The Carer Digital - Issue #153

Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

One of the great joys of my role here at The Carer is reporting the many uplifting stories we receive I have often said the sector finds itself in the court of public opinion far too often with mainstream media in particular, (in my humble opinion) who are always seeking to print salacious stories while overlooking the many positive aspects initiatives awards and celebrations those working in the sector contribute on a regular basis

And I was thrilled this week to report on “Thank You for Being a Friend a wonderful initiative recorded by singing legend Tony Christie with the help of another singing legend Sting and supported by other stars

As you will see in the story on page 8 Music for Dementia is encouraging the country to learn the song and sing it all together at 3:00 PM on Sunday July the 2nd as a special thank you to somebody who has made a difference in caring for somebody with dementia

Music has long been recognized as a powerful medium that transcends barriers and touches the deepest parts of our souls Its impact on individuals particularly those living with dementia is truly remarkable In care homes and care environments where patients often face challenges in memory communication and emotional well-being music has emerged as a therapeutic tool with the potential to transform lives

And I have first hand knowledge of this!! Regular readers may recall I have often spoke of my own mother s battle with an aggressive form of Alzheimer s disease in the late 1980s and early 90s

This was a time when it was considered to be part and parcel of growing old and was a relatively unknown condition among the wider public I certainly had not heard of it, my mother hadn t been officially diagnosed with it and it was A TV documentary with Hollywood actress Angie Dickinson whose younger sister had Alzheimer s disease which alerted me to the and I then linked it to my mother's forgetfulness and behaviour and of course it was subsequently diagnosed as Alzheimer s disease

Turning to music and dementia at school I learned to play the recorder, I still play to this day and without sounding boastful I am pretty good!

One of my fond childhood memories are the times I stood behind my mother when she was performing household tasks and would play some of her old favourites on the recorder and she would automatically burst into song without even turning round

Years later when she was in a wonderful care environment unable not recognise me I used to take along my recorder and play her old favourites one song in particular which would have her singing, and that song is #Bye Bye Blackbird# in fact it still brings a tear

to my eye when I think of it!

Now of course research has shown that music has a unique ability to stimulate memories and evoke emotions in individuals with dementia Even when other cognitive functions may be impaired the neural pathways associated with music remain largely intact allowing patients to access memories and experiences associated with familiar songs

The simple act of listening to a beloved tune can transport individuals back to their youth triggering feelings of joy nostalgia and a renewed sense of identity

In care homes music is not merely a form of entertainment; it becomes a means of communication and connection When words fail music steps in bridging the gap and fostering meaningful interactions between patients, their caregivers, and even fellow residents Singing, playing instruments, or participating in music therapy sessions can create a shared experience that transcends the boundaries imposed by dementia, allowing individuals to express themselves engage in social interactions and find a sense of belonging

Beyond its emotional benefits music has also been found to have physiological effects on dementia patients It has the potential to reduce agitation anxiety and restlessness promoting a calmer and more peaceful environment By stimulating the brain and releasing endorphins music can alleviate stress and improve overall well-being

This in turn can have a positive impact on sleep patterns appetite and overall quality of life for individuals in care

Recognizing the incredible potential of music, many care homes and care environments have incorporated music-based programs into their daily routines From personalized playlists tailored to individual preferences to live performances and music therapy sessions these initiatives have shown immense promise in enhancing the lives of dementia patients The positive outcomes have been evident not only in the patients themselves but also in the staff who witness the transformative power of music firsthand

While music cannot reverse the effects of dementia it can provide solace meaning and a renewed sense of self to those living with the condition It allows them to connect with their past engage with the present, and find moments of respite from the challenges they face As we continue to explore the potential of music in dementia care it is essential that we promote and support the integration of music-based interventions into care homes and care environments ensuring that every individual living with dementia has the opportunity to experience the healing and transformative effects of music

Please do keep your stories coming in we are delighted to publish some delightful stories from various homes around the country from birthdays to fund raising from baking to growing vegetables anything you would like to share please do send it to me at editor@thecareruk com

Rights to Care Visits to Be Enshrined in Law

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

The new legislation will strengthen rules around visiting, providing the Care Quality Commission (CQC) with a clearer basis for identifying where hospitals and care homes are not meeting the required standard

The government recognises the contribution that visiting makes to the wellbeing and care of patients attending hospitals, and residents of care homes, as well as the emotional wellbeing of their families and so is seeking views on what the new rules will look like

For health settings regulations will be reviewed in both inpatient and outpatient settings emergency departments and diagnostic services in hospitals to allow patients to be accompanied by someone to appointments

HUGE PROGRESS MADE

Minister for Care Helen Whately said: I know how important visiting is for someone in hospital or living in a care home and for their families I know from my own experience too - I know what it feels like to be told you can’t see your mum in hospital That’s why I’m so determined to make sure we change the law on visiting

Many care homes and hospitals have made huge progress on visiting and recognising carers since the pandemic But I don’t want anyone to have to worry about visiting any more, or to face unnecessary restrictions or even bans

I have listened to campaigners who have been so courageous in telling their stories I encourage everyone who cares about visiting to take this opportunity to have your say on our plans to legislate for visiting ”

PEACE OF MIND

Minister of Health Will Quince said: “Most hospitals and care homes facilitate visiting in line with guidance but we still hear about settings that aren t letting friends and families visit loved ones who are receiving treatment or care ”

“We want everyone to have peace of mind that they won t face unfair restrictions like this so we want to make it easier for the CQC to identify when disproportionate restrictions and bans are put in place and strengthen the rules around visiting ”

“It’s important that people feedback on the consultation, we want to make sure the legislation is right for everyone If you ve experienced unjust visiting bans please share your experience

CHALLENGES EXACERBATED DURING PANDEMIC

Challenges around visiting were exacerbated during the COVID pandemic with many health and care settings restricting and banning visits to stop the spread of the virus, ease pressure on the NHS and reduce the risk of transmission Since restrictions were eased and there was a return to normality many health and care settings have made efforts to return to pre-pandemic visiting There are however still instances where fami-

lies and friends continue to face issues with visiting across the health and care sector

The CQC does currently have powers to clamp down on unethical visiting restrictions, but the expected standard of visiting is not specifically outlined in regulations Current guidance from government and the NHS is clear that all care homes and hospitals in England respectively are expected to facilitate visits in a risk-managed way, such as through the use of face coverings in the event of an outbreak or in the reduction of the number of visitors at one time Invaluable Contribution

INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION

Patricia Mecinska Assistant Director of Patient Experience at King s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “At King’s, our teams recognise the invaluable contribution that friends, carers and loved ones make to the patients under our care including supporting us to provide care that s respectful of our patients needs so enabling them to make a positive recovery Plans to involve care supporters in a more formalised way will be welcomed by many patients and will aid us in delivering our vision of providing outstanding care to patients and communities ”

The hospital visiting guidance also includes an expectation that patients can be accompanied to hospital appointments when needed ”

With the new legislation the CQCwill be able to enforce the standards by issuing requirement or warning notices imposing conditions suspending a registration or cancelling a registration

POWER “SHOULD REMAIN WITH RESIDENTS”

CARE providers have welcomed the visiting rights however they have also warned that power over visits should always remain with the residents themselves

The social care provider organisation The Independent Care Group (ICG) has welcomed the clarification but said visiting rights should be with the residents

ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: “As care providers we know the huge importance of visiting to those in our care in terms of mental wellbeing happiness and companionship

“We saw during the pandemic how hard it was for residents and their families when care and nursing homes had to restrict visiting to comply with guidance and to keep those residents and their carers safe

So we welcome the strengthening of the rules but with some provisos

Our belief is that power over visiting should always rest with the residents themselves As we try to help residents to retain their freedom and independence, whether to accept visitors or not should be a part of that

There will be times for example when a resident doesn t want visitors and we must all respect that They might want some peace and quiet or they might not want a particular visitor to come and we have to be mindful of that and not be tempted to give away that choice on their behalf

Yes strengthen the legislation but make sure the residents stay in charge

The Energy Crisis In Care Homes: Solutions For The Sector

Given the Energy Bill Relief Scheme offered by the government has now drawn to a conclusion the net result for many care facilities is that their electric and gas invariably entrenched within the top 5 areas of expenditure will inevitably become the subject of heightened concern

Whilst today’s wholesale costs are well below the peak experienced in late 2022 which initially evoked support levels it seems increasingly likely that the onus will remain on private organisations to be proactive in managing their electric and gas expenditure and mitigating the increases as far as possible with no further government interventions announced

With wholesale energy markets seemingly more settled albeit at levels nearly twice previously accepted norms, perhaps therein lies the challenge Unfortunately the challenge seems to be long-term in nature with many respected market commentators speculating that rates currently available could constitute the ‘new normal’ and last until at least the end of the decade

That said In every challenge lies a greater opportunity

The cheapest unit of electricity is of course the one you do not consume and the best way to reduce overall energy expenditure – as well as enhance increasingly important environmental credentials – would be to reduce grid reliance This can primarily be achieved by exploring options from an array of tried and tested on-site generation and energy efficiency technologies

The great thing here is that the care sector is often very compatible with these technologies and tends to lend itself well to them given the consistent usage profiles the structural configuration of many buildings

and the tenure of occupancy spanning beyond the average of those seen in other industries

Furthermore many of these technology options are accompanied by a range of funding options which can include fully funded models and financed options facilitating solutions which are at worst cash flow neutral

The most obvious example of this is a Solar PV solution which dependent on a number of factors could yield a saving of over 30% of energy costs per annum Care facilities could also benefit from the likes

Combined Heat & Power Units as well as various heat pumps

From an efficiency perspective, LED Lighting upgrades constitute a quick and easy win, whilst Voltage Power Optimisation (VPO) can often facilitate a reduction in grid usage of between 8-12%

Moreover many care home operators may also wish to consider adding EV charging infrastructure creating an additional revenue stream in the process

Larger organisations and certainly those mandated to comply with ESOS legislation should also look to site audits in order to achieve a far more comprehensive and granular overview of savings opportunities

Cliché as it may sound What you can t measure you can t manage

The importance of getting a handle on your energy usage through a suitable platform should not be underestimated This will not only help measure the impact of any technological lead changes but will also provide a foundation for benchmarking target setting and staff engagement

Additionally carbon statistics can also be incorporated to help towards measuring progress around realising any carbon reduction ambitions

To summarise, regardless of whether you consider this situation to be a crisis challenge or indeed an opportunity not being proactive and taking swift and decisive action surely isn t an option Much can be achieved and given the increasing availability of expertise in the field, it needn t be onerous nor a drain on internal resources in order to unlock substantial benefits By considering both on-site generation and energy efficiency technologies, care home operators can make significant savings on their energy bills and simultaneously enhance their progress towards net-zero

Romantic Romeo And Juliet June Birthdays For Married Couple At Bernard Sunley

At Bernard Sunley the Woking-based nursing and dementia care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly residents Helen and Geoff Harrold have been celebrating their June birthdays but made sure they had separate celebrations to extend the festivities

Birmingham-born Geoff has been a resident at the care home since 2022 with Helen who is originally from Newport in Wales joining him shortly after The sociable couple thoroughly enjoy living together at Bernard Sunley and love taking part in many of the care home s activities together Both Geoff and Helen enjoy a good party so like to make the most of their birthdays every year “Even though both our birthdays fall a few day apart in June we always have separate birthday celebrations so neither of us misses out on their own special day said Helen

This year, Helen turned 81-years-old on 13th June and Geoff, who Helen affectionately calls her Toy Boy celebrated his 78th birthday on 19th June Having our birthdays so close together means that we are both Geminis, and according to the stars this means we are a very compatible match which we are Geoff continued “Well, we would have to be after all these years together,” added a giggling Helen

Married for 51 years both Helen and Geoff agree they are without doubt each other s best friend We do most things together we just love being together said Helen “We always like to take part in the wide range of activities at Bernard Sunley Our favourites are definitely the exercise classes quizzes and the coffee mornings it’s lovely to be able to have a cuppa and a chat with all our friends here We especially enjoy the coffee morning talks that take place they are so interesting and cover so many topics,” added Geoff

A recent coffee morning talk was on Shakespeare which was so engaging and interesting We were joking and said if we had to be any characters in a book we’d be Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Our friends found this funny but I love reading and this the romantic story and Geoff would love to go on a trip to Italy so it totally fits continued Helen

Each Friday Helen and Geoff attend Bernard Sunley’s Prayer Service together as they have always loved going to church Never a pair to sit still for too long the couple thoroughly enjoy going out on the day trips the care home team organises “The last trip we went on was a calming and peaceful boat trip along the canal Geoff continued Now the weather is improving we re looking forward to more day trips out and

about perhaps even a visit to the seaside for a sneaking ice cream and fish and chips that would be perfect ”

“Geoff is totally and utterly ‘Car Mad’ I only said the other day that if there was ever an eighth Dwarf for Snow White he d fit right in as Car Mad Geoff Helen added “For our honeymoon we went to Guernsey and our friends, who lived close to the airport said that we could park Geoff s car – his pride and joy – on their drive whilst we were away as it was easy to get taxis to and from the airport from their home

“When we got back from Guernsey we jumped in a taxi to our friends As we pulled up outside their house there was Geoff’s treasured baby in all its glory with a massive For Sale sign in the window As you can imagine Geoff went absolutely nuts, only to find out – once he’d calmed down – that it was all a big welcome home joke that our friends had planned It was even funnier as our friend was so worried about the For Sale sign he’d put into Geoff s car, that he sat watching the car out of his front window for an hour or so before we got there just in case anybody was looking at it when we arrived I did laugh so, and once Geoff saw the funny side he did too continued Helen

For their birthday celebrations this year the Bernard Sunley care team made sure both Helen and Geoff’s special days were a perfect for them The Birthday Girl enjoyed a special Rat Pack performance by entertainer Daniel who according to Geoff, does a fantastic Frank Sinatra tribute act

When it came to Geoff s day he wanted to relax with Helen and make the most of the glorious weather in the care home’s conservatory and garden “Having a relaxing day was just what I fancied said Geoff It was nice to sit back and do nothing It made a nice change as we are always on the go here as there s always so much going on ” concluded Geoff

Andy Cumper the Registered Manager at Bernard Sunley said: “Geoff and Helen are a fantastic couple full of energy full of laughter and a joy to have living with us at Bernard Sunley There s never a dull moment when they are around, lots of joking and chatter, they have us all in stitches It was great to be able to celebrate their birthdays and give them each the perfect days they wanted They are such wellloved members of the Bernard Sunley family, we all wanted to give them extra special days, as they are extra special to us

Construction Starts £7.9m Specialist Care Home in Bishop Auckland

Exemplar Health Care a leading provider of specialist nursing care for adults living with complex needs has begun on-site construction for its new £7 9m specialist care home in Bishop Auckland County Durham The home was delivered by Yorkshire-based S&SA architects and contractor Walter Thompson

Construction started at the new home in June 2023

ing provides a more homely supportive and responsive care environment – and each of the 32 bedrooms will have its own ensuite wet room

Additionally, the home will feature six apartments, split across the three communities which are specially designed for adults who are ready to live more independently, while also knowing that specialist healthcare support remains available around the clock

The home will also have communal dining and living spaces sensory bathrooms an activities hub a large accessible garden and a dedicated therapy room offering holistic therapeutic care and support led by the in-home Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist

Care England Celebrates Care Home Open Week

Care England is celebrating Care Home Open Week 2023!

Over 4 000 homes across the country have registered to participate in Care Home Open Week 2023 and over 115 MPs are already planning visits to local care homes

To celebrate the length and breadth of care homes across the country participating in Care Home Open Week, the inaugural ‘Great British Care Cycle Relay will travel from the North to the South visiting care homes along the way that are at the heart of each community across the country Care Home Open Week will kick off the week with a launch event on Monday 26 June to celebrate the many care homes supporting communities across the country with partners and MPs expected to join The highlight will include a performance by the winners of this year s Care Sector s Got Talent

Championing Social Care is working with headline partners Virgin Money Civitas Investment Management and Christie & Co as well as several other partners including NAPA, NCF, Music For Dementia Eden Project HC-One The Caring Times

Care Managers Show, Scottish Care and APPG

Professor Martin Green OBE Chief Executive of Care England, says: “Care Home Open Week represents an opportunity for care services to champion

their work by opening their doors to local communities across England and demonstrate the fantastic work they do This week is an opportunity to enable local communities to understand the important role social care plays in supporting residents and families The sector is brimming with innovation energy and commitment Now is our chance to celebrate everything that makes our sector so special and show the public what we have to offer

Mitesh Dhanak, chair of the organising committee of Championing Social Care and founder of Precious Homes said: “We re delighted with the enthusiasm we’ve seen from care homes so far to participate in this year s Care Home Open Week We hope that care homes will find this new set of tools helpful and that they will inspire them with new ways to promote the exciting events that are taking place within their own care homes

“This year’s Care Home Open Week aims to connect communities and it s our ambition that different sections of society will come together during this week We’re grateful to our headline sponsors for their continued support and guidance in helping us make this happen ”

You can get involved by visiting Championing Social Care website at www championingsocialcare org uk

Rising to the Challenge of Recruitment and Retention

The shortage of staff across the care and nursing sectors is no secret But with creativity and determination organisations are working around the challenges by maximising the resources they do have while attracting new staff to fill vacant roles Here Jackie

Tritton Chief Clinical Officer at Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care tells us how her teams are recruiting retaining and repurposing staff to ensure the charity can not only maintain services, but grow them during a merger

“When the trustees of Peace Hospice Care and Rennie Grove Hospice Care announced their intention to merge last June it was with the ambition of serving a growing population of people living with progressive life-limiting illnesses, reaching more people who need our support and strengthening our services This is all playing out against a backdrop of staff shortages across the entire sector that have blighted all care settings for years We knew that in order to deliver expanded services to our new, larger patch, we would need to think creatively about recruitment challenges

“In addition to the national challenges relating to the economy NHS and the Covid-19 pandemic our location in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire brings with it unique challenges These include proximity to a number of hospitals including the big London hospitals and specialist palliative care (SPC) providers meaning there is a huge amount of employee choice in our area

Over the past year we have been working hard on retaining our existing staff – through reviewing everything about salary, progression, pensions and benefits, as well as working closely with employees to manage team morale and culture

“Despite this recruitment of new staff remains a challenge and we have a 31% vacancy rate in our clinical teams

For us it has therefore been vital to focus on creativity in the way we work with existing staff and resources One example of this has been our nurse associate role By supporting our senior health care assistants to progress to registered nurse roles we can nurture existing talent and close recruitment gaps while rewarding the loyalty and hard work of our dedicated HCA workforce

“We have also created Community Senior staff nurse roles to expand our Palliative care Response (PRT) teams These are highly skilled nurses who can support patients in the community during an emergency or sudden deterioration as well as supporting earlier discharges from hospital, through intensive intervention, to meet patients wishes

“Other new roles – such as Allied Health Professional (AHP) assistant practitioners, nurse consultants and paramedics are allowing us to expand the team and recruit new colleagues without relying on the existing pool of traditional, registered nurses, which we know is finite in number and much sought after across the board

“As well as upskilling our own staff we are actively working with partner organisations to share knowledge and develop the local workforce to meet the needs of local people with progressive life-limiting illnesses This includes rotational posts with organisations such as our local hospital and community trusts residential homes By supporting staff from these partner organisations to complete secondments or placements in our Inpatient Unit we can support them in developing their palliative care skills which enables them to care for more patients in their own setting, reducing the needs for reliance on in-patient care, either in an acute hospital or a hospice

“Broadening the types and range of roles within our teams has been hugely beneficial to our organisation It allows us to make sure that the right person with the right skills is seeing each patient at the right time Identifying patients’ needs and matching them with the most relevant professional in the team is ensuring we have a multidisciplinary approach with a wide range of skills to support patient-centred holistic care This has reduced our reliance on registered nurses making up the majority of our clinical workforce and allowed us to continue delivering our vital services while setting out our ambitions for growing and strengthening services in the years to come

The Carnival Comes to Town for Care Home Open Week at Excelcare

Carnival themed celebrations are in full swing across the Excelcare family this week as the award-winning care provider takes part in Care Home Open Week

This annual event invites relatives people seeking care and members of the community to visit care homes to get a taste of daily life Care Home Open Week also provides the opportunity to meet people who live and work in a care home and listen to their unique stories

“Care Home Open Week presents an exciting opportunity to share these memorable and special experiences Said Excelcare’s Chief Operating Officer, Sam Manning This year we really wanted the people who live in our homes to get involved so we have transformed our care suites with vintage carnival- themed décor and games Everyone will have the opportunity to take part in activities and win some exciting prizes too We hope it s an enjoyable week for all and that many happy memories are made

People visiting Excelcare homes this week can not only expect a tour of the care home but also an engaging experience that will leave lasting memories Director of Sales Marketing Engagement & Wellbeing Sadie Munro said “Creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment is crucial when someone moves into a care home not just for the individual but also for their family members and the wider community

“The transition to a care home represents a significant life change and by ensuring that each day is filled with options enjoyment and excitement we can genuinely help individuals feel a sense of belonging and comfort in their new home

The celebrations for Care Home Open Week have also brought back fond memories for the people living in Excelcare homes Visiting the travelling circus or carnival during their younger years was a memorable and enjoyable experience so the opportunity to take part in themed games and activities this week has raised many smiles

Blueleaf Promotes Learning and Best Practice In Continence Care with Launch of a New Whitepaper, and Launches Blueleaf Bingo!

