March 2012 no.190 • £4.75 In association with By Dominic Musgrave THE first TripAdvisor style online ratings websites for UK care homes have been launched. An independent searchable database at www.good- careguide.co.uk gives people the opportunity to rate care homes and homecare agencies in England. Individuals are able to rate providers for their quality of care, facilities and value for money, as well as make positive or negative comments. The people behind the website say it will provide “real, honest feedback on what is available” in the care sector, but NCA chief executive Sheila Scott has her concerns. She added: “We have a number of questions: How will they ensure that it is only residents and their families that will comment? And how will the comments be moderated to ensure that they are nor libellous? “If a care home is ruined by a malicious comment, which is conceivably possible, then it's not just our member and their staff but the vulnerable people who are put at real risk, and that is our concern. “NCA has not been consulted about any of these websites and we are very concerned about the impact that they could have on social care as similar websites have sometimes had on hotels and restaurants.” A similar site has been launched by senior NHS manager Emma Challans, who works at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, which will feature ratings by residents, their friends and relatives. Emma, who has devised the Care Home Advisor site with a colleague in her own time, said it is in response to the needs of patients, families and carers. She added: “I and my co-developer have both experienced the challenges, difficulties and importance of selecting the right care home, in the right place, at the right time. We hope Care Home Advisor will help and support those needing care and those supporting them. “Quality and safety are paramount when selecting a care home. Every day, care homes across the country are failing to achieve core quality standards in the delivery of safe, effective care.” The website will cover care homes, nursing homes, retirement homes and domiciliary care providers. It will also have an advice centre and a forum for people searching for information on care homes. ■ What do you think? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing [email protected] or call 01226 734407. Industry wary of TripAdvisor style websites Actress Dame Judi Dench has criticised care homes and suggested families should take in elderly relatives instead. The sight of pensioners being left with little to keep their minds busy was, she said, particularly distressing – and a prospect that made her desperate to carry on working. Her comments have led to her being invited to visit a care home by a North East operator. Full story: Page 3. Home becomes film set for video A DORSET nursing home doubled as a film set for the production of an internet video on how to help stroke patients outside hospital. Professional actors joined medics at Colten Care’s Avon Reach home in Mudeford to role play scenarios in which members of the public help people experiencing strokes. The filming will support an NHS e- learning course designed to improve the assessment skills of nurses, paramedics and other health workers. The project is funded by the National Stroke Improvement Association and South Western Ambulance Trust. Elizabeth Benson, Colten Care operations manager, said: “The aim of the film is to enable a much more accurate diagnosis of strokes, especially the more subtle signs, so stroke patients can be taken to specialist centres more quickly.” incorporating The Number One magazine for the care sector
Caring UK March 2012
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March 2012
no.190 • £4.75
In association with
By Dominic Musgrave
THE first TripAdvisor style onlineratings websites for UK care homeshave been launched.
An independent searchabledatabase at www.good-careguide.co.uk gives people theopportunity to rate care homes andhomecare agencies in England.
Individuals are able to rateproviders for their quality of care,facilities and value for money, aswell as make positive or negativecomments.
The people behind the website sayit will provide “real, honest feedbackon what is available” in the caresector, but NCA chief executiveSheila Scott has her concerns.
She added: “We have a number ofquestions: How will they ensure thatit is only residents and their familiesthat will comment? And how willthe comments be moderated toensure that they are nor libellous?
“If a care home is ruined by amalicious comment, which isconceivably possible, then it's notjust our member and their staff butthe vulnerable people who are putat real risk, and that is our concern.
“NCA has not been consultedabout any of these websites and weare very concerned about theimpact that they could have onsocial care as similar websites have
sometimes had on hotels andrestaurants.”
A similar site has been launchedby senior NHS manager EmmaChallans, who works at DoncasterRoyal Infirmary, which will featureratings by residents, their friendsand relatives.
Emma, who has devised the CareHome Advisor site with a colleaguein her own time, said it is inresponse to the needs of patients,families and carers.
She added: “I and my co-developerhave both experienced thechallenges, difficulties andimportance of selecting the rightcare home, in the right place, at theright time. We hope Care HomeAdvisor will help and support thoseneeding care and those supportingthem.
“Quality and safety are paramountwhen selecting a care home. Everyday, care homes across the countryare failing to achieve core qualitystandards in the delivery of safe,effective care.”
The website will cover care homes,nursing homes, retirement homesand domiciliary care providers. Itwill also have an advice centre and aforum for people searching forinformation on care homes.
� What do you think? Let DominicMusgrave know by [email protected] or call 01226 734407.
Industry waryof TripAdvisorstyle websites
Actress Dame Judi Dench has criticised care homesand suggested families should take in elderly relativesinstead. The sight of pensioners being left with little tokeep their minds busy was, she said, particularlydistressing – and a prospect that made her desperateto carry on working. Her comments have led to herbeing invited to visit a care home by a North Eastoperator.
Full story: Page 3.
Homebecomesfilm setfor video A DORSET nursing homedoubled as a film set forthe production of aninternet video on how tohelp stroke patientsoutside hospital.
Professional actorsjoined medics at ColtenCare’s Avon Reach homein Mudeford to role playscenarios in whichmembers of the publichelp people experiencingstrokes. The filming willsupport an NHS e-learning course designedto improve theassessment skills ofnurses, paramedics andother health workers.
The project is fundedby the National StrokeImprovementAssociation and SouthWestern AmbulanceTrust.
Elizabeth Benson,Colten Care operationsmanager, said: “The aimof the film is to enable amuch more accuratediagnosis of strokes,especially the moresubtle signs, so strokepatients can be taken tospecialist centres morequickly.”
incorporating
The Number One magazine for the care sector
01 24/2/12 10:30 Page 1
02 Courtney Thorne 24/2/12 11:27 Page 1
3CARINGNEWS
AdvertisingSales and Marketing Director:Tony BarryTel: 01226 734605Email: [email protected] Sales Manager:Heather WelshTel: 01226 734480 Email: [email protected] Sales Executive:Mandy EdwardsTel: 01226 734692 Email: [email protected]: 01226 734477
PublishersScript Media.47 Church Street, Barnsley, SouthYorkshire S70 2AS.Email: [email protected]
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By Dominic Musgrave
THE head of a North East care grouphas invited actress Dame Judi Denchto visit one of his homes followingher outburst in the national media.
Best known for her role as M in theJames Bond films, she lambasted‘inhumane’ care homes, suggestingfamilies should take in elderly rela-tives instead in an interview for Sagamagazine.
The sight of pensioners being leftwith little to keep their minds busywas, she said, particularly distressing– and a prospect that made her des-perate to carry on working.
For 12 years she and her actor hus-band Michael Williams shared theirhome near Stratford-on-Avon withhis parents and her widowed mother,Olave.
Reacting to her comments, KarlBeckett, managing director ofWellburn Care Homes, said: “DameJudi is more than welcome to visitany of our homes so she can see howthe quality of life of our residents is ofparamount importance.
“We have a varied activity pro-gramme designed to stimulate bothmind and body and residents havefull freedom in our homes. We pro-
mote a real home from home experi-ence and our residents are at theheart of everything we do.
“It is easy for Dame Judi to say fami-lies should look after elderly relativesbut unfortunately in today’s society itis not as simple as that.
“We all lead busy lives juggling workand family commitments and whenwe are talking about people who maysuffer from mental or physical dis-abilities, residential care can offer alifeline. We are about looking afterthe whole family and not just the res-idents in our homes.”
The comments followed an Age UKreport ‘Care in Crisis’ that accusedcouncils of ‘age discrimination’ forunderfunding vital services for olderpeople by at least £500m a year.
The charity said pensioners werebeing unfairly disadvantaged becausecouncils were making swingeing cutsto care and hitting pensioners withhigher charges.
The report concludes councilsshould be spending £7.8bn a year –around £500m a year more than cur-rent figures – on older people’s socialcare merely to maintain the ‘inade-quate’ levels of provision in placewhen the Coalition took power.
Karl invites Bondactress Judi tovisit his homes
Bupa care homes have teamed up with the Tetley TeaFolk and are calling on communities to create a spe-cial ‘Communi-tea Cosy’ for Gaffer.The aim is to raise awareness of the group’sCommuni-tea Week (March 12-18), a nationwide cam-paign which uses the theme of tea to tackle the prob-lems of isolation and loneliness in older people. Thetea cosies, which can be either knitted or designed onpaper, need to be submitted to Bupa by the end ofCommuni-tea Week for the chance to be crowned“Gaffer’s Communi-tea Cosy”. Tracey Fletcher, Bupa’scustomer services director, said: “Five designs will beselected at the end of Communi-tea Week to gothrough as finalists to a public vote on Tetley’sFacebook page.
03 24/2/12 12:00 Page 1
CARINGNEWS4
A HOMECARE provider that hastaken on more than 100 apprenticesin the North East, many of whomhave progressed to more senior rolesin the organisation, has won the firstapprenticeship ambassador accoladeat the Northumberland BusinessAwards.
Sponsored by Zodiac Training, theaward recognised how the Carewatchbranches in Alnwick,Northumberland and Durham haveintegrated apprentices into theirbusiness.
It specifically recognised the roleapprentices have been able to play ingrowing the business and enablingthe two branches to deliver over24,000 hours of care and supporteach month.
The award was received by DavidWilkinson, Carewatch’s training andhuman resources manager for thetwo branches and their 230 staff.
He added: “I’m very excited that acare provider has won this award, asit highlights how care has become anincreasingly attractive career optionfor people of all ages andbackgrounds.
“We have put training and ourapprentices at the heart of ourbusiness, and proved how doing so
can enable a business to develop andgrow.”
Carewatch offers a range of servicesdesigned to help people maintain,and retain, independence, dignityand security, in their own homes. Theapprenticeship programme helpedbranch growth and they are now thelargest provider of care and supportin the region.
Founder and manager of the twobranches, Yvonne Shillock, is anenthusiastic supporter of theGovernment backed apprenticeshipscheme, which identifies andintroduces good candidates to thefirm. She said: “It is good to seeyounger people and more mencoming into our industry. At a timewhen we are growing so quickly tomeet the care needs of local people,we are delighted with the quality ofapplicants that we see.”
“We are also extending our careservices to support the independenceof people of all ages with learningdisabilities; so now we can offer evenmore career options to our people.”
The branches are part ofCarewatch’s nationwide networkwhich helps people retain theirindependence in their own home.
Continued on page 5
As the UK recently celebrated National Apprenticeship Week, Caring UK reports on how anincreasing number of providers are reaping the benefits after offering them in their company.
Business accoladefor homecare firm
The Elms resident Betty Ellis with West Cheshire College apprentice Zoe Davis.
A NORTH West care provider isdeveloping the skills of youngpeople in the sector through thelaunch of three pilotapprenticeships in health andsocial care.
As part of its work with WestCheshire College, student JacobWilderspin, is currently working ona 12-month placement at CLS carehome Wealstone in Upton, whileKatey Eaton and Zoe Davies are inthe middle of their 12-monthplacements at The Elms in Crewe.
The students have receivedmandatory training and they are
currently working as extramembers of staff.
Each apprentice works closelywith an individual mentor, whohas been assigned to support theirdevelopment.
CLS managing director RobertBlack said: “It is important toencourage the younger generationto take up jobs in the care sector.
“Offering vocational training,such as the apprenticeships, willensure that the workforce of thefuture has the practical skills andqualifications needed to workcompetently in the care industry.”
Group launches pilot scheme
04 24/2/12 10:31 Page 1
5CARINGNEWS
AN employee at Hallmark CareHomes’ head office marked NationalApprentice Week by accepting a newposition within the company.
Jack Plane has accepted a role in thedevelopments team after originallyjoining on an apprenticeship schemelast October.
He was charged with front-of-houseduties as well as providing ADHOCsupport to all head office depart-ments.
Jack was finding it difficult to findwork after finishing college and sodecided to enrol at a local companywho specialise in finding apprenticework for 16-19 year olds.
In turn, Hallmark signed up to thescheme as part of their commitmentto ‘giving back’ in the community and
their strategy of encouraging youngpeople to work in the care sector, aswell as nurturing talent for the future.
