadable from the NACC website). There’s a choice of thanking the Meals on Wheels heroes or proudly showing you are a Meals on Wheels hero. n Post the image on all your social media platforms, ensuring the hashtags #mealsonwheelsheroes and #morethanjustameal are included and tagging in the NACC as follows: Twitter @NACCCaterCare, Facebook TheNACCCaterCare, Instagram nacccatercare or LinkedIn thenacc. Suggested wording for posts can also be found on the website. The campaign will culminate with NACC Meals on Wheels Week 2020 between November 2 and 6. #mealsonwheelsheroes has already gained strong support from across the industry and beyond. NACC executive officers and members, chairs of key associations (including TUCO, APSE, ASSIST, HCA and LACA), and even some highprofile personalities are backing the movement. Neel Radia, Meals on Wheels project lead for the NACC, said: “From established providers to those born out of the pandemic response, the innovation and dedication to find solutions to challenges, including increased demand, social distancing, and supply and staff shortages, has been amazing, with each one having the incredibly positive result of providing a life-quality-enhancing lifeline to the elderly and vulnerable in uncertain, frightening and often lonely times.”

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DOMICILIARY CARE BUSINESS

UKHCA appoints new board members and officers FIVE new non-executive directors have been elected by members to the Board of United Kingdom Homecare Association, representing a diverse range of providers and geographies across the homecare sector. The new representatives bring the Association’s board to its full-strength of 14 elected non-executive directors. At the same time, the organisation also thanked others leaving the board at the end of their term of office. At the Association’s annual general meeting, UKHCA’s membership elected the following to the board: n Mario Abajo Menguez, chief executive officer, Clece Care Services Ltd, representing UKHCA members with between four and 20 branches in England. n Nancy Cross, director, Gofal Ystwyth Care Ltd, representing UKHCA members in Wales. n Carolanne Mainland, director of operations, Highland Home Carers Ltd, representing UKHCA members in Scotland. n Polly Munyeza, director and registered manager, Support Unlimited UK Ltd, representing UKHCA members with three branches or fewer. n Martin Ross, director of care at home, Care South, representing UKHCA members with three branches or fewer. Standing down from the board, with the Association’s warmest thanks for their work and support for UKHCA over recent years were: n Roger Booker, UKHCA’s vice-chair. n David Chalk, UKHCA’s honorary secretary.

n Lynn James, representing providers in England with three or fewer branches. n Gavin Stedman-Bryce, representing providers in Scotland. At the Association’s board meeting the following appointments were made from the Association’s nonexecutive directors: n Max Wurr, director of policy and communications, City & County Healthcare Group, appointed UKHCA’s vice-chair. n Lesley Megarity, chief executive officer, Domestic Care Group, appointed UKHCA’s honorary

secretary. Dominique Kent continues to chair the Association and Mike Smith remains UKHCA’s Treasurer. Dominique said: “It is a pleasure to welcome practising homecare providers to represent the sector across the UK. “As a national professional association, UKHCA’s role is to provide strong leadership. “It is essential that our strategic direction and governance is developed and overseen by members elected from within the diverse experience and knowledge of our

membership. We are deeply grateful to all the homecare providers who devote their time and expertise to support the work of the Board and contribute to the future development of the organisation. “I am particularly grateful for the contribution made by our colleagues standing down at the end of their periods of office this year. “We are committed to enabling all our members to contribute to a strong, sustainable, innovative and person-led homecare sector to flourish, so people can live safely and well at home.”

Nominate your heroes Sector first as group partners with health app organisation IT’S BEEN a year like no other with unprecedented challenges and demands. But, as the saying goes when the going gets tough, the tough get going – and nowhere has that been more true than in the care sector. Day after day, we have received news of selflessness, hard work and dedication up and down the country – carers who have made huge sacrifices to ensure the safety and well-being of their residents. The pages of our magazine and our weekly digital newsletters have told heartbreaking and heartwarming stories of unity against adversity; love and care conquering the biggest of battles. In these circumstances, we were so disappointed that we couldn’t proceed with this year’s Caring UK Awards and decided that so many amazing things had gone on during the difficult months of lockdown and beyond, we still needed to recognise these wonderful individuals and teams. That is why we recently launched the Caring UK 2020 Roll of Honour – this will appear in our January 2021 issue and will pay tribute to the lockdown heroes who have gone over and above in these most testing

of times. We want to hear from you if you know someone who has gone above and beyond in 2020 to make a difference and help their residents and colleagues get through these harrowing times. Please send your nomination to events@scriptmedia.co.uk and we will be featuring some of your stories in Caring UK magazine, and our weekly Caring UK digital newsletter. Closing date for entries is Friday December 4. There will be a place on our 2020 Roll of Honour for the most inspiring nominees and they will all receive a certificate to mark their achievements. We can’t wait to read your stories...

