August 2014 no.218 • £4.75 By Dominic Musgrave THE heads of two associations have hit back at comments NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens is reported to have made at an Age UK conference that he would be disappointed if care and nursing homes still existed 50 years from now. RNHA chief executive officer Frank Ursell said the comments came like a bolt out of the blue and flew in the face of projected demographic trends and future care needs. He added: “Whilst it is to be hoped that improved community services will provide enhanced support to older people living in their own homes, a massive increase in the number of people living beyond the age of 85 in the next 15 to 20 years will undoubtedly create pressure for more nursing home beds. “There are inevitably limits on what can be achieved in caring for individuals with multiple and complex health needs in their own homes. “Nursing homes represent a cost- effective alternative to hospital. And for many people who come into our care, the nursing home environment offers a welcome change to the sense of isolation they experienced when living alone.” “From Mr Stevens’ comments I suspect that he may not understand the intensity of typical nursing home patients’ needs.” Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, added that Simon’s statement ignores the reality of social care and the excellent services care homes provide to support citizens with complex needs in the 21st century: “We had high hopes that Simon Stevens would bring new and fresh perspectives to the NHS, but his statement on care homes is indicative of a system driven by dogma rather than need. “We would like to extend an invitation to Mr Stevens to visit a Care England member to see for himself how care homes are centres of local communities providing preventative, intermediate and long- stay care in a compassionate and caring environment. “This is a sector which wants to be innovative and is looking at new care models. “We look forward to working with the NHS in developing this integrated approach across health and social care.” Care leaders hits back at comments A project which allows older people and those with dementia living in North East care homes to look after hens in order to improve their health and wellbeing has been shortlisted for a top award. HenPower is one of seven schemes battling it out to be named the UK’s favourite National Lottery funded health project. The awards will be presented by TV star and actor John Barrowman (pictured above). A TRAINING programme for staff has cut the use of inappropriate anti- psychotic drugs, which double the risk of death in people with dementia, by a third according to research commissioned by Alzheimer’s Society. Over 100 care homes were recruited to receive the ‘Focused Intervention Training and Support’ (FITS) programme – which equips staff to understand complex behaviours in people with dementia and to deliver person-centred care as an alternative to harmful antipsychotics. When medication was reviewed, residents were more alert, active and communicative, with improvements in mobility, eating, sleeping and in achieving personal goals. Professor Dawn Brooker, the lead researcher, said: “We’ve shown that FITS training is feasible to deliver on a large scale, reduces the prescription of inappropriate anti psychotics and empowers teams to work in a person- centred way.” incorporating The Number One magazine for the care sector Training reduces drug use by third
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August 2014
no.218 • £4.75
By Dominic Musgrave
THE heads of two associations havehit back at comments NHS Englandchief executive Simon Stevens isreported to have made at an Age UKconference that he would bedisappointed if care and nursinghomes still existed 50 years fromnow.
RNHA chief executive officer FrankUrsell said the comments came like abolt out of the blue and flew in theface of projected demographictrends and future care needs.
He added: “Whilst it is to be hopedthat improved community serviceswill provide enhanced support toolder people living in their ownhomes, a massive increase in thenumber of people living beyond theage of 85 in the next 15 to 20 yearswill undoubtedly create pressure formore nursing home beds.
“There are inevitably limits on whatcan be achieved in caring forindividuals with multiple andcomplex health needs in their ownhomes.
“Nursing homes represent a cost-effective alternative to hospital. Andfor many people who come into ourcare, the nursing home environmentoffers a welcome change to the sense
of isolation they experienced whenliving alone.”
“From Mr Stevens’ comments Isuspect that he may not understandthe intensity of typical nursing homepatients’ needs.”
Professor Martin Green, chiefexecutive of Care England, addedthat Simon’s statement ignores thereality of social care and theexcellent services care homesprovide to support citizens withcomplex needs in the 21st century:
“We had high hopes that SimonStevens would bring new and freshperspectives to the NHS, but hisstatement on care homes isindicative of a system driven bydogma rather than need.
“We would like to extend aninvitation to Mr Stevens to visit aCare England member to see forhimself how care homes are centresof local communities providingpreventative, intermediate and long-stay care in a compassionate andcaring environment.
“This is a sector which wants to beinnovative and is looking at new caremodels.
“We look forward to working withthe NHS in developing thisintegrated approach across healthand social care.”
Care leadershits back atcomments
A project which allows older people and those withdementia living in North East care homes to lookafter hens in order to improve their health andwellbeing has been shortlisted for a top award.HenPower is one of seven schemes battling it out tobe named the UK’s favourite National Lottery fundedhealth project. The awards will be presented by TVstar and actor John Barrowman (pictured above).
A TRAINING programmefor staff has cut the use ofinappropriate anti-psychotic drugs, whichdouble the risk of death inpeople with dementia, bya third according toresearch commissioned byAlzheimer’s Society.
Over 100 care homeswere recruited to receivethe ‘Focused InterventionTraining and Support’(FITS) programme – whichequips staff to understandcomplex behaviours inpeople with dementia andto deliver person-centredcare as an alternative toharmful antipsychotics.
When medication wasreviewed, residents weremore alert, active andcommunicative, withimprovements in mobility,eating, sleeping and inachieving personal goals.
Professor Dawn Brooker,the lead researcher, said:“We’ve shown that FITStraining is feasible todeliver on a large scale,reduces the prescription ofinappropriate antipsychotics and empowersteams to work in a person-centred way.”
incorporating
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Trainingreducesdrug useby third
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Residents recreate ‘SouthPacific’ as part of project By Dominic Musgrave
THE team and residents at a SanctuaryCare home in Charlton joined forces torecreate the classic film ‘South Pacific’ aspart of an innovative project to enhanceresidents’ quality of life and develop cre-ativity across the care setting.
The project at Time Court was led bycreative facilitators from Ladder to theMoon, a community interest companythat supports care homes to becomemore vibrant places to live and work.
Ladder to the Moon’s work at TimeCourt is part of Shine!, a national two-year arts programme which uses creativearts to shine a light on the talents of resi-dents across Sanctuary Care’s 61 homes.
Mary Johnson, the home’s manager,said: “The experience of holding a film-themed event has uncovered more of theinterests and talents of our team and res-idents.
“There have been real breakthroughs inthe wellbeing of residents, and staff havediscovered how embracing creativity canhelp them communicate more effectivelywith their colleagues and the people theycare for.”
Two Ladder to the Moon team memberstook on the roles of Hollywood directorand film star to lead a series of work-shops as part of a shoot at the care home.
In the first session, a variety of films,including Some Like it Hot, The Sound of
Music and Robin Hood, were discussedand residents voted for their favourite.
It was the tropical theme of SouthPacific that provoked the most conversa-tion and enthusiasm for the home’s resi-dents, so this was decided as the finalfilm. As well as benefitting the home’sresidents, the Ladder to the Moon projecthas also offered training to the carehome’s team, enabling them to buildrelationships with residents through thefilm production process and involve resi-dents who are less likely to participate.
In the second session, residents and theteam took part in a props and productionsession, with residents creating palmtrees, tropical flowers and seascapes.
Mary added: “I have seen residentsblossom in confidence and I really feelthis project has strengthened the sense ofcommunity in our home.
“One particular resident has alwaysloved drawing but has not been as activewith his hobby in recent years. Howeverwith encouragement and support fromour team and the Ladder to the Moonfacilitators, he drew an amazing parrotwhich was used in the film’s tropical set.He was delighted.”
In the third session residents took on avariety of roles, including starring parts,behind the camera, costume and make-up and manning the clapperboard, tofilm the production.
Resident Ivy Hudson with Ladder to the Moon creative practitioner James Austin Harvey.
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Grovelands care home in Yeovil was transformed into ‘Wonderland’ for a Mad Hatter’stea party to celebrate National Care Home Open Day. Staff and residents at the carehome invited family, friends and the local community to join them for tea and a slice ofcake. Guests were entertained by Iris Jenkin, who got the group singing along toclassics from Vera Lynn, The Beatles, The Andrews’ Sisters and much more. Newlyappointed manager Ross Isbell said “We had a fantastic time and we were so lucky tobe blessed with glorious sunshine so that everyone could get out into the garden. Thankyou to everyone that came along and we hope to see you again for future events.”
By Dominic Musgrave
RESEARCHERS are measuring theimpact of live music concerts onolder people living in a residentialcare home in Oxford.
The Orders of St John Care Trust,University of Essex and Live MusicNow have formed a uniquepartnership to measure thepsychosocial effects of high qualitylive music performances on olderpeople, including those living withdementia. The study will be run by DrMurray Griffin and Dr LouiseMarsland, of the University of EssexAgeing and Assisted Living Network,and will test a model they aredeveloping to try and capture andmeasure soft outcomes whichdemonstrate enjoyment andengagement, such as length of smiles,amount of laughter and participation.
The study will take place atLonglands, a residential care home inOxford run by OSJCT, where anumber of the residents are livingwith dementia.
Care teams at Longlands andrelatives will also be interviewed fortheir views on the possible impact ofthe live music concerts on theresidents’ well-being, and in turn howit has affected their understanding of,and relationship with, the residents.
Lead investigator Murray Griffinsaid: “We are delighted that LiveMusic Now approached us toundertake this exciting andinnovative research.
“While the use of music in thetreatment of dementia is wellresearched, none has used
observation of aspects of engagementvia video recording before, duringand after interactive music sessionsprovided by highly talented youngprofessional musicians.”
Specially-trained Live Music Nowmusicians Dan Walsh and NicZuppardi of The Absentees willdeliver live interactive concertsduring their 10 weeks as ‘musicians-in-residence’ at the care home.
Dan has been working with LiveMusic Now since 2010 and hasperformed throughout the UK inhospices, hospitals, special schoolsand care homes.
Victoria Elliot, principal consultantfor research and innovation for theOSJCT, said: “Universally across our71 homes, home managers and careteams recognise the positive impactlive music can have upon residentsand particularly those with the mostprofound of dementias. As a Trust, weare fortunate, therefore, that our chiefexecutive and trustees are committedto funding and supporting thisproject.”
Trust to study livemusic’s impact onhome’s residents
Victoria Elliot
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Joe tastes success at caregroup’s annual cook-offBy Dominic Musgrave
JOE Fower, head chef at Watlingtonand District Nursing Home inOxfordshire, won Sanctuary Care’sannual chef of the year competition.
In the 90-minute cook-off he dishedup a menu of lamb cooked two ways– a miniature shepherds pie and pan-fried lamb cutlet – with dauphinoisepotatoes, baby vegetables and a redwine jus. Joe’s prize-winning dessertwas a white chocolate crème bruleewith summer fruit coulis andshortbread fingers.
He said: “I am thrilled to have wonthe competition this year as thestandard of entries has been reallyhigh.
“I think it is so important to havecompetitions like this because it givespeople a chance to show theircreative flair and showcase thequality of care catering.
“It shows people just how hard wework – we put exactly the samecreativity and care into what we cookfor our residents as we do into thesecompetitions.”
The competition, which wassponsored by Unilever Food Solutionsand held at their head office inSurrey, has been running for fiveyears and is open to cooks and chefsfrom Sanctuary Care homes acrossthe country.
Entrants were tasked with creating amain course and dessert which wouldbe suitable for people in a caresetting.
Their dishes were judged oninnovation, nutrition, balance and ofcourse taste.
In second place was BhanubenPatel, head chef at Aashna HouseResidential Care Home in Streatham,who produced a main of palakpaneer, homemade naan bread andrice, followed by a sweet carrotHalwa with vanilla ice cream.
Coming close behind in third place
was Viviane Takemoto, chef managerat Haven Residential Care Home inHarrow. Viviane, who won last year’scompetition, produced a menu ofstuffed chicken leg with sweetcornpuree and Marsala wine jus followedby coffee mousse with whitechocolate cream, passion fruit coulisand coconut tuile.
The panel of judges comprisedStephen Rees, Sanctuary Care’soperations director, Unilever FoodSolutions’ culinary development chefPaul Wright and Derek Lockett,development chef at Brakes’ Brothers.
Joe Fower with his winning two-course creation.
BARCHESTER Healthcare’s residentGloucestershire band The TinShakers have recorded a charityalbum of covers for the company’sCharitable Foundation.
The band, led by drummer MalcolmMcDonald, have gigged together ahandful of times already, raising£7,000 for the charity, and wanted todo something around songs thatBarchester Healthcare residents lovedto listen to in their early twenties.