Cathrine Robinson, a member ofthe HR department at the Billericay-based company, said: “It’s importantthat we encourage young people towork in the care sector, whether it’s incatering, care work or business sup-port.
“The apprentice scheme has workedreally well for the company and, ofcourse, for Jack himself. I’d encourageall employers to consider this routewhen recruiting for new staff.”
Jack will report to the company’sland and development manager andprovide support on Hallmark’s state-of-the-art new build projects andrefurbishments.
Jack Plane
Jack celebrates new position
SANCTUARY Care homes across thecountry highlighted the value ofapprentices in the workplace duringNational Apprenticeship Week.
The group currently has nineapprentices in its homes andschemes up and down the countrywho are getting valuable hands onexperience during their 12-monthprogrammes.
They shadow members of thededicated teams to learn abouttheir areas of expertise and tutorsfrom local colleges and trainingproviders visit them to support theirdevelopment.
Steve Wood, Sanctuary’s groupdirector – care and support, said:“We take great pride in finding thebest people to work for us andemploying apprentices is an excel-lent way to achieve this.
“By supporting people in the com-munities in which we operate, wecan help individuals get a meaning-ful career.”
Beach Lawns Care Home inWeston-super-Mare has threeapprentices and plans to take ontwo more in the coming weeks.
Leanne Williams started work atthe home five weeks ago as part ofher apprenticeship in business andadministration.
She is working in the receptionand will also be getting experiencein a variety of other roles, including
spending time with carers and thehome’s activities leader.
The 19-year-old said: “I’m a caringperson so wanted to work in afriendly, caring environment. I havehad a great experience so far andam enjoying being part of a teamand learning a lot. Doing anapprenticeship gives you hands onexperience which enables you toenjoy it more.”
Rebecca Shipton, who is doing anapprenticeship in health and socialcare at the home, added: “The resi-dents are just so friendly and sograteful for everything you do forthem.”
Group highlightsapprentices’ value
Leanne Williams
05 24/2/12 10:31 Page 1
CARINGNEWS6
A SYNDICATE of 32 care homeworkers are celebrating bagging£130,853 after matching five numbersand the bonus ball in a recent Lottodraw.
The staff from St Edith’s Court inLeigh-on-Sea have each banked£4,089.15 and believe new syndicateleader Lawrence James has boughtthem the massive dose of good luck.
While it has been running for morethan 13 years, care home team leaderLawrence only took over the reins atthe end of January. The winningticket was the first he had boughtwhile in charge.
He said the group had had a fewsmall wins in the past. “It may sound
silly as I’ve never won anythingbefore but I’m ever hopeful and dobelieve I’m lucky,” added Lawrence.“Bizarrely, I was applying to take partin Million Pound Drop Live when Igot the text telling me the syndicatehad a big win. Maybe next time it willbe millions…I’d better apply foranother game show next week.”
“While it may not be a huge sum ofmoney to some people, this means alot to us and is a tremendousindication of a great year ahead,”
A planned wedding in April, a trip toSpain and a 32” flat screen TV areamong the items the syndicatemembers plan to spend theirwinnings on.
The syndicate at St Edith’s Court toast their success.
Home celebrates lottery win
By Dominic Musgrave
MEMORIES of days which madeBritain great came flooding back at a1940s nostalgia day for residents at aWarwickshire care home.
The event at Mockley Manor inUllenhall paid tribute to an era whichshaped the nation, and was a chancefor the residents to reminisce andswap stories of the real-life Dad'sArmy day, including several who didcrucial work during World War ll.
Staff set the scene by dressing intypical 1940s fashions and gotresidents in the mood for memoriesby showing the feelgood film BuckPrivate featuring comedy legendsBud Abbott and Lou Costello.
Photographs of residents in theiryounger days were also on display,and there was a chance for a sing-along with Bromsgrove-basedvocalist Dawn Beverley, whoperformed classic boogie-woogienumbers made famous by forces’favourites The Andrews Sisters trio.
Another taste of nostalgia camefrom traditional 1940s sweetsincluding Pontefract Cakes, CatherineWheels and Walkers Toffee.
Sarah Sidebotham, activities co-
ordinator at the home, said:“Although it was a difficult time, itwas also a time of great unity andcommunity spirit when everyonehelped each other and those are thememories we are hoping residentswill share.
“Many of our residents would havebeen in their 20s at the time whenthey were starting out in life, gettingmarried and having children, so tothem the 1940s are the good old days,despite the hardship and sacrifice.
“I love hearing their stories but it'sgreat for them to be able to discussthings with others who lived throughthe same time and can understandfrom the same experience.
"One of our ladies used to testaeroplane engines during the war,another helped with the bomb-making effort and one of ourgentlemen was on the frontlinefighting with the RAF so there will beplenty to talk about.”
The 1940s day is the latest in astring of activities for residents at thehome, run by Redditch-based AlphaCare Homes. Residents and staffrecently celebrated Chinese New Yearwith oriental-style snacks, crafts anddecorations.
Memories floodback at home’snostalgia event
06 24/2/12 10:32 Page 1
7CARINGNEWS
A LOUNGE at a Gateshead care homehas been transformed into a fully-working bar for residents to enjoy.
The new facility at St Marks Courthas been named Joe’s Bar after a for-mer resident who died last year. JoeChester’s son, Dennis, attended theopening alongside local comedienneSue Sweeney, who cut the ribbon.
A donation to recognise the out-standing care Joe received at thehome has been received from hisfamily, which will be used later in theyear to develop a beer garden, so resi-dents can enjoy their drinks outsideduring the summer months.
The bar has been made as authenticas possible, complete with tables,chairs, optics for spirits, drip trays,beer mats and a range of glasses.
Joe served in the Durham LightInfantry in his younger days andDennis brought a framed photo ofhim in full military gear to place onthe bar as a tribute.
Nikki Mould, manager at theBondcare-owned home, said: “Thebar is a fitting tribute to Joe, wholoved a tipple. Several pubs in thelocal area have helped us create theright atmosphere.”
New bar opens inresident’s memory
Sue Sweeney performs the ribbon cutting to open the new bar at St Marks Court withmanager Nikki Mould, care assistant Marie Bainand and Joe’s son Dennis.
07 24/2/12 10:32 Page 1
CARINGNEWS8
By Dominic Musgrave
RESIDENTS at a Banbury care homeare enjoying a series of themedevents brought to them by a Londontheatre company.
Ladder to the Moon encouragesboth staff and residents at ChacombePark to stage familiar productions tocreate positive emotional experiencesfor people living with dementia andthose supporting them in a caresetting.
So far, residents have recreated aCinderella production where a horse-drawn carriage appeared at the frontof the home to bring the fairytalestory to life. Acting out other scenesfrom classic films has also hadresidents enthralled.
And resident Monica Pope and hercarer Jessica Harman re-enacted theopening scene of South Pacific.
Jessica said: “The Ladder to theMoon training programme was greatfun as the build up to the shoot wasexciting, highly interactive andstimulating for the residents andstaff.
“Together we helped to build props,talked about the musical, had asinging session and watched the film.The day was amazing and it felt like abig family party.”
The next Ladder to the Moonexperience is going to focus on TheSound of Music, where goats will be
making a debut.Sally Matthews, health service
advisor at the home, said: “Thesetypes of activities enhance the dailylives of residents and the staffworking here by promotingmeaningful relationships withdignity.
“The theatre production days are anexcellent way to continue to build ontechniques we use to stimulate andinteract with our residents in anatural way.”
� Are you trying a new activity atyour care home? Let DominicMusgrave know by [email protected] or telephone01226 734407.
Company bring theatreto home’s residents
Monica Pope with her carer JessicaHarman.
08 24/2/12 12:08 Page 1
9CARINGNEWS
CARING UK had its first Royal visitorlast month when Prince Charles visit-ed us and met the team behind theleading publication for the indepen-dent care home sector.
His Royal Highness met managingdirector Michael Hewitt, group editorJudith Halkerston and sales directorTony Barry who showed him ourportfolio of magazines as well as newtechnology associated with ScriptMedia’s corporate video division.
Digital media producer SimonRodman demonstrated some of thetechniques used, including green
screen, to produce broadcast qualityvideos.
Judith said: “It was a real honour forus to welcome the Prince to theCaring UK offices and we were allthrilled to meet him.
“He seemed genuinely interested inthe work that we do and was veryfriendly and put everyone at ease.”
Prince Charles also visited otherdivisions of the Acredula Group,Script’s parent company, includingthe Barnsley Chronicle, Pen andSword Books and Yorkshire Web.
The day that Caring UKwelcomed a Prince ...
HRH Prince Charles chats to Script Media group editor Judith Halkerston.
09 24/2/12 10:38 Page 1
CARINGNEWS10
Monarch Healthcare celebrated another successful year with its annual awardsceremony. Parkside won the best home accolade, while Mandy Miller was namedemployee of the year. She is pictured receiving her award from operations managerJacki Perry and guest Paul Witter.
National awardfor Ben’s elderlytherapy businessA YOUNG entrepreneur who started anew exercise therapy business forpeople in care homes has won a totalof £16,000 in business awards for hisidea.
Ben Allen, 26, from Scarborough,says the business has been a“runaway success” and he is nownegotiating for new contracts andrecruiting more staff for his company,Oomph Wellness.
The national business runs a widerange of classes for residents innursing and residential homes,including chair-based exercise likechairobics and cheerobics (chair-based cheerleading moves with pompoms), dance classes like ‘Strictly FunDancing’ and personal training forindividuals.
Sessions aim to be physicallybeneficial while giving residents theopportunity to socialise and have fun.
Oomph, which stands for ‘OurOrganisation Makes People Happy,’now runs about 300 sessions eachmonth in North Yorkshire, EastRiding, West Yorkshire andLancashire, reaching 6,000 people.Established in May 2011, the businessis growing rapidly and Ben is lookingfor fitness instructors with REPSLevel 2 qualifications to join his 17staff.
Ben studied sport and leisuremanagement at university andworked in Spain and Australia afterbeing headhunted by the European
Institute of Fitness. He said: “I realised that people in
care homes are often under-stimulated and in need of socialinteraction and creative expression.In fact, 68 per cent of elderly peopleliving in social care do not performany kind of voluntary movement and30 per cent do not get any visitors.”
Oomph Wellness, which also workswith young adults who have a rangeof disabilities, recently won £15,000in the UnLtd 2012 Awards - forindividuals with innovativeentrepreneurial projects - beating off378 other established businesses.
Ben also won £1,000 in the ShellLiveWIRE Grand Ideas Awards and isusing this money to create newmarketing materials for the nationalcare conference. He is now in therunning for the £10,000 ShellLiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of theYear.
He said: “The business has been arunaway success so far and we needmore personal trainers. We carry outin-house training with our instructorswho come to us in either asubcontracted role or as employees.We reinvent classes every threemonths but at their core is fun,laughter, and of course safety.”
Ben is now negotiating for a further100 contracts in southern Englandand launching a falls preventionqualification with the WrightFoundation.
Rooms bring back memoriesA GRAMAPHONE, sewing machineand companion set are just a few ofthe items that make up thereminiscence room at a Bristol carehome.
Another area at Coombe has beendevoted to things that the residentscan safely touch and feel, whichassistant manager and dementiachampion Ann Elson says isparticularly popular with thosepeople who have dementia.
She told Caring UK all of the items
in the two rooms have been donatedor collected by the staff.
She added: “Like all homes we havelimited funding so all that is in thetwo rooms is what we have collectedover the years.
“A lot of the residents may not beable to tell you what they had fordinner, but they can remember usingsome of the items we have in thereand the words of songs from theirdays when we have entertainershere.”
10 24/2/12 10:39 Page 1
11CARINGNEWS
By Dominic Musgrave
THIRTY care homes have beenrewarded again for the quality ofcare they provide to residentsnearing the end of their lives.
Three years after first beingrecognised for their gold standardend-of-life care, the group of facili-ties were praised again, while afurther 71 homes were presentedwith the Quality Hallmark Awardfor the first time.
The GSF in Care Homes QualityHallmark Awards were presentedby Alan Rosenbach, special policylead to the CEO of the CQC at aceremony in London.
Eight of the homes achieved thehighest possible rating – Beacon.To be recognised as a Beacon, ahome must achieve at least 12excellent ratings in the 20 GSFstandards.