HOME Instead Senior Care has launched the social care sector’s first Digital Health Library and tablet scheme through a partnership with the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps. ORCHA is the world’s leading health app evaluation and advisory organisation. They test apps for the NHS, to produce a range of evaluated apps. Home Instead has partnered with the organisation as there are thousands of apps available but no regulation, making it hard for people to find ones that are safe, effective, easy to use and a good match. The resulting library contains a wide range of engaging apps covering mental stimulation through to physical exercise. The apps offer new ways for Home Instead’s clients to improve their health; often also connecting with others, clinicians or family. Martin Jones, CEO of Home Instead, said “While technology will never replace the human touch, it can enhance peoples’ lives, particularly when caregivers or family are not present. “The new scheme will help our

clients to tackle many of the health challenges they face. “Innovation is at the heart of our home care service and we’re continually working to find ways to enhance the person-centred care we deliver. This latest initiative gives our clients another new way to engage with their health and wellbeing from home, promoting overall wellbeing.” The apps cover a range of needs, from nutrition and exercise to those guiding people on managing agerelated conditions.

Infection Prevention and Control resources DO YOU: Want assurance that your staff have up-todate infection prevention and control skills in the fastmoving world of superbugs, changing national guidance and increasing scrutiny of health and social care providers? If so, you will also appreciate the need to be compliant with current legislation and CQC registration. WE: Are a highly experienced NHS Community Infection Prevention and Control Team and believe our unique education and training resources can help you reduce the risk of infection to your staff, service users, family and visitors. We produce extremely cost effective evidence based resources. Our easy to use A5 size, 72 page colour ‘Preventing Infection Workbook: Guidance for Domiciliary Care staff 2nd Edition’ has ‘Test your knowledge’ questions and comes with a ‘Certificate of completion’. The Workbooks are also designed to be kept as a handy reference tool. At just £2.99 per copy when buying 61 or more, it is an extremely affordable resource. In our range of Workbooks, over 130,000 copies are being used by health and social care staff. Other resources include: FREE set of 20 ‘Community Infection Prevention and Control Policies for Domiciliary Care staff’ FREE ‘IPC Bulletins for Domiciliary Care staff’ - To sign up simply send us an e-mail with your contact details and the word ‘Subscribe’ Audit tools Posters – a wide range, many of which are FREE to download such as ‘Wearing a mask: Do’s and Don’ts, Cleaning a commode for Domiciliary Care, Correct order for putting on and removing personal protective equipment And more ...

But don’t take our word for it – see our website for further details: www.infectionpreventioncontrol.co.uk, email infectionprevention.control@nhs.net or call 01423 557340 to place your order. The Workbooks are brilliant resources and staff are lucky you are there to support them. Completion of the workbook would be an ideal way for Domiciliary Care agencies and Care Home owners to demonstrate staff training to the CQC Elaine Biscoe, National Nursing Advisor, Care Quality Commission London Head Office The Workbook is excellent and a good source of information for our Support Workers Jane Caress, Access to Independence Masham, North Yorkshire

DOMICILIARY CARE BUSINESS Advertiser’s announcement

Making CQC compliance simple for domiciliary care providers DURING these very difficult Covid-19 times, infection prevention and control has never been more important. Infection prevention and control educational and training resources to meet the CQC’s exacting standards and promote best practice from the Community Infection Prevention and Control Team at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust have been launched to great acclaim. The workbook and policies produced by the team for domiciliary care, provides you with much needed definitive information on all aspects of how to achieve exemplary CQCapproved standards. The Community IPC team is a NHS commissioned service covering North Yorkshire and York, but due to the skills and expertise developed over the years within the team, they produce resources generically which can be used anywhere across the country. Their vision is to: n Share best IPC practice in the Health and Social Care sector Produce high quality affordable IPC resources. n Reduce hospital admissions and healthcare associated infection. n To support this vision, they have developed a user friendly website with a section specifically for domiciliary care. The ‘Preventing Infection Workbook: Guidance for Domiciliary Care staff’

gives domiciliary care providers confidence that staff who use them understand the key ways in which they can keep their service users safe from infection. Demonstrating this also satisfies CQC requirements that staff have received up-to-date training and education around infection prevention and control. Created with a multi-disciplinary

team including consultant microbiologists and director of infection prevention and control, and a number of other specialists, these workbooks also include advice on how providers can achieve both CQC and Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance compliance. The workbooks use evidence-based