He said: “We decided to do a charityalbum for Barchester’s CharitableFoundation based on a calculationthat if you were 20 when ‘Twist andShout’ came out in 1961, then you arenow 73.
“So we recorded an album of coversfrom Stroud’s Skyhook Studios thatincludes some of the greatest hits ofthe 60s and beyond including: ‘Lillythe Pink’ with the Barchester Choir,‘Boots are made for Walking’ sung byBarchester’s divisional director HelenMaiello, and ‘Summer Wine’,featuring the Charitable Foundation’schairman Mike Parsons.”
The Tin Shakers’ charity CDs will befor sale for £5 each, and will beavailable from Barchester care homesand offices.
The band hope to sell 500 copiesand the money raised will bematched by Barchester Healthcare.
Band recordsan album ofcover songs
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HER Royal Highness The Countess ofWessex GCVO visited Somerset Care’sGreenhill House in Cheddar.
The recently developed purpose-built residential home compromisesof 20 bedrooms, a specialist dementiawing for 20 residents, care suites anda further 11 apartments which are forsale.
The modern home features a hair-dressing salon, comfortable loungeand dining areas, coffee lounge and acare home shop.
The Countess visited Greenhill
House for a tour of the home and tomeet the staff and residents, beforeunveiling two commemorativeplaques, one for the care home andone for the communal area of theapartments.
Alyson Martin MBE, chief executiveof the Somerset Care Group, said:“We are delighted and honoured thatHer Royal Highness visited GreenhillHouse. We are delighted with the newbuilding, which provides comfortableand modern facilities for present andfuture generations of older people.”
Countess of Wessex paysresidential home a visit
The Countess of Wessex signs the visitors’ book at Greenhill House.
RESEARCH undertaken on behalf ofnational charity MHA suggests musictherapy is doubling the well-being ofpeople with dementia at its carehomes.
Music therapy provides one-to-oneassistance for residents with demen-tia, encouraging them to expressthemselves through music and there-by preserving their abilities to com-municate for longer. MHA, which isthe UK’s largest not-for-profitprovider of care homes, has beenconvinced of the benefits of musictherapy for people with dementia forseveral years and now employs itsown team of 12 qualified music ther-apists to deliver support to residentsnationwide.
The trial, undertaken at homes inOxfordshire and Wiltshire by profes-sor Helen Odell-Miller of AngliaRuskin University, is the first under-
taken on behalf of the charity andsuggests that music therapy has adramatic effect on well-being andlessens the incidence of anxiety andchallenging behaviours.
According to the results of the trial,residents’ well-being scores doubledin three months and were sustainedat five months and even beyond ther-apy. Negative behaviours such as anx-iety halved in three months and con-tinued to fall beyond therapy.
Helen said: “The reduction inbehavioural problems for thosereceiving music therapy in contrast tothose who were not receiving musictherapy in the study, is extremelyimportant for future care of this pop-ulation.
“Our findings also substantiate pre-vious findings from another study inScandinavia where similar outcomeshave were reported.”
Music therapy doubleswell-being of residents
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Care home opens its doorsfor well dressing revealBy Dominic Musgrave
A DERBYSHIRE care home welcomedmembers of local community to anactivity-packed event in support ofNational Care Home Open Day,which included the unveiling of theirfirst ever well dressing.
Burton Closes Hall hosted a full dayof entertainment including the revealof the traditional floral tribute, whichis now on display in the town centreas part of Well Dressing Week.
Large crowds gathered in thegrounds of the facility, which ishoused within a historic countrymansion, and enjoyed tours of theresidence and a programme ofactivities which includedrefreshments, entertainment, stallsand prizes.
Throughout the day members of thepublic and residents of the homeparticipated in creating the floraltribute which, once complete, wasunveiled by guests of honour; theMayor of Bakewell Alyson Hill andtown councillor Judith Twigg.
Kim Bibby, care home manager atBurton Closes Hall, said: “OurNational Care Home Open Day eventwas a huge success – we are delightedthat so many members of the localcommunity came along to see thegrand unveiling of our first ever welldressing.
“We opened our doors for NationalCare Home Open Day to give thepublic the chance to see firsthandwhat Burton Closes Hall is all about;to remind people that our care homeis filled with unique and interestingresidents and run by special peoplethat really care.
“It’s wonderful to know that the
community are really behind thework we do.
“It was extremely moving to seemembers of the public and residentsall working together to help createour floral tribute.”
The event raised £287 for BurtonCloses Hall through raffles andactivities
Residents of the home participate in creating the floral well dressing.
ADAM Hutchison, director ofBelmont Sandbanks Care Homes,will be using his pedal power toraise money for Alzheimer’sSociety on September 24 as hecycles the 300 miles from Londonto Paris.
Adam, 33 hopes to raise morethan £5,000 by taking part in theevent and other fundraisingactivities including summer fayres,dinners and cinemas evenings,which will be carried outthroughout his care group as helooks to raise awareness ofdementia in the community.
He said: “I decided to take part inthis challenge for the Alzheimer’sSociety because of having such aclose relationship with those whosuffer with dementia through ourcare homes, and I have alwayswanted to give as much as I can tothe cause.
“The planned event with theSociety enables me to achieve apersonal goal by cycling to Paris,linked to raising money for asubject very close to my heart.
“With working with thoseassociated to dementia on a dailybasis, I know how much thefundraising can change lives andsupport carers and familiesinvolved.”
Adam set totackle cyclechallenge
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RADICAL changes to the way socialcare is provided in Wales have beenhailed as a “huge step forward” byprivate providers.
According to Care Forum Wales, thereforms being introduced by theWelsh Government will eliminate thepostcode lottery that has blighted thesector for many years.
The changes were announced byGwenda Thomas AM, the DeputyMinister for Social Services.
She revealed that new nationaleligibility criteria for social care willreplace the current “cliff edgedecisions” where people only receivea service if they cross a certainthreshold instead of responding to anindividual's needs.
She also outlined a new frameworkto support the provision of “personcentred care”.
Another key element was theintroduction of a new regionalstructure based on the boundaries oflocal health boards to ensure thepeople who use services and theircarers are at the centre of thechanges.
Mario Kreft, chair of Care ForumWales, said: “The national eligibilitycriteria were signalled in the newSocial Services Bill. It’s somethingwe’ve campaigned for since Care
Forum Wales was set up in 1993, so ina sense we see this as a 21st birthdaypresent. The key is consistency andtransparency. What people wantmost of all is to know what thethreshold is, when they are able toreceive social care that’s state funded.
“It’s an anomaly really because inthe NHS we all understand thatwherever you live in Wales thereshouldn’t be a postcode lottery onservices.
“There has been for many years apostcode lottery in social care andthis is a very important step forwardin bringing about that consistencythat I think the public want.
“Importantly, the system is puttingthe person at the heart of it. It’sactually promoting well-being andearly intervention.”
Radical changes tosocial care in Wales‘huge step forward’
“What people wantmost of all is to knowwhat the threshold is,when they are able toreceive social carethat’s state funded.”
TWELVE soldiers from the 12th and47th Regiments Royal Artillery visitedPinewood Nursing Home inChidham, near Chichester for aspecial event to mark the 70thanniversary of D-Day.
A number of staff members dressedup in wartime clothes, and residentsand guests enjoyed a special meal ofspam fritters, fish and chips, mushypeas and trifle.
The home was decorated with flags
and wartime memorabilia, while aspecial wartime themed hamper wasraffled. Personal memories wererecorded during the weeks leading upto the event and displayed on a ‘mistypast’ board, while entertainer CraigStevens engaged everyone with amedley of wartime songs and stories.
Residents also shared their wartimememories with the soldiers,especially those of D-Day whichmarked the end of the war.
Soldiers visit home’s D-Day eventJesse Marriner, who spent time in a PoW camp, with some of the soldiers that visitedthe home.
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Staff from Hay House Nursing Home in Broadclyst, Devon raised approximately £950 bycompleting a two-hour sponsored walk through Ashclyst Forest. The money will enablethe residents to participate in a range of special activities including trips to the theatreand visits to the seaside.
SANCTUARY Care homes across thecountry got dressed up to the ninesto take a trip down memory lane onNational Care Home Open Day.
Residents and the teams at thegroup’s homes hosted an array of1940s and 1950s themed events,pulling out all the stops to ensurethat the day was a real vintage affair.
Meadows House Residential andNursing Home in London was visitedby Clive Efford, Eltham MP, Des KellyOBE, executive director of the NCFand Steve Wood, managing directorof Sanctuary Care, for a vintage gar-den party to celebrate the launch oftheir new sensory dementia gardens.
At Ivydene Residential and NursingHome in Ivybridge residents and theteam stepped back in time to therockin’ and rollin’ 1950s.
There was a musical theme to theday with a juke box and live 1950sentertainment – as well as a fantastichigh tea in traditional bone china.
Activities leader Laura Charterssaid: “It was absolutely brilliant andthe music went down a storm, every-one was up singing and dancing.
“We are all on such a high from theday.”
Chadwell House Residential CareHome in Chadwell Heath was trans-
formed into a 1940s Lyons Tea Housewith staff serving afternoon teadressed as ‘nippies’ (1940s waitress-es), while Wantage Nursing Home inOxfordshire hosted a toe-tapping vin-tage tea dance to mark the occasion.
Talented youngsters from AbbeyPrimary Community School inLeicester treated residents of AsraHouse Residential Care Home to aspecial dance performance at thehome’s ‘Old Bollywood Classic’themed day.
The team also wore stunning sarisand there was henna hand art, livemusic and a feast of Indian savouries.
At Breme Residential Care Home inBromsgrove visitors went down therabbit hole for a Mad Hatters’ TeaParty while at Heathlands ResidentialCare Home in Pershore, the gardenswere transformed into a 1950s sea-side resort for a day at the beach.
There were sandpits, a puppet showand ice-cream trike, with the Mayorof Pershore Tony Rowley opening thehome’s new corner shop.
Home manager Anita Fletcher said:“Everybody put so much effort intothe day – it was absolutely amazing.Well done to the team for putting onsuch a wonderful day for our resi-dents.”
Provider’s homes dressup to the nines for tripdown memory lane
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Speakers revealed forregional conferencesTHE stellar line-up of speakers hasbeen revealed for Caring UK’s annualregional conferences.
This year’s events, which have beensponsored by NatWest, have the titleElderly Care: Positive Choices, and,following the recent successful eventsin Weston-super-Mare and Torquay,they move north to the Black CountryLiving Museum in Dudley and LeedsUnited FC’s Elland Road stadium onSeptember 9 and 10 respectively.
Speakers confirmed include MartinGreen from Care England, SheilaScott from the NCA and BenAtkinson-Willes, product designerand founder of Active Minds.
They will be joined by GuySmallman from Coventry Universityand representatives from the CQC,Skills for Care and sponsor NatWest.Further names will be added in duecourse.
Neil Garton, head of healthcare forNatWest, said: “NatWest are delightedto sponsor the 2014 Caring UKconference series. Care homes are akey part of the bank’s focus within thehealthcare sector.
“Our dedicated healthcarerelationship managers are externallyaccredited by the chartered bankerand concentrate solely on the sector.This means that they are experienced
in the sector and can understand anddeal with the opportunities andchallenges that owners face on a dayto day basis.
“We set out to understand theambitions of the care homeoperators, whether that be to improveperformance, extend their home orfor example grow their business byacquiring additional homes.
“We then look to offer businessexpertise towards achieving thoseambitions.”
Running alongside all of theconferences will be an extensiveexhibition, which will showcase allthe latest products and technologyfor your care home.
“Our first two conferences were amassive hit,” said group productioneditor Dominic Musgrave, who willchair the events. “Since we startedtaking our events across the countrythey have gone from strength tostrength, as can be shown by thecalibre of speakers we have attractedfor these conferences.
“I am sure these events will be assuccessful as those that have gonebefore, and would urge any carehome operators in the area to attendto listen to these distinguishedspeakers.”
To find out more and to book yourplace at these must-attend eventsturn to pages 15 and 16.
Care England chief executive Martin Green OBE and Coventry University’s Guy Smallmanwill be among the speakers at Caring UK’s conferences.
THE Abbeyfield Kent Societycelebrated its 47th birthday withits annual thanksgiving churchservice.
The Society marks its birthdayeach year by inviting itsassociates, staff, residents andtheir relatives from its 14 homesaround the county to a service atSt Mark’s Church in TunbridgeWells.
The annual event reflects uponthe Society’s achievements overthe past year as well as looking atits plans for the upcoming year.