Blueleaf the nationwide business that helps care homes deliver better outcomes is promoting learning and best practice in continence care with the launch of its new whitepaper and Learning Circle sessions to coincide with World Continence Week (19-23 June)

With two out of three people in care homes requiring continence care, it is a widely prevalent condition that can affect residents in numerous ways eroding their dignity and self-esteem and increasing the likelihood of further health complications

Therefore it is vital that care homes are aware of the latest treatment products and technologies for providing the highest quality of continence care These are the key issues discussed in its new paper – Best Practice in Continence Care –which aims to set the standards for individualised continence care now and in the future

The solutions discussed in the whitepaper are also designed to ensure that care homes better target the time and money spent on continence care while also reducing the waste and environmental impact through the adoption of digital tools

Blueleaf is also marking World Continence Week by hosting the first in a series of Learning Circle sessions planned for the year at care homes across the UK, with one of the first sessions being held at Exemplar Health Care s Bennet Court care home on 20 June

The Continence Care Learning Circle sessions are being delivered in partnership with experts from TENA and Ontex The sessions will provide tailored advice for each care home, helping them identify ways of making continence care easier, improving residents well-being while also reducing waste and cost

In addition to the audit and training element of the session for the care home staff Blueleaf will also host a Blueleaf Bingo session for the care home s residents to support the home’s commitment to encourage social engagement and support the residents cognitive functions

Ellen Brown Sales and Marketing Director of Blueleaf says that raising the standards of continence care will remain a priority for Blueleaf beyond World Continence Week Incontinence is one of the biggest drivers for people moving into care Yet, it sadly remains a taboo topic in the wider community

World Continence Week is a much-needed event for breaking down the stigma attached to

Last Chance To Get Protected From Covid

England’s top NHS doctor Professor Sir Stephen Powis has called on people eligible for a covid jab to book an appointment before the end of the month

The NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme s spring campaign will end on Friday 30 June and it will be the last day anyone due a spring booster or yet to have a first or second dose will be able to get one

The fastest and largest vaccine drive in NHS history has vaccinated more than 4 2 million people with a spring booster – around two thirds of all those eligible – since the campaign began two months ago

A total of 149 million covid vaccines have now been delivered across England including more than 50 million first doses

Anyone due a jab should book an appointment online as soon as possible – there are more than 250 000 appointment slots available next week

Around 6 6 million are eligible in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which includes people aged 75 and over people aged five and over with weakened immune systems and older adult care home residents

With the vaccination offer set to end until any future campaign is announced by the JCVI and government, the NHS’ top doctor has urged those yet to come forward to do so this week and ensure they have the maximum protection from covid over the coming weeks and months

NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “With the NHS life-saving vaccination campaign winding down for spring now is the last chance for those eligible to come forward for a booster or get a

first or second dose as we move to a targeted seasonal campaign

If you are due a jab please book an appointment within the next week – it will give you protection for the coming months and peace of mind through until winter

Spring vaccinations are being offered to those at greatest risk, in line with JCVI advice

Those invited should make sure their appointment takes place at least three months since their last dose

Bookings for spring vaccinations and for first and second doses can be made online by downloading the NHS App or by calling 119 for free

The last bookings can be made until Thursday 29 June although some sites are offering walk-in options on Friday 30 June

Anyone who believes they should be eligible for a vaccine but does not get invited can check online Alternatively, they can self-declare via the National Booking Service and then speak to a clinician on site The offer of two covid-19 vaccinations for everyone who was aged five on or before 31 August 2022 will also end after 30 June following advice from the JCVI

After 30 June the NHS offer will become more targeted to those at increased risk and most will have to wait until a future seasonal campaign For those who develop a new health condition or start treatment that severely weakens their immune system an exception may be made if a clinician advises them to get vaccinated sooner

There are more than 2,500 sites across England, with the majority of appointments being delivered in communities by pharmacies and GP

Alzheimer’s Society Appoints Dame Suzi Leather as Chair

Alzheimer s Society’s Board of Trustees has announced that Dame

Suzi Leather DBE will be appointed Chair in September 2023

Suzi brings extensive experience of high-profile leadership positions from health, regulation and charity sectors She’s worked in range of settings from national public sector bodies to community enterprise and consumer representation and she has previously chaired the Charity Commission

Suzi is a passionate advocate for change and has a close personal connection to dementia meaning she has a commitment to the cause and understands the devastation that dementia can cause

Suzi will be taking over from Stephen Hill who is stepping down as Chair in September after 7 years when his term comes to an end Stephen has delivered exceptional leadership, guidance and support to the charity leading through Covid and driving the organisation to be one of the UK’s leading charities

Kate Lee Alzheimer s Society Chief Executive said: I am delighted with the announcement of Suzi as our Chair and look forward to working with her Suzi brings a wealth of experience to the role as well as direct experience of dementia These skills and experience will be inte-

gral in supporting us to achieve our ambitious strategy and ending the devastation caused by dementia

I would also like to thank Stephen for his dedication to Alzheimer s Society over the past 7 years and for all that he has helped us achieve in this time

Stephen Hill, current Chair said: ‘Whilst I am of course, sad to be leaving Alzheimer s Society after so long on the Board I am also very pleased that we are in such a strong position both financially and with an excellent management team wonderful staff and volunteers to really deliver on our help and hope strategy I wish them and my successor, Suzi, all the very best for the future ’

Suzi Leather said: I am extremely pleased to be taking on the role of Chair at Alzheimer’s Society at this exciting time I look forward to working with my fellow Trustees and colleagues across the organisation to drive forward our ambition of providing help and hope to people with dementia One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime and I am committed to guiding the organisation through the coming months and years to transform the outcomes for these people and future generations ’

‘Thank You for Being a Friend’ by Tony Christie and Friends Launched

Thank You for Being a Friend – rerecorded by singing legend Tony Christie and featuring stars such as Sting and Nile Rodgers, has been launched today by the Music for Dementia campaign for Thank You Day 2023

Now the song is out there Music for Dementia is encouraging individuals and communities throughout the UK to learn the song and sing it together at 3pm on Sunday 2 July as a special thank you to someone who has made a difference

This year the day has a particular focus on carers so it was really special to have five carers on the single singing backing vocals

All proceeds from the single will go to The Power of Music Fund being convened by the National Academy of Social Prescribing with £1million of support from The Utley Foundation

Christie explains: “Performing, staying positive and trying not to let

dementia affect my life really lifts me so taking part in Thank You Day has been a privilege and a blessing; not just for me but for my whole family, including my wife Sue who’s behind me every step of the way Sue supports me rather than cares for me right now but there are millions of unseen and unsung of carers doing their thing every day and this is our way of thanking them

“I am living proof of the power of music on people living with dementia and I fully support the Music for Dementia campaign and its work with Thank You Day It is so special that this country has been gifted a day that connects communities with this incredible celebration of people and mus

To watch the video go to https //www youtube com/watch?v 1tQrDI neG0

Surrey Care Home Residents Enjoy A Beach Trip

Residents at RMBI Care Co Home Shannon Court in Surrey have recently enjoyed a day trip to the seaside Accompanied by the Home’s Activities Coordinators, the residents were able to enjoy the weather watch the boats and feed the seagulls at Southsea Beach in Portsmouth

I was determined to dip my toes in the sand says resident Peter I had so much fun throwing pebbles! That s what I used to do as a child ”

Spending time at the beach can have many benefits for older people Moderate exposure to sunlight help their bodies make vitamin D which helps boost the immune system They are also able to unwind by taking in the scenery and hearing the rhythmic sound of the waves

ATurning Point

In a care home environment, the client, as much as a patient in an acute environment benefits from regular turning Supported by the NICE guidelines it has been proven that regular turning regimes can prevent and in some cases can significantly contribute to the healing process of existing pressure injuries whether presented upon arrival or even acquired at the care home WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO GET A PRESSURE ULCER?

Anyone living in a care home can develop a pressure ulcer, but some factors make it more likely:

Limited mobility/unable to change position

without help

A loss of feeling in part of the body

Residents with breathing difficulties may also feel more comfortable at the beach as it s easier for their lungs to absorb oxygen

The benefits for their mental health are also obvious

“These trips always spark some reminiscing ” says Kata Beauchemin one of the Activities Coordinators It helps the residents bring back memories from their beach days when they were younger which is fantastic for their mental health

Furthermore, out-of-home activities allow residents to have a presence in their local communities Thanks to these initiatives, they are able to remain independent which has a positive impact on their wellbeing

implemented in conjunction with an accurate risk assessment of the clients needs

History of pressure ulcers, or having one now

• Not having eaten or hydrated well for a sustained period

Thin dry or weak skin

• A significant cognitive impairment

HOW DOES A PRESSURE ULCER OCCUR?

• Pressure ulcers occur when an area of skin and the t ssues underneath it are damaged by being under such pressure that the blood supply is reduced; typically when people spend long periods in a bed or chair BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE TURNING & HOW CAN EQUIPMENT HELP WITH PREVENTION AND THERAPY?

Equipment that offers suitable pressure relieving or pressure redistribution qualities subject to the risk factors can reduce or even remove the prevalence of PI’s provided a suitable Care Plan is written and

All organisations recognise the need for regular turning but the pressures they face from reduced staffing levels in a reducing labour pool means that the demands on reduced staffing levels can sometimes mean that the ideological turning regimes are not always met leading to the risk of acquired pressure injuries

The answer appears simple, invest in highly motivated capable staff manage the client diligently and offer assistance in maintaining independent mobility But of course, that s not sometimes possible, staff may be slightly less motivated due to external factors and independent patient mobility is not always the case

Equipment however can assist with that issue especially when a high dependence for repositioning is required The Optima Turn Mattress System by Wellell has been designed to reduce the burden on caregivers aiding repositioning without having to necessarily touch the patient, benefitting all parties the patient their family, the carer and the care home

If you are facing these issues and need help? Contact: sales uk@wellell com

Reference N CE guidelines (https://www nice org uk)

Birthday Celebrations As Resident Turns 102 And Celebrates With Two Parties

A resident at a Penarth home celebrated her 102nd birthday with parties surrounded by fellow residents and her family

Nina Addy moved into MHA Morel Court in 2016 and enjoyed her birthday with two parties to mark the occasion

The day started with her daughter grandchildren and great grandchildren coming to visit along with The Mayor of Penarth Melissa Rabaiotti

Carers UK Welcomes Recognition of Unpaid Carers in NHS Assembly Future Vision

On June 27 the NHS Assembly published a new paper The NHS In England at 75: priorities for the future, looking at the future of the NHS ahead of its 75th anniversary later in July

Carers UK contributed to the engagement exercise which sought evidence and experience by bringing together the experiences of thousands of carers who have taken part in its State of Caring survey its regular ongoing engagement with carers, as well as bringing together a group of Carers UK experts unpaid carers members to provide additional focussed input

The Assembly s analysis found a growing consensus that the NHS should now focus on three key areas: preventing poor health creating more personal care that involves patients and carers views and coordinated care closer to home This will require sustained transformation and long-term investment across a range of different elements This includes workforce and carers; partnerships; digital technology and data; infrastructure; maximising the value of care and treatment; and creating a well-led learning and self-improving service

The paper, co-authored by Sir Chris Ham and Dame Clare Gerada sets out a bold vision of the future of the NHS and includes unpaid carers at the heart of the paper recognising that they are essential partners in

care Research by the University of Sheffield published earlier this year by Carers UK found that unpaid carers’ support was worth a staggering £152 billion a year in England equivalent to a second NHS

Helen Walker Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “Unpaid carers gave us a clear vision for the NHS: one that would identify recognise and support them by treating them as essential partners in care

“With 4 7 million people in England supporting relatives and friends who are older disabled or seriously ill this is a key opportunity not only to deliver improved health outcomes for the millions of people carers support but gain better health and well-being for unpaid carers themselves improve their relationships and support working carers to stay in paid work whilst providing care

We re delighted to have supported the NHS Assembly with the development of this report ”

Helen Walker added: The evidence and experience that unpaid carers share with us is incredibly valuable to help show where we need to build and improve recognition services and support for unpaid carers We’d like to encourage as many carers as possible to complete our State of Caring 2023 survey, seeking carers views and experiences to build a better future

Orchard Care Homes Is Proud To Celebrate Pride Month

Proud of its culture of diversity and inclusion Orchard Care Homes has been celebrating Pride Month throughout June across its 23 homes in the North of England and Midlands

Pride Month is an annual celebration of the many contributions made by the LGBTQ+ community to history, society and cultures worldwide This month Orchard s care homes have been waving the flag for the LGBGTQ+ community and hosting garden parties, craft events and performances from singers in their local communities

During their daily reminiscence sessions which help to build reconnection especially for those living with dementia people talked about inclusion lifestyles and how things have changed through the generations Many said

how much positivity and acceptance there is now compared to when they were growing up back in the 1940s and 50s

Margaret 88 (pictured above) from Orchard’s Green Park Warrington says

It doesn t matter who you are love is love

Hayden Knight, CEO at Orchard Care Homes, adds, “We are really proud to celebrate Pride Month here at Orchard and believe we are a very inclusive company, embracing any differences among our staff and people living at our homes Everyone had such fun celebrating Pride Month events but the focus was not lost It was lovely to hear everyone’s views on gender and sexuality and how attitudes have changed positively as understanding has progressed over the years

Consultants’ Strikes “Unchartered Territor y” For Post-Pandemic NHS

Senior hospital doctors in England have voted to strike for two days next month, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said

More than 24 000 consultants in England voted in a ballot (a turnout of 71%) with 20 741 (86%) voting to strike securing a large mandate for stoppages far above the 50% legal requirement

Hospital consultants will strike for two days from 7am on 20 July and is expected to bring major disruption to services that have already had to reschedule 651 000 appointments since a wave of NHS strikes began last December

Responding to the BMA consultant ballot outcome Matthew Taylor chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “The result of the BMA ballot showing that consultants have voted in favour for strike action will be deeply concerning to leaders who will be feeling anxious about what this means for their services staff and patients

This will be huge blow to the service especially for a workforce that has helped prop up the NHS during the disruptive junior doctors’ strikes Now they will be staging industrial action of their own, following the five-day junior doctor strikes expected in July Leaders will be putting plans in place to make sure life-saving critical care continues but as the consultants have not staged a walkout in over ten years this will be unchartered territory for a post-pandemic NHS

NHS leaders in systems and Trusts have agreed to ambitious performance and financial targets These targets – including the Prime Ministers witing list pledge – were already very stretching but further industrial action by junior doctors and now consultants will make them even harder to achieve

While it is positive that other trade unions have managed to reach agreement with the government, it is important for everyone in the NHS workforce to have the same opportunity to have their concerns around working conditions listened to and understood Industrial action in general has been going on for far too long so staff are exhausted – all sides will want a speedy resolution given the backlogs the service is battling with

We hope that the workforce plan will address all these issues around vacancies recruitment and retention which will help with the pressures of combatting the backlog however pay is out of scope within the plan so this will need the government s special attention

With patient care on the line no one wants to see a war of attrition between consultants and the government, like we have seen previously with other trade unions; both sides must do what they can to avert this walkout

Danforth Care Homes Expands Portfolio with Opening of 8th Care Home Facility

Primrose House Care Home has had its grand opening in East Riding, with the ribbon cut by their first two residents The opening marks the 8th facility in the Danforth portfolio and the first in East Riding

The opening is set to create 60 new jobs for the local community all with permanent contracts In addition each of the jobs will also come with a fully funded DBS check and full support to aid staff in completing an NCQ qualification

Purpose-built by LNT the care facility for Danforth Care Group will be home to 66 residents who can enjoy amenities such as an on-site hair and beauty salon and sensory garden as well as a café bar library and cinema

Home Manager Andi Barker says We are so thrilled to have had the opportunity to open Primrose House with a great grand opening ceremony The home will be a huge asset to the whole Brough community, as well as the surrounding community of the Humber ”

We have a highly experienced team here at Primrose House and supporting our residents in leading meaningful and comfortable lives is always our priority

We take a person-centred approach to care which means our residents are recognised as individuals and their care is delivered in a personalised way meaning dignity and respect is always upheld We offer residency for people who simply need extra support and security as well as offering the highest level of support for residents with dementia says Alex Brook

In addition, the home has been built with the environment in mind, with several environmentally friendly initiatives throughout The home comes with an A energy-rating and a carbon-free status, meaning it operates without gas Instead ground source heating technology has been built under the site for underfloor and water heating as well as air-cooling systems and 80% of the roof of the home is covered in solar panels for electricity generation with an on-site battery to store excess energy for use at another time

We are so proud to be an A rated and carbon free care home says Andi Barker “It s important we both look after the people in our community and the environment we live in and Primrose House is taking every step to ensure both are cared for ”

Care Homes Set To Save Thousands Of Pounds Thanks

To Free Training From Health Education England Anenta plays key role in developing healthcare waste training module

The roll-out of a free new e-learning module on healthcare wasteset up by Health Education England - is set to bring major benefits to the care home sector says leading independent healthcare waste management company Anenta

The training - developed in association with Anenta to help all healthcare professionals - is seen as key to building better understanding of waste management in care homes which have long struggled with managing healthcare waste effectively

This is backed up by detailed compositional audits of care home waste undertaken both by Anenta and separately by the EA which have proven that a significant amount of contamination exists in the various waste streams produced by care homes

Worryingly, the findings show that 70% of care home waste is consistently put in the wrong waste channels including 90% of clinical waste and 35% of offensive waste, which is regularly contaminated with recyclable materials

Further analysis of over 2 500 primary care Duty of Care audits by Anenta has also shown that 58% of healthcare professionals with responsibility for waste management are unfamiliar with the Healthcare Technical Memorandum the latest iteration of which came out in March 2023

This has resulted in inadequate training and waste management policies contributing to poor segregation and spiralling levels of waste being incorrectly disposed of costing the care home sector heavily, and hampering sustainable waste targets