Helen Brewster of The Cedars inLincolnshire, awarded Beacon sta-tus for the second time, said: “Weare constantly looking at way ofimproving our residents’ lives.
“I believe everything we aredoing, the majority of homescould and should provide – it’s aGod given right that people shouldget this level of care. Everyonedeserves that.
“GSF provides the framework forus to provide that quality of allround care for all our residents. Itmeans focusing on what is impor-tant for them – personally, sociallyand clinically.”
The GSF care homes programmehelps homes to embed a new wayof working with improved commu-nication with other health andsocial care professionals andgreater co-ordination of care.
Implementation helps the carehome workforce benefit fromincreased confidence and there aresignificant cost savings too.
Geraldine Banham, home man-ager at Swallows Meadow Court,said: “GSF has helped us to ensureall our residents have the choicesthey deserve and we can deliverthe type and level of care that theywant.
“And people are starting tochoose us because we are a GSFaccredited home. A mark of thequality of our care is that the hos-pice is now referring patientshere.”
Reaccredited care homes:Beacon – Beckside, Lincolnshire;
Cornmill, Lancashire; Hyde,Stockport; Swallows MeadowCourt, West Midlands; White RoseHouse, West Yorkshire;Donnington House, West Sussex;Melrose, West Sussex; The Cedars,Lincolnshire.
Commended: Eschcol House,Cornwall; Eversleigh,Warwickshire; Grosvenor House,Lincolnshire; Swinton Hall,Manchester; The Beeches,Cornwall; The Lakes, Tameside;Carrington Court, Lancashire;Pentlow, Sussex; Stamford Court,Cheshire; The Queen AlexandraHospital Home, West Sussex;Whiteley Village, Surrey.
Pass: Fairlie House, London;Heatherstones, West Yorkshire;Linden Lodge, Tamworth; TheCedars, Worcestershire; WestleyCourt, Worcestershire; LynhalesHall, Herefordshire; MeadowbankHouse, Manchester; Moss Cottage,Lancashire; Orchard House,Surrey; Woodside House, Norfolk.
Thirty homesrecognisedfor end-of-lifecare provided Hudson the puppy met a fellow top dog when he visited his human namesake at Colten
Care’s Avon Cliff nursing home in Bournemouth.The five-month-old golden retriever was named after Ian Hudson, managing director ofthe care home provider, which sponsors his training as an assistance dog for the dis-abled. Staff and residents at the home picked the name when they chose the voluntarygroup Woofability as their main charity for the year.
11 24/2/12 10:39 Page 1
CARINGNEWS12
Home fined afterresident's fatalfall from windowTHE owners of a Wrexham care homehave been fined £66,000 after aresident fell 12ft from his bedroomwindow and died.
Stanley Tilston, 79, was a resident atPlas Rhosnesi Nursing Home inWrexham. On the morning of June 1,2008, he was found lying on theground outside with serious headinjuries. He died in hospital a fewdays later.
Chester Crown Court heard that hehad told staff and his family hewanted to leave and repeatedly triedto break open the window’s chainrestrictor, which he succeeded indoing on two separate occasions.
A week before the incident, Stanley’sson visited the home and reportedthat his father had broken therestrictor and was planning to leavethe home. However, staff failed tomove his father to a vacant groundfloor room.
A Health and Safety Executiveinvestigation found that the companyhad failed to complete a riskassessment on the risk of residentsfalling from windows, and failed toimplement and review its windowrestrictor policy.
After the hearing, inspector Sarah
Baldwin-Jones said: “This incidentwas entirely avoidable. The chainwindow restrictors fitted at the homewere unsuitable because they werenot robust and could easily bedefeated.
“Hallmark Healthcare Ltd identifiedthis important safety issue in 2007,when they issued a maintenancemanual to all their care homes, whichsaid chain restrictors should not beused.
“They should have fitted windowrestrictors that could not be easilydefeated and moved Mr Tilston to aground floor room. This was notdone.
“Homes need to conduct regularmonitoring of window restrictors andhave a system of review for anydamage identified. These necessaryactions would help reduce thelikelihood of further tragedies like MrTilston’s.”
Previously known as HallmarkHealthcare (Wrexham) Ltd, CareHomes Wrexham Ltd. of WoodbankCrescent, Radford Way, Billericaypleaded guilty to a breach of Section3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Worketc Act 1974. It was fined £66,000 andordered to pay £43,287 in costs.
Staff at Three Bridges in Larchford dressed in 40s’ inspired outfits for a specialreminiscence event for the residents, from the left: Care assistant Gemma Hughes,residential unit manager Karen Critchley, home administrator Mary Durkin and unitmanager Abbey Daiwey.
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13CARINGNEWS
Care homes nationwide have celebrated National Storytelling Week. Dominic Musgrave reports.
NORTH East family run businessesHelen McArdle Care and Kids 1stNurseries brought together two gen-erations to read stories that havebeen popular throughout the lives ofresidents and their families, and thatare now popular still with children.
Helen McArdle, chairman andfounder of the two companies, said:“Storytelling is something that every-one enjoys, whatever their age, and itis lovely to see two very different gen-erations come together and find acommon interest.
“It is interesting that the childrenare still enjoying stories that the resi-dents have enjoyed for over 60 years.”
And a tall tale or two were told at
Nightingale Hall Nursing Home inRichmond, North Yorkshire to markthe twelfth annual event.
The theme for the afternoon waspoems from the Victorian era andstaff got into the spirit of things bydressing up in clothes from that peri-od.
Activity coordinator Janice Sparksaid: “We wanted to do something tomark National Storytelling Weekbecause life stories and reminiscingform an important part of the activityprogramme at Nightingale.
“People with dementia, for example,can respond particularly well to dis-cussing their past and it can have apositive therapeutic effect on them.
All the residents enjoyed listening tothe poems and it was a lovely after-noon.”
Residents from Abbeyfield KentSociety’s Stangrove Lodge joinedforces with the youngsters fromEdenbridge Primary School to cele-brate the special occasion.
Pupils read stories to residents gath-ered in the reading lounge, includingThe Grateful Elephants and TheScorpion. This was followed by yearfive pupils, who read a range of sto-ries and adapted them to create theirown, enhancing them by accompany-ing the story with music.
Sarah Simmons, Stangrove Lodgecare coordinator, said: “When I heard
about National Storytelling Week Iknew I’d have to get the schoolinvolved.
“The children’s visit really lit up thehome and the residents loved hearingthem read their stories, in particularthe efforts of year five, which werevery interesting indeed. The residentsare already looking forward to theirnext visit.”
And Mornington Hall NursingHome in East London was one ofmany owned by Bupa to take part.
Supporting the group again thisyear was The Readers Organisation, acharity that works across the UK tobring people together for read aloudsessions.
Homes tell tales to mark eventChildren from Kids 1st Hexham and residents from the nearby Acomb Court listen tostories told by nursery manager Sarah Scandle. Stangrove Lodge resident Mary Hatton with pupils from Edenbridge Primary School.
13 24/2/12 10:40 Page 1
CARINGNEWS14
A skunk called Flower and a barn owl named Tula were among recent visitors toWestern Park View nursing home in Leicester. Activity coordinator Dawn Ma invitedlocal company Animals for Parties to entertain residents as part of the activityprogramme. They brought feathered and furry friends for the whole day, including analbino pygmy hedgehog, a pink toed tarantula, a giant African land snail and an Africanbullfrog. Residents assembled in the lounge in small groups to hold some of the animalsand hear fascinating facts about them.
Donation helps home buy TVsA WARRINGTON care home is topurchase two new televisions for itsresidents after receiving a donationfrom a local chiropratic clinic.
CLS’ Westy Hall received £736 fromAlba, who selected the home as itscharity of the month.
Home manager Katya Lyon said:“We like to maintain excellent
communications with localbusinesses within the community,and it’s fantastic that Albaappreciates the work we do.
“Everyone at the home isextremely grateful for the donationand we look forward to using themoney to purchase something thatall residents can enjoy.”
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15 Safelinc 24/2/12 11:28 Page 1
16 Required Systems 24/2/12 11:29 Page 1
CELEBRATING 24 years in the caresector, most of which has been withMeridian Healthcare, MarkBirchenough will start his new rolewhen the £4.7m care centre TheOakes opens in the spring.
Built on the site of a former carehome, the purpose built home’s facil-ities will include 60 en-suite bed-rooms with walk in showers, raisedbed attractive gardens, a cinemaroom, nail bar and hairdressingsalon. It will offer both residentialand dementia care, and has speciallydesigned facilities for residents withdementia related conditions.
Mark said the new role will be thenext step in what is a stimulating andrewarding career.
He added: “I always wanted to workwith people and originally thought Iwould become a social worker. Istarted work as a care assistant think-ing I would just do the job for a year.
“Twenty four years on and I am stillworking with older people albeit as amanager rather than a care assistant.I stayed because I genuinely likeolder people and get a real sense ofachievement in being able to improvetheir lives.
“Things have improved hugely overtime though. Care homes havemoved away from being institutionsto being comfortable homes for resi-dents with their well being at theheart of all we do.
“Two days are never the same and itcan be very demanding at times, butat the end of the day we are helpingto give older people comfort, securityand hopefully fun times, when theymost need it.”
Mark, who lives in Denton, willoversee up to 60 staff, ensure resi-
dents are being looked after to thehighest standards and manage thehome’s budget and marketing.
Joining Meridian as a care assistantin 1988, he has been promotedthrough the company and over thepast 18 months has managed AcaciaCourt in Leeds.
� Mark is appealing for sportingmemorabilia from the past ahead ofthe home’s April opening. He aims tocreate a sporting ‘wall of fame’ andmemory boxes containing a mixtureof objects relating to the town’s foot-ball and rugby heritage that will get aconversation flowing between resi-dents. He said: “There are certainareas that we are concentrating on,such as old programmes, ticket stubs,shorts, scarves, hats, photographsand postcards.”
17CARINGNEWS
Putting people first and ensuring they have agood quality of life is the key to a successfulcareer in the care sector according to the newmanager of a Huddersfield care home. DominicMusgrave found out more.
Managerial rolefor Mark at new£4.7m care home
Mark Birchenough
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CARINGNEWS18
Home’s nurse toraise money fortyphoon victims A CARE home nurse who narrowlyescaped being caught up in atyphoon that killed a 1,000 people inthe Philippines has launched a fund-raising campaign to help survivors.
Arlene Elana was on her way homefor a holiday when Typhoon Sendongstruck, causing flash floods andlandslides that devastated the town ofSan Francisco, in Agusan del Surprovince, where she was brought up.
Now colleagues at the Pendine Parkcare organisation in Wrexham, NorthWales, are rallying round to raisemuch-needed cash to help the area –where thousands remain hungry andhomeless – return to normality.
According to Arlene, the typhoonleft a trail of destruction through herfamily’s town, although her ownrelatives, and those of her husband,survived.
She said: “My mum, sisters andbrother still live there. We set off fromWrexham for the long journey back tothe Philippines and it was while wewere actually travelling that thetyphoon struck.
“It isn’t so much the actual typhoon,it’s the mud slides and flooding thatfollows. The death toll is now well
over 1,000 people and many childrenhave been orphaned. It is terrible tosee so many homeless childrenwandering around.
“It was heartbreaking to witnesssuch devastation. The government isnow looking at where they canrelocate people so they can movethem away from the worst hit areas.”
Arlene and her husband, Armingol,who also works at Pendine Park as acare supervisor, took their two boyswith them to the Philippines to visittheir respective families.
She said: “In a way I am glad I wenthome when I did otherwise I wouldbe worried sick about my mum andthe rest of our families. At least Iknow they are all right and, otherthan a bit of roof damage and treesblown over in their gardens, they arefine.
“However, I can’t stop thinkingabout all the children who are noworphaned and are without homes.That’s why I have decided to try andraise some money to send back homein the hope it can help the reliefeffort. We are looking at what else wecan do. Perhaps a sponsored walk orswim.