Children of St Mark’s Church ofEngland Primary School joinedthe Society for the service, andperformed a variety of upliftingsongs for guests, while trusteesand staff members gavespeeches.
Leon Steer, chief executive ofAbbeyfield Kent, said: “We are soproud of how far we have comeover the years and what we haveachieved.
“It has been an incrediblejourney, and I cannot wait to seewhat the next 47 years has instore for The Abbeyfield KentSociety.”
Guests were then invited tocatch up over tea and cake.
Thanksgivingservice marksanniversary
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GEORGE Osborne, Chancellor andMP for Tatton, visited LeycesterHouse in Mobberley as part ofNational Care Home Open Day.
George visited to show his supportfor the home, and to learn about theresidents’ lives, taking a tour, andjoining the residents for a gardenparty. Residents took full advantageof their chance to have a chat withthe Chancellor.
Home services manager at
Leycester House, Joanne Johnson,said: “We were thrilled when weheard that George Osborne wanted tocome along for the open day; wespent a great deal of time trying topromote the event to the local com-munity, but we never thought wewould get the Chancellor to comealong.”
More than 20 CLS care homesacross the North West took part in theannual event.
Chancellor visits Leycester House MP for Tatton George Osborne speaks with residents during his visit as part of NationalCare Home Open Day.
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STAFF and residents at RichmondCourt care home were joined byMayor of Greater Willington,Councillor Fraser Tinsley andmembers of the community for a funopen day.
The home threw open its doors tomembers of the public on NationalCare Home Open Day and had stallsand entertainment for all ages toenjoy. Visitors were also able to taketours of the facilities on site andspeak to members of staff about thespecialist care on offer at the home.
Julie Gray, manager at RichmondCourt, said: “It was a fantastic daythat was enjoyed by residents and all
the members of the community whovisited the home.
“National Care Home Open Day is avery important day in our calendar,as it allows members of the public tosee what our care home is reallyabout and enables us to chat tomembers of staff and residents,hopefully helping to change somepeoples’ perceptions of care homes.”
Richmond Court, which also hasRaby Cottage and Binchester Courton site, provides care for 45 residents,including mental health anddementia nursing care andresidential or respite care for peoplewith learning difficulties.
Mayor joins staff andresidents for fun day
Julie Gray, manager at Richmond Court, dances with George Douglas who celebrated his79th birthday. Right: Councillor Fraser Tinsley dances with resident Betty Brown (73)with care home staff and visitors behind.
Leah’s care wins herthrough to finalsAN Accrington carer has made itthrough to the national finals of amajor competition showcasingexcellence in social care.
Leah Whelan, 25, a support workerand acting team leader withAccrington-based Affinity SupportingPeople, part of the Springhill CareGroup, was earlier this yearnominated for the WorldSkillsUKCompetition for Health and SocialCare.
As a result, Leah recently took partin a regional heat, held at ShipleyCollege, and scored third place in thecompetition, making it through to theUK national finals in November asone of those individuals with the top10 results.
WorldSkillsUK Skills is organised bythe National Skills Academy for SocialCare, and forms part of the world’slargest vocational skills competition.
It organises competitions inpartnership with organisations fromboth industry and education, andaims to find the best adult health andsocial care workers in the country.
Leah was nominated by her tutorsat Burnley College, where she isstudying a Level 3 apprenticeship.During the competition she wasrequired to demonstrate the deliveryof excellent healthcare through a mixof written tests and live activities,assessed by a panel of judges.
She said: “I’m in shock. This hasbeen a very tough process and I’mproud to be representing Affinity atnational level. I’d like to thankeveryone in our team for all theirsupport.”
Lead judge Pat Pearson said:“Worldskills just gets better andbetter as a competition and a realshowcase for how well social care iscarried out.
“It was a pleasure to observe suchcommitted competitors taking part inthis heat at Shipley College and toaward prizes to some outstandingcare workers and students.”
Leah Whelan
14 17/7/14 13:08 Page 1
Elderly Care: Positive Choices
For more information contact:Exhibitor enquiries: Bev Green: 01226 734 288Delegate enquiries: Lucy Dickinson: 01226 734 695
Refreshments served throughout the event including light lunch. Closes with a grand prize draw. Goody bag and attendance certificate for all delegates attending.
Elderly Care: Positive Choices is the theme for Caring UK’s annual regional conferences.Our stellar line-up of speakers will offer expert advice on a wide variety of topics to enhance the quality of life your residents deserve in their later years, and also make your business stand out from your rivals to potential residents.Our top industry experts will pass on their knowledge on subjects including food and nutrition, activities and the care home environment itself, giving tips on what you can do to achieve and maintain the highest levels of care. Our first two conferences will be held at Rookery Manor in Weston-super-Mare and the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay on July 2 and 3 respectively. In September our events move north to the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley and Leeds United FC’s famous Elland Road stadium.Running alongside all of the conferences will be an extensive exhibition, which will showcase all the latest products and technology for your care home.These really are conferences not to bemissed, so to avoid disappointment please complete the booking form to guarantee your place.
10th Sept Leeds United Football Club. LEEDS
9th Sept Black Country Living Museum, DUDLEY.
Some of the conference exhibitors:
In association with:
HEADLINE SPONSOR
NOT TO BE MISSED BY DECISION MAKERS IN THE CARE INDUSTRY
Fantastic event. A great resource for new suppliers.Linda Cutty – Regional Manager/Aveland Court Care Home/Aveland Court Care Ltd
Well planned, well presented conference, thoroughly enjoyed the day.Kathy Vound –Matron Manager/The Firs Nursing Home/Care West Country Ltd
Very informative event to attend, from seminar content and exhibition. Worthwhile day.Karen Glover - Exmouth Care Ltd
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17 claims uk 15/7/14 16:41 Page 1
18 Protomed 17/7/14 13:31 Page 1
19CARINGNEWS
Residents at Rodney House in Weston-super-Mare put their best foot forward with ahost of activities to support National Falls Awareness Day. The activities were alldesigned to promote good balance and prevent falls, and included walking stick paint-ing; cleaning glasses and shoes; and zimmer frame maintenance. Later residents weretreated to aromatherapy foot massage. Nicky Tweedle, activities co-ordinator, said:“Ensuring that aids such as glasses and zimmer frames are clean and in good conditionis a simple way to prevent falls in the elderly. Now that the sun is out our residents canenjoy the garden and our planned days out with newly serviced equipment.”
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CARINGNURSECALL20
MEDICARE Systems Ltd has openeda new sales and service centre inScotland.
It is ideally situated to offer salesand support to the company’s manycustomers across the country.
The office will be managed byMartin Reed, who has been in theradio nurse call industry for manyyears, and has now joined Medicarebringing to the company a wealth ofexperience in sales and servicing ofradio products.
Technical director Derek Gray saidthe appointment of Martin was a keyfactor in the decision to open a
Scottish branch.He added: “It was important that
we have experienced individuals tomanage the new branch, in the nursecall field each customer has their ownrequirements and understandingthem and to be able to fulfil them isat the core of the company’sphilosophy.
“In Martin we have one of theleading figures in the industry to addto the wealth of experience already atMedicare.”
Medicare can also offer spares andrepairs for many other types of radiosystems.
Medicare opens sales andservice centre in Scotland
The importanceof call bells ...By Gail Booker-Tyas
THE CQC describe residents callbells as a “lifeline” and if they areabused, are not regularlymaintained and updated , thencare homes are leaving themselvesexposed to unsatisfactory levels ofcare being provided.
It is also essential that reportingsystems are closely monitored,paying particular attention toresponse times.
As we all know, residents andtheir families pay particularattention to whether their calls forassistance are being dealt withresponsively.
A fully working system provideshomes with the all importantevidence that this is indeed beingdone. With this in mind, it isimportant that care homes take thetime to make sure that their ownnurse call systems are being given aregular “health check”.
It is a CQC requirement to haveyour system serviced annually. Thisannual inspection must beundertaken by a reputable,qualified company and they shouldbe able to offer help and advice onhow to get the best from yourcurrent nurse call system, keepingit working efficiently and reducing
the likelihoodof it needing tobe replaced.
Ultimately, ifyour nurse callsystem is nolonger meetingthe requiredstandards, itmay also bemore costeffective toinstall a newsystem rather than continue tospend money on trying to ‘fix up’ afailing call bell system.
There are many providers ofnurse call systems, with variousoptions to meet a range of needsand of course to suit differentbudgets.
When selecting a new nurse callsystem it is important to identifythe specific needs of your homeand ensure that these will be metby a new system.
Once installed, it is vital that allstaff are trained, with regularupdates, in the correct use of allthe features. After all, a system canonly truly work to its full potentialif it is fully understood by all users.� Gail Booker-Tyas is sales andmarketing manager at InstaCareSystems.
Gail Booker-Tyas
20 17/7/14 12:34 Page 1
COURTNEY-Thorne’s wireless 08 Nurse Call Systemis highly flexible and when configured with dedi-cated assistive technology accessories, a cus-tomised nurse call system to meet individual resi-dent/patient needs can be designed.
Assistive technology accessories include bed exitor floor pressure mats, fall saver sensors, chair orbed watch sensors and enuresis detection.
Alternative triggers such as air pressure switch-es, head operated switches, breathing monitors anda range of neck or wrist worn pendants all con-tribute to the design of a system that meets theneeds of residents.
As well as meeting the needs of those beingcared for, Courtney-Thorne’s new CT-CLOUD prod-uct meets the needs of a care home managementteam by providing all nurse call data in easy-to-read reports delivered to who you choose when youchoose.Enquiries: Freephone 0800 068 7419, direct
call 01202 573300, email [email protected] orvisit www.c-t.co.uk or
www.nursecallsystems.co.uk
21CARINGNURSECALL
Technology for those who care
InstaCare Systems is anindependent specialist innurse call systems.
We are a family runbusiness based in Exeterserving the South West.
We specialise in thesupply, installation,maintenance and inte-gration of a wide rangeof electronic systemsincluding wired andwireless nurse call sys-tems including parts and accessories, staff attack,waterproof paging, fall monitoring solutions, CCTV,maintenance and servicing.
Working with the major manufacturers,InstaCare offers truly independent advice on all theleading products.
We provide a wide range of products and ser-vices at competitive prices, ensuring our systemsdeliver a solution that is tailor made to suit your
individual budget and specific needs. With over 30 years’ experience in the design,
development and installation of systems withinthe care industry, we pride ourselves on continual-ly offering our customers a personal and reliableservice, all at the very best prices.
Local company, local prices, local people. Enquiries: Call 01392 580023,
email [email protected] or visit www.instacaresystems.co.uk
Family run business specialisesin electronic systems
21 14/7/14 13:23 Page 1
CARINGNURSECALL22
Top design award for dementia centre A unique specialist dementia care unit in Liverpool has won a top national design award. DominicMusgrave found out more.
THE purpose-built £1.2millioncouncil-run Sedgemoor DementiaSupport Centre in Norris Greenopened last spring and was the first ofits type in the country.
Now it has beaten off competitionfrom bigger and more expensiveprojects across the rest of the countryto pick up the Best Care Complexaward at the Healthcare DesignAwards.
The awards recognise and celebratethe way in which the needs anddesires of residents are incorporatedinto the final design of buildings.
Sedgemoor - which was built byconstruction firm Bullock - has beenspecially designed for people withdementia and provides assessmentand respite facilities, with naturally litspaces and an open plan layout toprovide a calming atmosphere.
It features a hi-tech, interactive 4Dtheatre, where people are able toimmerse themselves in the sights,sounds and even smells of the pastthrough old videos, cine footage,photographs and relevant scents,helping with cognitive therapy.
Other features include: � A circular design which is easy tonavigate and with large windows. � Extensive use of the colour red as itis stimulating for people withdementia.
� A peaceful, secure and safe gardenarea where activities will take place.
Deputy Mayor and Cabinet memberfor adult social care, Roz Gladden,said: “When we were designingSedgemoor, we were very careful tomake sure that its design would helpthose who are touched by dementia.
“Anyone who has visited the siteknows that it is an absolutely superbfacility, offering state-of-the-artsupport and care for those withdementia and their families.
“We have an ageing population inLiverpool and all of the evidenceshows there is going to be anincreased need for this type of carefacility, so it is particularly pleasingthat it has got the seal of approvalfrom health industry designprofessionals.”
Sedgemoor is used by up to 30people per day and includes a‘telecare’ suite where staff will be ableto fully assess people and identify themost suitable types of technologysuch as sensors and warning alarmsto help them stay safe.