The new e-training module aims to address this and is being provided free to remove all barriers and gaps in understanding that currently exist within care homes and the primary care sector

Created with the help of Anenta the new 30-45 minute training module, available here, is accessible free of charge via the Health

Education England online portal

It outlines what waste should go into which waste stream correct segregation practices and other important waste related guidance

This helps prevent low-risk items, which should cost £300-£500 per tonne for disposal as offensive waste, from being disposed of as infectious waste costing upwards of £800 per tonne

Vitally the training also helps avoid the risk of waste contractors refusing to make collections from care homes due to their non-compliance which could put care services at risk of disruption This is avoided through the correct completion of a Pre-Acceptance Audit (PAA), which in the case of most care homes needs to be undertaken every five years - unless waste produced on site changes in its nature

Where a care home produces more than five tonnes of clinical

waste annually a PAA will need to be undertaken every 12 months remaining valid until renewal date or unless waste types undeclared in the pre-acceptance audit are discovered

Commenting on the roll-out of the new free training Graham Flynn Director at Anenta said: We ve worked hard on the development of the new e-learning training module alongside NHSE IPC Local Commissioners and industry experts The result is a course that’s accessible by all, and a risk assessment that can be used by all care homes to inform the way in which their waste is segregated

The adoption of the training and correct segregation is critical if the care home sector is to cut costs and achieve Net Zero targets Changing waste disposal habits and practices prevents the unnecessary and expensive disposal of waste via inappropriate and environmentally damaging waste streams such as incineration; instead ensuring that the majority of clinical waste is disposed of using either alternative treatments or energy from waste processes that render healthcare waste safe ”

Graham Flynn added: “On average care homes are wasting £8,000 every year through poor waste management process and procurement The training will play a big part in cutting that figure by improving waste management among staff Importantly it will also help care homes with their PAA audit without which their healthcare waste cannot be collected potentially resulting in enforcement action by the Environment Agency ”

For more information about Anenta and its care home audit app which gives care homes the ability to conduct compulsory clinical waste pre-acceptance and duty of care audits without the need for third-party on-site visits, in just 40 minutes, visit www anentawaste com or call 033 0122 2143

A.I. Innovations To Transform Living With Dementia Are Awarded £1.9m By Longitude Prize On Dementia

An app that repairs broken speech high-tech glasses that can help those with dementia recognise others and a “Yellow Brick Road” map to help people navigate their community are just three of the solutions that have made it to the semi-finals of the £4m Longitude Prize on Dementia

A total of £1 9m has today been awarded to 24 pioneering teams of developers researchers and innovators from across the globe in the international challenge competition funded by Alzheimer’s Society and Innovate UK and designed and delivered by Challenge Works

Discovery Awards of £80k have been awarded to teams in the UK USA Canada Australia UAE Colombia Portugal and the Isle of Man to develop new technologies to improve the lives of people living with dementia The teams will now work alongside people living with dementia and their carers to ensure technologies are intuitive easy-to-use and able to adapt to their changing needs

INNOVATIONS INCLUDE:

• An augmented reality map to prevent people getting lost or confused – The Dorothy Community from Care City (UK) is a digital Yellow Brick Road map that uses augmented reality to provide virtual directions visualised pathways and simple instructions for people living with dementia to independently navigate their local community

High-tech specs for facial recognition – iMAGIC smart glasses are being developed by Khalifa University (UAE) to help people recognise familiar faces provide reminders and alerts zoom in and out to facilitate navigation, make phone calls to loved ones and monitor vital signs The glasses will also eventually be able to help identify objects that sport a QR code (a type of barcode that can be scanned and interpreted by computer software)

A virtual speech assistant app to fill in missing words – the interactive AI software from Amicus Brain Innovations (USA) will use speech and language processing to listen to “broken speech” – a common challenge as dementia advances – and speak aloud the AI s repaired rendition of what the user intended to say Kate Lee CEO Alzheimer s Society said: It s vital people with dementia are able to live independently doing things that bring them fulfilment, for as long as possible And that’s exactly what tech innovation can provide “Today’s Discovery Award winners all have the capacity to develop cutting-edge tools that bring hope to the here and now making a tangible difference to people s lives

“New drugs have been discovered which slow the progression of early Alzheimer’s disease but there’s

still more to do Alzheimer s Society remains committed to innovative projects like the Longitude Prize so that together we can improve the lives of people living with dementia and their families ”

Indro Mukerjee, CEO, Innovate UK said: “By addressing dementia the Longitude Prize tackles a global health crisis Worldwide around 50 million people have dementia and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year Innovate UK is pleased to support this initiative along with the other vital work we are doing in this area The UK is a global leader in innovation for healthy ageing and this prize will incentivise new technologies This will help people with dementia their families and their carers to make living with the condition easier”

The Longitude Prize on Dementia is driving the development of personalised technology-based tools that are co-created with people living with the early stages of dementia helping them live independent more fulfilled lives and enable them to do the things they enjoy

The competition itself has also been co-designed with people living with dementia Judges were advised in their decision making by the prizes Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP)

Trevor Salomon whose wife Yvonne was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2013 is Chair of the Longitude Prize on Dementia s Lived Experience Advisory Panel The group – which includes people living with dementia carers and former carers – has steered the design of the prize as well as the judging and assessment processes

Trevor said: “Before her diagnosis, my wife astonished everyone with her ability to do anything she set her mind to She was an amazing cook gardener and there was nothing she couldn’t make or repair on her sewing machine

If we could access technologies that help extend her independence and her enjoyment of those pastimes it would be so worthwhile So I’m really impressed by the innovative thinking and creativity of the Discovery Award winners Advances in AI could lead to new technologies that would be transformative for people like my wife – but they need to be easy to use intuitive and adapt to the unique needs of each person Technologies shouldn t be developed in a bubble; they need to be designed and tested by the people who will ultimately benefit from them

In 2024 five finalists will progress with additional £1 5m in funding to build real-world prototypes In total more than £3 million will be awarded in seed funding and development grants with a £1 million first prize to be awarded in 2026

Vital Staffing Advice for Yorks Care Providers

YORKSHIRE care providers are being given an exclusive opportunity to get expert advice on recruitment during the current staffing crisis

The Independent Care Group (ICG) is hosting a masterclass with author and social care workforce expert Neil Eastwood on 20th July

The free event to be held at the Principal York Hotel will provide essential and practical advice on recruiting and retaining care staff during the current shortages

ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: Now more than ever it is vital that care providers can effectively recruit develop and retain staff as the sector goes through a staffing shortage

“This masterclass with Neil is an excellent opportunity to learn from someone who has become an internationally renowned expert in his field and we will be delighted to welcome him to York in July ”

Neil Eastwood is an international speaker on care worker recruitment and retention within Adult Social Care and author of the book ‘Saving Social Care - How to find more of the best frontline care employees and keep the ones you have’ The first edition has sold 10 000 copies and the next edition was launched on 22nd June

He is also Founder and CEO of Care Friends, an employee referral app operated in partnership with Skills for Care which empowers the social care and healthcare workforce to become recruiters Care Friends won the 2023 King's Award for Innovation, the UK's most prestigious business award

Neil was previously a director for a national homecare provider with 10 000 staff

The 20th of July event is Recruitment and retention Masterclass Finding and keeping care workers in York and North Yorkshire’

It will be an opportunity to join Neil for a face-to-face masterclass sharing best practices to help providers grow and retain their workforce

ICG Chief Executive John Pattinson added: After the many workforce challenges providers have faced in the region it s time to regroup and focus on a fresh strategy

This is a great opportunity to join Neil for an exclusive ICG-hosted seminar to learn how to create the best recruitment strategy for your business in 2023 and practical ways of enhancing staff retention

The masterclass will look at:

What is the optimum sourcing strategy for 2023 and beyond?

How can providers attract both younger and older demographics more effectively?

• ‘My candidate pipeline leaks

Apart from increasing wages

What can I do to fix it?’

what practical steps can providers take to drive retention rates up?

The masterclass is particularly aimed at registered managers, owners, directors, recruiters and HR teams

For free tickets visit the news page on the ICG’s website at www independentcaregroup co uk

Athena Care Homes Takes Another Step Towards Zero Waste

Athena Care Homes is taking another step forward in their mission to reduce their environmental impact The East Anglian care home company has committed to using eco-friendly non-hazardous cleaner OdorBac across all of their homes

Manufacturers 2Pure, who produce the multi-use cleaner in the UK using renewable energy sources operate a refill scheme They use LoopBox to reuse the five-litre containers – with customers simply repacking the empty containers in the boxes they were delivered in and returning them to be washed and refilled meaning it is a zero-waste, closed-loop system Athena made the decision to switch from multiple other products to the multi-use OdorBac after seeing how progressive 2Pure is in its approach to protecting the environment The fluid is delivered as a concentrate and diluted on site to reduce transport costs and emissions, and it is 100% biodegradable

The solution can be used as a cleaner, degreaser, sanitiser, fabric

cleaner carpet shampoo and odour eliminator making cleaning processes more time efficient for housekeeping teams while still giving them the reassurance that they are cleaning effectively OdorBac provides 99 99% protection against coronaviruses and inhibits the growth of germs

Athena Care Homes is committed to protecting our environment and leaving a lasting legacy for their residents; planting five trees for each resident that moves in to one of their care homes

Katherine Foley Group Operations Director at Athena Care Homes said

“We are constantly reviewing our operations and looking at more ecofriendly options that allow us to continue providing a high level of service while also protecting our environment

“For us OdorBac was an obvious choice It provides the effective cleaning in a variety of scenarios while also reducing waste and offering efficiencies around our homes ”

For more information on Athena visit www athenacarehomes co uk

More details about OdorBac can be found at www 2pureproducts co uk

BMA Announces Longest Strike By Junior Doctors In NHS Histor y

What is thought to be the longest single period of industrial action in the history of the health service will be undertaken by junior doctors in England next month The five-day walkout will take place between 0700 on Thursday 13th July and 0700 on Tuesday 18th July

The announcement comes as a BMA survey1 shows that junior doctors report being inundated with more opportunities to move abroad in the last four months than ever before2 with 53% saying they have received more job advertisements from recruiters to overseas jobs since strikes were announced The Government of South Australia even paid for trucks to be sent to junior doctor picket lines carrying job adverts offering improved pay if those doctors emigrated

The same survey showed junior doctors feeling that their patients are behind them in their fight for fair pay with 82%3 reporting they had found their patients supportive of industrial action

Co-chairs of the BMA junior doctors committee Dr Robert Laurenson

and Dr Vivek Trivedi said:

“The NHS is one of this country s proudest achievements and it is shameful that we have a Government seemingly content to let it decline to the point of collapse with decades of real-terms pay cuts to doctors driving them away With the 75th birthday of the NHS just days away neglect of its workforce has left us with 7 4m people on waiting lists for surgery and procedures 8 500 unfilled doctors’ posts in hospitals and doctors who can barely walk down the road without a foreign government tempting them to leave an NHS where they are paid £14 per hour for a country which will pay them properly

“It has been almost a week since the last round of strikes finished but not once have we heard from Rishi Sunak or Steve Barclay in terms of reopening negotiations since their collapse of our talks and cancelling all scheduled meetings a month ago What better indication of how committed they are to ending this dispute could

Ginormous Competition In Giant Scrabble Across Care Home Group

Scrabble

Residents started off the visit with fish and chips for lunch in the Bistro before trading tiles on the Scrabble board The two teams played on a standing jumbo-sized board measuring over 2m tall, which was crafted by the St Ives House activities team

After all the 100 tiles had been used the visiting residents from Alexandra House emerged as the winning team Emma Cotton Manager of St Ives House said: One of the great things about being part of a group of care homes is we have 14 communities of like-minded people we can spend time with All residents loved meeting new friends from Alexandra House and can’t wait for more fun and games with them in the future

Residents from St Ives House and Alexandra House, two Care South care homes exchanged words at an inter-home jumbo Scrabble competition St Ives House have recently hosted other Care South homes Castle Dene and Wickmeads both in Bournemouth for scrabble competitions and fish and chips St Ives House a purpose-built home for residential and dementia care situated near Ringwood welcomed a handful of residents from sister care home Alexandra House in Poole for some light-hearted friendly competition over a game of

Georgina Powell, Manager of Alexandra House, said: “Thank you to our sister home St Ives House for inviting us to spend some quality time with them Residents in our care love bonding over friendly competition and the jumbo Scrabble game was a great activity to do this Joyce, one of the participating residents from St Ives House, said: It was lovely to meet new friends and get together for a fun activity ”

we have? As their refusal to even discuss pay restoration leads to continued disruption to the health service, more than four-fifths of junior doctors report finding their patients supportive – they understand the value of a fully staffed and resourced NHS

“We are announcing the longest single walkout by doctors in the NHS s history – but this is not a record that needs to go into the history books Even now the Government can avert our action by coming to the table with a credible offer on pay restoration Restoring pay can stem the flow of Australian job adverts in doctors social media feeds –and lead to a future 75 years of doctors being paid fairly, in a rebuilt workforce and NHS that this country can continue to be proud of

RAISING THE STANDARD OF STAIR CLIMBING SOLUTIONS

The Stair Climbing Company offers an excellent range of compact, easy to use, powered Stair Climbers that are ideal for use in both home and commercial settings

Offering innovative designs, all of the company’s Stair Climbers can be separated into two pieces, for safe storage and are easily transported and charged In addition, all of its Stair Climber’s come with a two year manufacturer’s warranty

Musical Memories: Kettering Care Home Resident with Dementia Recites the Verses of His Career as a Professional Saxophonist To Mark World Music Day

A former professional saxophonist and Kettering care home resident living with dementia has been reminiscing over his days fronting a band to mark World Music Day (Wednesday 21st)

Gabriel Court a branch of ACI Care that specialises in residential respite and dementia care has been encouraging its residents to share stories and memories about music, with Roy Tosh’s anecdotes particularly striking a chord with other residents and carers

Roy's journey into the world of music began at a young age when he discovered the saxophone albeit after initially aspiring to play the clarinet Reminiscing about his early days, Roy fondly recalls the joy of attempting to play along with the hits on pirate radio with early experiences shaping his deep passion for music

After working as a potato picker Roy eventually found his way to the saxophone when his clarinet needed new reeds before eventually selling the instrument to purchase a ring for his now-wife, Jessie

In 1970 The Roy Bishop Sound was born named serendipitously after a bishop s chess piece that happened to be in Roy's hand during a discussion about different names The band began as a three-piece ensemble and over time it grew in numbers incorporating a bass player guitarists and singers

Roy 87 who now lives with dementia spoke fondly of his musical past: “I’m left with so many memories

of happy times and a keen ear and passion for music I still remember attending the concert of one of my biggest influences Victor Silvester OBE a musician from the British dance band era The lights went down on an empty stage and when they came back on the piano player was sitting there and began playing, captivating the audience I knew then I wanted to perform in similar venues, and I went on to have a lovely career

Music has a unique ability to stimulate memories and emotions allowing individuals to reconnect with their past and evoke positive feelings whilst also helping to reduce agitation and improve mood especially in those living with dementia Reminiscing about these past times on World Music Day helps individuals to engage in meaningful conversations, promoting a sense of identity and belonging

Dale Knighton Activities Coordinator at Gabriel Court said: Talking to Roy about his past in music has made it clear to me that music has a great impact on people's memories and emotions It’s been lovely hearing Roy share these memories and listen to some of the music of his life Music is generational and is a great way to open up someone's world "

Chislehurst Care Home Resident Turns 104

A resident at RMBI Care Co Home Prince George Duke of Kent Court, in Chislehurst has celebrated her 104th birthday

To mark the special milestone resident Annie Hardy enjoyed celebrations throughout the week with her family friends and staff at the Home Annie and her fellow residents also enjoyed a visit from schoolchildren from Farrington School The children performed an assembly and even sang Happy Birthday to Annie

Annie received a cake, cards and flowers and Activities Coordinator Diane Connor organised a West End performer to come along and entertain residents

Annie was born on 16 June 1919 in Rotherhithe When the Second World War broke out she accompanied her younger siblings to go and live with family in Wales However, Annie returned to London to take her chances She worked in a munitions factory making bombs for the British army When the

war was over, Annie worked in the print and bookbinding industry until she retired almost 40 years ago

Annie recalls her childhood fondly having fun with her six siblings and visiting pie and mash shops in Rotherhithe and Tower Bridge Road

Annie has had a good family and circle of friends with whom she travelled around the world She has been to Brazil, Bulgaria, Italy and Spain, and enjoyed a trip on Concorde around the Bay of Biscay with champagne when she turned 80

Earlier this year knowing about her love for pie and mash staff at the Home arranged a trip to London for Annie where she was able to enjoy her favourite dish once again at Manze s in Deptford Annie has lived at Prince George Duke of Kent Court since 2018

Her secret to having a long and happy life? Annie simply says: ”Good home-cooked food keeping busy working hard and no debts

Mario Ambrosi Appointed Chair of Housing and Ageing Alliance

The Housing and Ageing Alliance (HAA) has appointed Mario Ambrosi Director of Communications and Marketing at Anchor as its new Chair Sarah Davis Senior Policy and Practice Officer at The Chartered Institute of Housing has been appointed Vice Chair

The Housing and Ageing Alliance is made up of individuals from local and national organisations working together with a single objective; to bring about improvements to the housing and living conditions of older people Mario takes on the role of Chair from Housing Learning & Improvement Network CEO Jeremy Porteus FRSA

Mario Ambrosi said: The pressures of demographic change and the enormous opportunity afforded by the creation of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce mean it has never been more important for organisations to work

together on this crucial topic At the HAA we believe that homes communities and housing-related services should be planned and designed in ways that enable choice control inclusion and independence in later life As a broad spectrum of people working together the HAA has a unique perspective Crucially members include older people themselves among a range of experts in the field I’m very pleased to be working with Sarah as Vice Chair and all the other members to drive real change

The membership of the Alliance reflects a range of housing interests including older people who are active in housing related networks people from national organisations from the statutory voluntary and private sectors and those involved in policy development and representation on various housing related advisory bodies

Revitalise Respite Holidays Launches 2023 Summer Season

Revitalise the national charity providing respite holidays for disabled people and their carers, is celebrating its 60th anniversary with the launch of their 2023 summer season

Revitalise is a unique provider of respite holidays for those who need 24hour care supported by skilled care and nursing staff All centres are fully accessible with specialised facilities and equipment The group has two centres based in Southport and Chigwell and caters for adults with a variety of different disabilities

Revitalise centres offer breaks in a relaxed holiday-style environment in which guests can unwind in beautiful settings with access to a wide range of daily activities and evening entertainment There are opportunities to visit new places make new friends participate in wellbeing activities like manicures and reiki, or just enjoy some much-needed time off

Emily Sheardown Reservations Manager says A Revitalise holiday offers an important lifeline to disabled people and carers who need a break and deserve a proper time away from the day-to-day

Summer prices start from £680 for a three- or four-night break Care support packages are priced additionally based on individual support needs Revitalise are launching a campaign in May to highlight the lack of respite care on offer and the urgent need for funding so that more people can take a break

Booking: Call: 0303 303 0145

Email: bookings@revitalise org uk

Book online: www revitalise org uk/book-now/

Cygnet Launches Social Care Superpowers Campaign

People working in social care are being encouraged to share their social care superpowers as part of a new campaign launched by health and social care company Cygnet

The social care superpower campaign is being run by the Cygnet Social Care division and aims to highlight the ordinary people with extraordinary skills who bring unique qualities to their social care services and make a valuable, positive difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society

Recognising the challenges faced by the social care industry in terms of recruitment it is hoped the campaign may work to encourage more people to consider a career in social care to give residents and patients the care they deserve