Residents and staff from a Yeovil care home celebrated their recent award-winningsuccesses with a party. Yvonne Rodber, activities co-ordinator at Grovelands, waspresented with the outstanding learner award at the Care Focus Somerset Awards.And, at the National Care Awards, care assistant Jo Reynolds was presented with thecare newcomer and the staff were awarded the care team 2011 accolade. Guests at theget-together included the town’s mayor and the home’s handyman Philip Chandler,deputy mayor Clive Davis and coun Ian Martin.
How to pay less taxIF YOU own, have bought or are selling a carehome or nursing home then you need to talk witha tax expert.
For a building purchased for £650,000, taxsavings in the region of £90,000 are common,while for larger establishments worth maybe £2m,savings of £360,000 are not unusual.
Even the most common of items can be worthsubstantial money to you: door handles, plugs,lights, and computer terminals can all add up topounds in your pocket.
Refits, refurbishments, extensions and newbuilds are common in your industry and, whileyou would expect to claim for new carpets, wouldyou claim for water pipes and electrical wiring?Typical claims take just 10 weeks.
Enquiries: For a copy of ‘The Property Owners guide to Capital Allowances’ contact HowardGivney on 01233 640985, email [email protected] or complete an online form at
www.tax-ideas.co.uk
18 24/2/12 10:43 Page 1
19CARINGCARE SHOW PREVIEW
CARE Show Bournemouth hasannounced a stellar line up for its2012 seminar programme.
Taking place on March 27 and 28 atBournemouth International Centre,the leading trade exhibition will pro-vide two full days of free educationfor visitors from across the south ofthe UK.
Event director Chris Edwards saidhe is particularly enthusiastic aboutthe panel debates, of which there aremore than ever before.
He added: “The thought leadershipprovided by our speakers is second tonone and will be complemented evenfurther with the inclusion of severalinsightful panel debates where audi-ences will have the chance to submitquestions and take part in industrydebate.”
Featured in the MyBusinessSeminar Theatre will be a panel dis-cussion on the Southern Cross situa-tion and how the new businessesemerging from its re-structure aredoing. Martin Green, ECCA chiefexecutive, will chair the debate withpanellists including John Fahy, MD ofAssisted Living South West andBhavna Jones, head of service devel-opment at HC One.
The MyBusiness theatre will hosttwo further panel debates; one oncare home construction and another
on the increasingly topical issue oflong term care.
Also within this ever-popular the-atre, visitors will hear from N&CPhlexicare, Savills, Axis Partnership,Christie and Co and Shakespeares,each offering expert commercialbusiness management advice.
The growth of social media within abusiness context has urged the CareShow team to organise a presentationin the Keynote Theatre led by a panelof experts covering best practice, do’sand don’ts and the potential pitfalls ofsocial media use which business
users should be aware of. Visitors are encouraged to attend
the debates with questions in mind asthe floor will be opened for audiencequestions at the end of each session.
The Care Show discussion group onLinkedIn also provides the perfectplatform for pre-show debate andquestions for the panels.
The Keynote Theatre opens with apresentation from Alan Rosenbach,special policy lead at the CQC. Theinspectorate’s seminars traditionallydraw some of the largest audiences,with professionals keen to hear thelatest compliance and enforcementupdates.
The NCA will also feature in thistheatre with Nadra Ahmed OBE pro-viding an overview of what we canexpect to face as an industry in thecoming years and how to prepare forit. The RNHA and RCN are both alsoset to address the Keynote audience.
Finally, the Best Practice andDementia Care Theatre will host amultitude of thought leadership.
This includes contributions fromSylvie Silver of NAPA, outlining the‘Go 4 Gold’ campaign they are run-ning, aimed at increasing activity lev-els in the elderly. There will also bepractical sessions regarding medica-tion management, nurse call systemsand fire safety.
Speakers revealed forCare Show’s seminars
CQC chair Dame Jo Williams speaking atlast year’s Care Show.
FOCAL Point Training andConsultancy director Tracy Powleywill be speaking at the Care Showabout ‘How to develop your staffwithout spending a fortune”.
Investing in staff development canmean the difference between a homethat excels and one that does not.
But as care businesses continue toface financial pressures it is impor-tant that any money spent on train-ing is used effectively.
In her seminar Tracy explores howmanagers and staff can use a range oflearning opportunities to developtheir skills and looks at how to ensurethose opportunities really bringresults.
Come and hear some practicalguidance on developing your peoplewithout breaking the bank on March27 and 28 in the My Business Theatreand have a chat with us on standWW196.
Staff trainingthe topic forTracy’s talk
Caring UK will beexhibiting at
Bournemouth.Come and visit us
on stand W206.
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21CARINGNEWS
A NEWLY formed band made up ofcare staff is to tour a provider’s homesin Gloucestershire and Wiltshire toraise money for charity.
The Tin Shakers will play 60s and70s covers when it visits Barchester’shomes in the two counties, with allmoney raised going to the group’sindependent Charitable Foundation.
The band, named for its commit-ment to fundraising, had its first gigat the Cricklade House Hotel inWiltshire.
It is made up of drummer MalcolmMcDonald, a regional maintenancecoordinator at White Lodge carehome in Swindon, chef OllieMcDonald and admin assistant SarahJacka from neighbouring HuntersCare Centre in Cirencester, director ofacquisitions Jim Fogden and interiordesigner Sarah Scott.
Helen Maiello, senior regional oper-ations director, said “We are con-
stantly looking to strengthen theexcellent links we have between ourBarchester homes and the communi-ties they serve.
“The band is a great example ofbringing people together for a goodcause.
“In addition, 10 Barchester homesin my region have been selected byBarchester’s Charitable Foundation toeach receive a maximum of £2,000this year.
“The money will be used to fundlocal projects with communitygroups and small charities within a25-mile radius of their care home,which will encourage even morecommunity engagement.”
Barchester homes in the two coun-ties will be able to book the band toentertain residents, their relatives andfriends of the care home. The pay-ment for the band’s performance willbe donated to the charity.
Staff band to tour homesThe Tin Shakers will raise money for charity.
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CARINGNEWS22
RESIDENTS of homes run by a caregroup have been channelling theircreative energies for a communal artproject.
The majority of the 23 homes underHealthcare Homes’ umbrella tookpart in a Through the Decades task.
Activities co-ordinator NadineForde explained that each home wasgiven a different decade and asked toillustrate key moments through themedium of art.
She added: “They could usewhatever methods they wished, suchas collage, paints, watercolours, crossstitch or charcoals.
“For example, Bilney Hall nearDereham was given the 1930s,Claremont House in Caister-on-Sea
the 1940s and Mill Lane in Felixstowethe 1950s.
“It was a really fun opportunity forresidents to work together and withtheir relatives and the homes’ staff. Ithelped them explore their talents,remember their own pasts andcelebrate history all at the sametime.”
Following the success of the artproject, residents are now embarkingon a poetry challenge.
Nadine added: “Each home will beasked to write a poem on any subject.As we have seen with Through theDecades, these projects are a greatway to get residents interacting witheach other and creating somethingtogether.”
Homes get arty for project
Ena Dooel with Mill Lane’s 1950s-inspired artwork.
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25
Caring UK Commercesection brings you all the latest property,business and trainingnews every month.
In this issue:
� Former nursetakes over reins atTenby care home
Page 26
� Former milkmanhopes to deliverwith new home
Page 27
� Home ownerssitting on sizeabletax rebates
Page 28
Price decrease blamed onrecession and uncertaintyBy Dominic Musgrave
THE ongoing economic crisis anduncertainty surrounding Southern Crosscaused care property prices to fall lastyear, according to a new report.
According to Christie and Co’s annualBusiness Outlook 2012 publication,which uses average price informationtaken from care transactions brokeredby the company, there was a 3.3 per centdip in 2011 following a 0.4 per centincrease the previous year.
Richard Lunn, head of care and educa-tion at the group, said 2011 will go downas a year with two markets in care.
He added: “As well as operating in thesame gloomy economic environment aseveryone else, the care sector had to
contend with the cloud cast over it bySouthern Cross.
“In many respects the sector emergedfrom the situation with much credit aswhat may have proven disastrousinstead saw 450 care homes reassignedto landlords in a consensual and solventmanner, and the care of 31,000 vulnera-ble people transferred to new operatorswith no effect on the continuity of theircare. Before the full implications of theSouthern Cross situation were under-stood, there were positive signs for cor-porate care transactional activity —especially following the bright end to2010.
“On the private vendor side, and after aquiet start to 2011, activity increased tothe point where the number of transac-
tions brokered by Christie and Co wereon a virtual par with 2010, which itselfsaw a 21 per cent increase in individualcare home deals over the previous year.”
Richard’s predictions for the forthcom-ing year are:
� Major operators will rationalise theirestates as they improve quality throughturn-key acquisitions.
� Fee profile and bank sentiment willsee more older stock come to the marketat affordable prices as vendor aspira-tions on price meet those of buyers.
� Distressed sales will again dominateand provoke huge demand in a marketfuelled by the requirement for quality.
� There may be some market hesitan-cy leading up to the re-financing of FourSeasons Heath Care.
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CARINGCOMMERCE26
By Dominic Musgrave
A FORMER NHS nurse has investedmore than £1m to purchase andrefurbish a 28-bed care home inPembrokeshire.
Rob Hunt has taken over BelmontCourt in Tenby, which providesresidential and nursing care andemploys 35 staff.
He said “ I have always beeninvolved in the sector but never felt itwas a viable business proposition toprovide the levels of service I wantedto provide under the existing feestructure.
“However, the outcome of therecent judicial review held inPembrokeshire means that feeincome will hopefully increase to alevel where higher standards of careand quality can be provided andmaintained.
“Demand for quality services withdedicated care is set to increaseacross the region and placements arealready limited at the moment so ourinvestment at Belmont Court is vitalto help meet Tenby’s projected careneeds and for the success of thebusiness.
“The refurbishment and investmentwill continue to enhance thereputation of our service. We alreadyhave strong occupancy rates at thehome which is an indicator that weare doing the right things for ourresidents and their families.”
Rob said he would like to extend thehome further over the next few years,subject to planning approval.
He added: “We aim to create ahospitality based care facility, a hotelwith extras. Most people when asked,don’t wish to live in a care home butwould happily spend a couple ofmonths in a Tenby hotel, with viewsof South Beach and Caldy Island.
“The best thing about running yourown business is the empowerment tomake swift decisions to improveservices for your guest. Satisfactionfrom happy resident guests andfamily members makes all our effortsworthwhile.
“However there is also an enormousresponsibility knowing that bothresident guests and employeesdepend on your ability to make thebusiness a success.”
Barclays Corporate supported Robwith the purchase.
Former nursetakes over reinsof Tenby home
Balhousie Care Group has made its first acquisition in Fife by taking over the formerSouthern Cross run Forth View Care Centre. Around 53 residents and 55 staff havetransferred to the company, which has renamed the home Balhousie Forthview MethilCare Home. It is managed by Katherine McCauley (pictured above). The modern facilitywas purpose-built around four years ago and can care for up to 60 residents inindividual rooms with en-suite showers.
Tax reclaims for care home owners...CAPITAL allowances are among the most valuable and leastexploited methods of reducing property owners’ income tax orcorporation tax liabilities.
Capital allowances arise from capital expenditure onpurchasing or constructing a new property along with extensionsand refurbishments.
We comprehensively survey the property which allows us toidentify any qualifying items that, for numerous reasons, havepreviously not been claimed.
Don’t delay as the government are considering closing thisopportunity for retrospective claims. Call now for your freeappraisal.
Have you made a Vat reclaim? If you were operating between1993 and 2002 call now to start making your claim.
We will quickly identify the validity of a claim withoutobligation. If it does not proceed there will be no fee.
Enquiries: Telephone 01246 293011 or visit www.salmon-business.com
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27CARINGCOMMERCE
By Dominic Musgrave
A MILKMAN turned care home oper-ator is hoping to deliver with his lat-est acquisition.
Tudur Williams, a helicopter pilotand entrepreneur, bought his firsthome in 1992 after being offered theopportunity to purchase the facilityduring his regular morning milkround.
He now runs two homes — theTorestin Care Home in Haverfordwestand the Cartref Care Home inLlandysul — and recently acquiredBrynderwen Care Home inLlangunnor, near Carmarthen.