Nikki Waud, Account Manager atconstruction firm Bullock, said: “Weare delighted to have received such awell-recognised industry accolade asPinders. This project was a realpartnership in operation.
“All the stakeholders worked hard to
deliver a non-institutionalised localauthority building that has by farexceeded everyone’s expectations interms of quality and service.
“The standard of design and finisheasily contests with facilities availablein the private market.”
Sedgemoor is receiving visits everyweek from other local authorities andcare agencies from as far afield asPoland and Sweden as they seek toemulate the outstanding facilities.
Nikki added: “The team at Bullocktake great pride in each and everycare project they deliver and neverlose sight of the needs of the enduser.
“This award is a great recognition of
Bullock’s proven ability to transferoutstanding design into functionalbuildings.”
The building is also used for respite,and includes a hobby space wherepeople can take part in arts andcrafts.
Outside there is a fully enclosedsensory garden including allotmentsand raised beds where people whoare interested in gardening will beable to practice their horticultureskills safely.
Work will get underway later thisyear refurbishing all of the bedroomsin the original part of the building tocomplete the transformation of thesite.
Sedgemoor Dementia Support Centre representatives receive their award.
22 17/7/14 12:35 Page 1
23CARINGNEWS
Franchise bought by company’sown regional support managerBy Dominic Musgrave
THE Nottinghamshire territory ofMansfield has been bought by one ofCaremark’s own regional supportmanagers.
Phil Mason, regional support man-ager for the north east, has seen first-hand the benefits of owning aCaremark franchise which theninspired him to become a franchiseehimself.
Having worked with the franchiseesin his own region over the past 18months and supported them to growand develop their businesses in theirindividual territories, Phil was keen tobe part of the successful network ofCaremark franchisees and build asuccessful home care business inNottinghamshire.
Consequently at the beginning ofJune, Phil and his partner SarahMassey bought Caremark (Mansfield)and are now looking forward tobringing high quality home care topeople in their new territory.
With Phil’s sound business experi-ence and Sarah’s extensive experiencein the private care sector with the last15 years at management level, togeth-er with their passion for the careindustry at large, this dynamic coupleare set to make their mark in homecare in Mansfield.
Commenting on this new venture
Sarah said: “When Phil began work-ing for Caremark it quickly becameapparent how much he valued theCaremark system.
“I too, was quickly convinced thatCaremark was the route we shouldfollow.
“Now a few months down the lineour vision has become a reality andas well as the excitement of startingour own business we also have anopportunity to put something back
into the community I grew up in.”Having successfully completed
Caremark’s Initial Franchisee Trainingcourse held at Caremark’s head officein West Sussex, Sarah is now applyingfor registration with the CQC.
Phil will continue in his current role,supporting franchisees in his regionwhilst Sarah concentrates on runningtheir new business, initially providingcare and support to adults and olderpeople.
Sarah Massey and Phil Mason, new franchisees for Caremark (Mansfield)
TELEVISION star Shane Richieand the Deputy Lord Lieutenant ofSurrey joined former mariners andlocal school children at The RoyalAlfred Seafarers’ Society carehome in Banstead to markSeafarers’ Awareness Week with anafternoon of nautical activities.
The event included a sea shantysing-along, a tour of the facilitiesand the home’s specialist demen-tia annexe and the opportunity totalk nautical memories with resi-dents.
The charity, which will celebrateits 150th anniversary next year,invited the local community toattend, along with Deputy LordLieutenant of Surrey, SusanLochner JP DL, chairman of thesociety, Captain Duncan Glass,and trustees also attended to cele-brate the occasion.
Children from WoodmansternePrimary School visited residentsand took part in a sing-along withthe residents who in turn enjoyedsharing their nautical tales withthem.
Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Societychief executive, Commander BrianBoxall-Hunt, said: “This was oursecond annual open day to markSeafarers Awareness Week and wereally enjoyed sharing the day withall who attended.”
TV star joinscare home’scelebrations
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CARINGNEWS26
Giving your activityorganiser support
In the final part of a three-part series of articles, Heather Manktelow, anoccupational therapist experienced in facilitating therapeutic activities ina range of care homes and in the community, discusses ensuring everymember of staff is an activity facilitator.
OTs and activity organisers in carehomes sometimes find themselves tobe disregarded by the care hometeam which can be very de-motivating and de-moralising.
This attitude needs to be changed incare homes, and to be cascaded downfrom the owners and managers. Theymust make clear at job interviews, injob descriptions, at staff meetingsand supervisions that everyone is anactivity facilitator, and must work as ateam to support the O.T or activityorganiser (if there is one).
Activity organisers should receiveongoing training and supervisionsessions to help them to define aims,objectives and outcomes of activitiesand to give them the underpinningknowledge and skills for their role.
Those who deliver activities in carehomes should be appreciated,respected and supported becausethey contribute so much to health,well-being, spirituality and quality oflife for the residents. They need to besupported to avoid possible ‘burn-out’.
When you get it rightThe following two quotes help toevidence the benefits of activities.
At a mental health and dementianursing home in Devon the residentschose that they wanted to rememberstories from the Bible.
They were supported by theoccupational therapist to re-createthe story of Adam and Eve. Residentshelped to make the props and tookparts in the play-let, and the localpriest was involved.
A resident’s comments demonstratewhat he got out of the activity:
“Fabulous. The best bit was the waypeople smiled and laughed – it setpeople free. If you are able to smileand laugh it frees you from yourtroubles. People have been taughtreligious stories in a light-hearted
way before and it works….I’m sureJesus laughed.
“Singing the hymns also set me free.I have troubles, I guess everyone hasbut whilst I watched the show I forgotabout them. It’s nice to remember thestories from the bible”
At the same nursing home, acomment from the daughter of aresident demonstrates the differencethat personalised activities can maketo a person’s life:
“I think activities in a home can bevery under-valued by management,other members of staff and visitors.
“Too many people have the attitudethat those with dementia aren't worthbothering with or that ‘where’s thepoint they won't remember in acouple of minutes’.
“Some people don’t seem to realisethat when a person is made to feel‘happy’ even if they can’t rememberwhy they feel 'happy' the wonderfulfeel good factor can stay with thatperson for a long time.
“When you are just sat in a homeand there is almost nothing going onaround you, you switch off into aworld that is a very sad and lonelyplace. Therefore being part of anactivity is so important.
“I think my dad benefits from yourvisits because you bring life into hislife. You treat him as an individual
who has needs, and who needs toknow he matters. Your activities makehim ‘happy’.
“They make him feel that he is aliveand that someone cares.
“Being part of an activity also allowshim to be part of a bigger picturegiving him a sense of belonging. Youfound out what his likes and dislikesare and provide him with stimulationto suit his needs. Besides football dadloves music, singing and dancing. Youfound that out. Dad has lost theability to have a conversation but youfound that you can communicatewith him and make him happy bysinging with him. You always makehim smile. Thank you so much.”
ConclusionThis article has explored some of thebenefits, complexities and barriers toperson-centred activity provision incare homes using a ‘whole-team’approach, and has given some sign-posting to resources promoting goodpractice.
As previously mentioned, activity isat the heart of the occupationaltherapy profession. Presently, thereare few occupational therapistsemployed in care homes, but it is anemerging role for occupationaltherapists and it makes total sensethat occupational therapists –specialists in activities, should beplaying a larger part in training,guidance and leading the way to‘getting it right’.
Every individual in every care homedeserves to be given opportunities toengage in meaningful activities oftheir choice as a right not a privilege.
Why not print this article for a carehome staff room that you know, andhelp to make a change?� To see a full copy of the article,complete with the resources andreferences used in putting it together,visit www.caring-uk.co.uk
Heather Manktelow
CHELTENHAM care homeprovider and charity LilianFaithfull Homes has beenawarded the Crystal Mark by thePlain English Campaign for itsresidents’ contracts.
This is recognition of the workcarried out by the groupalongside its lawyers Willans, tomake contracts as easy to readand understand as possible,avoiding over complicated legaljargon.
Finance director Martin Hughessaid: “When a loved one comesinto care it can be a stressful anddifficult time for the family.
“We work hard to ensure thateverything goes as smoothly aspossible and that includes havingcontracts that are clear and easyto follow. The way we haverevised our contracts reflects ourhonest and straightforwardcharity ethos.
“Lilian Faithful Homes strives tooffer residents and their familiesa different, positive careexperience, leaving the familiesfree to concentrate on what isimportant – getting the bestpossible care for their familymember.”
Crystal Markawarded tocare provider
NADRA Ahmed OBE, chair of theNCA, has been recognised for heroutstanding contribution to theKent business community at aglittering ceremony.
Run by Kent County Counciland the KM Group, the awardsrecognise businesses leading theway in innovation, leadershipand achievement in the county.
Among her roles, Nadra is also aboard member of Parkinson’s UKand a trustee of the Royal BritishLegion, learning disability charityMCCH and Alzheimer’s andDementia Support Services inGravesend.
Chairwomanis recognised
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27CARINGNEWS
Institute launches carehome diabetes trainingBy Dominic Musgrave
THE Institute of Diabetes for OlderPeople has launched a new diabetescare home training and educationalcourse in a bid to improve standards.
In response to a growing demand toraise the quality of diabetes care incare homes, IDOP has developed acomprehensive training programme,including teaching from leadingexperts, an authoritative workbookand a suite of e-learning modules.
The programme covers an under-stating of diabetes and treating dia-betes, including how to manage ahypoglycaemic episode, as well asissues specifically relating to diabetesin care homes.
Three trainers from the LancashireWorkforce Development Partnershipwere the first to take part in the train-ing.
They received two days of the train-the-trainers programme culminatingin assessments through e-learningmodules.
The training programme has beendeveloped following a series of pilotsand encompasses the wide experi-ence in this field and significantexpertise of Professor Alan Sinclair,IDOP director and programme lead.
Alan said: “In many cases older peo-ple with diabetes in care homes aresuffering unnecessarily and evendying prematurely.
“Up to one in five older people havediabetes and a similar proportionmay have undiagnosed diabetes.More than a quarter of care homeresidents have diabetes.
“We know diabetes is associatedwith increasing age, family history,ethnicity, obesity and sedentarylifestyle. It causes premature morbid-ity, mortality and is a substantialhealth burden on individuals, healthsystems and society.
“It can be more difficult to managein older people because of otherlinked disorders or diseases and theirtreatments. Thus, it is not a trivial dis-ease and poses many significant chal-lenges to the delivery of effective andsafe care.
“We were delighted with how suc-cessful the first training sessions havebeen and we have received excellentfeedback from the participants.”
IDOP led the first-ever NationalCare Home Diabetes Audit in autumn2012-13 in partnership with ABCD(Association of British ClinicalDiabetologists).
The research, which surveyed morethan 2,000 English care homes, foundshortfalls in screening for diabetes onadmission to a care home, lack of adesignated member of staff withresponsibility for diabetes manage-ment and limited access to dedicatedtraining and education for care homestaff.
Mandy Thorn one of National Care Association’s vice chairmen, was awarded the MBEfor services to dementia care in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2014. Mandy is the man-aging director of Marches Care Ltd, which is a nursing home for people with dementiain Shropshire. National Care Association chairman Nadra Ahmed said: “Mandy richlydeserves this award for the superb work she undertakes in Shropshire and the wideranging activities she undertakes on behalf of National Care Association.”
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29HYGIENE, CLEANING AND LAUNDRY SPONSORED BY
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In close co-operation with TNO (anindependent scientific research facili-ty in the Netherlands) and UniversityCollege of London Hospitals,OspreyDeepclean devised a study toinvestigate and validate the safety,suitability and efficacy of DSV in dailyand periodic cleaning practises.
The study focused on the deconta-mination of ‘risk’ contact surfaces forpatients and staff and the potentialhazard of contaminant dispersionand aerolisation.
DSV technology is simple to operateand turns an everyday cleaningregime into an effective deep clean.
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PRESSURE ulcers affect approxi-mately 700,000 people in the UKevery year, taking four per cent ofthe NHS budget.
Stop the Pressure’s SSKIN carecampaign’s first hit point is whereMEDORIS can offer a cost-effec-tive solution. � Surface: make sure the individ-ual has the right support. � Skin inspection: early inspec-tion means early detection. � Keep the individual moving. � Incontinence/moisture: keepthe individual clean and dry. � Nutrition/hydration: the cor-rect diet and plenty of fluids.
With the individual’s comfort inmind, MEDORIS has developed arange of flexible, and very softmicro-bead products for posi-tioning and pressure care to helpprevent pressure ulcers.