As part of the campaign six members of Cygnet Social Care staff shared inspirational stories about their careers in social care, why they love the job they do and what they consider their social care superpower to be

Over the course of the next few weeks Cygnet will be sharing these stories across their social media channels and encouraging anybody working in social care to get involved

sharing their chosen superpower and posting using the hashtag #socialcaresuperpower

Ollie White has worked in social care for more than 10 years starting his career as a support worker and successfully climbing the career ladder to become the Registered Manager of The Orchards a Cygnet Social Care service in Essex which supports men with a learning disability or complex needs

He said the most rewarding part of his job was helping people succeed Describing the qualities needed for a successful career in social care he said people needed to be bubbly fun and able to have a laugh

He added: “My social care superpower is being as least restrictive as possible

I give residents choices to make decisions for their wellbeing and their health, and don’t put so many boundaries in the way It is about making sure we re taking positive risks for our residents

“I would encourage anyone to consider a career in social care You get to help people support them and be part of a team which changes lives WATCH OLLIE’s VIDEO: https://vimeo com/840004814/45f0cffaca?share=copy

TLC Care Retains World-Class Accreditation from Hospitality Assured

TLC Care a leading luxury care group operating nine exceptional homes is thrilled to announce that it has successfully maintained its World Class Accreditation after being assessed by Hospitality Assured

The assessment resulted in an outstanding overall score of 84 1% with a remarkable achievement of 80% or higher in each of the nine areas evaluated Notably TLC Care received the highest scores in Customer Service and TLC culture with an impressive 88 3%

TLC Care owns nine care homes four of which are located in North London - Candlewood House, Carlton Court, Kailash Manor and Karuna Manor with a further two in Potters Bar; Cuffley Manor and Cooperscroft Additionally two of their homes are based in the Cambridgeshire area; Cherry Hinton and Cambridge Manor with Camberley Manor in Surrey completing the portfolio of luxury residential nursing and dementia homes

Talking about this incredible achievement involving their 9 homes Paavan Popat – CEO of TLC Care said “I am incredibly proud of our commitment as an organisation to holistic-centred hospitality for all of our residents making their wishes come true and ensuring that they always are at the heart of all we do The nine principles of Hospitality Assured enable us to benchmark our outstanding approach to resident experience and evaluate the impact of our continuous improvement journey in this area To sustain our World Class Hospitality Assured status and achieve such significant growth in terms of our overall score is a credit to our dedicated team members who provide such wonderful customer care to our residents and their loved ones each and every day whilst living our values of Truth Love and Compassion We will continue to grow in this area and further enhance the lives of others through outstanding hospitality and customer experience

Hospitality Assured, renowned for its rigorous standards and commitment to excellence in the service

industry requires a minimum score of 60% for accreditation

Surpassing this requirement by a significant margin TLC Care has firmly established itself as a leader in the field of luxury care The outstanding score in all nine steps of the Hospitality Assured Standard further solidifies TLC Care's position as a provider of world-class service Max Lawrence, Director at Hospitality Assured, commended TLC Care on their exceptional achievement stating The assessors witnessed the full impact of their careful planning in the post-pandemic landscape The team has worked tirelessly on their vision values and procedures to ensure that their residents are at the nucleus of all they do Through their dedication TLC Care is the second highest scorer using Hospitality Assured criteria which demonstrates their outstanding standards of service This is such a massive accomplishment for the team and trailblazes what can be achieved in the care sector with the right mindset

Lorna Russell, CEO of TLC Care is delighted “I am absolutely delighted our wonderful TLC team have again achieved World Class Status with Hospitality Assured and significantly increased our overall score showcasing to all the outstanding hospitality and customer service we provide to our residents who are at the heart of all we do It has been an absolute pleasure to work in partnership with our team members and Hospitality Assured assessors on our Hospitality Assured journey and to be a part of an engaging assessment where our team members were able to showcase all they do each and every day to make a positive difference to the lives of others Our highest scoring area was for customer service and organisational culture, which reflects how our values of Truth, Love and Compassion are at the core of all we do, and I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to our team members whose passion for hospitality and enhancing the lives of others is simply inspirational ”

Forbes Professional Helps Care Homes Ensure Optimal Protection

Laundry equipment is a critical investment for any care home extending way beyond the delivery of immaculately pressed shirts for discerning residents By choosing specialised commercial appliances the healthcare sector can efficiently process the requisite wash volumes whilst maintaining a safe environment and adhering to stringent regulatory requirements The Association for Applied Hygiene and Robert Koch Institute stipulate that combining disinfection programmes with appropriate segregation of clean and dirty laundry is required for infection control Care homes must also choose a reliable partner for the provision service and maintenance of laundry equipment If a machine breaks down, it is imperative to know it will be repaired or replaced urgently as machine downtime can be highly impactful Forbes Professional carefully select manufacturers in order to deliver the highest standards of product and service A national distribution partner to Miele they install and maintain laundry and dishwashing machines to

pared to standard vented dryers making them a great choice for any care home Furthermore the employment of impressive array of hygiene and safety functions enables Miele s intelligent appliances to continually monitor the parameters that are crucial to disinfection Miele washing machines offer thermal and chemo-thermal disinfection programmes and recent models have received the highly coveted Seal in Black as a testimony to exceptional hygiene standards with special recognition for deactivating more than 99 9% of all viruses

Forbes works closely with clients to deliver a hygienic efficient solution that meets budget and space requirements and fully complies with WRAS and CQC regulations Their inclusive maintenance and repair services eliminate unexpected expenses and reduce machine downtime Forbes enables invaluable support and adaptability so that care homes can respond to changing resident populations or regulatory guidelines and focus on providing high-quality care knowing that their equipment is in capable

‘Bib The Bike’ Brings Freedom Of Cycling To Dorset Care Home Residents

Fun and freedom-loving residents of a Dorset care home have begun touring their locality with a specially adapted trishaw Bib the Bike is proving a definite hit at Colten Care s Newstone House in Sturminster Newton with passengers enjoying the fresh air and opportunity to go out and about

The bike pedalled by a suitably trained operator at the back can carry two people in comfort

Run by volunteers it is part of a community health and wellbeing initiative led by the Blackmore Vale Surgery in the town s Old Market Hill a couple of minutes away from Newstone House

By helping people to enjoy the local neighbourhood and nearby countryside the aim is to improve mental health and stimulation and support those who may feel lonely if they are otherwise unable to be mobile in the com-

munity

At Newstone House, the trishaw was brought into the gardens for an hourlong test run before starting the first of what are expected to be regular outings along the North Dorset Trailway

Companionship Team Leader Karlene Horswill said It s so nice to see Bib in action The residents were absolutely fascinated and asked lots of questions about the bike and the prospect of going out on rides They certainly enjoyed the first outing

Rita Clay said: “I was really nervous to try the bike but I was made to feel so welcome and reassured It was a lot of fun and I can t believe how smooth the ride was It was really enjoyable ”

Fellow resident Sylvia Livsey said: Oh what fun! I can t wait to enjoy more outings to the Dorset Trailway on the rickshaw ”

Edwina Currie Supports New Northern Retirement Village Concept

Former government minister Edwina Currie gave her support to the expansion of a North West care home into a deluxe new style retirement village

Liverpool s Stapely Jewish Care Home is creating a new concept for the senior living community with North West England’s first fullyfledged retirement village based on US Australian and continental models

This was an emotional visit for Liverpool born and bred Ms Currie whose her mother was a long-term supporter of Stapely Care during her lifetime

Ms Currie toured the Stapely site and the phase-one conversion of Fernlea House a grand Edwardian villa once home of the Crawford s biscuit family into 17 apartment suites for sale or rent to people aged 55 years plus

The creation of this new style retirement village met with her highly enthusiastic approval, and she pledged her future support as she was guided around the construction site by Philip Ettinger Stapely Care Trustee

Ms Currie recalls: “My late mother was a longstanding supporter of Stapely Care and regularly visited

Couple Life In A Care Home

It s been good for us and we re still together ; Care for couples at Lilian Faithfull Care

For anyone considering moving into care the decision can be made a lot easier knowing that couples can live together at the charity Lilian Faithfull Care

Each of its six care homes welcome couples and options include double rooms and/or apartments Some couples also choose to have their own rooms to accommodate varying needs but enjoy sharing their days together

In February this year Faithfull House on Suffolk Square in Cheltenham welcomed two couples; Doreen and Ernest Rowland and Margaret and Joseph Cheetham

Margaret and Joseph met when they were sixteen at a dance after an evening church service Margaret studied English Literature at University and became a teacher while Joseph studied engineering joined the electricity board and became one of the first engineers to specialise in nuclear power They moved to Cheltenham with their young family of four children and the town has been their home ever since Margaret explained how it has been moving into Faithfull House;

“It took me a while to settle but I am very glad not to be running a house

friends and relatives there so seeing Stapely Care still thriving and growing means a lot to me ”

She says Stapely Retirement Village development is so important because as an economist and a pensioner I worry too few people think about getting older; where to live arranging finances having help at hand when needed

“We already have more citizens over 85 than youngsters under 16, but it s taking too long for planners and families to catch up

“Governments have turned a blind eye for too long to the ageing of our population a large proportion of whom live alone

“Yet our older people are a vast source of knowledge and experience Stapely Retirement Village will help to fill that gap and why I am very keen to give it my support to help make it happen

Philip Ettinger Stapely Care Trustee, says: “Stapely Care is so grateful to have Edwina Currie s support Her great interest in what we are doing is extremely gratifying, as was her wonderful way when meeting our residents

“Edwina’s energy ideas and commitment to our future was very greatly appreciated on what was an informal initial visit We look forward to a long and mutually rewarding relationship with her ”

I hadn t realised what a pleasure it would be to come down for a meal that s been cooked for you We get a dessert at lunch and supper which is a treat and we have a sherry before lunch – something I would never have had time for at home as I would be busy cooking It s been good for us and we re still together ”

Since coming to Faithfull House they have been able to enjoy the trips organised by the activities team Recently this included going on a canal boat cruise this was particularly special for Joseph – he had been an officer in the Royal Navy reserves and it was the first time in a long while that he d been on a boat

Doreen and Ernest are new to Cheltenham they moved to Faithfull House from Berkshire to be close to their daughter A few weeks after they arrived they celebrated their 71st Wedding Anniversary with a party at Faithfull House They both grew up in Kent and met through a shared love of cycling and recently they were able to enjoy another cycle ride together! The charity has a specially adapted trishaw which volunteers and staff pedal around traffic free routes close to the homes Faithfull House s Physiotherapist

Martin cycled Doreen and Ernest around the nearby Montpelier park where they both enjoyed the opportunity for ‘people watching’

Doreen explains how they have found the move to the residential home

“We’ve settled in very well It’s been no problem; we re used to moving around We are lucky because as a married couple we have an apartment I enjoy having our meals prepared – it’s wonderful food ”

“It s different but it’s very homely here We aren’t obliged to join in [with the activities] but there is a lot to choose from We can have our own furniture, all our own pictures They make you feel at home straight away ”

The Care & Occupational Therapy Show, 12th July 2023, Westpoint Arena, Exeter

The Care & Occupational Therapy Show is the ultimate destination for healthcare professionals from across the UK looking to learn about how the industries are changing This event provides a platform to explore the latest advancements in care and occupational therapy From technology innovations to the latest hygiene products this event has it all

Taking place on the 12th of July at the Westpoint Arena in Exeter and is a must-attend event for anyone in the industry

With over 100 exhibitors showcasing the latest products services, and technologies attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the newest and most innovative healthcare solutions available The show is designed to connect healthcare professionals, carers and occupational therapists with experts in the field providing a unique opportunity to network share knowledge and gain insights into the future of the industry

The Care & Occupational Therapy Show is also set to feature an extensive CPD-accredited seminar programme with presentations from leading experts in the field

The event will also feature a range of live product demonstrations providing attendees with hands-on experience of the latest technologies and products This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in healthcare and gain practical experience in their application

The event is expected to attract a large audience including occupational therapists physiotherapists care home managers nurses and other healthcare professionals This provides an excellent opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and build valuable connections within the industry

The Care & Occupational Therapy Show is an unmissable event for anyone in the healthcare industry Whether you are a healthcare professional looking to stay upto-date with the latest advancements in the field, or an exhibitor looking to showcase your products and services to a highly engaged audience this event is not to be missed

Bupa and National Literacy Trust Inspire Intergenerational Reading

Bupa Global & UK and the National Literacy Trust have partnered to launch Generations of Stories – a new initiative to encourage a love of reading at all ages, boost learning and support mental wellbeing

The initiative funded by Bupa Foundation and Bupa Care Services sees six Bupa care homes across the UK partnering with primary schools in their communities to kick start a lifelong love of reading

Over 300 care home residents and 250 children will take part in a range of inspirational reading sessions, where professional storytellers will support residents and children to bond over well-loved tales

One in five 5-8 year olds say they do not own a book of their own, so the partnership will also gift free books to children in disadvantaged areas

The partnership aims to improve rates of reading for enjoyment which is linked to educational progress and mental wellbeing] Similarly meaningful social interactions and positive relationships have been shown to boost wellbeing in elderly people stave off loneliness and even possibly slow cognitive decline

Rebecca Pearson, General Manager of Bupa Care Services said: “We strive every day to provide the best possible care for our residents and we know that interacting with children can have a hugely positive

impact on their health and wellbeing Our residents have loved getting stuck into reading new books as well as recommending their favourites from their childhoods, and everyone in the homes is enjoying the energy that children bring and benefiting from a renewed love of reading

Anna Russell Director of the Bupa Foundation commented: “This partnership aims to bring communities together and promote the benefits of intergenerational relationships while encouraging children to read more and improve their literacy skills At the Bupa Foundation we have seen the real-world impact of the National Literacy Trust s work over many years and we’re looking forward to seeing where this partnership takes us supporting the wellbeing of children and our care home residents through the shared experience of reading ”

Reading is a powerful way to bring people together and reading for pleasure has a huge host of benefits including supporting both education and wellbeing ” said Nick Oram Programme Manager of the Young Readers Programme Sharing stories and being able to choose your own books from a diverse collection is a crucial part of inspiring children to read, and we’re so excited to put both of those things into practice with Bupa

Andrew Samuel, Medallist of The Order of The British Empire, Joins CareDocs as IT Manager

CareDocs (Care Management Systems Ltd) one of the UK’s leading person centred software providers for care and nursing homes, welcomes Andrew Samuel as its new IT Manager

Mr Samuel brings extensive experience within IT having previously worked for Nexus Open Systems techrelate and many others Most notably Andrew was listed in the New Years Honours 2023 and received the British Empire Medal for his work in supporting his local community throughout the pandemic

Having spent many years volunteering for charities, namely being part of the team that reopened a local theatre in Taunton, known as The Brewhouse after it fell into administration Andrew was nominated for this prestigious award after creating a support group of volunteers to support vulnerable people in his community during the pandemic “I created a support group of volunteers to offer any assistance that people may need I set up a central telephone number and built a small army of volunteers to answer phones collect prescriptions shop dog walk, mow grass you name it!

We hand delivered thousands of leaflets with our telephone number so people know how to get in touch I also decided to write an online software application to log calls and track each request through to fruition

All of which took place within the first two weeks of the first lockdown Mr Samuel also decided to open a shop the Wilton & Sherford Community Shop in his local area to support a number of elderly and vul-

nerable people Locating a venue registering a community interest company raising grants hiring staff and created a robust operating procedure that aligned with covid restrictions amongst other things He opened the shop to the public only two weeks after he had the initial idea The support group set up by Andrew took nearly 2 000 calls and the shop generated around £12 500 over the course of 40 days

Andrew Pulsford who nominated Andrew Samuels also commented “Andrew was an enormous asset to our support group during covid He brought enthusiasm, ideas and solutions and proved he would go the extra mile to help people It’s been a privilege to volunteer with him and to see how much he cares and the lengths he’ll go to help people and to see how modest he is He just always wants to help where he can and he s always looking for opportunities where he can make a difference ”

Mr Samuel was informed by the Cabinet Office that he would be recommended to His Majesty the King for the honour of Medal of the Order of the British Empire in the 2023 New Year Honours List The ceremony was held at Castle House in Taunton and presented to Mr Samuel by the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Mr Samuel and his wife were also invited to attend the Coronation Garden Party at Buckingham Palace General Manager at CareDocs, Alan Pocock, also commented, “We’re so pleased to have Andrew join the team He will be an integral part of propelling CareDocs into the future of digital healthcare We re very lucky to have someone join us who is so caring and passionate and will add to the passion CareDocs has for supporting UK care homes into the work we do ”

Cornerstone Healthcare and PremaLabs

Collaborate to Test Staff for COVID-19 Antibodies

Award winning specialist care provider Cornerstone Healthcare has announced a collaboration with PremaLabs Diagnostics a leading provider of Point of Care Test (POCT) solutions to test their staff for COVID-19 antibodies This joint effort is aimed at gaining a better understanding of the virus and its impact on health and social care workers and the wider community

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the world healthcare providers have been at the forefront of the fight against the virus Understanding the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies among their staff is critical in ensuring their safety and the safety of the residents that they care for

PremaLabs’ Chief Scientific Officer Gary McLean, Professor Emeritus at London Metropolitan University and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Imperial College London and his team will utilise its state-of-the-art testing capabilities to screen the staff at Cornerstone for the presence of COVID-19 antibodies The results of these tests will be used to gain insight into the prevalence of the virus among healthcare workers and help identify potential areas for enhanced infection control practices

We are excited to welcome the PremaLabs team to our services and to be collaborating with them on this important initiative said Johann van Zyl Cornerstone CEO By testing our staff for COVID-19 antibodies we can gain a better understanding of the virus We look forward to the valuable insights that this agreement will provide

We are honoured to be working with Cornerstone Healthcare on this study said PremaLabs CEO Adam Martin Our advanced portable testing services will enable us to provide Cornerstone with accurate data on the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies among their staff which will be crucial in implementing effective measures to keep their residents and employees safe

The collaboration between Cornerstone Healthcare and PremaLabs is a significant stride forward in the ongoing battle against COVID-19 Through this joint effort to gain a deeper understanding of the virus, these two organisations are at the forefront of safeguarding the health and welfare of both health and social care workers and their vulnerable residents Cornerstone who cares for people with challenging behaviours associated with complex neurological and mental health needs, employs over 350 people across its three services - South Africa Lodge and Kitnocks House in Hampshire and Marula Lodge in Surrey

PremaLabs Diagnostics is a global medical device company offering advanced and comprehensive Point of Care (POC) diagnostic solutions This technology used in the care home environment can aid early and quick diagnosis of various conditions such as anaemia cardiovascular diseases and diabetes For more information visit their website at www premalabs uk

Notts Dementia Care Specialist Gains Approval For Growth

NOTTINGHAM dementia care home specialist Church Farm Care has received planning permission to extend its popular home in Cotgrave following a raft of other successful projects at its second home in Cotgrave known as Rusticus

Church Farm Care Home at Cotgrave has been given the go ahead for a first-floor extension in addition to single storey extensions to the side and rear of the existing building The added space will ensure that every bedroom at the home includes an ensuite improving the living environment for all family members

Lucy Atkinson director at Church Farm Care said: It s important that we continue investing in our homes to build on the high-level of care we provide to those living with dementia Ensuring all rooms at Church Farm Care Home at Cotgrave feature ensuites will give our family members greater independence and boost their quality of life which is always at the heart of everything we do

The approved work at Church Farm Care Home at Cotgrave follows the successful work to create more bed spaces at its Rusticus home also in Cotgrave Hickling Lodge a state-of-the-art 30-bedroom standalone building at Rusticus featuring new lounges and lifestyle kitchens opened in late 2021 to meet additional demand for Church Farm s special form of dementia care