Advertiser’s announcement

Look at your insurance renewal early and check your options By Simon Bentley CARING UK Weekly recently published an article by Mike Padgham around the issues he had with his care insurance renewal. For those of you who missed it Mike paid £10,000 last year and was offered £98,000, £41,000 and eventually settled at £18,000 this year – an 80 per cent increase. Without knowing the circumstances around claims, CQC reports, and any additional physical or environmental factors, and any issues around Covid19 it is hard to comment on specifics. As you will all know Covid-19 is not limited to the UK, it is a worldwide issue and is having a resurgence in many countries at the moment. Insurers also are not purely in the UK and as such they have exposures both beyond the care sector and also outside of the UK. Care in the UK is a sector which was not forcibly closed and, as such, did not have the same insurers protections as other business in the UK, who you may have also heard have not always had the cover they thought. In addition to the potential cost

Simon Bentley

from Covid-19 insurers like many business are faced with increased costs in terms of regulation and claims from other factors such as floods, liability changes and lower returns from investments. One source suggested that floods, which had been classed as a one in 100 years, are now possible to be one in three years. One of the big insurers in the UK care sector was recently downgraded to offer less security. The chances are that you are going to face an increase in insurance this

year. It is also likely that cover for Covid19 claims going forward will be restricted or removed. Our advice is still to look at your insurance renewal early. If you are not sure when it is check and start to look six weeks before you are due, speak with a couple of brokers and see what options they have available to you and obtain quotations. One major factor for insurers at the moment is the CQC report, which for some is an issues as you are unlikely to have been inspected in the last few months. If your report is Requires Improvement or Inadequate you may have a bigger issue as some markets are no longer looking to write cover for anything less than Good. Make sure you have your action plan available and add commentary so that your chosen brokers can fight your corner. If you find yourself reading this and wanting help, please call us on 01273 977221 or email info@phoenixsrs. co.uk n Simon Bentley is a director at Phoenix Specialist Risk Solutions.

information and have been produced by a team which has an unrivalled breadth of experience and depth of knowledge of training health and social care staff. Not only do they feature up-to-date information needed to ensure CQC compliance, they also let providers demonstrate their commitment to high quality care and service user safety. With a confirmed track record, the IPC Team provide tried and tested solutions for all healthcare settings. The IPC Team is an NHS organisation which re-invests revenues from the workbooks and the other services it offers to develop additional high-quality resources such as bespoke training programmes. Sonya Ashworth, matron, Infection Prevention and Control, said: “We’re proud to have produced these workbooks and resources. “They are continuously updated to reflect the ever-changing field of infection prevention and control, national guidance and legislation relating to it.” Under normal circumstances, pre Covid-19, we further supported the health and social care sector with two-day face-to-face IPC training specifically designed for infection prevention leads. The team is planning to convert this to an online training experience – watch out for further details.

Agency set for rebrand BERKSHIRE-based homecare agency Helpd has announced a major rebrand as part of its strategic initiative to enable a thorough business restructure after recent growth. Helpd is a specialist live-in care agency which provides live-in care across the UK . It has changed its name to The Live In Care Company to concisely convey its specialist services to clients and other partners. Luca Rado, co-founder of The Live In Care Company, said: “The rebrand is a significant milestone that marks our growth as a company since launching in January 2017. “We are driven to continue sourcing only the best carers, and with the branding and company name now fully mirroring the service we provide, we are confident this will only increase our visibility to both prospective clients and carers seeking our expertise.” A new logo, tagline and website accompany the rebrand, with the website designed to further highlight and bolster the company’s services. “We are restating our fundamental belief that our clients deserve the highest quality of care at home, total respect and a brilliant level of service,” added Luca.

THE 2021

CARING

UK AWARDS Thursday 2nd December 2021,

THE ATHENA,LEICESTER We are extremely sad to bring you the news that we have taken the incredibly difficult decision to cancel this year’s Caring UK Awards. All nominations for this year’s awards will be carried over to next year – and nominees will have the opportunity to update their nominations should they wish to ahead of the closing date. Thank you for all your nominations and support and we look forward to celebrating your amazing feats in 2021. Thanks too to our sponsors for your continued loyalty and support.

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