He said: “I was the care home milk-man and one day the owner justasked if I wanted to buy the place,”added Tudur. “After some delibera-tion and negotiation over the price Idecided to take the plunge and havenever looked back.
“Demand for quality dedicated careis set to increase across the regionand placements are already limited atthe moment so our investment intothe business is vital to our success.
“The refurbishment and investmentinto Brynderwen will continue toenhance the reputation of our ser-vice. We already have strong occu-pancy rates at all my homes which isa strong indicator that we are doingthe right things, for our residents andtheir families.”
The latest acquisition, which takesthe group’s total number of beds tomore than 100, came through a£750,000 investment supported byBarclays Corporate.
Tudur said planning permission isin place to increase capacity at thehome and that he hopes to create anadditional 20 rooms over the next twoyears.
He added: “We have even recruitedWelsh language staff to improve thelevels of service to some of our resi-dents whose first language is Welsh.”
Ex-milkman hopes todeliver with new home
Tudur Williams with Barclays Corporaterelationship director Kath Whitrow.
ADMINISTRATORS have sold AftonCourt residential care home inBridlington, saving 16 jobs andensuring the continued care of 19elderly residents.
Chris White and Andy Wood ofThe P&A Partnership, who wereappointed joint administrators ofAfton Court Limited in November2010, have sold the home to TambySeeneevassen, owner of the EastRiding-based Hexon Group.
Chris said: “It has been a particu-larly challenging administration
because we have had to run thehome on a day to day basis for 14months and improve the quality ofcare for residents.
“When we took over Afton Courtthe CQC found several seriouscompliance issues during aninspection.
“We took immediate steps toaddress these issues and we arepleased that a further inspectionprior to the sale of the homereported a significant improvementin the quality of the home.”
Jobs saved as ownerfound for Afton Court
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CARINGCOMMERCE28
Care home owners sittingon sizeable tax rebates ...By Mark Tighe
IN recent months a growing numberof commercial property owners havebeen switching onto the lucrative taxrebates that can come from unusedcapital allowances.
The good news is that of allcommercial property categories, carehomes are getting some of the biggesttax rebates of all. What’s more, weestimate that nine in 10 care homeowners will be due a rebate.
In most cases, these rebates will bein the region of tens of thousands ofpounds, in some cases – in the case ofbigger care homes – even more.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.What exactly are capital allowancesand why are such huge rebates due?
Capital allowances are basically aform of tax relief available to anyoneincurring capital expenditure buying,building or making adjustments tocommercial property – such as a carehome.
The problem, historically, has beenthat identifying capital allowanceswithin commercial properties isextremely complex and a veryspecialist area, so much so that evenaccountants only scratch the surface.
For example, while a care homeowner’s accountants will claim on
more obvious items such as fireextinguishers and flooring materials,in the vast majority of cases they willnot drill down to the items where thefar more significant costs to the carehome lie.
These might include airconditioning and heating systems,fire alarms and water sprinklers,(emergency) lighting and securitysystems, stairlifts, integrated sanitaryunits and specially fitted bathrooms.
A specialist capital allowances firm,by contrast, will have a different skill-set and a more detailedunderstanding of capital allowanceslaw and practice than mostaccountants. And by carrying out anin-depth forensic survey of theproperty, it is able to uncover farmore valuable capital allowances thatwill have gone unclaimed.
So what kind of money are wetalking about? This will naturally varyfrom case to case but we recentlyclaimed back £42,000 on behalf of aclient who owned a care home worth£650,000. And this is after higher ratetax and our own tax-deductible fee –in other words, that’s cash in thebank.
What makes capital allowances evenmore attractive is that it is possible toclaim for unused capital allowances
from previous years in any later year’stax return, as long as the assets arestill owned in that later tax year.
Different firms will charge differentamounts and in different ways but weonly charge a fee if we uncover atleast £50,000 of unclaimed capitalallowances, which means there is norisk and no up-front cost for the carehome owners who approach us. Inother words, you only pay if we makeyou a sizeable amount of money inthe first place.
� Mark Tighe is managing directorof CA Tax Solutions.
Mark Tighe
£5m homeopens itsdoorsA NEW £5m specialist care centrehas opened its doors inAccrington with a Mayoral seal ofapproval.
The care centre at SpringhillCare Home is a three storey,24,000 sq ft development whichincludes 46 beds over fiveseparate facilities.
It is a separate, dedicated servicefrom the rest of the home with itsown entrance, reception areasand specially trained staffdesigned to provide specialistfacilities and care for people withdementia and promotion ofmental wellness. The officialopening saw members of staffjoined by senior healthcaredignitaries including ECCA chiefexecutive Martin Green and themayor of Hyndburn, councillorColette McCormack.
Ken Nolan, chairman ofSpringhill Care Group, which alsooperates homes in Skelmersdaleand Bristol, along with supportedliving service Affinity, said: “Thisdevelopment, which follows along period of listening to whatpeople told us they would like,reflects our commitment tomeeting and exceeding thoseneeds and expectations now andin the future.”
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CARINGDEMENTIA30
By Dominic Musgrave
A NEW therapeutic communicationactivity has been implemented at aSouth East and Anglia group of carehomes.
All 12 Carebase homes now useSonas as part of an extensive activityschedule, a therapy which isprimarily for older people withdementia but for also thoseexperiencing extreme social isolation.
Other activities at the homesinclude dancing, gardening andcooking, as well as visits to the homefrom zoos, entertainers and localschool children.
Head of dementia, SuzanneMumford, who implemented Sonas,said the residents are also kept busywith day trips to local attractionsincluding petting farms, museumsand country homes.
She added: “Sonas focuses onsensory stimulation, including musicand touch, in the belief that thesenses are the gateways tocommunication, and is deliveredthrough group and individualsessions.
“The therapy fits perfectly withCarebase’s person-centred approachto care. Structure and repetition areessential features of the programme,which is recorded on a CD/cassette.
“This fosters familiarity, confidenceand an environment in which theperson’s communicative potential isactivated. Crucially, it enables thepractitioner to have a complete focus
on the participants.”A signature tune is played at the
beginning and end of the session. Thecare home member of staff uses thisto go around the group and welcomeeach resident by name. Next, allsenses are engaged by doing activitiesset to music, which include seatedexercises, taste, smell, touch (a lightshoulder massage) and lively musicwith instruments.
Suzanne added: “There is also asection where the residents areencouraged to complete proverbs
and listen to poetry. “If the group members have
anything to contribute such as apoem, proverb or song, these are thenread out to the group.
“The session ends with thesignature tune, which is used to saygood-bye to each residentindividually.
“The sessions last between 30 and45 minutes and are held two or threetimes a week, giving the residentssomething to look forward to.”
Homes introduce new therapy
Resident Margaret Norvill with activities co-ordinator Michelle Seal from Carebase’sAmber Wood facility.
FitnesssessionslaunchedPEOPLE with dementia and theircarers in Wiltshire are taking partin a fitness group designed toboost both physical and mentalwellbeing.
Movement for the Mind is agentle fitness club set up byindependent charity Alzheimer’sSupport.
The idea is to provide physicalactivities for people withdementia together with theirfamily carers who may feel unableto take part in other organisedactivities.
The charity’s developmentmanager Stephany Bardzil said:“There is growing researchevidence that physical exercise isbeneficial in preventing andmitigating the effects ofdementia.
“Our club builds on that, andalso provides a supportive socialnetwork for people in similarcircumstances.”
The sessions are different eachmonth and include gentleexercise, dance, country walksand Tai Chi.
Each is led by an expert who hasalso been trained in dementiacare, and carefully structured tomeet the needs of members.
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31CARINGDEMENTIA
THE manager of a Surrey care homeis urging relatives and friends ofdementia sufferers to seek out spe-cialist care provision to safeguard thecomfort of their loved ones.
Anne Kasey, who runs The RoyalAlfred Seafarers’ Society’s home inBanstead, made the comments aftera report by the Royal College ofPsychiatrists found dementia careknowledge to be lacking in many hos-pitals across the UK.
The home opened a dedicateddementia wing last year and created afilm about the unit for the websitewith Angela Rippon whose motherdied from the condition. It alsolaunched a respite care service at thestart of 2012 after identifying theneed from frequent enquiries.
She said specialist dementia sup-port offering continuity should beprovided if medical care and supportis to prove beneficial for both thecarer and patient.
“Triggering memories is key todementia care and we use ourpatients’ personal items such as pho-tographs and trinkets from their pastto create comfort and familiarity inthe home,” added Anne. “Theseitems are also placed in our memoryboxes, which are transparent andhung by the door to enable them toeasily identify their own room.
“Communication is key to dementia
care, and our nurses have learned aseries of therapies to trigger memo-ries through conversation includingmemory mapping. We also run regu-lar reflexology sessions which havebeen known to reduce agitation.”
Research has found that music canalso help to unlock memories andconnect with loved ones, reducingfeelings of isolation and improvingconfidence and self-image. Singingand music sessions help relax resi-dents’ minds and take the fear out ofthe condition.
Anne added: “The positive effects ofmusic on dementia sufferers is welldocumented. The part of the brainthat manages music is not affected asseverely by dementia, which meanspatients can remember songs andmusic very clearly, therefore boostingtheir confidence.
“We have observed a definite upliftin the mood and confidence of ourresidents after implementing singingand music sessions, which suggests itis having a positive effect on theirwellbeing.”
The report, issued by the RoyalCollege of Psychiatrists, claims twothirds of hospital staff say they havenot been trained sufficiently in thecare of dementia patients despite fig-ures showing one in four hospitalbeds is occupied by people with thecondition.
‘Seek specialistcare’ says Anne
ACTIVE Minds puzzles have made amassive difference to the residents’lives at a Middlesex care home, theactivities manager has claimed.
Wendy Ward, who works atBarchester Healthcare’s AshfordHouse, has used the different prod-ucts for its 54 residents, who all havesome form of dementia, for the pastfew years.
These include 11-piece jigsaw puz-zles and aqua painting - reusable pic-tures that come to life by simplyadding water.
Wendy said: “We have residentshere in wheelchairs or limited mobili-ty and the beauty of the images arethat they can be used by anyone bysimply adding a few drops of water.
“They have enabled me to intro-duce a lot more activities for the resi-dents who are in the later stages oftheir dementia.”
Active Minds owner Ben Atkinson-Willes has recently won £15,000 fromUnltd to develop new dementia activ-ity products.
Puzzles making a difference
Work has begun on a new care home in Kent to provide care for older people, includingthose living with dementia.The new development, which is being built by Denne, part of the Leadbitter Group, inOrpington, on behalf of Care UK, will incorporate the latest innovations in residentialcare to provide 84 bedrooms together with state-of-the-art facilities. The home will fea-ture a shop, hairdressing salon, café and library, all set around a tranquil, indoor villagespace.Further design aspects will include the installation of photovoltaic solar panelson the roof and a combined heat and power unit, which will help to achieve a BREEAMVery Good rating for the project. The home is due for completion in early 2013.
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CARINGNEWS32
Investors awardfor North Westbased providerMERIDIAN Healthcare has beenawarded the prestigious Investors inPeople ‘Gold Award’ – the highestaccolade awarded to companiesachieving the IIP standard.
The accolade is held by a smallhandful of companies in the UK – justover one per cent of companiesaccredited with IIP achieve the awardaccording to assessors.
It was introduced in 2009 and hassince been awarded to only 14 carehome providers in the UK.
The IIP team interviewed around 90employees and gathered evidencefrom seven of Meridian’s 29 carecentre sites. They were selected byInvestors in People for observation,review and interviews.
According to the IIP Assessors,Meridian: “are to be congratulated ontheir performance in achievingcontinued recognition against the IIPstandard and on the additionalachievement of Gold Status. Theorganisation continues todemonstrate a high level ofcommitment to delivering a first classservice to residents throughapplication of Investors in Peopleprinciples.”
Meridian has 99 per cent of staffqualified or registered on NVQprogrammes, well above the 50 percent national standard required forthe care sector.
The company also has a largenumber of care centre managersappointed following internal training
and development programmes. Sharon Wood, quality assurance
manager, said: “The assessors wereextremely positive about how we helpemployees develop their skills and toprogress their career with us. It’s agreat message to send out to anyoneinterested in working in the caresector.