Many existing pressure caresupport surfaces can be uncom-fortable for the user and are oftenexpensive.
Pressure ulcers most commonlyoccur at the sacrum and the heelsso the MEDORIS M057 16-Chamber Cushion and M061 6-chamber Heel Support are justtwo products from their widerange which offer a very afford-able benefit.
Choose thesoft option
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30 HYGIENE, CLEANING AND LAUNDRY SPONSORED BY
IDEAL Standard, a leader in innovative and design-driven bathroom solutions, has unveiled its latestbreakthrough: Concept Freedom.
The new range of accessible bathroom productsaims to include less abled customers, rather thanalienate them, through a collection of ceramics,brassware and showers that are well-designed, ele-gant and functional.
The range incorporates products that allow thespecifier to create fully Part M compliant ensuites,demonstrating how wheelchair accessible bath-rooms can be as contemporary and beautiful asconventional bathrooms.
This new solution has been developed to meetthe needs of the less abled, in conjunction withoccupational therapists, while maintaining thedesign integrity of Robin Levien’s Concept suite.
Tony Rheinberg, marketing manager at IdealStandard, said: “Concept Freedom will be equally athome in care homes and residential situationswhere users need help in performing basic func-tions that we tend to take for granted.
“Concept Freedom offers a complete solution tomeet both the regulatory needs the operator andthe comfort and aesthetic needs of the customer.”
With sleek rails and raised height WC’s, Concept
Freedom allows additional support and comfort tobe discreetly integrated into a bathroom layout,allowing users with various mobility needs toremain comfortable.
The range includes raised height WCs for easier,more comfortable access, available as close coupledand wall-mounted. Extra large WCs will also beavailable for bariatric users, still with the samedesign excellence as the rest of the collection, idealfor care homes.
Concept Freedom’s accessible basins come withwide side rims, making them more comfortable forwheelchair users. In addition, they have a subtleunderside hand grip on the front edges to assistwith wheelchair positioning or standing stabilityand conform to wheelchair clearance regulations.
Designer Robin Levien added: “The ConceptFreedom range is a real step forward for the acces-sible market.
“The combination of sleek design and discreetsupport demonstrates that accessible bathroomsreally can be just as contemporary as conventionalbathrooms.”
Enquiries: To find out more visit www.ideal-standard.co.uk
or call 01482 346461.
Freedom for inclusive design as IdealStandard launches new range
GAINSBOROUGH Specialist Bathing’spopular Ascot hi-lo bath continues tobe the preferred solution for manycare providers in long term care envi-ronments.
The Ascot is a variable height bathwith powered seat transfer and hasbeen designed to deliver the highestlevels of comfort, dignity and safetyfor both bathers and carers.
It meets the challenges of high-traf-fic environments and ensures bestpractice in moving and handlingthrough considered ergonomicdesign.
The Ascot has an impressive, ultra-compact footprint ideal for space-restricted bathing areas and its easy-to-clean surfaces assist with infectioncontrol procedures.
Integrated, state-of-the-art assistivetechnology ensures the safe, smoothand efficient transfer of the clientinto the bath via a soft-touch pow-ered seat.
Once the bather is gently immersedin the thermostatically controlledwater, the Ascot can be raised so car-ers can work without the risk of backor muscle strain.
The Ascot has a maximum user
weight of 150kg and can be suppliedwith a detachable transfer chair, plusa range of sensory options includingair spa, chromotherapy lighting andBluetooth® sound system.
Ascot hi-lo bath thepreferred solutionfor care providers
30 15/7/14 12:05 Page 1
31HYGIENE, CLEANING AND LAUNDRY SPONSORED BY
Beaucare’s Beauwash™ Range BEAUWASH™ is an efficient, cost effective and eco-friendly laundry cleaning products range, specifi-cally formulated with healthcare establishments inmind.
It is cleverly designed to provide superb cleaningperformance at lower temperatures, shorter washcycles and kill bacteria at just 30°C, providing amore sustainable laundry cleaning process in termsof overall running costs and for the environment.
Available in powder or liquid form: 10kg tubs,5lt, 10lt or 20lt liquid containers.
When combining the laundry liquid with auto-mated dosing systems, it creates one of the mostefficient laundry solutions available on the markettoday.
Beaucare also offers advice on the most efficientway to run all healthcare laundry needs and pro-vides expert fitting and maintenance of automaticdosing systems by its own service engineers.
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Have a lift with Clos-o-MatTOILET height can impact significantly on a person’sability to use the WC with ease, especially if theyhave mobility limiations or are transferring from awheelchair. But there is now an effective solution.
The Clos-o-Mat Lima Lift combines all the bene-fits of a ‘conventional’ Clos-o-Mat shower (auto-matic wash and dry) toilet with its integral douch-ing and drying facility, with the added advantage offully automatic height adjustability.
This enables the wall-hung unit to be raised orlowered to each user’s personal requirements, tomake getting on, off and using, the toilet as com-fortable as possible.
To further assist users, the Lima Lift incorporatesarm supports, which can be raised prior to the Liftbeing actuated, or lowered with the Lift, actuatedvia buttons inset into the right-hand arm.
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Armstrong supplies new washerto support unit
ARMSTRONG Commercial Laundry Systems recent-ly supplied a new Amazon W6 6kg washer extrac-tor replacing an older model in Heffernan Houseoperated by West Berkshire MENCAP in Newbury.
The laundry also includes a Schulthess washerand a Huebsch LEZ dryer, also supplied byArmstrong.
Heffernan House offers good quality long termaccommodation for six young adults with learningdifficulties and also has one training suite where aresident with milder learning difficulties can comefor up to two years to gain life skills experiencewhich will enable him or her eventually to moveinto independent accommodation.
The laundry is used by the staff, and residentswith support, and handles all the residents’ person-al laundry as well as bedding towels and kitchenlinen.
The Amazon W6 is a tough, durable, fully com-
mercial machine designed to fit into the samespace as a normal domestic washing machine, fea-turing rapid cycles and low energy consumption –making it the perfect, economical machine forsmall business units. Enquiries: Visit www.armstrong-laundry.co.uk
Do you follow DoH guidelineson linen decontamination?
THE Department of Health has issued guidelines forlinen decontamination in social care.
The guidance introduces a number of EssentialQuality Requirements with which laundry serviceproviders and in-house laundries should comply.
Examples include the requirement that linenprocessing areas are specifically designed to min-imise the risk of recontamination of linen and anew definition of infected linen.
We have made a short summary of CFPP 01-04available on our website www.berendsen.co.uk/cfpp-01-04
All Berendsen's laundry service facilities areeither already certified to BS EN14065, the highest
level of bio-contamination control certification orprogressing towards it.
Berendsen is well placed tohelp organisationsmeet the requirements set by DoH whether you arepart of a group or a small independent care home.
Enquiries: Call the team on 0800 612 7237and find out how our outsourced laundry
service minimises infection risks.
31 14/7/14 14:36 Page 1
32 HYGIENE, CLEANING AND LAUNDRYSPONSORED BY
HYGIENE is obviously of paramountimportance in healthcare establish-ments – and so is efficiency.
With the SEBO DART UHS polisher,the need for wet mopping is substan-tially reduced while vacuuming andpolishing are combined without theneed to seal areas off during cleaning.
The SEBO DART UHS polisher usesHTC twister floor pads, incorporatingmicro-diamonds to polish the floor.This eliminates the need for the useof chemicals or liquids and creates asuper smooth floor surface, minimis-ing the potentially biologically activesurface area. The absence of liquids
has huge hygiene benefits as well ascomplying fully with health and safe-ty issues. Constant use of disinfec-tants is a common cause of resistantmicro-organisms.
All this is dramatically reducedthrough daily cleaning with the UHSpolisher, extending the periodbetween disinfectant schedules andthus significantly aiding micro-organ-ism resistance.
SEBO also provides an extensiverange of high-quality upright andcylinder, commercial or domestic,vacuum cleaners that can be used onany floor surface.
A real diamond in care homesWITH more than 13 million itemsof clothing being washed everyweek in UK care homes it’s no won-der residents clothing gets mislaidand lost, especially when the namelabel has fallen off leaving the gar-ment unidentifiable.
Across the UK busy care homestaff spends over 6,000 hours perweek rummaging through lostproperty and residents rooms tofind mislaid clothing.
That’s a cost of nearly £2m. Time
that could be devoted to what yourteam does best, caring for your resi-dents.
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Mislaid residents’ clothingimpacts home efficiency
32 15/7/14 09:50 Page 1
33TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARESPONSORED BY
Quality monitoring initiative underfire from nursing home operators By Dominic Musgrave
A WEB-BASED self-assessment sys-tem aimed at helping 58 private sec-tor nursing homes acrossWorcestershire meet ever-increasinglegal compliance standards has beenbranded “hard work and time con-suming.”
Residential nursing providersalready using the tool in neighbour-ing Warwickshire and Coventry haveclaimed it is a “struggle to use.”
And now it’s been rolled out inWorcestershire fears have been raisedthat data entered online may be usedfor punitive measures if it showshomes are not meeting the qualityassurance mark demanded by clinicalcommissioning groups.
The package – known as CareHomes Dashboard – has been devel-oped by NHS Arden CommissioningSupport in partnership with WyreForest Clinical Commissioning Group(CCG), Redditch and BromsgroveCCG and South Worcestershire CCG,to “monitor, manage and improvestandards of care.”
But so far it has failed to win univer-sal support in pilot areas, according
to the head of umbrella care organi-sation, West Midlands CareAssociation, which represents privateproviders.
Criticism has also come fromRakesh Kotecha, the regional careassociation director for Worcester andowner of a home in Bromsgrove.
He said: “There’s been a number ofmeetings about this tool to imple-ment quality assurance and the feel-ings are very mixed.
“Some managers and owners feltthat the information gathered andthen displayed in an analytical way,would help them understand bettertheir own businesses.
“But the majority felt that it was yetanother hurdle that the industrywould have to jump for no additionalmoney.”
WMCA chief executive Debbie LeQuesne added: “Some of the homesin Warwickshire and Coventry havebeen using the Dashboard tool andfrankly, have found it to be a struggle,hard work and time-consuming.
“In a blame culture, homes are con-cerned, despite the CCG saying thatthey would not use the data for puni-tive methods, that it would in fact, be
the case.“I’m concerned too, that my mem-
bers are already swamped with CQCmust-do tasks, and while I appreciatethe Dashboard is aimed at beingproactive, it’s yet another tier of datamanagement that managers andowners are expected to fit in to theiralready overcrowded work sched-ules.”
Debbie added that although herassociation represented a hugeswathe of Midlands’ providers, it hadnot been involved with the develop-
ment of the Dashboard, but hadattended workshops in preparation ofits launch.
The Dashboard claims to provideassurance on a range of local andnational clinical key performanceindicators, such as infection control,falls, pressure ulcers and hospitaladmissions. It also includes a confi-dential ‘Serious Incidents’ and a‘Never Events’ reporting portal, whereproviders can alert a local patientsafety team of an incident in theirhome.
33 15/7/14 09:51 Page 1
CARINGNEWS34
Firms fined for safety failingsfollowing death of residentTWO companies have beensentenced for safety failingsfollowing the death of an elderlyresident at a care home inManchester.
Irene Sharples, 92, was living atAlexian Brothers Care Centre inMoston when a heavy fire door fellon her during renovation work.
She died just under four weekslater as a result of her injuries.
The Healthcare Management Trustand construction firm RothwellRobinson Ltd were both prosecutedby the Health and Safety Executiveafter an investigation found Irene,who suffered from dementia, hadbeen able to wander into a buildingsite at the home.
Manchester Crown Court heardthe Healthcare Management TrustLtd, which runs the care home, hadhired Rothwell Robinson Ltd toconvert a ground floor bedroomand en-suite into two toilets and astore room.
The company began the work onNovember 2, 2010 and severaltradesmen, including two joinersand a plumber, visited the site overthe following days.
At around 7.30am on November 7,staff at the care home heard a loudthud and a cry for help.
When they went to investigate,they found Irene on the floor insidethe former ground floor bedroomwith a fire door on top of her.
It took three people to lift the dooroff her and she suffered a brokenhip. Irene spent eight days inhospital but her conditiondeteriorated when she returned tothe care home and she died onDecember 2.
The HSE investigation found thehealthcare firm and buildingcompany had both failed to makesure the room was locked at the endof each day and also when it was leftunoccupied.