Rusticus family members and staff also celebrated the opening of a social hub called Socius earlier this year Complete with a newly opened cinema hairdressers and café the new area also includes a walk-through bird aviary in freshly landscaped grounds for residents and visitors to enjoy

Work is also set to start this year at Church Farm s Skylarks home in West Bridgford This will see the creation of 30 independent living pods in addition to amenities that will also benefit the community such as a hydrotherapy swimming pool

Patrick Atkinson director of Church Farm Care said: Our inspiration for our care homes comes from the Dementia Village in the Netherlands Home to more than 150 residents they are encouraged to be independent visit shops get their hair done and attend clubs all onsite

The independence that the residents can have at the Dementia Village is something we are striving to achieve across all our homes, and the continued development of our two homes in Cotgrave and at Skylarks takes us one step closer to accomplishing this goal

“This combined investment and exciting work in the future will all go towards improving life for our family members as well as consciously adding to the sense of community in the local area

Exotic Animals Visit Huddersfield Care Home For Therapy Session

A dragon a tarantula and a snake were among the latest visitors to a Huddersfield care home – as residents took part in an animal therapy session

Almost a dozen miniature creatures were brought to Aden Lodge Care Home Clayton West by mobile petting zoo DB Animal Therapy

Among the visitors was Rico the rabbit Pablo and Robbie the tortoises Leo the guinea pig Smokie the hen Maui the bearded dragon Curly the tarantula Pepper the hedgehog and Lily the snake

Residents had the chance to meet, hold, stroke, or just watch each of the animals as they were taken around the living room area of the care home

Maureen Metcalfe 90 held Maui the bearded dragon She said “It was lovely so friendly ” Olive Smith 101 Sheila Parker 96 and Mick Gore 76 all took turns stroking Rico the rabbit While Pepper the hedgehog, the two tortoises and Smokie the hen also received a lot of attention from residents

Lily the corn snake was also popular with Sheena Stevens 85 and Eunice Bedford 90 among those to hold her round their necks

The tarantula Curly however was less popular among the residents, but staff members Jennie Chambers senior care assistant and Sam Hiley administrator were brave enough to pass the furry spider between them

Animal based activities have proven therapeutic benefits for residents especially those living with dementia according to Aden Lodge Care Home manager Sarah Durham She said: These sorts of sessions have a wide range of benefits, helping to boost everyone’s mood, reduce feelings of stress and loneliness ease anxiety, improve overall wellbeing, and being a lot of fun, of course

“It was a lovely experience for our residents and staff to meet all the animals and we’d all like to thank Charlotte from DB Animal Therapy for bringing them to Aden Lodge and our activities coordinator Janice McNab for arranging the session

“You only need to see the residents interacting with the animals and talking about it for hours afterwards to know how beneficial these sorts of therapy sessions are ”

MoliCare® Celebrates 40 Years of Incontinence Protection, Ever y Day

MoliCare®, the global incontinence brand, is celebrating 40 years of supporting people carers and healthcare professionals with solution-based pads pants and skincare products The product range has been designed to help the everyday needs of those living with incontinence and bladder weakness with the care of the skin at the heart of the MoliCare® brand

Incontinence is a condition that affects 1 in 4 women in the UK For a condition which is so common there is still a sense of embarrassment and isolation that leaves people feeling lonely and unsupported In fact, 68% of those living with incontinence feel that it has had a negative impact on their quality of life and just over half believe that urinary incontinence is a taboo subject Therefore it is vital that there is an increase in societal support as well as a wide range of simple solutions for people living with incontinence

MoliCare® has developed a range of pads and pants which feel like underwear Over the last forty years, the brand has continued to focus on protection security, and comfort as the core criteria for its product performance MoliCare® believes in plain talking backed up by their healthcare professional expertise, to create simple solutions for people living with incontinence

MoliCare® continually strives to address the needs of its customers; from nurses through to care givers family members and people living with incontinence They have developed an easy to remember acronymSAS - to simplify the product selection process

S – Style There are various styles such as large and small pads, or complete pull up mobile pants to suit various levels of mobility There are also products for men and women based on anatomical differences and urine flow

A – Absorbency MoliCare® s droplet guide makes selection straightforward

S – Size, MoliCare® s in-depth sizing guide ensures that products selected, are a comfortable and secure fit

HARTMANN, the company behind MoliCare®, continues to invest in and develop in their products This includes the introduction of new technology to the MoliCare® Premium Form range of large shaped pads that now features a new absorbent core known as ADL (Acquisition Distribution Layer) The ADL layer contains super absorbent polymers treated with Citrate which neutralise the urine for better skin health In addition the ADL layer now features a new channel, set within the pad to help to distribute urine Both innovations improve the feeling of dryness by over 70% again demonstrating MoliCare® s commitment to skin care

As part of MoliCare® s holistic approach to incontinence the brand has developed a range of specialist skincare products which are skin friendly pH balanced and are gentle on delicate sensitive skin Used together MoliCare® provides a complete skin care and incontinence management solution

Amy Jaworska, MoliCare® B2C Channel Manager comments; “as a global manufacturer and expert in the field of Incontinence and Bladder Weakness we are delighted to be celebrating 40 years of the MoliCare® brand, supporting people living with incontinence MoliCare® invests in the research design and development of our premium incontinence products to ensure they meet the highest quality reliability and protection for people living with incontinence We also support loved ones carers and healthcare professionals alike with the right support for the people they care for because the individual s wellbeing and quality of life is at the heart of everything we do MoliCare® is a leading global brand of incontinence products manufactured by the HARTMANN Group MoliCare® works in partnership with Healthcare Professionals to develop clinically effective products advice, and innovative Home Delivery service solution packages to meet lifestyle needs

For more information and to order please call 0800 028 9470 or Visit www hartmanndirect co uk/incontinence-products

Commercial Kitchen and Laundr y Solutions (CKLS)

Commercial Kitchen and Laundry Solutions (CKLS) are one of the UK s leading suppliers of commercial kitchen and laundry equipment Whether you are a small sized residential home or large scale nursing home group, CKLS has the expertise and equipment

Cash’s Labels- “The Name Behind the Name”

Cash s Apparel Solutions have been trading since 1846 and have built up a reputation for superior value for money quality personalised and non-personalised items for many different outlets We supply to Nursing and Residential Homes Schools Scout Cub Guide and Brownie Groups as well as to the small or large business entrepreneur Our range of Designer name tapes add a professional look to garments crafts or other hobby items

Many of us have loved ones relatives or friends who need specialist care in a Nursing or Residential Home In this busy environment clothes and personal items can easily get misplaced if they are not

named, otherwise this can become very stressful for the resident relatives and the Care Home itself

Our woven clothing name tapes are extremely robust and are sewn on to garments to ensure that they stand the rigorous washing processes necessary Self-adhesive labels are easily applied to name shoes and books and make marking treasured items effortless to most other non-fabric items

We have recently introduced several new items such as magnetic name tags and personalised hi-vis jackets along with updated gifts such as personalised mugs and mousemats Check out the ad on page 9 for our offer code

Visit www cashslabels com

Essential Insurance Covers For Your Care Home

often determined by best practice to ensure the resident or patient is as comfortable as they can be Unfortunately this means mistakes can creep in A single mistake can result in a negative impact on your patient whether that be from medical treatment or advice This can lead to a potential claim for medical malpractice

Medical malpractice cover is not only a legal requirement to anyone providing professional healthcare services but also offers peace of mind by covering the cost of any losses that arise from defending and settling a claim This means that during a claim, your business can continue to operate with as little disruption as possible

BUILDINGS AND CONTENTS INSURANCE

As a care home owner or manager you will offer a variety of services to meet the needs of your residents

Typically the care you provide is likely to vary with anything from basic care and accommodation through to respite end-of-life and specialist care for dementia patients

Providing the very best care for your residents will be at the heart of everything you do, but the care you deliver is not without risk and therefore having the right insurance in place is something that should be high on your list of priorities Not only does your insurance need to be tailored to protect the care services you provide but you also need to consider the regulatory bodies you adhere to protection for your staff as well as covering the premises and its contents

Here are some covers you must consider

LIABILITY COVER

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) states that all care and nursing homes require insurance, and without it they are unable to operate The mandatory insurance requirements from the CQC are Public and Employers Liability cover Any additional covers will depend on the type of care facility you own Public Liability Insurance will cover the cost of compensation to third parties in the event of death bodily injury or damage to their property which occurs because of your business activities for example if a resident’s family member slips on an upturned carpet

Unlike Public Liability Employers Liability cover is a legal requirement for anybody employing staff including volunteers It covers you financially for any compensation costs or legal fees that may occur because of company negligence Employers Liability Insurance will also cover you for employees that have long left your business and may only now bring a claim against you

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Your carers will be skilled in what they do and usually have several qualifications but their decisions are

Of course your business is home for your residents or patients Ensuring ample furniture is provided should be a necessity If they are accidentally damaged you may need to replace them The building itself is just as important If, for instance, the premises suffer a flood, how would the building hold? In extreme cases such as a fire or explosion a total rebuild may be necessary which would cost a considerable amount

Buildings insurance covers the cost of repairing damage to the structure of your property and provided that accurate sums insured are declared it should cover the cost to rebuild the entire property Contents insurance covers the cost of replacing or repairing your possessions if they are damaged, destroyed or stolen It includes everything you would take with you if you moved premises for example your furniture kitchen appliances and computing equipment

ARE YOU AT RISK OF UNDERINSURANCE?

If a business is underinsured in any capacity it could leave them with a financial burden should a claim be made While large corporations may be able to recover from the financial losses incurred because of underinsurance small to medium sized businesses may feel the effects of the loss more keenly owing to their sometimes already tight profit margins

Underinsurance may happen for many reasons e g using out of date estimates of your building sums insured having inadequate or unrealistic indemnity periods or not reviewing your level of cover as your operating models change

The most effective way of overcoming the risk of underinsurance is by talking to an experienced and knowledgeable insurance broker

The friendly team at Barnes Commercial can review your policy and make sure you have the correct level of cover in place

Send an email to enquires@barnesinsurancebroker co uk or call 01480 272727 to make an appointment

UNIFORMS AND WORKWEAR WHEN QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE IS VITAL

The social care and care home sector in the UK is an essential industry that provides care and support to some of the most vulnerable members of society Within this sector, uniforms and workwear play a vital role in maintaining a professional and hygienic environment In this article we will explore the importance of uniforms and workwear in the UK social care and care home sector highlighting appearance comfort design branding health and safety infection control contamination care, maintenance, and laundering

APPEARANCE

One of the primary functions of uniforms and workwear in the social care and care home sector is to ensure a professional appearance Care workers wearing a uniform can help to establish a sense of authority and professionalism which can be reassuring to patients and their families A uniform also helps to create a sense of unity and can help to build a strong team spirit

COMFORT

Care workers spend long hours on their feet and engage in a range of physical activities that require a high degree of mobility As such, it is essential that uniforms and workwear are comfortable and allow for ease of movement The materials used should be breathable lightweight and flexible ensuring that workers can move freely and remain comfortable throughout their shift

DESIGN AND BRANDING

The design and branding of uniforms and workwear play an important role in creating a sense of identity and promoting the values and ethos of a care home or social care provider Uniforms can feature the company logo name and colors creating a visual representation of the brand A well-designed uniform can help to establish a sense of pride and belonging among employees and can also help to create a positive impression on patients and visitors

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Uniforms and workwear must adhere to strict health and safety standards to ensure the safety of care workers and their patients Materials used in uniforms and workwear must be flame-resistant non-toxic and non-allergenic Clothing must also be designed to minimize the risk of injury, such as by incorporating reflective strips to enhance visibility in low light conditions

INFECTION CONTROL AND CONTAMINATION

Infection control and contamination are critical concerns in the social care and care home sector Uniforms and workwear must be designed with infection control in mind with materials that are easy to clean and disinfect Clothing must be able to withstand frequent washing and must not shrink or lose its shape over time Uniforms and workwear must also be designed to minimize the risk of cross-contamination with separate clothing for different areas of a care home or hospital, such as clean and dirty areas

RECOMMENDED LAUNDRY TEMPERATURES

The temperature at which uniforms and workwear are laundered is an essential factor in preventing the spread of infections and crosscontamination The recommended laundry temperature for healthcare uniforms and workwear is typically between 60-90 degrees Celsius Washing at these high temperatures can help to kill bacteria and viruses and prevent the spread of infections

PROFESSIONAL LAUNDRY SERVICES

To ensure compliance with legislation and maintain high standards of hygiene many care homes and social care providers opt to use professional laundry services These laundry services have the necessary equipment and expertise to handle the laundering of healthcare uniforms and workwear Professional laundry services use specific deter-

gents and washing programs that are designed to kill bacteria and viruses

SEPARATING CLEAN AND DIRTY UNIFORMS

It is essential to separate clean and dirty uniforms to prevent crosscontamination Dirty uniforms and workwear should be placed in designated laundry bags or containers and clean uniforms should be stored separately Staff should be trained to handle soiled uniforms and workwear with care to avoid spreading any potential infections

PRE-TREATING STAINS

Pre-treating stains is an essential step in maintaining clean and hygienic uniforms Staff should treat stains as soon as possible to prevent them from setting in It is best to use a pre-treatment product that is safe and compatible with the type of fabric used in the uniform or workwear Pre-treatment can help to remove stubborn stains and prevent them from becoming permanent

CHOOSING THE RIGHT DETERGENT

Choosing the right detergent is critical to maintaining clean and hygienic uniforms It is best to use a detergent that is effective at removing stains and bacteria and is safe for the environment Many detergents contain antibacterial agents that help to kill bacteria and viruses It is also essential to choose a detergent that is compatible with the type of fabric used in the uniform or workwear

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The UK social care and care home sector is subject to a range of legal requirements and recommendations related to uniforms and workwear The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including uniforms and workwear in healthcare settings Care homes and social care providers must also comply with infection control guidelines set out by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

In conclusion uniforms and workwear play a critical role in the UK social care and care home sector ensuring a professional appearance promoting comfort and mobility, and ensuring the safety of care workers and their patients Uniforms and workwear must be designed with infection control in mind and must be properly cared for and maintained to ensure cleanliness

UNIFORMS AND WORKWEAR WHEN QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE IS VITAL

CiCLO® Fabric Technology

An Innovative Way To Combat Plastic Waste

Did you know that over 60% of today s textiles are made from synthetic fibres which are not biodegradable? Almost all fabrics shed tiny microfibres during manufacture use and care When we wash these materials they shed millions of these plastic microfibres that pass through wastewater treatment and into the sea unless they are made with CiCLO® technology

CiCLO® is an invisible sustainable additive blended into the garment fabric at the manufacturing stage The non-toxic technology is permanently embedded, so will never wash out

It enables the synthetic plastic-based fibres to behave more like natural fibres such as wool but improves on natural fibres by biodegrading faster and helping to reduce the accumulation of plastic waster in landfill and plastic in our oceans

Our new Landau Forward range is made with this

Your One Stop Shop For Branded Uniforms

innovation CiCLO® technology

An exciting addition to the healthcare scrubs portfolio not only are these textiles eco-friendly and kinder to our planet but are also designed for style comfort and adaptability

The premium scrub collection offers six activewear-inspired styles that include scrub tops and bottoms zip jacket and a modern crew-neck base layer In addition to the sustainable element of the fabric the Forward collection also boasts 4-way stretch fabric, flexible side panels for added movement and modern ribbed trims on necklines waistbands and cuffs for enhanced optimum comfort and styling For practicality the scrubs are moisture-wicking include plenty of pockets and are also fade and wrinkle resistant www grahamegardner co uk

Info@grahamegardner co uk

0116 255 6326

Concealed

High-quality 195gsm 65/35 polyester/cotton

• Generous sizing with action back

Front left and right chest pockets

• 2 lower pockets

Sizes: 8–30

Discounts available dependent on quantities

See

ACCESSIBLE BATHING

Introducing The New Pressalit Matrix Height And Sideways Ad justable Washbasin

In any accessible bathroom space is key and with Pressalit s new height and sideways adjustable MATRIX washbasin, creating space quickly and hygienically has just got easier

The world leading manufacturer and designer Pressalit has introduced the MATRIX washbasin bracket with a choice of integrated basin styles the MATRIX MEDIUM or MATRIX ANGLE DEEP featuring a new simple to use discreet adjustment for both height and sideways movement

The ultimate in functionality and hygiene the MATRIX washbasin makes the best use of space in the bathroom whilst accommodating the changing needs of both users and caregivers Supporting self-reliance space optimisation and a sense of security in the bathroom the new adjustable washbasin has been designed for use in a wide variety of installations from a private home care setting institution or a hospital

Whether for a seated or standing user or when a carer is assisting the new MATRIX washbasin offers a flexible solution and safe working environment offering the commitment to quality practicality and design that Pressalit makes its priority

The easy-to-move washbasin can be adjusted smoothly sideways to a range of 500mm to create greater access when using the shower or toilet for a wheelchair user and carer, by means of a discreet handle located underneath the basin Adjustment can be carried out safely with one hand and requires very little hand strength to operate

The vertical rise and fall allows for a variation of 300mm with options available for either a manual han-

dle or intuitive electric power button

The latter is recommended for a care or hospital setting where frequent adjustment is required, offering huge time saving benefits and improved working conditions for staff whilst the manual solution is suitable for a bathroom where there’s only one user or multiple users with the same needs

The MATRIX MEDIUM AND MATRIX DEEP ANGLE washbasins both feature integrated handles for additional user support

With both hygiene and aesthetics in mind the discreet MATRIX bracket s operating panel fits tightly against the wall and snugly against the washbasin, preventing dust and dirt from settling in hard-to-reach places All surfaces are large smooth and easy to wipe

Andrew Lowndes Sales Director for Pressalit in the UK says Some people need a lot of help in the bathroom others little or none

The new MATRIX basin bracket is a flexible solution taking into account the specific needs of the user at any given time By simple adjustment for height or to create space sideways for greater access to the shower or toilet for wheelchairs this helps create situations that boost self-reliance and help provide a greater degree of freedom ”

Pressalit has many years of experience and expertise in the field of designing accessible bathrooms The company will provide advice on everything from space optimisation to rules and guidelines for design and the choice of solution and installation creating the best conditions for the user and where needed a carer or health professional

https://pressalit com/en-uk/products/matrix-adjustable-washbasin-solution/

Reval - Leaders in Assisted Bathing

Reval have been manufacturing assisted bathing and showering products for more than 46 years Reval has a wide and varied range of high-end equipment uses and available and used extensively is all healthcare sectors Our range includes

Assisted bathing systems

Ceiling track and mobile hoists

Assisted showering appliances and wet room equipment

• Shower and sluice systems

Hydro-therapy pools and changing room

As a manufacturer, we can offer a direct service - delivering best value for our customers All services are delivered by our highly trained product specialists and tech-service teams Our aim is to deliver a seamless service based on careful planning process expert-

ise and our unravelled “Know How”

The truly unique thing about Reval is its business model To explain; unlike all other equipment providers in our sector Reval strategy is based on delivering quality products designed to be long-term-reliable which only require preventative maintenance annually

Our three year no-quibble warranty policy provides clients with peace of mind Reval and ensure your costs are minimised We are not interested in tying customers into expensive service contracts This is not our strategy! Our strategy means we can be leaner and more controlled thanks to Just – in – Time parts sourcing process making parts immediately available improving our service to our clients