“At the end of the day we are apeople organisation, investing in ourpeople is crucial to deliveringexcellent services to our residents.
“The Gold award isn’t somethingorganisations achieve overnight. Itreflects our ongoing commitment toour employees and to our residents.”
Sharon Wood
Inspectorate head steps downCYNTHIA Bower has resigned fromthe role of chief executive of theCQC.
She will remain in post until theautumn and the recruitmentprocess for her succcessor willbegin shortly.
Cynthia said: “After almost fouryears leading CQC, I feel that it isnow time to move on.
“The process of setting up an
entirely new system of regulationhas been intensely challenging –but we have accomplished anenormous amount.
“I’m confident that CQC willcontinue to build on the progressalready made, delivering increasingbenefits to people who use servicesby shining a light on poor care -and I am proud to have played apart in this.”
CARE homes in a London boroughare receiving extra scrutiny fromcouncillors.
In addition to reports by councilofficers and the CQC, electedmembers in Bexley are also surveyinghow the residential homes are doing,in a bid to ensure vulnerable peopleare well provided for.
The visits, which last approximatelytwo hours, are arranged in advanceand relatives of residents living in thehomes are informed about the visits,so that they can give their owncomments to Chris Taylor, chairmanof the council's adults' servicesoverview and scrutiny committee andhis colleagues.
Among the residential care homescouncillors have visited so far are thethree homes in the borough that usedto be owned by Southern Cross.
Chris said councillors are taking aclose interest in the standards of careand continuity of staff maintained bythe new owners of the homes.
He added: “We have put in place aregular programme of visits toresidential and nursing homesbecause the care provided to ourvulnerable residents is one of ourpriorities. Reports of our visits arediscussed in public and published onthe council's website.
“We hope they will be a usefuladdition to the range of informationthat is available for people who arelooking at the options for residential
care for members of their family.”A training programme has also been
launched to give councillors moredetailed knowledge of residential careand to build on the work they havedone so far.
Chris added: “We look at the homesas local people with a keen concernfor how they care for the loved onesof the people we represent.
“And because the council also fundsthe care of many of the residents, wealso ask questions to check thatcouncil taxpayers are getting the bestpossible value for money.”
The visits normally involve betweenone and three councillors,accompanied by an officer fromsocial services.
Among the issues they consider are:� Reports on the home published
by the CQC and the progress made inimplementing any action plansagreed with the Commission.
� Care provision.� Staff training.� Care plans.� Food, nutrition and dietary plans.� Arrangements for dispensing
medication.� Flexibility given to residents, for
example, over bedtimes.� Hospital discharge checks.� Activities provided within the
home.� Arrangements for managing
challenging behaviour.� Risk assessments.
Extra scrutiny for Londonborough’s care homes
THE winter snap failed to spoil anopen weekend at a new care homewhich has been built on the site of aformer hotel in Low Fell.
Springfield House from HelenMcArdle Care is a 68 bed care homewith 21 one and two bedroomretirement apartments on the samesite. The home offers a wide range offacilities for both residents andapartment owners including: TheOrangery Restaurant, The Tea Rooms,an internet cafe, GP’s surgery,function room with bar, beauty salonand gym.
Chairman and founder HelenMcArdle said: “My vision for
Springfield House and EslingtonMews has developed over a period oftime, but I was waiting to find theright location to bring it to life. Thiscommunity has been designed sothat people can live as independentlyas they want with as much support asthey need, and I can’t wait to seeresidents and their families enjoyingand benefiting from the facilities andservices that we are providing.”
Not only will Springfield Houseopen up many opportunities forolder people in the local area, but itwill also provide 60 jobs, some ofwhich have been filled by staff thatworked at The Springfield Hotel.
Springfield House manager Lisa Hall and Helen McArdle Care MD Mark McArdle.
Event beats the weather
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35CARINGNEWS
ETON Park in Nottingham wasnamed outstanding achievementhome of the year at the annualawards ceremony organised by own-ers Elder Homes Group.
The home was recognised for fillingits beds better than most last year,with continued improvement in whatthey do for their residents, such asnew activities in place, places to goout and visit, an in-house shop forresidents to purchase goodies from,and new nature trail adjoined to thehome which was opened by the citymayor.
The group owns 13 homes nation-wide.
Other award winners: Manager of
the year - Marlene Stewart (TheLinks, Bradford); nurse - Cheryl Ade(Bridge Burton and Trent Court,Burton-on-Trent); senior carer - AnnHorrocks (Edensor, Clacton-on-Sea);carer - Melanie Roberts (MillingtonSprings, Nottingham); administrator -Deborah Whitham (Duchess Gardens,Bingley); cook - Cheryl Eades(Epworth House, Rotherham); activi-ties co-ordinator - Sarah Sturgess(Bridge Burton and Trent Court);domestic - Linda Barret (The Links);quality home - The Links; newcomer- Brian Taylor (St Ives, Bingley); resi-dent/relative - Jeff Hindle (St Ives);most consistent home - BridgeBurton and Trent Court.
Award winners from Elder Homes Group’s annual ceremony.
Group recognises staff
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CARINGLAUNDRY36
MANAGING your laundry onsite todecontaminate soiled uniforms notonly ensures you are strictly adheringto company policy for infectioncontrol, but also means you haveaccess to plenty of spare uniforms ifstaff become contaminated duringtheir shift.
While thermal disinfection oflaundry is the preferred failsafemethod, not all textiles are suitablefor exposure to such hightemperatures.
Miele’s range of commercial washer-extractors and dryers have speciallydesigned programmes to cater for allgarment types, especially thosecontaining Lycra or polyester whichmay not endure thermal disinfectionprocesses.
The machines are also designed to
care for the fabric, prolonging thequality and lifetime of your uniforms.
The powerful Miele PW 5105 10kgwashing machine comes withprogrammes that conform to therequirements of The Care StandardAct 2000.
Octoplus machines offer shortprogramme running times, even indisinfection programmes, and a self-cleaning hygiene programme is alsoavailable to ensure the machine itselfmeets the utmost standards.
Miele’s revolutionaryHoneycombTM washing drum,forged from high-grade stainless steelwith a unique convex pattern,significantly enhances cleaningperformance and reduces fabric wear,and leaves uniforms feeling fresh andsoft after every wash.
Onsite laundries havebenefits for care homes
Dispelling themyth of effectiveinfection controlELECTROLUX Professional LaundrySystems is a world leader and at theforefront of technology.
The company is committed toproviding and developing innovationsolutions for the care sector.Healthcare establishments can restassured that the best defence againstthe spread of micro-organisms andcross infection can easily be achievedby using a Barrier Laundry System.
Keeping linen clean requiresexcellent and consistent practice anddiscipline. Using Electrolux BarrierWashers makes this simple. Dirtylinen is loaded on one side and cleanlinen is unloaded from another dooropening into a separate room, givingfunctional separation and assisting inRisk Analysis and Bio-ContaminationControl (RABC) under the EuropeanStandards RABC EN 14065.
By creating a functional separationbetween clean and soiled texturesthroughout the whole laundryprocess, the Barrier Conceptrepresents the optimal way to ensurethe highest standards of cleanlinessand avoid the risk of
recontamination. Combined with theElectrolux Certus ManagementInformation System™ (CMIS) aninnovative software programmeavailable exclusively from Electrolux,the Barrier Laundry System providesthe highest level of control andtraceability. With CMIS, operatorswill enjoy the monitoring ofconsumption data and operatingcosts to gain a full understanding andcontrol of their process. And alsobecause CMIS will provide userswith the automatic recording of vitaldata for every load, it is the ultimatetool for implementing the RABCmethod.
In addition to a Barrier Laundry atraditional laundry can be as effectivewith the correct layout and laundryflow in place. The key is ensure thelaundry is operated effectively withaccurate use of temperature washingand dosing of chemicals.
With the CQC’s new standardsimplemented in 2010, hygiene andinfection control must remain of theupmost importance to healthcareestablishments.
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39CARINGPRODUCT NEWS
THE popularity and proven effective-ness of disposable single use bed-pans, bottles and bedpan maceratorshas increased due to the tangiblebenefits and savings for care staff,residents, overheads and the environ-ment.
Bedpan macerators are used exten-sively in UK care homes as the pre-ferred bedpan handling method, withHaigh providing the market leadingrange of macerators.
An increasingly innovative range ofpulp item types are available, all ofwhich can be efficiently disposed.
The benefits of using the single usesystem with bedpan macerators com-pared to traditional metal or plasticpans cleaned with bedpan washerdisinfectors:
Reduced infection – new disposable
bedpan or bottle each time; reducedcross-infection; bacteria isn’t present-ed to resident via bedpan; infectioncycle is broken; no sterilisationrequired; human waste simply dis-posed.
Cost and environmental savings –uses cold water only; Haigh macera-tors use 50 per cent less energy percycle compared to alternate macera-tors; less maintenance; disposes ofsustainable pulp items; improvedcare home environment due toreductions in odour and noise.
Time saving – no scrubbing,rewashing or unloading required;simple and fast operation; more timefor patient care, less installation time;less disruption during downtime,maintenance and servicing.
Single use more beneficial THE third digital edition of leadinghealthcare and equipment manu-facturer James Spencer and Co Ltd’sProfessional Buyers Guide is nowonline.
Giving fingertip access at thetouch of a computer key to thefirm’s massive product portfolio,the environmentally friendly elec-tronic version has been universallywelcomed by NHS and care homesprocurers since the launch editionlast July. Company chairmanRichard Spencer said the digi-cata-logue is ever evolving.
He added: “We have added awhole new section called
‘Community’, which has a plethoraof new products, including a veryeconomically priced bariatricrange, coupled with a revised selec-tion of fabrics which are modern,comfortable and purpose designedfor healthcare use.”
Latest guide launched
THE Everyday Care System from BPSis going from strength to strengthsince the acquisition of part of thebusiness from Systema Solutions.
John Richardson, director of bothcompanies, said: “We have made sig-nificant investment in the onlineproduct and numerous new clientshave come on board as well as exist-ing users moving to the hosted ser-vice.
“The comfort of knowing your sys-tem is being managed by an IT spe-cialist is really appreciated by busycare home owners and managers. Welook after all updates and back-ups
and ensure there’s enough capacity tokeep you running.
“We even have the option to use theiPad/2 as a mobile device as well asnumerous other devices – meaningyou can enter your data at the pointof care.
“At BPS we also recognise the needfor being price competitive, so wehave a low monthly user licensingmodel with no minimum commit-ment and low set up costs.”
Recent developments have includedthe CQC requirements for mentalcapacity and the introduction of fastinteractive care assessments.
Acquisition boosts firm
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CARINGPRODUCT NEWS40
Menu costs forecastto remain high ...FOOD inflation will remain a keyissue for the industry, according tobuying specialist Lynx Purchasing.
Along with high prices for primecuts of beef, pork and lamb, as well asthe most popular fish species, Lynxalso expects the cost of alternativessuch as beef trim for making burgersto stay high.
Managing director John Pinder said:“We saw some rises in the price ofmany catering products during 2011,and all our market intelligencesuggests some will remain firmduring 2012 and others are likely toincrease further over the next fewmonths.”
Based on the latest prices fromsuppliers, Lynx’s forecasts include:
Going up...� Continued strong demand for all
beef cuts keeping prices high.� Good quality lamb is in short
supply now, while high demand fornew season lamb will keep priceshigh into the spring.
� Increasing demand for pork fromAsian markets will drive pork prices,including gammon and bacon, upbetween six and seven per cent.
� Haddock prices will rise byaround five per cent and cod byabout per cent.
� Prawns are set to rise by about sixper cent due to increased demandfrom the Far East and constrictedfishing in the north Atlantic.
� Scampi will be up by aroundthree per cent due to a lack of landedraw material.
Coming down...� Salmon prices should come down
by up to 15 per cent in the next fewweeks as increased volumes fromChile balance global demand.
� Dairy: the continuing Eurozonecrisis has suppressed market forcesand brought caution and volatility to
global commodity markets, which inturn could affect dairy markets in thecoming months.
� Butter and cheddar worldwholesale prices have fallenconsiderably; however while this hasled to a 10 per cent decrease forbutter in UK wholesale market,cheddar has remained unchanged.Milk prices have remained fairlyconstant even though farm gateprices have been increasingthroughout 2011.