The fire door had been removedfrom the en-suite during thebuilding work and leant against thewardrobes. Several other hazardswere also spotted by the care homestaff including loose skirting boards,exposed wiring, broken glass andrusty nails.
The court was told Irene knew theresident who previously lived in theroom and would occasionally walkinto that room as she wanderedaround the care home.
The Healthcare ManagementTrust, of Queen Anne’s Gate inLondon, was fined £20,000 andordered to pay £7,500 in
prosecution costs after pleadingguilty to a breach of the Health andSafety at Work etc Act 1974.
Rothwell Robinson Ltd, ofHolyoake Road in Worsley, was fined£10,000 with costs of £7,500 afterpleading guilty to the same offence.
Speaking after the hearing, HSEinspector Laura Moran said: “Bothfirms clearly knew there werevulnerable residents living at thecare home but they still allowed thedoor to what was essentially abuilding site to be left unlocked onnumerous occasions.
“Sadly, Mrs Sharples was severelyinjured when she wandered into theroom, presumably looking for herfriend, and ultimately lost her lifebecause of the failings of theHealthcare Management Trust andRothwell Robinson.
“Following the incident, thecompanies introduced a newprocedure which meant workershad to collect and return a key atthe start and end of each day, andlock the door when there was noone inside.
“If this system had been in placefrom the start of the buildingproject then Mrs Sharples wouldnever have been able to get into theroom.”
Abby Weighell, Middleton Hall’s LivingWell coordinator, Margaret Fraser,daughter-in-law of Morag Fraser, FamilyLiving resident, Nikki Morse, Living Wellcoordinator and Tom Edge, Family Livingresident.
Staff get ontheir bikeSTAFF at a retirement village nearDarlington came up with aninventive way of using pedal power tocreate healthy drinks for residentsand visitors – a bicycle smoothiemaker.
The smoothie making machine wasone of the highlights as MiddletonHall Retirement Village celebratedNational Care Home Day.
The bike smoothie maker hasalready whizzed up several smoothiesfor staff and residents as part of itshealth and wellbeing programme ledby the award-winning retirementvillage’s Living Well team.
Living Well manager Audra Huntsaid: “The smoothie bike has causedquite a stir, literally, and has beengreat fun in helping us promote ournew range of healthy smoothies.”
34 14/7/14 14:36 Page 1
DEMENTIA SPONSORED BY 35www.active-minds.co.uk
PEOPLE with dementia are beingdenied specialised care and treat-ment because social services areholding the purse strings for peoplewith the condition rather than healthcommissioners, a government adviseron health has said.
Professor Martin Green, also chiefexecutive of Care England, says ifdementia was treated as an illness –as it should be – more people withthe condition could access appropri-ate services.
He said it was wrong that peoplewith conditions like Alzheimer’s dis-ease, and their families, had to paythousands for treatment from theirown pockets, while other diseaseshad their funding covered by theNHS.
“The system is like this onlybecause we are dealing with olderpeople,” said Martin, a Departmentof Health dementia champion.“Imagine if it was disease whichaffected children and young people –things would be very different then.”
Martin was speaking at a study dayon cognitive impairment and demen-tia at PJ Care’s Eagle WoodNeurological Care Centre inPeterborough, the UK’s only centreable to treat all neurological condi-tions on one site.
Under the current system, despitedementia being classified as a physi-cal disease of the brain, most essen-tial care – such as helping with wash-ing, eating and toileting – is providedby social services.
Unlike NHS care, social care ismeans tested. This means an assess-ment of a person’s finances is carriedout to see if they are eligible for helpwith the cost of care.
The cost of funding care and treat-ment for people with various types ofdementia was a major topic at thestudy day, called ‘Open Your Mindto… Cognitive Care: understandingbehaviours that challenge’.
Care campaigner Angela Shermanwas among five speakers at the event.
She set up her own organisation,Care To Be Different, to offer help andadvice to people with problemsaccessing NHS funding.
Angela stressed that fundingthrough NHS Continuing Healthcarewas available to many people withdementia – but thousands who areeligible are not told about it, or arewrongly denied it by the authorities.
She had a marathon three-year bat-tle to secure Continuing Healthcarefunding for her own parents.
Angela said: “There are two myths.The first is that if you have savings orassets over £23,250 you will have topay for your care. That is so mislead-ing, because that relates only to socialcare.
“The other myth is that NHSContinuing Healthcare does notapply to dementia. It absolutely does– and so many people are told thisquite incorrectly.”
Other speakers at the event includ-ed Jan Flawn, founder and chair of PJCare, who set up the company in2000 after seeing young people withdementia inappropriately placed incare homes for the elderly.
Jill Walton, a nurse adviser ondementia, who focused on the impor-tance of support groups, and clinicalpsychologist Alistair Gaskell alsospoke at the study day.
People with dementiadenied care, claimsgovernment adviser
Professor Martin Green
THE knit and natter group at retire-ment community Somerleigh Courtin Dorchester has produced a num-ber of therapeutic blankets andaprons to be used by people sufferingfrom varying levels of dementia.
Their creations, inspired by theoriginal fidget blanket devised backin the 80’s, have been overseen byactivities co-ordinator Cherie Folkardand close care team member MaralynDredge.
Not only have the blankets foundfavour with some of the residents attheir own adjoining Somerleigh CourtNursing Home, but also with otheroperators, who were shown them at arecent ‘Partners in Care ActivitiesForum’.
Cherie said: “We are very proud ofour knit and natter group’s produc-tion skills. Not only have they perfect-ed the fidget blanket and apron,which as well as being adopted bycare groups in the UK, has attractedattention overseas, in Belgium noless. Added to which, they are alsoprolific knitters of baby hats andblankets, which are regularly sentoverseas for many needy causes.”
The fidget blankets or ‘boredombusters’ as some of the knitting grouphave christened them, are decoratedwith a variety of items which theusers can relate to; buttons and but-ton holes, working zip fasteners,along with ribbons and shoelacesthat can be tied and untied.
Group creates blanketsThe knit and natter group at Somerleigh Court in Dorchester.
35 14/7/14 14:37 Page 1
36 QUALITY IN CARESPONSORED BYwww.requiredsystems.com
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To find out more call 01236 782477 or visit www.requiredsystems.com
THE CQC’s chief inspector of adultsocial care, Andrea Sutcliffe, scoopedspecial recognition at an event cele-brating the most inspirationalwomen from all areas of healthcare.
The Health Service Journal (HSJ)announced its 2014 InspirationalWomen list at No 11 CavendishSquare, London where Andrea joinedaround 110 inspirational women andguests at a private reception to net-work and celebrate their success.
This year’s HSJ Inspirational Womenlist celebrates the top 50 individualswho stand out for their passion andability to innovate and drive forwardtransformational change.
The HSJ judging panel commented:“Andrea is inspirational not just inwhat she does, but in how she does it.
“She’s confident without being arro-gant, ambitious for her work not her-self, and always focused on the goodshe can do for others.”
Andrea added: “I feel honoured tobe included in the HSJ InspirationalWomen list and would like to thankthe judges and anyone who took thetime to nominate me.
“I am also humbled by the company
I am keeping – there are some fantas-tic women on this list who are mak-ing a huge difference in the healthand care world.
“Alison Cameron, Gill Phillips andDr Kate Granger have all used theirpersonal experiences and under-standing of services to lead the way inimproving care. They are truly inspi-rational.”
‘Inspirational’ recognitionfor CQC’s chief inspector
Andrea Sutcliffe
Franchise qualification forcare provider’s director MICHELLE Fenwick, director atHeritage Healthcare Franchising, hasbeen recognised by the BritishFranchise Association (bfa) for her in-depth knowledge of the franchise sec-tor.
Michelle is the only person in thecare franchise industry to have beenawarded the Qualified FranchiseProfessional (QFP) accreditation, theonly nationally recognised qualifica-tion specific to the UK franchise sec-tor.
The QFP is formal recognition of anindividual’s professional knowledgeand experience in franchising. Itdemonstrates understanding of thecomplexities and best practice infranchising and commitment to con-tinuously developing greater under-standing of the sector.
The qualification covers recruitingfranchisees, understanding financialperformance, monitoring franchiseesperformance and motivating fran-chisees. The final part of the assess-ment is by interview with an expertpanel.
Heritage Healthcare launched itsfranchising division last year and islooking for committed, ambitiousand motivated people in variousareas of the UK who have the desireto own, operate and develop theirown business providing excellent
quality care that enables people toenjoy independent lives in the com-fort of their own home.
Michelle said: “This journey hasbeen my World Cup or myWimbledon and I am delighted tohave been awarded the only national-ly recognised qualification specific tothe franchise sector.
“Since undertaking the qualificationI have brought some of the new skillsand knowledge to HeritageHealthcare’s franchising operationand implemented some of the sharedbest practice ideas.”
Michelle Fenwick
A DELEGATION of healthcare man-agers from China visited a hospiceand care home in Worcester to learnhow people nearing the end of theirlives are cared for in the UK.
The group of 20 experts fromGuangzhou visited St Richard’sHospice and Rashwood NursingHome, near Droitwich, as part oftheir fact finding trip to understandhow end of life care is delivered in theUK. The visits were organised by theShrewsbury-based National GoldStandards Framework Centre whichis the largest provider of end of lifecare training programmes for healthand social care professionals.
Professor Keri Thomas, GSF clinicaldirector, and two of her colleagues,
were invited to a conference inPeking earlier this year by professorKK Cheng, professor of primary careat Birmingham and Peking universi-ties, to inform Chinese doctors andhealth administrators about bestpractice in the UK.
Keri said: “It was a great honour andprivilege to be invited to China and toshare what we have learned over thepast 15 years, helping to develop aframework for all those involved inthe care of people nearing the end oflife. We are delighted to be able towelcome the delegation fromGuangzhou and give them first-handexperience of what high quality endof life care really looks like in a hos-pice and care home.”
Chinese health expertsvisit hospice and home
36 17/7/14 12:38 Page 1
37CARINGNEWS
Ben’s funky fitness classes sweepthrough Britain’s care homes ...By Dominic Musgrave
FUNKY fitness classes for the olderadults are sweeping through Britain’scare homes – thanks to a 28-year-oldfrom Scarborough.
Former personal trainer Ben Allen isbringing activities like ‘Strictly FunDancing’, cheerleading, pom-pomshaking and ‘Chairobics’ to carehomes in what he calls ‘an hour ofjoy’ to the lives of older people.
He launched his award-winningsocial enterprise business, calledOomph!, just three years ago, andsince then more than 700 care homeshave signed up to the party-styleclasses.
“We aim for each session to providean hour of joy in what can unfortu-nately be quite a silent life for manyolder adults in care homes,” said Ben.“We really are improving older adults’quality of life.
“Our classes involve everythingfrom rock ‘n’ roll routines to exerciseto Second World War songs – andZorba the Greek also seems to begoing down extremely well.
“To see people’s eyes light up as theydo a gentle jive and shake pom-pomsto their favourite music is wonderfulto see.”
After graduating from HullUniversity, Ben borrowed moneyfrom his parents Nick and Sara Allen
– who run a seafront hotel inScarborough – to qualify as a person-al trainer.
He combined a variety of jobs in fit-ness with a love of travelling for fiveyears before he returned to the UKpermanently, and investigated settingup his own business working witholder adults.
And it was when he visited carehomes near his home that the ideafor Oomph!, standing for ‘OurOrganisation Makes People Happy’,was born.
“I realised there was a need toimprove the quality of people’s livesin care homes,” added Ben. “I wantedto help people benefit from exercise,while also creating a party atmos-phere. That’s when the idea forOomph! came along.”
The business quickly took off, lead-ing to a network of trainers beingemployed to run classes. Many wereyoung people who had struggled tofind work during the recession.
As demand continued, Oomph!instructors trained care home staffthemselves to run classes.
Sunnyview House, in Beeston,Leeds, is one of the care homes regu-larly holding classes.
Activities co-ordinator at the 84-bedfacility, Debbie Fawthrop, said: “Westarted off holding one class a week,but they have been so successful and
popular that we now have two toensure everyone who wants to takepart can do so.
“The classes are really well struc-tured, the Oomph! instructor has agreat personality, and he really knowshow to get our residents’ attention.”
Ben’s goal is to see Oomph! sessionsin every residential home in Britain.
“We want Oomph! to be part of adrive to revolutionise standards in
care homes, and so tackle a real socialproblem,” he added. “Our goal is tomake millions of older adults acrossthe UK – and eventually across theglobe – healthier and happier.”
In 2012, Ben was named YoungEntrepreneur of the Year by ShellLivewire, the UK’s biggest communityof young entrepreneurs.