Reval design and manufacture highly innovative products to improve lives outcomes, and working environments This approach to design-manufacturing enables care operators to limit their risks and optimise their services and patient outcomes Our team of fieldbased product specialists are highly trained and competent in all the disciplines required to conduct holistic product assessment technical building surveys and commercial aspects of product provision

Our strategy and emphasis are on undisrupted service over the lifetime of your appliance Reval s spare parts business is less than 10% of its total business proving further our company’s commitment to quality and reliability and we are constantly working to develop new ways to reduce our aftersales business because in doing so we pass on savings and service continuation to you over the lifetime of your product

Most of all; Reval is renowned for its innovation and its ability to design products that make a difference To improve your service and profitability or if you are looking for that products which truly makes a difference give us a call today there nothing to lose

+44 01656 721 001 | sales@revalcc com | www revalcc co uk

Adapting Cleaning and Infection Control Practices for the Residential and Social Care Setting

Legionella Risk Assessments

generally be flu-like and may dissipate without treatment The more serious illness can involve hospitalisation including ICU and even death Public Health England confirms there were 503 cases of Legionnaires' Disease in 2019 for England and Wales – an average of almost 10 cases a week (Latest available data)

and then a suitable water management scheme is put in place and followed This will include monitoring of outlets and water tanks and may include regular water sampling and disinfections The Legionella risk assessment needs to be carried out to BS8580 by a competent, i e trained person

The bacteria is ingested by human beings in the form of an aerosol and then infects the lungs the symptoms are similar to flu and also Covid 19 The mild illness is called Pontiac fever and will

The most common sources are from showers or other equipment such as cooling towers that produce an aerosol Stagnation is also a major factor in increasing the risk to mitigate this any low use/seldom used outlets should be run off weekly Temperature monitoring is also advisable both of these actions MUST be recorded

In summation: A current Legionella risk assessment and appropriate water hygiene management and monitoring scheme will prevent the bacteria proliferation within the systems and therefore significantly reduce the risk to Staff and public health Steve Dillon

(Advanced WMSoC Legionella Risk Assessor) Managing Director Stokefield Water Treatment Ltd

See the advert on this page for details

HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL

Omnitex Hygiene Products

Omnitex represents all round protection and hygiene products Launched in 2015 it has quickly become a brand synonymous with high quality used everyday by thousands of individuals and healthcare facilities throughout the UK and Europe

All products are manufactured in ISO9001 and ISO13485 certified facilities Omnitex Body Cleansing wipes are a large size, which the ideal thickness for a comfortable cleaning experience Bulk pack of 80 wipes, with our unique enriching formula and microwaveable Microwaveable for a warm bed bath Lightly fragranced and with a honeycomb texture on Wipes facilitating better cleaning coverage absorbency and hygiene

Swiftclean Support for Care Homes

Running a care home

each

Angloplas Dispensers Help Reduce the Risk of Cross Infection

Angloplas are a UK manufacturer who specialise in producing dispensers for the health and hygiene industry Although these are designed to keep the workplace tidy and uncluttered they are, more importantly, built knowing the control of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a priority for healthcare providers, and who are employing a combination of infection prevention and control strategies, including hand hygiene, cleaning training and the adoption of new technologies to tackle the

problem

As a result a wide range of infection control products and technologies are emerging on the market including antimicrobial technology Angloplas range of dispensers are produced in the world’s first proven Antimicrobial PVC with silver ion technology and which is exclusive to Angloplas This helps reduce the risk of cross infection by stopping the growth of bacteria and mould and works continuously for the lifetime of the product reducing levels of bacteria such as MRSA, E Coli, Legionella, Salmonella and mould by up to 99 99%

For non-clinical environments Angloplas has recently launched its new Budget Range of products which are made to the same exacting standards as the antimicrobial protected ones but with lower price tags

You can order Angloplas products directly from its website by going to www angloplas co uk

and you are protected from any liability for negligence

Contact us now to book in your free care home assessment on 0800 243 471 or email info@swiftclean co uk www swiftclean co uk

Chiltern: Expert Water Ser vices, Tailored To Your Needs

Legionnaires disease is caused by Legionella Pneumophila bacteria This is found in nearly all water systems but is normally limited to low safe levels However, in domestic or man-made water systems, legionella bacterial levels can rise and become unsafe possibly causing infection to those exposed

Duty Holders of all commercial and public building premises are legally required to assess the risk from legionella to anyone using the water systems and put in place legionella control measures if required

At Chiltern Water & Environment, we offer legionella control services nationwide including:

A legionella risk assessment that can identify and assess the risk from each open water system

If significant risks are identified then we offer:

• A control scheme must be established to monitor the r sks remediate any issue identified and ensure the system is adequately maintained to prevent future risks

• A competent, responsible point person is nominated to ensure the above is carried out effectively

Some systems may require additional water sampling especially where susceptible people are present, there has been a history of legionella issues or the control scheme cannot be adequately maintained

For further information visit www chilternwater co uk or see the advert on the following pages

HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL

Sustainable Products Inter view with High Green Development Trust

High Green Development Trust manages The Campus which is an inclusive community centre and business hub for people to go and meet others do business learn and participate in sports and other leisure activities

Recently the Trust came to Killis for help about their need to improve their sustainability

Both Lucy Whitehouse Killis Janitorial Sales Manager and Gail Sutton HGDT Campus Manager worked alongside each other to ensure that needs were met and that High Green were able to incorporate the sustainable products without any difficulties

Lucy caught up with Gail about the new products installed how they were getting on with them and how it’s helped contribute to their sustainability and environmental policy to reach their goals

Did the focus on sustainability following the government sustainability targets speed up the deployment of such solutions?

No it didn't I already had a plan that when I took over here and saw some of the products we were utilising It didn't fit in with my sustainability plan or the environmental pol cy we developed as a leadership team As such I wanted to progress as quickly as I could so the government sanctions

didn t come into it

Can you tell us why you chose these products over other less sustainable alternatives?

I have chosen the products two-fold One the relationship that predecessors had with Killis wasn t what I d call working in a business partnership which I want to develop Two I wanted to utilise Killis products in their portfolio that fit in with our environmental policy and what we want to achieve as a charity campus for the community

Why are these sustainable products impor tant to High Green Development Tr ust?

We are a charity working in the community on-site, we have respite centres, sense schools and nurseries We must lead by example to develop the environmental plan sustain our planet and do our part to play and support our local environment

What benefits have you had switching to these sustainable products?

How has High Green benefitted from switching?

By moving over we have the confidence that the items we ve had are either from recyclable sources or recyclable or they don t damage the local environment

Did you have any reser vations about switching to all sustainable products?

Absolutely not Firstly it s about the environment and also it's about the space-saving of products particularly of the soaps How did these new sustainable products integrate with your cleaning team?

edencleen from Cleenol

Over the course of our history we at Cleenol have always produced products that offer a perfect balance between cleaning performance and efficiency with an attention to reducing the environmental impact that our products may carry edencleen our latest brand reaffirms our commitment to our credentials for environmental guardianship and represents an evolution of what has been an integral part of our DNA Edencleen has been designed to reflect in part our vision for a cleaner safer world that touches not only the environmental aspects of sustainability but has as an aim a social ambition to leave the planet in the safe care of and for future generations As such with edencleen Cleenol looks to ensure transparency in our approach which may on occasion result in some counter intuitive elements

The range covers the essential needs to cover 80% of daily cleaning and include a washroom cleaner and toilet gel cleaner and urinal deodoriser an all-purpose surface sanitiser a degreaser and a washing up liquid a no rinse floor degreaser a window cleaner and a laundry detergent and fabric softener edencleen products have been developed around the following principles and ingredients

• RSPO certified palm oil derivatives

With over 30 years of experience, CWE can help you provide safe water systems for your care home, including:

• Water sampling

• Legionella compliance

• Asset inspection – tanks, calorifiers etc.

• Remedial works

• Swimming and spa pool testing

Tel: 01844 347678

Email: info@chilternwater.co.uk

www.chilternwater.co.uk

They ve really taken to them They were a little apprehensive at first, thinking particularly of the soap How can a small item deliver the cleanliness of what we need and the hygiene in our toilet environments they were amazed What's your favourite sustainable product that you buy from us?

I think my favourite has to be the soap It saves space cuts costs, the packaging it comes in and that s from a recyclable source and it s recyclable So it s a one-stop-shop It completes the circle

In addition to the soap being a favourite product I also have to add Zoono In a community campus environment, it's essential to have confidence in the products Zoono sanitises touchpoints and is available at hand sanitising stations It is user friendly and kind to hands while providing longlasting protection against germs

What would you say to other organisations considering using more sustainable alternatives?

Personally I think it s a no brainer It supports the environment and if as a business you have sustainability and environmental policies then decreasing the amount of chemicals that you use throughout the business is a winwin

If you would like any further information, a little guidance or advice on the best products to help reach your goals and how your organisation can benefit from more sustainably conscious cleaning products and alternatives please reach out to Lucy Whitehouse at lucy@killis co uk

Lastly, we would like to thank Gail at High Green Development Trust for taking the time to take part in our interview

See the advert on the facing page for full details about Killis

No animal derived products

Cruelty free

Minimal petrochemical derived products

No parabens formaldehyde, CMI/MIT triclosan, phosphates, chlorine bleaches, optical brighteners quaternary ammon um compounds

VOC free and phosphate, EDTA, NTA free

Recyclable / recycled packaging

100% bio-based surfactant - made by using bio-based ethylene oxide which is manufactured from biomass ethanol

Bioethanol, naturally der ved acids, sugar-based surfactants, bio-based solvents, low impact preservatives

Combining carefully formulated products with appropriate packaging, using recycled material or recyclable componentry, the range’s mostly colourless liquid and low fragrance usage are designed to convey a transparency and straightforwardness of our approach which will be a hallmark of all edencleen products and associated services

Careful use of enzymatic formulations and more traditional chemistry brings a portfolio of products that’s finely attuned to delivering effective cleaning which when used as instructed helps maintain a neutral environmental impact edencleen s new range represents just the start to a fully refreshed solution to meet the most demanding of customers expectations See the advert below for further information

Re-booting Dementia Care DEMENTIA CARE

Orchard Care Homes has long been an advocate of quality innovative Dementia Care Lately it has set the bar even higher with the introduction of its group-wide Dementia Promise This sets out to provide equitable care for those living with the condition and level-up training for all staff – using evidencebased practices Hayden Knight CEO of Orchard Care Homes discusses the importance of pioneering change for those living with Dementia

The issue of dementia provision across the care sector has never been more prominent The number of those living with dementia in the UK is growing Sadly more people are arriving at our care homes with acute levels of dementia and increasingly complex needs – many having been referred from social settings who are unable to support them As a result of this trend and concerns from families seeking support for loved ones we have made it our mission to help and guide by setting the wheels in motion for genuine change to dementia support

Our Reconnect communities don t cater to mass needs – instead our activities and care plans are finely tuned to the personal requirements and interests of each person We believe in equitable care for all and those with Dementia should be no different By putting an element of positive risk in place we can fully support people with hobbies and tasks that keep them meaningfully occupied – be it gardening assisting with small tasks in the kitchen like washing up or visiting the local pub for lunch

Our Dementia Promise is not a token gesture – but a group-wide commitment to change With a background as a specialist having previously worked in expert Mental Health Provision my ethos for the group is to widen our offering to become the very best in our sector

Generally, the care sector is making a shift towards training staff in dementia support needs, but there is still a gap Orchard s strong team and capabilities aim to fill that We are currently implementing a ‘Step Up to Dementia Support Worker’ programme, which follows the success of our ‘Step Up to Seniors’ model With a shortage of carers coming to the sector with the required abilities needed, we have devised an intensive training model which will see a greater number of recruitment prospects for us and opportunities for our existing team to develop their chosen careers

For several years now we have recognised these growing needs

Over 55% of those arriving at an Orchard Care Home have some level of dementia support need – and this figure is on the rise Whilst we will always cater to the regional demographic of our homes we can t ignore these statistics Earlier this year our Dementia Promise was launched with both specialism and understanding in mind The initiative doesn’t merely pay lip service to progressing our dementia care offering It’s a huge investment for the group with over £500 000 spent annually on dedicated training programs and mentoring of our staff benefitting everyone from domestics to the CEO

We are also committed to investing in our clinical support team Again with a shortage of workers in this field coming to care we want to be able to offer the very best chances and to develop quality staff across our group By rewarding them for their skills and dedication both with an uplift in pay and options to advance their careers with Orchard we are hoping to further strengthen our support across the group For example we have just brought in two care and clinical practitioners to deliver face-to-face clinical training to up-skill staff and provide supervision and support with revalidation

When people arrive at care homes with complex needs it can be a very daunting experience

To address this and to provide a solution for local authorities and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) who have limited quality provisions to support people with higher levels of acuity, we have introduced specialist Reconnect Communities We now have five Reconnects amongst our 23-strong group, with more planned later this year With an expert care team, offering individualised support, we can be truly people focused

To further invest in our staff and create career progression models we have introduced a new Student Nurse Strategy Allowing new nurses to the sector to learn from our experienced staff will bring a huge benefit to our homes by allowing clinical placements to be fulfilled which will strengthen our team and the level of care available Student nurses working in conjunction with their university will gain valuable mentoring from our homelevel nurses who will also provide sign-off for coursework The outcomes of these partnerships will not only develop new nurses in the sector, but it’s hoped that they will encourage newly qualified nurses to join the Orchard team long-term

Continuing to challenge ourselves and others will only build on the momentum of our Dementia Promise

After a positive response from families and healthcare professionals, we feel confident that our work will make a significant impact both for our group and eventually the wider sector

Recognii Offers New Way To Entertain Residents With Later Stage Dementia

The first film created especially for people living with later-stage dementia is offering care homes an inexpensive and accessible new way to entertain residents

‘Treasure Box by Recognii is an hour-long series of uplifting plot-free and visually engaging short clips all set to some of the nation s best-known music songs and theme tunes

Each scene has been designed to capture short attention spans and specially adapted to overcome the common visual and cognitive processing problems associated with the condition

The company s founder Sarah Harrison says Treasure Box was designed to be an essential resource for dementia care providers providing safe engaging entertainment for communal relaxation areas or a flexible tool for more focused one-to-one or group activities

She explained “Treasure Box can be enjoyed as a complete film, but there are also deliberately slow transitions between each of the clips to allow for sensory readjustment and to give staff time to pause the film and reminisce or chat with residents about what they have just seen ”

Recognii contains the sort of content the company’s research showed had most universal appeal among sufferers from happy children appealing animals and gentle humour to musical interaction the natural world iconic people and places puppetry and lots more

Treasure Box is available on USB stick for use in Smart TVs and laptops and also in traditional DVD format They retail at £23 99 for the USB stick or £19 99 for the DVD

Dr Lucy Pollock gerontologist and author of bestselling The Book About Getting Older said This is just lovely Treasure Box is the sort of thing that can be watched over and over by people living with significant dementia In the same way that small children like replaying their favourites these images with music become very soothing with familiarity Even those with significant dementia can find repeated routines comforting

To accommodate the visual processing problems experienced by many people with advanced dementia the team took a deliberate approach to the way the content is filmed

Sarah explained: “To make everything as visible as possible we filmed against plain backgrounds, with high

colour and tonal contrast and predominant use of red and those primary colours research shows are most easily recognised We also took care not to feature unnecessary detail busy patterns shadows or reflective light sources ”

Each plot-free clip contrasts strongly from the last to draw wandering attention back to the screen and in keeping with the visual approach music and vocal arrangements are simple and dialogue is kept to a minimum

CASE STUDY:

Acacia Lodge Care Home in Oxfordshire is a purpose-built residence in the centre of picturesque Henley-On-Thames with 55 en-suite rooms and beautifully landscaped gardens

It is part of The Future Care Group a leading residential nursing and dementia care provider with 18 high-quality homes across the UK

Acacia Lodge lifestyle assistant Alex Owens purchased Recognii to use on their dementia floor after read ng about the innovation in The Daily Telegraph

Lifestyle lead Wendy Fricker said At Acacia Lodge quality of life is at the heart of everything we do and we are continually looking for new and varied ways to ensure each of our residents stays engaged happy and relaxed

“We were very impressed with the Recognii concept The short, simple clips helped a great deal, holding our residents attention and keep ng them watching eagerly for the next scene The content is very well thought out, and they loved the mix of singalongs, smiling children, animals and bright, colourful images Thirteen out of our 16 residents with dementia engaged and joined in with every sequence which was just amazing to see ”

Wendy now uses Recognii as part of a cinema-style’ experience handing out popcorn tea cakes and fizzy drinks for residents to enjoy while they settle down to watch with care staff She also uses t as a discussion and reminiscence tool with smaller groups or for focussed one-to-one activit es

Wendy said: Recogn i is a welcome addition to the stimulating and diverse programme of activities and events at Acacia Lodge We can t wait for the next volume and will be putting in our order asap!

More information and demos are available through the Recognii website at www recognii co uk

Focus Games - Game Based

Training for Ever y Situation

Focus Games are the leading game developers focused on education for healthcare staff and patients

Game-based learning is an innovative approach to education that leverages the principles of games to create engaging and interactive learning experiences This approach has gained popularity in recent years due to its ability to motivate learners and improve retention rates Healthcare staff can benefit significantly from game-based learning as it can help them acquire new knowledge and skills in a fun and engaging way The key benefits of game-based learning for all healthcare staff are:

1 Enhanced engagement

2 Improved knowledge retention

3 Safe learning environment

4 Customizable learning experience

5 Collaborative learning

With over 20 years of experience we have developed games aimed at improving knowledge and outcomes and have won numerous awards for our innovative approach

Visit our website to learn about over 150 existing games or get in touch to discuss creating a unique game or simulation to meet your needs We also have a unique commercialisation model which means your game idea can also be a revenue generator Find out more at www focusgames com Or email melvin@focusgames com

Designing for Dementia: How to work with decorators to create supportive spaces

same colour as the walls so that they blend in, helping to avoid unauthorised access

• To highlight obstacles such as pillars, handrails and radiators, use brighter colours to make them stand out

• Outside of the realms of paint and colour, floors should avoid high sheens and patterns to prevent disorientating residents

Calming colours

As well as colour, the specific type of paint used should be a key consideration Care home managers should speak to their decorator to identify the types of paint that will be needed in different areas as products are optimised for varying purposes

Each year, the Alzheimer ’s Society holds Dementia Action Week – an awareness campaign that aims to highlight the indicators of dementia and the support available to all impacted by it This year, the campaign is running from 15th – 21st May, with a focus on raising awareness and encouraging people to get a diagnosis

Last year ’s Dementia Action Week resulted in a 43% rise in calls to its dementia support line during the week Campaigns like this are therefore vital to raise awareness of the symptoms of dementia and support available to those living with the condition and their families

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for larger and betterequipped care homes has increased According to studies by building and construction market researchers AMA, “the demand for additional capacity within the care home market is likely to start rising again within the next couple of years ” For this reason, care home managers need to consider how to accommodate more residents and ensure premises are effectively designed to meet their needs

Perfecting the palette

Correct colour choice and location can aid independence and wayfinding for those living with dementia It is therefore crucial that care home managers work closely with decorators to ensure the right colours are chosen for the space

Dulux Trade, alongside the British Research Establishment, created the Dementia Friendly Colour Palette Following years of experience in design and medical research, it is recommended for use in spaces catering for those living with dementia The palette recommends the following:

• Soft, calm tones should be used on main walls, with only small hints of colour to help aid wayfinding

• Critical surfaces – including walls, floors and doors –should have contrast between them To make doors obvious against neutral walls, bold hues such as navies, sage greens and burgundies should be used

• More saturated colours such as yellows, muted purples, oranges and teals may be used on feature walls to add interest, such as in a living room, or walls that need to be highlighted to support residents with wayfinding, such as the kitchen serving areas or end of corridors

• Staff areas and supply cupboards should be painted in the

For example, Dulux Trade Scuffshield is a tough, waterbased matt emulsion containing ultimate scuff-resistant technology to protect walls against scuff marks made by shoes and bags This makes it ideal for high traffic areas such as corridors, stairwells and hallways It is also cleanable, with great stain resistance, keeping walls in top condition for longer

In addition, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt includes stainrepellent technology that is ideal for settings like dining areas that often need cleaning The Diamond Matt paint formula has been tested to ensure it can withstand up to 10,000 scrubs, meaning walls can withstand daily wear and tear and regular cleaning

On the other hand, Dulux Trade Sterishield Diamond Matt and Dual Active Matt contain additives that reduce populations of harmful bacteria – key for environments occupied by vulnerable people Dulux Trade Sterishield Diamond Matt is a quick drying, water-based coating with an in-film bactericide which reduces populations of MRSA and E coli Additionally, Dulux Trade Sterishield Dual Active contains in-film antimicrobial additive, which inhibits bacteria and viruses within the paint film, and thus reduces populations of MRSA, E coli, Coronaviruses and Human Herpesvirus Using both paints alongside appropriate cleaning practices helps to promote more hygienic, safer environments

On-site conduct and considerations

Care home managers should work closely with the decorating team to ensure works are completed in a timely manner – and cause minimal disruption to staff and residents For example, the care home staff should be aware of what areas are out of bounds and ensure residents are relocated to other areas of the premises It is also important to work with the decorating team to schedule deliveries and ensure staff and emergency services can access the site as needed

For more information on best practice when it comes to decorating care homes, please visit www duluxtradepaintexpert co uk/en/content/occd-hub

To help find the best decorator for your job, please visit: www duluxselectdecorators co uk or https://connectdirectory dulux co uk

Fall Savers® are an experienced market leading healthcare provider of resident safety solutions for over 15 years

FALL SAVERS ® WIRELESS MONITOR

Eliminate all cables with our new generation falls management solutions!