“For businesses with fixed costs,these continued high prices arehitting margins,” said John.“Operators need to plan menus withcare and consider using more cost-effective products, as well as makingsure they check prices before puttingthem on menus.
“For example turkey, whichunderstandably saw prices peak inthe run-up to Christmas, is bettervalue now as demand declines, andso is a good choice for carveries androasts at this time of year.
“Coley and pollock are in goodsupply with no increases forecast,and so are very cost-effective in anywhite fish recipe.”
John Pinder
PYROPURE®, a new system fordisposal of healthcare waste, will beavailable later this year.
It is an easy-to-operate, chest-freezer sized unit installed at thehome which sterilises and completelydestroys whole bags of waste,avoiding the need for storage andcollection, thereby saving costs.
It uses a quiet, heat-based processand will also produce clean hot waterwhich can be piped within the homefor heating, washing or laundry,offsetting electricity or gas bills andadding to the savings available. Bydestroying waste on site there aresignificant environmental benefitscompared to transporting it in trucksand landfilling it, and the recovery ofenergy from the waste adds to thesebenefits by substituting the fossil fuelinvolved in electric or gas heating.
The product will be on display atthe Care Show (stand S89).
New disposalwaste systemavailable
OWNERS feeling the effects of thefinancial downturn or funding cutsshould consider whether their homecould be altered to increaseoccupancy levels and income.
There may be a demand in the localarea for a service type that the homedoes not supply. Additionalbedrooms in the correct registrationcategory might be all that is requiredto increase occupancy and boostprofits.
Forrester Associates are specialistsin care home architecture. They workwith service providers to deviseschemes which will allow the hometo attract more users and generateincreased profit levels. Forrester carryout a free initial survey to assess theproperty’s potential for alteration andcan then prepare detailed drawingsfor approvals, tenders andconstruction. They will also supervisethe construction if required.
Changes couldup income
C-TEC has added a floor pressuremat to its new and highly innovativerange of Quantec dementia careproducts.
Designed for use in care facilitieshousing patients suffering from thecondition, the QT644 floor pressuremat is typically placed at the side of abed and will trigger a call if it detectsfoot pressure to alert staff towandering patients.
With its tough durable PVC finishand non-slip rubber base, the mattrades at just £77.40 and can beconnected to C-TEC’s Quantecaddressable call system via a QT637Enuresis/general purpose interfacesocket or the remote jack socket on aQT602 master call point.
Mat added tocollection Northampton home
showcases designsHEALTHCARE interior designspecialist Just Imagine ContractInteriors recently completed work ona 106-bed care home inNorthampton.
Cliftonville is a residential, nursingand dementia care home operated byAvery Healthcare. Adjacent toNorthampton hospital, the localPrimary Care Trust makes use of thefacility as a “step down” for hospitalpatients.
Just Imagine provided a completedesign, procurement and projectmanagement fit-out service, working
closely with Avery and itsconstruction partners to create acomfortable, high-quality interiordesign.
Reminiscence items such as olderfurniture, antique telephones andornaments, old photographs of localscenes are scattered throughout, notcontained in one room.
Tiling colour changes are used inbathrooms to further aid navigation,and walls, furnishings and fabrics usecolour contrasts and avoid busypatterns that can cause confusion.
ZEST Solutions has launched abudget-busting online tool helpingbusinesses save money and time oncutting a substantial overhead.
‘Your Zest Online’ satisfies thebudget conscious company who arelooking to curb the increasing priceof printer toner and inks as it allowsbusinesses to purchase direct via
their website using PC or smartphone.
In addition a reporting tool allowsbusinesses to set their ownpurchasing budgets.
Like any quality online storeordering is secure, convenient andreliable. Next day delivery savestime too.
Ink and toner solutions by Zest
ENA Shaw, the largest manufacturerof custom made soft furnishings inthe UK, will launch its new onlineordering service at the Care Show,Bournemouth.
The package utilises the company’sestablished ‘White Label’ expertiseused widely in other areas of thebusiness. Clients can specify theirown ranges or choose from a widerange of designs and accessories,view products and details online,place orders and receiveconfirmations instantly.
With a built in email based approvalsystem and periodic reporting ofactivity, the system simplifies theordering process. Alongside thecompany’s rapid responsephilosophy, order to delivery can takeas little as seven days.
Ena Shaw are on stand W96.
Online serviceto launch atCare Show
BVS TRAINING has launched twonew DVDs in response to the changesin legislation and requirements. Thetwo DVDs – ‘Infection Prevention andControl in the Care Home’ and ‘FoodSafety and Hygiene in the CareHome’ – offer a comprehensive guideto the issues surrounding the specificsubjects and highlight variousworking practices essential in thecare environment.
BVS’ whole range of DVDsextensively cover the requirements ofthe Skills for Care InductionStandards and key sections oflegislation. Upgrade discounts areavailable.
DVDs meetlegal changes
MSC Maintenance Services has a footin the door with fire doors andregulation to help care homes meetwith fire safety compliance.
With many old and vulnerablepeople living together care homespresent a high risk to life and it seemscare home operators are becomingonly too aware of this following thenumber of enquiries the companyhave received.
Not all doors are fire doors but it isvital to know which ones are becausethey are very important when a fireoccurs. Unless the door has amanufacturer’s mark on it (usually acoloured plastic plug in the edge ofthe door) then identification is guess-work.
It should be easier to identify a firedoor in a new building as there willbe a door schedule in the health andsafety file giving all the specificationsfor each door.
Companyhelps homesto comply
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42
SINCE 1982, Colne (Lancs) based,Richards Residential Supplieshave concentrated uponsupplying simple solutions tocommon nursing home problems.
The new WACMAT® adheresstrongly to this tradition.
With its ultra absorbent cottonpile and 100 per cent waterproofbacking, the remarkableWACMAT® is an ideal accessorywhere spills may occur.
Used as a commode mat, inbedrooms or bathrooms, theWACMAT® ensures full carpetprotection. Then, after use, simplymachine wash and tumble dry!It’s that simple...
The WACMAT® will then beclean and odour-free, ready toperform time and time again. Alternatively the flat-laying WACMAT® can be used as an entrance mat,saving you hundreds of pounds in rental costs alone.
Enquiries: Telephone 0800 074 3749
Simple solutions
A hassle-free solution to interior designIF YOU are project managinga new build, extension orrefurbishment project, doyou feel this is taking up toomuch of your time, or isrunning away with thebudget?
Would you like a hassle-free solution which saves youboth time and money, yetleaves you in full control ofthe final designs, budget anddeadlines?
We work with you todevelop your brief anddesign ideas and carry outthe all-important detail andgroundwork to translatethese into design boards sothat you can visualise the finished designs.
Clients can expect fixed interior design costs and fully costed proposals for furniture, curtaining,artwork, equipment, tableware, linen, towels and bedding. Whatever your needs or budget – large or small– our service can be tailored to meet your requirements.
Enquiries: Visit www.a21interiors.co.uk or call Eda Brooks on 020 8399 3091.
Touchless hand careHAND hygiene, particularly in healthcare settings, is animportant factor for reducing the spread of infection.
Infection control guidelines covering care homes saythe use of alcohol hand rub is important and should beeasily accessible to staff.
According to Germstar Hygiene, 80 per cent ofinfectious diseases are transmitted by hand, meaning thetraditional dispenser used can be compromised.
The company’s touchless hand sanitiser eliminates thedispenser as a potential for cross-contamination. Usersplace a hand under the motion-activated dispenser toreceive a measured dose of sanitising liquid rinse capableof killing an estimated 99.9 per cent of bacteria, virusesand fungus on contact.
The rinse works against H1N1, Norovirus,gastroenteritis, E Coli, salmonella, MRSA. It is made from100 per natural emollients including a built in moisturiserwhich prevents ‘alcohol dryness’. The dispenser unit will befitted in any care home free of charge.
See the Germstar dispenser on Stand W105 at theBournemouth Care Show
Enquiries: Telephone 01980 616800, [email protected] or visit
www.germstaruk.com
‘Samsung Guide to IT in Healthcare’launched
SPECIFICALLY written for healthcareestablishment managers and owners thisnew guide explains how care homes canuse IT to cut costs and improve efficiency.
As budgets are squeezed, and demandson patient care in UK care homes increases,Samsung Electronics has produced aninformative guide explaining howhealthcare providers can use the latesttechnology to reduce costs, increaseefficiency and improve patient care.
The ‘Samsung Guide to IT in Healthcare’outlines how the latest developments in IT,from IP telephony and tablet computers toflat-screen displays and multifunctionprinters, allow care homes and otherhealthcare providers to achieve efficienciespreviously only available to organisationswith big budgets and in-house IT expertise.
Samsung will be exhibiting at the Bournemouth Care Show on March 27 and 28 - stand number S122.Enquiries: To request a free copy of ‘Samsung Guide to IT in Healthcare’ email
[email protected] and one will be mailed out to you by return post.
The quickest way to label clothesRESIDENTS with dementia oftenexperience distress if they cannotfind the clothing they are familiarwith and, as with all residents, it isimportant that an individual’sgarments are correctly returned tothem after washing.
Spring approaching means newclothes to identify, and with morethan 1,200 garments going throughthe care home laundry this is not aneasy task, especially if the garment isnot named adequately.
Attach-a-Tag is a simple, costeffective method of labellingclothing and soft objects, and is anideal way to quickly label short termand respite residents’ clothing as wellas normal laundry.
Replicating a button, it attaches in seconds to the garment seam or laundry label, making it discreet andcomfortable to the wearer. The patented design is easy to attach but difficult to remove, and cannot betaken off by accident or come off during the laundry process.
Enquiries: Telephone 01757 638926, email [email protected] or visitwww.attachatag.co.uk
Grahame Gardner meet all your uniformneeds
WITH a wide selection of both contemporary andtraditional workwear, Grahame Gardner hasgarments to suit every taste.
Their range of tunics and trousers areextensive, all designed to be both practical andcomfortable, with a number of alternative trouserstyles, including hipster and boot cut.
Urbane Scrubs on the other hand is the perfectrange for those looking for something a little outof the ordinary – with a bold colour palette andflattering tailoring. Urbane is a scrub range a cutabove the rest.
Grahame Gardner also offer an embroideryservice so care homes can personalise theirgarments with the addition of logos or namebadges. This enables managers to cost effectivelycreate a bespoke identity to enhance the image ofthe surgery.
For added convenience, Grahame Gardner hasalso selected a range of clogs and shoes perfectfor the staff.
Enquiries: Telephone 0116 255 6326 or visit www.grahamegardner.co.uk
RDP Innovationshelps you get your
residents onlineRDP Innovations Ltd designs and manufactures arange of mobile computer trolleys to help you getyour residents online.
Highly manoeuvrable, sturdy and stable, ourtop quality trolleys are used to wheel computersinto residents’ own rooms so that they can useemail or Skype in privacy and with confidence.
Enquiries: Call 01473 722 922 or [email protected] and visit us on stand S11 at The CareShow, Bournemouth, on March 27 and 28.
High quality medical cabinet from RDPInnovations
THIS high quality medical cabinet from RDPInnovations has been specifically designed for use inresidential care homes.
Use one cabinet in each resident’s room to safelystore the creams, lotions and wipes which are used intheir personal care.
Designed to be wall-mounted, each medical cabinetis supplied with a set of fixings and clear, printed,installation instructions. Each cabinet measures 30cmx 20cm x 13cm.
RDP’s medical cabinets can be supplied ‘keyed-alike’(all keys the same) or ‘keyed-to-differ’ (all keysdifferent).
Further, to increase the likelihood that cabinets willbe locked after they have been accessed by a key-holder, keys can only be removed from a lock when thelatch is in the ‘locked’ position.
Enquiries: Call 01473 722 922 or [email protected].
Come and visit us on stand S11 at The CareShow, Bournemouth, on March 27 and 28.
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43Leading risk management software supplier
DATIX is the leading supplier ofpatient and resident safetysoftware for health and socialcare risk management, incidentreporting and adverse events.