He was the first social entrepreneurto win the award.
Lee Marshall from Oomph! and Debbie Fawthrop, activities co-ordinator at SunnyviewHouse, with residents Edna Batley (left) and Edna Varley.
37 14/7/14 10:26 Page 1
42 CHIS 14/7/14 13:11 Page 1
39
New type of retirement living unveiledBy Dominic Musgrave
EAST Lancashire will be home to anew lifestyle model for older peopleat Northlight, site of the historicBrierfield Mill.
Known as Evermore, the village isbeing developed by PendleEnterprise & Regeneration Limited(PEARL), the joint venture develop-ment company between BarnfieldInvestment Properties and PendleBorough Council, on behalf ofEvermore Wellbeing Limited.
Evermore is a new housing andlifestyle approach that combinesattractive property with support ser-vices to help older people retainindependence and control. Foundedby Sara McKee, it will change thehousing choices available for peoplein later life and tackle social isolationamong older people living alone.
The village in Brierfield is the firstof its kind to be built in England andwill feature a five storey building with60 one-bed, self-contained apart-ments for sale.
Each apartment will have a double-bedroom and en-suite, living room,kitchenette, and balcony. They willbe clustered into households of 12,with each sharing communal livingarea and hearth including an openplan kitchen and large dining table.
Tim Webber, managing director ofthe Barnfield Group, said: “We’reexcited about having the groundbreaking Evermore proposition inLancashire first, and in such an icon-ic local building.
“The Evermore concept combinedwith the fantastic regeneration of alandmark building will set the stan-dard for what we demand of housingin later life.”
It is expected that construction ofEvermore at Northlight will begin inthe autumn, with sales commencingnext spring. This is the first village ofat least 20 Evermore communitiesthat will be built by 2020.
Sara McKee, CEO of Evermore,added: “Evermore’s philosophy isabout providing older people withfantastic lifestyle opportunities in theheart of the community they knowand love.
“With amenities including a hotel,business enterprise centre, recreationfacilities, restaurants, and a marina, Ican’t think of a better location for ourfirst village than Northlight.”
The approach is inspired by theGreen House Project in the US,which provides homes for older peo-ple that look and feel like a real homewhile also delivering high qualitycare.
Research has shown its model hasresulted in improved quality of lifeamong residents, better quality ofcare, and higher staff satisfactioncompared to traditional retirementhomes.
An aerial sketch of Evermore.Credit: David Morley Architects.
39 14/7/14 14:41 Page 1
40 COMMERCESPONSORED BY
PrimeCare alliance slashesclients’ running costs ...PrimeCare is working withProVantage Procurement to help itscustomers reduce their runningcosts and redirect savings to frontline services.
ProVantage Procurement is a teamof MCIPS qualified procurementspecialists with over 50 years’ pur-chasing experience in the care andcharities markets.
It offers a free spend review toidentify savings that can deliverPrimeCare’s domiciliary careproviders quick expense reduction.Typically ProVantage Procurementcan realise an average of 15 to 20 percent savings on contracts that havebeen in place for several years.
This could include office and frontline service based items such as:� Beds, furniture, soft furnishings,carpets and flooring.� Fleet and transport.� Utilities – electricity, oil/LPG, gas.� Catering: food, services andequipment.� Build projects, refurbishments,buildings maintenance, groundsmaintenance.� Telephony.� Specialist equipment, PPE.� Print, marketing, brand design,fulfilment.� Rates reviews.� Desktop PCs, laptops, printers andcopiers.
� IT Infrastructure, maintenanceand support.� Audit and legal services, financialplanning advice.
ProVantage Procurement is not asimple ‘savings share’ company. Ithelps companies identify the fullcost of what they need so there areno surprises in the supplier’s smallprint afterwards. It will continue tosupport customers throughout thecontract – without charge.
How much does the service cost?There are no upfront fees.ProVantage Procurement’s primaryobjective is to secure the very bestvalue for money for PrimeCare cus-tomers – not just the lowest price. Itonly looks to cover its costs by takinga small percentage of any savingsmade so that the bulk stays with you.
MD David Waters met ProVantage’sPeter Roberts and Lisa Collier.
He said: “Peter and Lisa’s combinedskill and enthusiasm for what theydo shine through and they can savemany of our customers money onanything they need to purchase. I’drecommend giving them a callbefore making any purchases. Itwon’t cost you anything other than afew minutes of your time and maywell save you thousands of pounds.They know what they are doing anddo it well.”
CARE UK has begun construction of anew £7.5m care home being devel-oped at the heart of Cringleford inNorfolk. Upon completion the new80-bed home is set to create 100 jobs.
Representatives from building part-ner Metnor Construction joinedforces with the care provider to markthe start of work on the site nearNorwich.
The home is set to open next sum-mer and will offer residential, nursingand specialist dementia care, as wellas palliative, respite and end of lifecare. Facilities will include a cinema,hair salon and a café.
Designed to support residents to
live active and fulfilled lives, thestate-of-the-art care environment willprovide a welcoming ‘home fromhome’. Each individual bedroom willhave an en-suite wet room, flat-screen television, adjustable profilebed and a 24-hour nurse call system.
Qas Israr, construction project man-ager for Care UK, said: “When com-plete this new home will improve theprovision of high quality care forolder people living in the area. Wetake a great pride in the design, lay-out and quality of our care homes;factors which can greatly impact theeveryday experiences of people livingin a care environment.”
Home to create 100 jobsQas Israr, Care UK project manager, and John Middleton, Metnor Construction sitemanager, at the site of the new home.
40 16/7/14 08:50 Page 1
BURFORD Care Homes has acted on behalf ofBondcare in the sale of two purpose-built carehomes situated in Birmingham and Nottingham toTarget Healthcare REIT.
Bromford Lane Care Home and BeechdaleManor Care Home were acquired under a sale-and-leaseback arrangement.
Existing operator Bondcare will lease the homesfor a period of approximately 21 years at BromfordLane and 35 years at Beechdale Manor.
The purpose-built homes provide residential,nursing and dementia care, as well as specialisthigh dependency care for up to 181 residentsacross the two homes. Target Healthcare REIT wereadvised throughout by Gary Walton of WaltonHealthcare Property Consultants.
Paul Burford (pictured) said: “Having soldBondcare their first care home in 1997, I have builtup a very good relationship with Leib Levison.
“We were delighted to be instructed to dispose
of these two substantial homes and as usual, wereable to use our uniquely confidential and bespokeservices to ensure our clients were satisfiedthroughout.”Enquiries: Contact Paul on 07808 764748 or
email [email protected]
41COMMERCESPONSORED BY
Burford Care Homes act for Bondcarein sale to Target Healthcare REIT
SPECIALIST healthcare brokersGlobal Business Finance hasarranged development funding toextend a Devon care home at the rateof bank base plus 1.5 per cent.
After searching an extensive rangeof banks for the best deal the team atGlobal used their senior banking con-tacts to tap into an exclusive andunpublished funding scheme thatgeneral branch level banks cannotaccess. With over £1.5bn in complet-ed loans, Global Business Finance is
recognised by the banking communi-ty as leading UK brokers in thehealthcare field. The firm often dealsdirectly at the highest banking levelto secure loans for their clients.
You too can benefit from over 25years of care home sector knowledgeand the exceptional contacts thatthese leading brokers have, alongwith their very dedicated and clientfriendly team, who work hard to tai-lor packages to clients’ individualneeds.
Global arranges 1.5 per cent loan
Rates have fallen – areyou paying too much?IF you’re seeking to restructure orincrease your existing mortgage,Chandler & Co.’s status as an inde-pendent healthcare specialist meanswe have strong links with a compre-hensive range of lenders.
The combined experience of thepartners including financial, manage-ment and care home ownershipoffers first-hand knowledge andexpertise in the healthcare sector.
As existing operators, you can con-sider the whole range of optionsavailable to you, including:� Restructuring of existing loans.� Equity release and debt consolida-tion.� Purchase of additional businesses.� Refurbishments and extensions of
existing business.� Land purchase and new buildschemes.� Sale and leaseback finance.
By combining finance for improve-ments with a restructure of yourexisting borrowings, it may be possi-ble to enhance your business withoutincreasing your monthly loan repay-ments.
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Restricted budgets – restricted feesAS we enter the second quarter of thefinancial year, the majority of localauthorities within England have nowcompleted the Annual Fee Review.
Analysis of elderly residential carefees carried out by specialist health-care property advisors HPC indicatesan average uplift in the region of 1.7per cent. While a number of councilshave yet to complete the consultationprocess, this level of uplift at leastseeks to give parity with rising costs.
Having fallen significantly behindthe Consumer Prices Index overrecent years, this average review levelis broadly in line with the April 2014CPI of 1.8 per cent. Unfortunately,what the uplift fails to reflect is the
forthcoming 3 per cent uplift inNational Minimum Wage (October2014) coupled with a rising pensionliability for many operators.
The research, carried out by HPC, isdetailed in full on the consultant’swebsite www.healthcarepc.co.ukReflecting on the latest results, HPCdirector Nigel Newton Taylor said:“The failure of local authority fee lev-els to keep pace with rising costs willtest the viability of an increasingnumber of facilities. Coupled with astrengthening property market, manycare homes proprietors will undoubt-edly seek to exit through alternativeuse sale – akin to the situation we sawat the start of the millennium.”
41 14/7/14 14:46 Page 1
42 COMMERCESPONSORED BY
How flexible are you?By Gillian Mair
EMPLOYEES with 26 weeks' servicenow have the right to request to workflexibly for any reason.
Requests from employees to changetheir working hours or place of workto a different location may be madefor a whole host of reasons.
It may be that someone wishes tocarry out voluntary work, be able tocollect their children or grandchil-dren from school or simply achieve abetter work life balance.
It is worth emphasising that, asbefore, employers are only obliged toconsider a request, not to grant it.
Also, as before, any refusal must bebased on one or more of eight validbusiness reasons.
These include an inability to reor-ganise work among existing staff,which can be a particularly trickyissue in the care sector, particularly ifa request has been made by a supportworker who is responsible for one toone care of a service user.
However, one significant change inthe rules is that employers no longerneed to follow the detailed statutoryprocedures, that have been in placesince April 2003, when consideringflexible working requests.
These required employers to followa strict timetable when dealing with
requests and were thought by manyto be cumbersome. Instead, employ-ers will be allowed to use their ownHR processes, provided they are 'rea-sonable' and the request is dealt withwithin three months (unless bothparties agree to an extension).
Acas has produced a Code ofPractice – the Code of Practice forhandling in a reasonable mannerrequests to work flexibly – and addi-tional guidance to assist employers.
The recommendations set out in theCode of Practice must be taken intoaccount by tribunals when consider-ing complaints brought under thenew rules by employees, so employ-ers would be advised to follow thecode.
In every case, it will be importantfor employers to consider the busi-ness case for each application, even if
a number of requests are received atthe same time.
Factors such as an employee's role,what kind of flexible workingarrangement has been requested, andthe impact that granting the requestwould have on the individual’s teamand the organisation as a wholeshould be considered.
If a number of individuals haverequested flexible working at thesame time, it is important to considerhow the business context will changeonce one request has been granted.
If it is not possible to accommodateall of the requests it may be worthchecking, for example, if anyonealready on a flexible working pattern
would be happy to swap their non-working day.
It may also be worthwhile having adiscussion with all the employeeswho have made the request to see ifthere may be room for compromiseand to understand why each individ-ual wants to work flexibly.
If all of the requests would have thesame impact on the organisation,there is a strong case for prioritisingrequests that may lead to a discrimi-nation and/or constructive unfair dis-missal claim if refused.
Examples that might fall under thiscategory include an employeerequesting flexible working to lookafter a young child, or a disabledemployee who asks to work flexibly tohave additional breaks or to workpart-time to overcome fatigue arisingfrom a disability.
Although June 30 2014 marked a sig-nificant change in the flexible work-ing landscape, employers in the caresector should still be able to deal withflexible working requests in the con-text of their own organisationalneeds.
The biggest benefit for employerswill be the ability to follow a moresimplified process when dealing withrequests. � Gillian Mair is a senior solicitor inthe employment team of Brodies LLP.
Gillian Mair
‘The biggest benefitfor employers will bethe ability to follow amore simplifiedprocess when dealingwith requests.’
42 15/7/14 09:53 Page 1
43COMMERCESPONSORED BY
SPECIALIST property adviser Christie+ Co has sold Fronheulog Care Homein Llandrindod Wells on behalf ofRoger and Lucy Millar.