Upgrade your falls programme with the latest technology from Fall Savers® The NEW Fall Savers® Wireless eliminates the cord between the monitor and sensor pad This results in less work for nursing staff improved safety for patients and reduced wear and tear on sensor pads Wireless advantages include the ability to use one monitor with two sensor pads simultaneously and support for many new wireless devices

BENEFITS INCLUDE:

Safer for patients; less work for staff Bed and chair pads available One monitor works w th two sensor pads Integrates with most nurse call systems

A variety of options including Call button Pager

Floor sensor mat

W reless door/window exit alerts

TREADNOUGHT ®FLOOR

Lotus Care Technology

The NurseAlert pressure mat has been one of the most successful floor pressure mats due to it being non slip and carpeted which makes it feel very natural under a residents foot Lotus Care Technology Ltd have many other fall saving devices that can give you peace of mind whilst caring for this at risk of falls

Having many years of experience in fitting and maintaining

Nurse Call Systems helps the guys at Lotus Care Technology understand that every home is different and has different needs They can specify not only the best system for the environmental factors in the home but also take into consideration the best products that will make your carers and nurses jobs that little bit easier

Visit www lctuk com for details

CALL AND FALLS MONITORING

Silent Running - Tranquility in Care Homes

Quiet and calm care homes ensure that residents are able to live in a more relaxing and pleasant home environment Similarly, carers and staff find that they too benefit from reduced stress when working in a home where noise levels are kept to a minimum There are many environmental factors that can affect those sensitive to their surroundings particularly those suffering from dementia these can be fluctuations in ambient temperature light and of course noise Repetitive and high levels of noise can originate from a number of internal and external sources for example telephones ringing loud conversations in corridors and call bells sounding, often one of the

largest contributors to increasing the levels of stress and discomfort in residents

A published study by the University of Stirling stated that unanswered Nurse Call (Call Bell) alarms can be one of the most common causes of stress in dementia sufferers The University recommends fitting call alarms which alert nurses but do not resonate throughout the whole building Alarms can be particularly disconcerting as they may encourage the person with dementia to respond or investigate what the matter is At the very least the loss of sleep will compromise a person’s ability to concentrate It can affect their attention levels and capacity to cope as well as being detrimental to their overall state of wellbeing Personal paging systems are preferable to bells and buzzers Modern Nurse Call systems can incorporate a number of methods to reduce their impact in a care home These include zoning whereby there are separate alarm types used depending upon the location of the call In these circumstances dementia sufferers and those vulnerable to noise can be located in one “zone” whist less vulnerable residents live in an alternative zone Each zone can operate different call tones warning lights or other methods to alert when help

is required

Reducing noise levels is essential to create a tranquil environment for residents Pagers have been around for many years are a relatively simple and cost-effective measure in reducing the levels of noise and can be added to most Nurse Call systems Smart Mobile Devices are now becoming more commonplace for care home staff and hold a variety of apps for care planning e-medication, etc Many Courtney

Thorne clients are now utilising the “Go” app with their Nurse Call system With the “Go” app, nurse call alarms are delivered immediately and silently straight to the handsets alerting the individual carers to all Nurse call alarms without creating any general alarm sound and rarely disturbing the rest of the residents in the home

Calmer residents ultimately means that staff are less stressed also this creates a happier workplace where morale is greatly improved, staff are retained and CQC ratings improve Clearly the positive ramifications of a quiet Care Home run deep Get in touch today to find out how we can help your home become a quieter calmer and more tranquil environment

For more information email us at: info@c-t co uk

Blaucomm Ltd - Telecommunications & Networks

Blaucomm’s Nurse Call Messaging Service (NMS) is the market leading solution to remove the dependency on noisy nurse call panels and pagers through its intelligent software which delivers the alerts straight to the care staff who need them

Care homes are rapidly introducing smartphones for digital care planning and eMar - now, the same devices can be used to receive the nurse call alerts they need for the residents under their care

Furthermore, Blaucomm NMS is deeply linked into Person Centred Software MCM so call bell data is linked straight to care plans This unlocks a huge benefit to care homes to enhance the staff performance with how they accept and respond to residents which ultimately promotes better response times and visibility for management to audit their performance

The best part is that Blaucomm NMS links into your existing nurse call system - we work with all major brands such as Aidcall ARM Courtney Thorne C-TEC ENS Intercall Medicare SAS and TeleAlarm

Care operators are constantly recognising Blaucomm NMS for its reliability and dependability to their care operations which is why we ve been chosen time and time again over other solutions

Head of IT Trudi Harrow at WCS Care had this to say about Blaucomm

NMS:

“We find Blaucomm is a genuinely fantastic company with a reliable product

We have a range of nurse call systems at different sites and the NMS system integrates to them and allows us to compare response times between sites In addition the integration to Person Centred Software is revolutionary We would highly recommend this to anybody who wants to replace expensive pagers and silence those annoyingly loud nurse call screens!

To find out more about Blaucomm NMS, visit www blaucomm co uk/healthcare

Ssee the advert on the front cover for more details

www.nursecallsystems.co.uk

Locàite.me - The Latest Personal SOS and Fall Alarm Solution from Càite Ltd

Locàite me is the latest personal SOS and fall alarm solution from Càite Ltd that helps you support care for and communicate easily with loved ones enabling them to live independently at home for longer

Designed at every stage with the wearer in mind the simplicity of Locàite me is one of its key strengths Simply press the large SOS button to make a two-way voice call to a family member or carer if help is needed Other alarms including the fall alarm are activated automatically You and others with whom you choose to share access receive smartphone notifications for all alarms and can instantly see whereabouts on the map along with recent movement history Then saved emergency contacts are dialled in turn until one answers

With the familiar appearance of a key fob for the wearer coupled with our exceptionally user-friendly app for carers

Medpage Falls Management Products

Medpage is a family ran company with a huge heart and resources gathered over our 38year trading history The majority of the technologies we design manufacture and distribute originate from enquiries received from healthcare professionals and personal family care observations Our product portfolio provides a wide variety of care solutions for epilepsy dementia senior care special needs and sensory loss

Our latest innovation currently in use in several Hospitals presents an effective fall monitoring detection and reporting solution The MPCSA11 is a complex software driven sensor monitor made to be user and operator friendly This device has already proven successful in hospital and care home trials

by reducing patient falls while also reducing false positives from a safe patient The device can monitor and interact with up to three sensor products: bed and chair occupancy pressure pads PIR movement detection sensors and proximity signal products

In use, a patient or resident rising from their bed would be considered a falls risk, but what if they are simply moving to sit in a chair close to their bed? A standard bed monitor would raise an alarm alerting care staff who would arrive to find the person safely seated The MPCSA11 would only generate an alarm if the person was out of their bed or chair for a selectable time duration Learn more www easylinkuk co uk/mpcsa11

See the advert on page 7 for details

as possible There’s no in-home installation required as the small battery powered Room Locàite beacons are simple to place in as many rooms as you need The Locàite me pendant records the nearest beacon and the app records and displays this on a handy 7 day chart Locàite me gives reassurance and peace of mind to families who support loved ones to live independently It costs £129 99 and the associated monthly SIM plan is just £14 99 which includes 100 minutes of SOS voice calls and 60 optional SMS messages each month It s a straightforward 1 month contract and you can cancel any time from within the app Our accessory Room Locàite beacons come in packs of 3 for £49 99 Visit www Locaite me for further details or to contact us and be sure to read our 5 star reviews on Trustpilot and Amazon to hear how Locàite me has helped so many other families

Frequency PrecisionSensors and Pressure Mats to Monitor Those in Care

Technology has made people more connected with the world around them and the revolution in assistive care devices has made it possible for the elderly to spend their last years in a comfortable and familiar environment These devices have also made it easier for home carers to provide quality care for their loved ones while managing their own lives They allow you to care for your elderly whether they are travelling in the city for errands, staying alone at home, or staying in the same home as you They are also helping nursing homes provide better care for them with discrete monitoring and quick responses to emergencies

If you re looking for these kinds of assistive care devices for your loved ones or nursing home Frequency Precision produce some of the best systems available to help you with elderly care and

mobility monitoring ranging from bed chair and floor sensor mats through fall monitoring and GPS tracking to fully integrated nurse call plug or wireless systems Contact us or come and see us at the COTS on Stand 36

Phone: 01837 810590

Email: contact@frequencyprecision com

Website: www frequencyprecision com

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Don’t Get Lost On Your Digital Journey

The next 12 months is going to see big changes in the residential care sector With around 50% of homes still using a paper system to plan and record care The NHS Transformation Directorate have big ideas which whilst exciting are daunting to those without the proper tools to make these ideas a reality

So where to begin? Finding the right software provider might appear to be the ideal starting point Will the provider meet all your requirements within budget and customise the software to fit with your own processes? It’s only once you have made this decision that your journey will really begin

There is little information and guidance out there on how to implement a new system into a residential care setting where do you start?

As with any journey you need a route plan

At Ablyss, we know one size doesn’t fit all We understand there are requirements

unique to our customers and are committed to working together to provide the best service for them We understand that the care landscape is always changing and improving whether via new processes or new technologies We keep up to date with what our sector needs to ensure we are providing the best, and most cost effective service possible

Again let s ask: So where to begin? Now we know the answer Find a system provider who will share their experience and knowledge with you and get you to your final destination smoothly and safely

From implementing systems into homes for over 20 years, we not only know how to help plan your journey but we ll be there as your co-pilot too Every step of the way So jump on board and get ready to take off!

For further information on the Blyssful Cloud Care System, visit www ablyss co uk

Digital Social Care Appoints The Access Group to the Assured Supplier List Intended to Help Care Providers Meet 2024 Digitisation Target

Digital Social Care the membership organisation tasked by NHS England to create and manage a list of assured suppliers who can help care home providers roll out a digital social care record (DSCR) by 2024, has appointed The Access Group to its roster

The company s care management solution Access Care and Clinical (AC&C) has been assessed against NHS England’s criteria and accredited against their three key categories; core capabilities and standards; ongoing assurance to required standards; and local assurance

The list launched in April 2021 by the NHS Transformation Directorate, is intended to help providers navigate the supplier market and identify organisations and their digital social care record solutions that have already undergone comprehensive due diligence

In turn giving them peace of mind about the functionality and capability of the technology in achieving their digital goals and making it quicker and easier to make purchasing decisions

Providers have the ability to filter suppliers based on their specific needs to ensure they select the right care planning tools for them And with AC&C tried and trusted by over 500 care providers it s well placed to help care homes meet the government s ambition to digitise

records by next year

On the appointment Steve Sawyer Managing Director Access Health Support and Care said: Care home providers can feel like they are facing a daunting task, navigating the supplier landscape and determining which solutions are best for them and their staff The assured list is vital in streamlining this process, making it simpler, easier and more cost-effective for the individual provider to make decisions

“As a leading provider of care management solutions across the UK and one of the few assured suppliers on the list that offer solutions specifically tailored to residential care home providers, we’re delighted to be appointed and to have the opportunity to support care homes on their digital journey ”

Care providers can also benefit from central funding via their Integrated Care System to support their transition to digital health and care records if one of the assured suppliers is chosen from the list

Further details on The Access Group and AC&C are included on the supplier assured list and can be found at www theaccessgroup com

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Pass Profile 2023

PASS supports over 1 000 care providers every day giving them access to market leading care management tools hand in hand with unlimited 24/7/365 support from our dedicated and friendly PASS team

• Improve the quality of care

Deliver better outcomes

INTEGRATED HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Our commitment to the continual evolution of PASS is further illustrated by the addition of GP Connect

The first product of its type to offer this feature PASS is still one of only a handful of digital care management solutions to have completed this NHS Digital integration and is the only one offering it to the home care market

Assured by NHS Transformation Directorate PASS provides a secure platform that allows you to plan record and evidence the care you deliver The only assured solution built specifically for the home care sector, it provides comprehensive real-time functionality and allows you to share progress against outcomes with customisable exportable reports

CARE PLANNING AND ROSTERING FROM A SINGLE PLATFORM

To meet the wider needs of the PASS community All-in-one PASS has recently been launched bringing advanced rostering functionality to our established digital care planning platform As a result advanced staff scheduling payroll and invoicing functionality is now seamlessly linked with care planning and reporting, reducing the technical complexity, risk and overhead associated with integrating two separate systems

As a result PASS now provides an all-in-one suite of digital care management tools available from a single platform designed to

Save you time

Increase the efficiency of your teams

The CAREAudits System

The CAREAudits compliance auditing tool is now being used throughout the UK and Ireland in numerous locations by all care service providers

Carers and managers are checking everything from CQC Compliance and Safety to Medication Audits, Training and Maintenance as well as service users quality and wellbeing

The system allows care providers to audit or check just about everything and manage all areas requiring actions (or non-compliances) in its Web Portal Encrypted date and time stamped evidence including photos is seamlessly auto attached and recorded in the system Management see in real time exactly were best to focus their attention and resources and how they are meeting their compliance requirements

The system has over 150 easy to use example audits to select from which you can easily add to or edit your own audits in minutes ensuring simple instant updates of ever-changing requirements App care auditors can use CAREAudits with virtually no training it s that simple The Care

PASS GP Connect provides authorised social care staff with realtime access to their client s GP records It makes medical information available when and where it is needed leading to improvements in both care safety and outcomes:

Visibility of allergies vaccinations and medications especially useful for clients unable to reliably share their personal information

• Using medical information to inform care planning

Ensuring that the right medication is delivered to the right person in the timeliest manner In one case, this allowed the administration of antibiotics on a Friday evening aiding the service user s swift recovery from infection

Available to all PASS users at no additional cost, PASS GP Connect is significantly more efficient than waiting for a GP response It’s also a positive step forward on the path to the DHSC’s goal for widespread digitally enabled care and is in full alignment with their ambition for joined up care for everyone

Get in touch:

www everylifetechnologies com

hello@everylifetechnoloiges com

Auditor’s Hands Free Operation guides the user through each audit, each question and answer with its own help text standard answers and standard actions required ensuring that the least skilled operative becomes the care expert

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

Steven Tegart from Talbot Group likes reporting and says “I wish all my other systems were as easy to extract data for management reports as the CAREAudits Excel links

Andrew Wood of Wood Care Group says “It is easy to use and our management team complete audits daily which and very customisable giving you the reporting and monitoring you require to ensure risk mitigation in our services

Customer support is excellent and we have never had any issues

Steve Smith regional manager at Care Homes UK says “We were able to implement the system ourselves and are now benefitting from management having all the information we need at our fingertips in real time wherever we are”

CAREAudits apps are a part of the Care Plus Innovation Group

Users can download the app for a free trial and be up and running with the full system in minutes w: www careaudits co uk e: care@careaudits co uk t: 01482 238887

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Phlebotomy Training: Who Needs It?

12 years ago when she started Phlebotomy Training Services Alison had a slide in her original course the Basic Phlebotomy Toolkit that read

Blood tests are usually requested by a doctor for diagnosis or for the management of long term medical conditions”

Blood was traditionally drawn by nurses but now we train Doctor s receptionists and Healthcare Assistants to take blood to support their clinical colleagues and we also train people who need to take blood for research purposes to produce PRP for use in aesthetic procedures and in dentistry and for a range of other purposes

Traditionally phlebotomy training was provided on the job by employers and while some phlebotomists in practice today are highly skilled others are less so

We deliver a standardised phlebotomy training course – every learner, wherever in the country they are and whenever they train with us will be trained in the same way

Before writing the course Alison went to the manufacturers of the blood collection systems and asked them how they expected their equipment to be used and wrote her training around that, and CHS 132 the Skills for Health Guidelines for obtaining venous blood samples

Many practicing phlebotomists had never inserted a needle into anything before they took their first sample and we do not think that is right – we aren t saying that on the job training is wrong – we think it’s essential - but we know that individuals who have acquired a base level of skill and knowledge before taking their first sample go on to make better phlebotomists

They have a sound repeatable technique and understand why they are doing what they do

On our courses you won t be asked to take blood from each other you’ll use pads and prosthetic arms to hone your skills so that when you come to take your first sample the only thing that gives you pause will be inserting the needle into real skin rather than a prosthetic

THE REST:

Identifying the patient obtaining informed consent washing your hands checking if the patient has had any problems before when having blood taken applying the tourniquet, palpating correctly, swabbing the site if required, changing the bottles whilst keeping the needle still removing the needle disposing of it safely applying pressure to the site to stop any bleeding checking for allergy to plasters applying a plaster to the site once the bleeding has stopped inverting the samples checking the patient s ID labelling the samples correctly and offering them aftercare, will all be second nature

YOU DON’T NEED ANY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE TO TRAIN WITH US

Our introductory phlebotomy training course Understanding and Applying Phlebotomy Skills and Techniques will give you all of the skills that are required to begin a career in phlebotomy

There isn’t any “Recognised NHS Training” whatever some training providers may claim and no training organisation can give you a “NHS Certificate of Competency” – you can only earn one of those by being supervised in a place of work over a period of time while you are taking blood

What we are proud to say is that we have been providing accredited phlebotomy training for 12 years and there are thousands of phlebotomists working in doctors surgeries hospitals (and all sorts of other places too) up and down the country who hold our certificate

What are they earning as phlebotomists??

The simple answer to that is “It depends” but most phlebotomy jobs in the UK are on NHS bands 2 or 3 which equates to between £17 652 and £20 765 per annum full time dependent upon experience

But many phlebotomists work part time which will reduce that income dependent upon the hours worked

See the advert below for further details

W&P Training

W&P Training supply comprehensive sets of CQC care policies and procedures that are personalised to your business Whether it s Residential Care Homes Domiciliary Homecare Nursing Homes Learning Disabilities or Supported Living – We cover it all

RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME POLICIES

Are Your Current Policies Up To Date?