Datix gives care homemanagers the information theyneed to build a completepicture of risk in theirorganisation. Datix can help to improve safety for residents and staff, while reducing administrativeoverheads. From small care homes to large groups, Datix plays a key part in the corporate governance ofthe organisation.
Key features of Datix for social care include:Management dashboards which display information on the organisation’s risks in a clear, simple format.Sophisticated alerting mechanisms that give care home managers early warning of potential trouble
spots.Flexible views of risk management information, allowing risks to be shown by particular care home,
department or even an individual resident.Security of access to information, restricting managers to viewing only data that is relevant to their care
home or area of interest.
Enquiries: Contact 020 8971 1971 or email [email protected]
Introducing you to our RemScent machines
RESEARCH has proven that smell has the strongest connection to memory and that smell can be apowerful memory stimulant especially for someone with dementia.
Our RemScent machines work by releasing different scents to trigger the reminiscence process andwork as form of reminiscence therapy.
Simply plug in our RemScent machine, choose your scent from over 200 different aroma cartridgesand let the reminiscence process begin.
Create the smell of freshly cut grass to help someone remember glorious summer days, the smell of awarm roast dinner to restore an appetite, or perhaps a coal fire to help residents feel more relaxed beforegoing to bed.
We currently offer three different scent machines, starting at just £129.99. Buy a scent machine andget two scents of your choice free.
Enquiries: For more information call the Rem team on 0207 9935308, [email protected] or visit www.remscent.com
Knightsbridge Furniture enhancesrefurbished East Lancs Hospice
USERS of the communal areas inBlackburn’s East Lancashire Hospice arenow welcomed by furniture in invitingshades of chocolate, red and naturalbeech following the installation of chairsand tables supplied by Bradford-basedKnightsbridge Furniture.
The order is part of an extensiverefurbishment programme funded jointlyby the Department of Health and thelocal community which includedupgrading inpatient and day therapyareas, enlarging bedrooms and creatingnew communal spaces.
In the new-look communal areas, a range of seating and tables from the Knightsbridge Furniture Careportfolio has been selected to avoid a uniform ‘institutional’ look whilst meeting varying user-needs.Hallam electric recliners, for example, combine both style and functionality: features like heavy-dutybraked castors, a discreet drip-stand locator, padded arms and extra support for the head and lumbarregions ensure they merge comfortably into clinical, therapeutic and lounge settings alike.
Enquiries: call 01274 731442, e-mail [email protected] or visitwww.knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk
New Home and Freedom catalogue makescaring at home easier
A NEW Home and Freedom catalogue is available from SynergyHealth to make it easier to care at home for elderly people orthose with physical disabilities or immobility problems.
It also contains resources for managing dermatologicalconditions, such as eczema.
The catalogue includes educational guides to hand hygiene,continence management, and infection prevention around thehome. It details the comprehensive home healthcare productsavailable to order from Synergy Health, including continence careand personal cleansing products; home cleaning and disinfectionessentials; and nursing care products.
Synergy Health has been a leading supplier of personalhygiene, infection control and wound care products to the NHSfor more than 40 years and has a long tradition of supplyinginnovative healthcare products both to those in healthcareestablishments and in their own homes.
Enquiries: The catalogue is available online atwww.synergyonlinestore.com Orders can be made online,
by post or by calling 0845 196 0625.
SCIFIT RST7000 Recumbent StepperTHE RST7000 Recumbent Stepper from SCIFIT hasbeen designed with adjustable step through easy-access, providing a smooth linear movement andcan be used for lower body only, upper body onlyor total body exercise.
It has comfortable, sturdy orthopaedicfootbeds that are self-levelling with safety edgesto deliver a secure, dependent step motion.
The fully adjustable swivel seat includes atherapist side assist lever and is also very ease toremove to enable use with a wheelchair.
A low starting resistance of six watts, plus a lowminimum RPM (to begin and maintainprogramme function) make this recumbentstepper well suited for rehabilitation applications.
This unique benefit enhances the muscledevelopment of older adults, promoting a greaterfeeling of wellbeing and everyday activities.
The user-defined stride length greatly assistswith hip and knee rehabilitation.
Enquiries: Call 01344 300 022 or visit www.SCIFIT.uk.com for full product details including aninstructional video.
The UK’s leading interior design service forthe healthcare sector
JUST Imagine Contract Interiors provides a complete design andfit-out service for healthcare operators, including Avery, Hanover,Pennaf Housing and Housing 21.
Whether new build or refurbishment, interiors meet alllegislative criteria and exceed the needs of your residents interms of style and comfort:
Maximise occupancy and make your home more successful –we create comfortable, desirable places to live.
Enjoy the satisfaction of providing excellent healthcare –better design leads to better care.
Have the design you want, not what the designer wants youto have! Just Imagine produces a range of design schemes for youto choose from.
Relax. We design, procure and project-manage the fit-out onyour behalf, or we can be your design consultant only –whichever you prefer.
Achieve the most cost-effective interior design – use ourknowledge and experience to get the best items at competitiveprices..
Enquiries: Call 01745 585521, email Richard at [email protected] or visitwww.justimagineinteriors.co.uk
Cut laundry energy bills with Girbau’s newED Series tumbledryers
GIRBAU UK has launched a new range of highefficiency tumble dryers that will help careand nursing home laundries to cut energybills.
All four models in the new Girbau ED SeriesEcoDryer range are believed to be the mostenergy efficient conventional tumble dryersavailable. They offer a range of loadcapacities: 13kg, 17kg, 23kg and 33kg.
Designed to be more energy efficient thanany other conventional dryer, ED SeriesEcoDryers feature Girbau’s TRANSFLOWtechnology.
This is a combination of both radial andaxial airflow for maximum efficiency, reducedcycle times and lower energy costs. Cabinetinsulation and a double-glazed door furtheroptimise energy efficiency and prevent heat escaping from ED Series dryers.
The highly reliable and accurate built-in humidity control system automatically senses when clothes aredry and activates the cool down process maximising energy efficiency and assuring textile care.
Enquiries: Telephone 01462 427780 or visit www.girbau.co.uk
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45CARINGPRODUCT NEWS
SINCE 2010 healthcare practicesregulated by the CQC must meetservice delivery criteria includingthe clear identification of individ-ual staff members.
The guidance publication enti-tled ‘Essential standards of qualityand safety’ specifies that, forproviders to achieve the requiredstandard of care and welfare ofpeople who use their healthcareservices, their users “can be confi-dent that, wherever possible, theywill know the names and job titlesof the people who provide theircare, treatment and support”(part of Outcome 4C).
Compliance with this standardis simple according toBadgemaster, the UK’s leadingsupplier of name badges.
“Providing name badges to cus-tomer-facing staff is a proven andvery cost-effective solution to theCQC regulations,” said MD JohnBancroft.
Nottinghamshire-based for 20years, Badgemaster designs andmanufactures ready-to-wearemployee name badges for thou-sands of hospitals, surgeries andcare homes and well understandsthe needs of healthcare profes-sionals.
Badgeshelp meetOutcome
NURSING homes are forever facedwith increased running costs and thetemptation to cut corners can betempting.
Finding solutions that are costeffective and save money withoutcompromising any legislative issuesare hard to find. However, there isnow an effective solution to reducethe cost of fire extinguisher installa-tion and maintenance.
Fireworld extinguishers are mainte-nance free for their 10-year life span.They do not require a registered
extinguisher engineer to come out toservice them on a yearly basis or todischarge and re-fill after five years,as is required with a standard extin-guisher. All you need to do is toappoint a person within the organisa-tion to carry out a yearly visualinspection.
When you purchase a maintenancefree fire extinguisher, Safelincs willcarry out a free site survey to ensureyou have the correct extinguishersand give you a demonstration of theyearly visual check.
Effective solution to installation
DEMENTIA care is complex.Sometimes care providers’ lackof information and skills canheighten anxiety and result in avariety of risks and missedopportunities to enhance quali-ty of life for those in their care.
In addition, regulations aimedat improving care can easilybecome barriers to resident,family, and staff satisfaction.Organisations committed toovercoming these challengesfind that it starts by connectingall dementia care staff through aperson-centred philosophy andcare approach.
A comprehensive person-cen-tred training programme is themost effective means of improv-ing the quality of life for individ-uals with dementia.Implementing a few basic stepscan ensure that all staff mem-bers improve their communica-tion and quality of person-cen-tred care. Additionally it can alsoaide the maintenance of func-tion and delay further cognitivedegeneration. A new trainingprogramme from CPI marriestwo powerful programmes:Dementia Capable Care andNon-violent Crisis Interventionin an efficient, effective trainingformat designed exclusively fordementia care facilities.
New trainingprogramme GAINSBOROUGH Specialist Bathing
has launched a new version of itssuccessful Ascot 1600 bath completewith a fixed seat transfer.
The Ascot FS has been designed inresponse to customer feedback, andaims to ensure practical installationfor refurbishments in the long termcare and nursing home sector by pro-viding a functional bathing solutionin space restricted environments.
Nigel Crook, sales manager, said thesystem is also compact enough forpeople to have in their own homes.
He added: “The Ascot FS is provingsuch a success because it combinesstate-of-the-art technology withpracticality and ergonomic design. Itfeatures an automated system whichseamlessly transfers the bather intothe water, making the bathing experi-ence effortless for not only the user,but the carer as well.”
New bath unveiled
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44
Occupancy specialist
Computer Software Recruitment
Signs
Care Home Software
Transport
A BRISTOL care provider hasdeveloped a leadership course forstaff, to enable them to understandtheir role and responsibilities moreclearly, and identify what they canchange to improve the well being ofcustomers and colleagues.
Brunelcare’s frontline staff havebeen given the opportunity to exploredifferent ways of working to meet theaspirations and dreams of peopleliving with a dementia, shifting awayfrom task based care towards anoutcome focus.
The training scheme wasintroduced one year ago and wasinitially launched solely in the carehomes within Brunelcare’s portfolio,however, due to its success, it is nowbeing implemented throughout thebusiness.
Jan Little, head of care homes, said:“This training has been incrediblysuccessful, we have seen the
enthusiasm and confidence of staffgrow, they really feel more involved inthe business and the training hashelped them manage their timebetter.
“We are so pleased that the pilot hasnow been extended to the wholebusiness and that staff, residents andclients are all benefitting.”
The training explores what makes asuccessful team, and promotesempowerment to encourage staff toexplore and enable newopportunities.
The course involves a lot of delegateparticipation, with focus on teambuilding, interaction and problemsolving.
Jan and Stuart Wright, Brunelcare’sdementia care champion, presentedthis training package at the DementiaCare Congress, where it was wellreceived by other care providers.
Course helps staffunderstand roles
By Dominic Musgrave
WALES’ first set of training guides forcare home staff that have beenwritten with the help of residents,their relatives and staff have beenlaunched.
The My Home Life Cymruprogramme from Age Cymru haspublished the eight ‘good practiceguides’ to help improve the lives ofpeople who are involved with carehomes.
These are:� Maintaining identity in a care
home environment;� Sharing decision making in care
homes.� Creating community.� Managing the transition into a
care home.� Improving health and healthcare.� Supporting a good end of life.� Promoting a positive culture.� Keeping the workforce fit for
purpose.
Programme manager John Mooresaid: “My Home Life Cymru is aprogramme that exists to make lifebetter for people living in, visiting orworking in care homes in Wales.
“Over the last three years, we’veworked closely with 38 care homesacross Wales to identify the littlethings that make a big difference inthe day-to-day lives of residents,relatives and staff at those homes.
“We’ve spoken to a lot of peopleabout a lot of different issues and inthe process we’ve learned a lot aboutthe good work that goes on in carehomes across Wales, and we’ve put allthis information into the eight goodpractice guides.”
The guides have been written toinspire staff discussions on issuesfrom including everyone involvedwhen making decisions that affectresidents’ lives; developing a sense ofcommunity within care homes, todeath and dying and more.
New training guide unveiled
Complete recruitmentsolutions to the care sectorAre you looking for that new staff or team
member for your care business?If so let us help. With over 20 years
recruitment experience we can find youthe right person for the job
• Care Assistants • RGN / RMN Nurses• Care Home Managers • Admin and reception staff
• Bank carers and nurses available & 24/7 on call number
For More information and free quotations please contact us on:Tel 07500 007 [email protected]
Business
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