The freehold interest was sold for anundisclosed sum to Crossroads Care,a charity based in mid-Wales whichprovides support, services and recog-nition for carers throughout mid-and-West Wales.
Fronheulog offers residentialaccommodation for 25 elderly clientsin the heart of Llandrindod Wells and
is the first registered setting for one ofthe Crossroads charity.
Rob Kinsman, regional director ofChristie + Co, handled the sale.
He said: “We are delighted to securea successful disposal on behalf of Mrand Mrs Millar and wish CrossroadsCare all the best at Fronheulog. Thebusiness has been lovingly operatedby the Millars for a long time and wehave no doubt that Crossroads willcontinue to provide the highest levelof care for the residents.”
Charity purchases homeFronheulog in Llandrindod Wells.
43 17/7/14 12:40 Page 1
CARINGPRODUCT NEWS44
Claim VAT back on your home evenif you are not VAT registered
IT is true, care providers can reclaimVAT worth about £3,000 per bed forany residents who stayed in yourhome between 1993 and 2002 paidfor by the local authority.
You don’t have to be VATregistered to make a claim. We canusually find the information requiredwith minimal disruption to yourbusiness.
How is this possible? Well in 2002a care provider called Kingscrestchallenged the view held by HMRCand won. There is no cost to youunless we are successful.
Typical claims: 50 beds –£240,000; 40 beds – £170,000; 287beds – £1.25m.
And the best part is that you getthe money in your bank accountbefore you pay us. Don’t forget thetax repayment is free of tax – it is extra profit.
Enquiries: Call 01233 640985 and ask for Howard to find out more.
SINCE 1982, Colne (Lancs) based, RichardsResidential Supplies have concentrated uponsupplying simple solutions to common nursinghome problems.
The new WACMAT® adheres strongly to thistradition.
With its ultra absorbent cotton pile and 100 percent waterproof backing, the remarkableWACMAT® is an ideal accessory where spills mayoccur.
Used as a commode mat, in bedrooms orbathrooms, the WACMAT® ensures full carpetprotection. Then, after use, simply machine washand tumble dry! It’s that simple...
The WACMAT® will then be clean and odour-free, ready to perform time and time again.Alternatively the flat-laying WACMAT® can be usedas an entrance mat, saving you hundreds of poundsin rental costs alone.
Enquiries: Telephone 0800 074 3749.
Simple solutions
New range for cognitiveimpairment launchedSHACKLETONS has launched a newbedroom furniture range for the carehome sector designed specifically totackle cognitive and visualimpairment.
Called the Limoges FurnitureCollection, the range is focussed onelegance and sophistication,combining contemporary styling withstunning visual and textural finishes.
A key characteristic is the enhancedcurved edge profile which gives apleasing visual appeal and providesthe added benefit of safety, keepingsharp edges away from thoseresidents who could have mobilityproblems.
The finishes available include two
contrast options in driftwood andmussel, whereby the drawer and doorfinish is distinctively different to thatof the carcase.
Double robe, vanity unit, dressingtable and bedside cabinets withmatching headboards are all availableto complete a safe home from homeenvironment.
The Limoges range ensures it is fitfor purpose in a demanding careenvironment. Curved edges increasesafety, easy wipe surfaces ensureinfection control is effective, andcontrasting panels with simplefinishes promote ease of use avoidingconfusion for someone withdementia.
Hydration, hydration, hydrationIT’S a well know fact that the elderlyrarely drink enough. However, alesser known fact is that there is anew drink product which has recentlybeen introduced into the UKhealthcare market which, could wellhave your residents asking for more.
With thousands of healthcareestablishments now using it in over50 countries worldwide, Bolero israpidly becoming a household name.
What’s so different about Bolero?Bolero is a very inexpensive ‘sugarfree’ powdered vitamin drink, which,when diluted, looks, smells, andtastes every bit as good as real fruitjuices.
Bolero can also boast an unrivalledrange of over 30 delicious flavouroptions.
The vast variety of Bolero’s coloursalone can also dramatically increaseinterest in drinking, particularly fromthose with dementia.
Bolero has been adopted by severalof the UK’s largest healthcare groups,and was also the drink of choice in a
recent NHS initiative to promotebetter hydration and nutrition inhealthcare.
In conjunction with Caring UK (andsubject to status) we are offeringcare/nursing homes a free trial ofBolero. Simply apply via [email protected]
Nationwide turn back the clock25 years to 1989 prices
They have to clear:-2000 - Queen Anne Chairs at only £1152000 - Dining chairs from only £59They deliver amazing furniture products of top
quality, durability, and style with outstandingvalue!
They supply lounge, dining and bedroomfurniture with co-ordinating curtains and softfurnishings in the latest fabric designs andcolourways.
They cater for residential, nursing, dementia andspecial needs homes and deliver across the countrywith a two-week lead time.
If you are doing a new build, an extension or arefurbishment you can ask for their show van tocome to your premises or visit their showroom inLeeds.
Nationwide are happy to supply a full turn-keyoperation or deliver one item to your home andeverything comes with a four-year guarantee.
Enquiries: To see the new range of artwork,mirrors and lighting that have just been
added to their vast range of products visitwww.nursinghomesupplies.co.uk
The horror of fixed rate loansTHE banks’ regulator is still draggingits feet over a mis-selling scandalhundreds of care homes suffer from.
Fixed Rate Loans were marketedeagerly by high street banks to carehomes wanting to expand as demandgrew over the last ten years.
Allegedly they would ‘protect’borrowers from rising interest rates.
Only when rates fell did ownersdiscover the true costs hidden in theirloan contracts which often had 10 or20-year terms.
Sometimes these hidden charges
came to half the value of the loan.Businesses either had to pay a huge
exit penalty or go on paying excessiveinterest each month.
If you had a fixed rate loan (oftencalled Treasury Loans or TailoredBusiness Loans) contact Claims(London) Ltd – currently helpingmany commercial borrowers withcomplaints against their banks.
We show up unfair conditions,reduce monthly payments, wincompensation and get exit penaltieswaived – saving owners a fortune.
Matron Virginia Hughes and registered nurse Rose Sobers from Cranhill Nursing Homein Bath are pictured with Required Systems founder Peter Hawkins after the pair won acompetition to win an audit tool as part of a competition held during Caring UK’s ElderlyCare: Positive Choices conference sponsored by NatWest at Weston-super-Mare.
44 15/7/14 12:33 Page 1
45CARINGNEWS
Sleeping shift workers nowentitled to minimum wage By Julia Gray
MINIMUM staffing levels requiringcare workers to be on site will meanthey are entitled to the NationalMinimum Wage during sleepingshifts.
If you pay staff a lump sum (some-times called a flat rate, or anallowance) for a sleeping night shift,you may be breaching the NationalMinimum Wage legislation.
A recent Employment AppealTribunal case (Slavikovska) foundthat where there are minimumstaffing levels requiring care workersto be on site, they were entitled to bepaid the NMW. The rules on whethersleeping night shifts constitute “work-ing time” (entitling staff to the NMW)are unclear and the case law is con-tradictory. Generally, the more likelythe employee is to have to carry outany tasks during a sleeping shift, themore likely the Courts are to find theyare entitled to the NMW rather thanjust a lower allowance.
This doesn’t mean they can’t be paida lump sum for a sleeping shift, butthat when their pay (including lumpsums) is averaged over the prescribed(12-week) period, it must not fallbelow the NMW.
Success in court for claimants The most recent case involved a care
home in Surrey for people with learn-ing difficulties. It provides some clari-ty, and gives a helpful summary. Theruling went against the employer.
The care home was required by lawto ensure the home was staffed at alltimes by sufficient suitably qualified,competent and experienced persons.
The claimant was a senior careassistant and was required to worksome sleeping shifts (9pm to 7am),during which she would be availableto deal with emergencies. She waspaid a lump sum of £25 for workingthese shifts.
The question of whether or not theclaimant was required to do any workwhile she was on a night shift was
disputed, but became an importantfinding made by the EAT: where anemployer requires an employee to beon the premises “just in case”, theassumption would usually be thattheir time spent on shift is “workingtime”, regardless of whether they aresleeping and regardless of the likeli-hood of them having to carry out anytasks.
The EAT referred to (and is consis-tent with) the 2013 case ofWhittlestone v BJP Home Support.This was another case concernedwith the entitlement of a care workerto receive NMW rate for sleep-overshifts.
The BJP case went a step further asit also dealt with payment for traveltime in between assignments – anissue which was highlighted by themedia last year.
What you should do If staff are paid a lump sum forovernight shifts, consider whethertheir shift is likely to constitute“working time” (either because theyhave tasks to complete during theshift, or because you are legally oblig-ed to have someone on the premises).If they do, check whether you arepaying the NMW.� Julia Gray is an associate for healthand social care law firm Hempsons,with a specialism in employment law.
Julia Gray
RESIDENTS and staff were joinedby friends, relatives and TheRight Honourable Lord Mayor ofBristol, Councillor FarukChoudhury to celebrate 10 yearsof Stokeleigh Care Home in StokeBishop being owned by HartfordCare.
The afternoon included a cere-mony during which Faruk burieda time capsule to commemoratethe 10th anniversary. He alsotoured the home and chatted toresidents, staff and visitors.
Its contents included relevantnews publications and a selec-tion of artwork and items createdby residents of the home andpupils at the nearby Stoke BishopChurch of England PrimarySchool.
Hartford Care’s CEO Sean Gavinsaid: “We are very proud of thecare we have provided through-out our 10 years at Stokeleigh.
“I would like to say a heartfeltthank you to everyone whojoined us to celebrate our 10thanniversary and to everyone whoworked hard to make the eventso successful. Here’s to the next10 years.”
The ceremony was followed bylive musical entertainment.
Mayor joinsresidents forcelebrations
45 15/7/14 09:45 Page 1
46
Transport
Accountancy
Transport
ID Cards
Finding the right people foryour business is no easy taskBy Andrew Dean
ATTRACT the right people to work inyour business and you can increaseprofits and grow your business.However, it’s not always easy and oneof the most overlooked aspects ofrecruiting high performers isretention and the acknowledgementthat recruitment is only one piece ofthe jigsaw.
Adopting a clear five stage processto your recruitment strategy isrecommended.
Focus should be on attracting andrecruiting individuals whilstnurturing and guiding them throughtheir careers with you.1. FindThe job market is fierce and finding agenuine high performer for yourbusiness requires sustained effort,tenacity and patience. It’s crucial you
find the right recruitment partner foryour organisation to significantlyexpand the size of your prospectivecandidate pool.
2. AttractDevelop a reputation for being a goodemployer. A workplace where peoplechoose to work, feel a sense ofpersonal achievement, satisfaction,individual purpose and security willattract high calibre employees to it.Be clear about your vision, thechallenges the new employee needsto meet and how they can besuccessful in your organisation.
3. RecruitOnce you have attracted the highperformers you have to fully assesstheir suitability for your organisation,however, this process should be twoway. Remember, you are being
assessed as a suitable employer asmuch as you are assessing thecandidate’s ability to do the job well.
4. On boardThe first 3-6 months of a candidates’employment are crucial to ensuringyour employee is happy, engaged andproductive in your business. Havinga structured on boarding programmecan lead to your new employeeassimilating quickly and doing thejob at the expected level in a timelyfashion.
5.RetainAsk yourself the question “why woulda talented person want to work here?”Ensure you have a formula in place tomake your organisation moreattractive to talented people.Providing your employees withexciting work, growth, development,
wealth and reward are some points toconsider.� Andrew Dean, care director atProspect Health, is a leading expert inrecruitment services for the sector.
Andrew Dean
STAFF at Norwood Green Care Homein Middlesex held a car wash in thegrounds to help raise money for theresidents’ summer fayre.
There was a huge show of supportfrom the public, as cars lined upthroughout the day for their exclusivecar hand wash.
A surprise appearance from localwar hero Sergeant Johnson BeharryVC made the day extra special.
On seeing how busy everyone was,Johnson, who was awarded theVictoria Cross, rolled up his sleevesand helped staff wash some of thecars.
Car wash raises funds for summer fayre
The Stocks Hall Nursing and Care group welcomed four students from Edge HillUniversity into their Ormskirk home. The four students, Pip, Laura, Melissa and Kim arestudying a Performance and Health BA course at Edge Hill. People living within StocksHall enjoyed entertainment and being actively involved in reliving a night out at thecinema. There was music, dancing, popcorn and dressing up for the occasion to enjoy.
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