There have been many recent changes to employment law vaccinations covid-19 guidance plus the CQC’s new strategy and regulatory approach W&P s team track these changes for you to ensure customers receive up to date CQC compliant documents

DOMILICIARY HOMECARE POLICIES

Over 130 comprehensive Domiciliary Care Policies and Procedures for Homecare / Domiciliary Based Services that are researched and written to meet all the CQC regulatory, legislative and good practice guidance within the Health and Social Care sector

CLINICAL PROCEDURES FOR NURSING HOMES

CQC compliance for new and established Nursing Homes

W&P’s clinical procedures include 70 comprehensive and up-to-date documents for your nursing home These clinical procedures complement our full set of Care Home Policies and Procedures

SUPORTED LIVING / LEARNING DISABILITIES POLICIES

Designed for Supported Living and Domiciliary providers that deliver CQC regulated activities to adults with Learning Disabilities and/ or Autism W&P’s Policies and Procedures for Supported Living Services will assist with your CQC compliance

Looking for Supported living Policies with NO Personal Care? Visit https://www wandptraining co uk/policies-andprocedures/non-registered-care-policies/ W&P s policy and compliance team are constantly scanning and reviewing all the statutory websites and regulatory publications to track the very latest developments in the Health & Social Care Sector

Policies and Procedures are updated every 4 months or immediately if there is a critical change to regulation good practice guidance case law outcomes or just feedback from customers

To find out more about what we offer go to www wandptraining co uk or see the advert on page 2

Ever ything You Need To Know About Mock CQC Inspections

When you redecorate your house, you quickly get used to your new environment Sometimes it takes a visit from a friend you haven’t seen for 6 months to remind you that, yes, you spent a lot of time and effort finding the right curtains to match your sofa

The same principle applies to mock CQC inspections When you live and breathe your business you simply don t see it the same way as someone who s just walked in the door

While it feels great to be complimented on your great taste 6 months after redecorating it doesn t feel so good if that same friend spots a stain on the rug that you’ve stopped noticing

Luckily we’re not all rating each other on interior design What you are being rated on, however, is your care business Specifically, how safe effective, caring responsive and well-led it is

IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES TO BE OUTSTANDING

A mock CQC inspection is carried out by a current or former inspector They’ll use the latest methodology and criteria to assess your business in line with CQC requirements – ie against those five quality statements

They gather evidence based on client experiences feedback from your team and other stakeholders observation paperwork and process reviews CQC inspectors play a vital role in keeping vulnerable people safe and setting high standards for care Naturally, that’s something they take very seriously

But if you’re focused on managing your team and taking care of clients, it can be hard to know whether you re ticking all the boxes that the CQC will look at That’s why a mock inspection is a great way to benchmark your business and find out how you’d be rated if the inspection was done today Your inspector will highlight what you re doing well so you can keep doing it and find opportunities where you could improve your service

If you re aiming for Outstanding

re on the right path in the future

So if you don t have any further questions all that s left to do is book your mock CQC inspection and get your care business on the journey to Outstanding

www

co uk to book

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels for Drug-Free Pain Relief

benefits of BIOFROST® Relief include lasting pain relief improved joint movements comfort during sleep fewer cramps calmed nerve pain reduced joint and muscle discomfort and faster post-activity recoveries

Yeoman Shield Fire Door Ser vices Taking the Guess Work out of Fire Doors

C&S Seating Ltd

C&S Seating Ltd have provided postural control equipment to residential homes, hospices, medical equipment services and NHS trust hospitals nationwide since 1991

With 9 different sizes of T-Rolls and Log Rolls, in a removable and machine washable Waterproof Titex or Soft Knit material These rolls are used to control posture and position of the body in either supine or side lying Our Knee & Leg support wedges are available in 2 sizes

for repainting

For a complete repair and protect service contact the team today frdp@yeomanshield com or visit www yeomanshield com or see the advert page 10

Alternative Positioning Support – also available in two sizes, which has removable side cushions and middle pommel for when more control of the abducted lower limb is required

Our popular and vibrant range of Soft Knit covers in a choice of 5 colours, provide a softer alternative, ideal for the colder seasons and are designed to fit snug over our waterproof rolls for maximum protection and comfort

Contact us on 01424 853331 or visit www cands-seating co uk to request or download a brochure, pricelist or order form request an individualised quotation speak to an advisor or to place an order

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are natural drugfree topical cold therapy gels for muscular and joint pain chronic arthritic pain post-activity muscle tension general aches and overuse disorders Easy to use and fast acting BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels relieve pain reduce inflammation and swelling without drugs and drug-related side-effects

BIOFROST® Gels:

BIOFROST® Rel ef Cold Gel for pain relieving cold therapy

BIOFROST® Active Dual-Action Cold Gel with Heat Sensation combining cold with natural heat effects to treat back pain

BIOFROST® Relief provides instant pain relief and activates body s own healing through an optimal combination of natural ingredients including ethanol menthol eucalyptus, peppermint and MSM Reported

BIOFROST® Active is a dual-action fast-acting cold gel with heat sensation for effective relief of muscular and joint pain Containing 10 natural herbal extracts (i e Arnica Burdock Roman Chamomile Garlic Watercress Ivy White Nettle Pine Rosemary Menthol) BIOFROST® Active relieves chronic pain releases muscular tension loosens stiff joints and effectively treats back pain Benefits of BIOFROST® Active include easier joint movements effective pain relief in treated areas discomfort-free sleep fewer cramps and reduced post-activity muscular and joint fatigue

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are usable standalone or alongside other pain relieving therapies (i e medication physiotherapy etc ) BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are suitable for people of any age, including elderly and disabled people living independently or in nursing care

See the advert on page 3 and the front cover

New Vision Signs and Graphics Ltd

environment

We offer a full survey service with designs drawings, location plans, manufacture and delivery or installation of door signs, lift directories, as well as directional and wayfinding signage

Kodak

New Vision Signs and Graphics Ltd are a leading supplier of innovative dementia-friendly signage and visual tools that are especially suited for use in hospitals and care homes

Our Dementia-friendly signage is available in different styles and colours and we take great pride in working closely with clients to create bespoke solutions that are suitable for their particular healthcare

and

Anglia Crown - Popular Dishes for Ever yone

Anglia Crown offer a wide range of hot and cold desserts that are ideal for a wellbalanced, nutritional diet including choices that do not contain gluten Our Crown Choice and Advantage ranges include some fifty-eight dishes, including our new warming Ginger Chocolate Chip Sponge and delicious, comforting custard that goes with almost any hot dessert

Our Crown Choice cold dessert includes the perennial favourites such as Chocolate Cake whilst our Crown Advantage range also offer reduced sugar desserts All individual Crown Advantage desserts come in packs of eighteen whilst the Crown Choice desserts come in packs of 3 and 6 allowing accurate portioning and cutting down on any potential waste

Many of the Anglia Crown dishes can be teamed up with fresh fruit allowing for additional choice Items such as our Carrot Cake or Vanilla Cheesecake can be accom-

C&S Seating Ltd is the sole manufacturer of the

Raising the Standard of

The Stair Climbing Company is one of the leading providers of powered Stair Climber solutions which have been specifically designed to assist those struggling with mobility and independence issues facing people with disabilities

The Stair Climbing Company offers an excellent range of compact easy to use powered Stair Climbers that are ideal for use in both home and commercial settings Offering innovative designs all of the company’s Stair Climbers can be separated into two pieces for safe storage and are easily transported and charged In addition all of its Stair Climber’s come with a two year manufacturer s warranty

The Stair Climbing Company maintains one main

See the advert on page 13

Stair Climbing Solutions

mission; to improve quality of life through its range of high-quality and custom devices with built-in seats

The safety and comfort of its customers is of the utmost importance to the company and it ensures that each wheelchair carrier model is designed to cater to individual customers’ specific needs and works with all stair types Furthermore the company provides Stair Climbers for all ages making them suitable for everyone and offers a free assessment for customers

If you would like to find out any more information please see the details below: T 01787 379160

www thestairclimbingcompany com

See the advert on page 13

Make First Impressions Count with Major Plants

to do without trying to remember whether the flowers have been watered, fed, or tidied up Calling in the experts like Major Plants Limited means that you can get on with your business while we ensure that outside your plant arrangements and presentation never let you down

Besides our regular floral display services we also offer a full package maintenance plan for your grounds and gardens

Major Plants Limited specialises in providing costeffective and visually striking hanging basket maintenance services This means we design plant arrangements to suit your business using a combination of hanging baskets and window boxes

We know that busy businesses have enough work

Whether you are seeking an alternative quotation to compare with an existing supplier or are looking at external flower arrangements for the first time our flexible agreement and personal service will give you a piece of mind reliable support for your business

Please get in touch!

0800 111 4014 – info@majorplants co uk

Or see the advert on the front cover

panied by whipped cream garnished with seasonal fresh fruit

Our hot desserts are high in energy, our hot portions of 170kcal and above provide energy and protein dense options and when served with custard provide over 250 kcal per serving Our cold desserts of 250 kcal and above also meet the energy guidelines in the British Dietetic Association (BDA)

Nutrition and Hydration Digest (2017) requirements

VEGAN SUITABLE CHOICES

At Anglia Crown we pride ourselves with the array of vegetarian and gluten free dishes that we offer including an impressive range of desserts This was recognised with us being named at the Vegetarian Wholesaler of the Year 2022 at the VfL Awards for Excellence in Veg n Care Catering

All the Anglia Crown hot desserts are suitable for vegetarians Most of the Anglia Crown vegan products have been registered with the Vegan Society including some thirteen of the dessert dishes ”

Anglia Crown are here to help take the strain out of your menus throughout the year Visit www angliacrown co uk for further details or see the advert on page 9

Making the Most of the International Recruitment Fund

Care providers need to act quickly to secure their share of the £50 million International Recruitment Fund which is only available across England until 2024 This fund has been created by the Government to help ease the costs of hiring from overseas and cut unnecessary red tape and whilst it might seem like a short-term solution to the longstanding issue of crippling staff shortages, care providers should seek to understand exactly what it covers to maximise the opportunity 88 per cent of home care operators and 87 per cent of care home providers have reported recruitment challenges

These challenges have been caused by a multitude of factors including the end of free movement following Brexit the lasting effects of the global pandemic, poor long-term planning from the Government and the cost-of-living crisis are piling pressure on the sector As a result, existing staff are having to take on more internal responsibilities as the scope of their role stretches potentially placing those who need care at risk The Health and Social Care Committee predicts that if staff shortage trend continues 500 000 jobs will need to be filled by 2030

The International Recruitment Fund plans to alleviate these pressures and can be used for administrative costs that will help facilitate a person’s move to the UK, including support with sponsorship licences and

worker visa applications In addition it can also be used to help with the logistics of settling the employee in a new country including finding them affordable housing helping to pay for a UK driving licence DBS check or National Insurance number

The funding will be granted by local authorities who in collaboration with care partnerships will distribute it to care providers in their areas Care providers should therefore proactively reach out to Local Authorities to ensure that they will be considered for funding, as while a £50 million sounds plentiful with thousands of care providers across the UK competing over the same pot it ultimately may not stretch too far The first round of funding has already been allocated across regions with the South East and North West assigned £2 5 million and £2 million respectively

The Fund itself is not unlimited and the government is yet to announce further measure beyond 2023 if at all This means it is vital to for care provider to understand the the financial support available to them to increase the chance of being successful Care providers should consider seeking professional immigration advice to help their international recruitment drive to ensure that the legal immigration requirements are met first time to avoid costly mistakes

The International Recruitment Fund is intended to give the sector a boost by cutting bureaucracy and unnecessary complexity within the process The biggest hope however is that it attracts the talent that the sector so desperately needs by making the positions more appealing if employers can help with settling an employee once they have relocated While the Fund will certainly go some way to support the sector in the short term more needs to be done to ensure there is a long-term strategy that will lift the burden from the sector and help to end the shortage

In Dire Need Of Experienced Health Care Assistant, Senior Carer Or A Nurse?

JJ Recruitment has the large database of well qualified applicants with experience in the health-care industry such as health care assistants senior carers and nurses from overseas We also have an expert team of solicitors for the necessary legal proceedings and advices

WHY JJ?

We have very minimal processing fees

the healthcare sector is invaluable We can provide end to endsolutions for nurses and clients across the country due to our many offices across the country (Liverpool Sheffield Burton on Trent and our head office on the Wirral) We have our own in-house training facility and are leading the way in OSCE preparation with innovative and proven strategies which result in first time passes This allows us to now offer a complete service ensuring all the requirements needed to join the UK NM register are met as quickly and effectively as possible

Whether you require 1 or 100 nurses we will ensure that they meet all your requirements and are ready to interview as soon as you need them with emphasis being on the quality and relevant experience of the nurses Our online courses are consistently being updated to reflect the changes made to the OSCE practices To ensure all our clients, have access to the most suitable candidates we work with reputable recruitment partners around the globe With the advanced systems we have in place we can track each individual nurse every step of the way providing all our clients with regular updates on the nurse’s progress We monitor and check in with all our candidates every step of the way making sure they have been given excellent training and support throughout their journey This allows us to ensure that we can provide you with a candidate that will pass their OSCE journey first time

SERVICES

WE PROVIDE

We will help arrange your sponsorship license

We will source the best candidates

We will fully screen each candidate

We arrange accommodation

What to Consider When

When considering whether to buy a care home business while you will no doubt have taken account of apparent profitability and potential, it is vital that you establish as far as possible likely costs (e g legal fees due diligence costs, post completion costs (tax, investment)) during and after the buying process as well as having a realistic idea of the timescales involved

INVESTMENT

It may sound obvious but you must always check the numbers carefully Has the bottom line been enhanced by underinvestment? This will go hand in hand with the due diligence exercise but what will the business require going forward whether it be property repairs/renovation (whether in terms of practicalities or statutory requirements) or investment in staff and facilities? You need to establish what needs to be spent after completion of the purchase in order to sustain and/or enhance profitability

This will no doubt form part of your business plan which, where funding is being obtained, your lender will want to look at

FINANCE

If you need to obtain finance for your deal consider the additional steps and costs that will be involved

An investor or lender will likely have specific requirements in terms of structure (creation and/or involvement of group companies) documentation (occupational leases) and/or due diligence (additional searches/checks) that may affect timing and expense

ASSET/SHARE PURCHASE

In most cases, a care home will be owned and operated by a limited company rather than an individual

Therefore usually one of the initial critical decisions to be made is whether to proceed by way of an asset or share purchase Advice should be sought on a case-by-case basis as there are a number of things to consider in terms of for example tax or financial implications Essentially with an asset purchase you are buying those “items” (e g the property the employees etc) which you consider to be vital to the continued running of the business With a share purchase you take on all assets and liabilities of the owning company

a Care Home Business

DUE DILIGENCE

While the documents dealing with the specific transaction are important, these will be negotiated in line with the due diligence exercise This process like other aspects takes time and costs money Where possible obtain an indication as to costs up front

Existing and potential future liabilities need to be considered whether in terms of property repairs tax considerations disputes etc

If development of the property is required (e g to extend the property) you must obtain advice from a planning perspective and your solicitor needs to advice on any title issues that may affect any intended development and/or the required use of the property (e g and covenants or restrictions affecting the property)

If the property interest you are taking or inheriting is leasehold, your solicitor will need to advise on any consents that may be required (in terms of the transaction (so that the lease may be transferred to you or the lease contains “change of control” restrictions) or your future plans (e g consent to carry out alterations) and any obligations and/or restrictions in the lease that may affect your plans Is the length of the lease sufficient? Do you have rights to renew the lease at the end of the term? Are you inheriting costly repair obligations?

PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCE

The Eden Alternative - What Is It?

The Eden Alternative is a modern ‘philosophy of care designed to enhance the wellbeing of residents and staff in care settings the quality of their lived experience and their fulfilment

It aims to build a truly positive culture; underpinned by close partnership working between residents the team and family members

How does it work? It provides training to Care Homes, management and staff and encourages Homes to train their own in house trainers to run the training Eden has been running in over 20 countries on 5 continents for nearly 30 years and started in the USA It began operating in the UK in 2005 Eden UK runs both face-to-face training and online courses which both lead to the accreditation of candidates as Certified Eden Associates of which there are over

Phoenix Learning and Care Set For Future Growth Following £20m Bespoke

Loan from OakNorth Bank

2 000 in the UK and 20 000 worldwide

The Certified Eden Associate Courses online course run over 7 weeks x 1hr each week using the same material as the 3-day Eden Associate courses and comprise 5 elements (online training with Eden trainers digital workbooks video clips assessment of learning and development of a project to develop implementing innovative ideas) Courses run continuously and a new one starts at the beginning of each alternate month e g March May July etc

For Homes or Services that choose to become an Eden Accredited Home annual validations of how Eden features with the life of the Home/Service are undertaken In recognition of the progress achieved by the care provision an award of Platinum Gold Silver or Bronze can be achieved Eden UK is based at 11 Plantation Terrace, Dawlish Devon EX7 9DS and can be contacted on 01626 868192 or 07483359472

The key advantages to the Eden approach are:

It improves occupancy

It improves recruitment and retention

It improves team and resident wellbeing Geoffrey Cox LLb MSc

OakNorth Bank, the digital bank for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs, has provided a £20m loan to Phoenix Learning and Care, a leading provider of specialist education and residential care for children and young adults with a range of additional needs

Established in 2006 and now employing over 500 people, Phoenix Learning and Care Group operates 41 sites including residential children s homes specialist education schools & colleges and ongoing adult care (in the form of residential homes and supported living settings) across the South of England and Wales Its mission is to meet every individual’s social and educational needs enabling young people to flourish by always putting them at the centre of its thinking and practice Regulated by Ofsted CIW Estyn and CQC the Group supports children and young adults cope with their life experiences providing them with the skills to be effective productive and valued members of society The business is also backed by Ashridge Capital who specialise in partnering with ambitious management teams and providing private equity capital Founded in 2009 by David Sherratt Ashridge Capital has a proven track record in helping build successful and market leading businesses

The £20m loan from OakNorth Bank will be used to support Phoenix Learning and Care Group s acquisition of new residential care and education sites as well as refinancing existing debt Situated throughout the South West of England, South Wales and having recently increased its presence in Berkshire

recent new sites include the Grange, Neptune and Ty Monmouth Schools located in Thatcham Bristol and Newport respectively

François Delbaere CFO of Phoenix Learning and Care Group commented: “Every member of the team at Phoenix is passionate about improving the quality of life and outcomes for the people we support From our headquarters in the South West of England we continue to grow across the South of England and Wales, this bespoke funding from OakNorth will help further accelerate our growth This was our first time working with OakNorth Bank and we found their approach dynamic and entrepreneurial throughout the entire lending process It was great to see Stewart and his team take time to really get to know our business and its key drivers – an approach we haven t seen from other lenders we’ve worked with previously ” Stewart Haworth Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth Bank added “Following the launch of Phoenix Learning and Care 17 years ago it has built up such a positive reputation across the South of England and Wales The level of experience that the business has to offer coupled with its hugely talented team puts it in the perfect position to capitalise on the growing demand for specialist education and care services With over 260 children and young adults benefiting from Phoenix’s services we re delighted to have been able to support such a wellrenowned and established provider of specialist education and residential care and we look forward to watching their growth story going forward

For further information on Oaknorth Band see the advert on the facing page

Care Home Finance from Global Business Finance

Global assists clients throughout the U K who specialise in the healthcare sector to achieve their objectives of purchase development and refinance We have organised over £1 8bn for clients in the past 30 years providing clients with competitively priced funding to refinance existing debt ease cashflow and develop businesses further