October 2015 no.232 • £4.75 By Olivia Taylor THE results of a National Care Association survey of independent care provider members shows that 24 per cent of care providers could exit the market. The very people the residential care sector relies on to provide high quality care are being squeezed to the point where many are considering an exit from the sector, which could create a serious bed shortage and have serious repercussions for the wider NHS. The National Care Association predicts that – due to a £375million black hole in state funding – such an exit could equate to the loss of 40,000 beds in the independent social care market, and the worsening of a bed-blocking crisis already in evidence across much of the NHS. National Care Association chairman, Nadra Ahmed OBE, said: “The chronic underfunding of social care by local authorities is prompting the systematic collapse of the independent social care market, which could, in turn, mean thousands of frail older people will not be able to access the care and support they need at a time when they are at their most vulnerable. “This will create a pathway into the NHS, which the State can ill afford, resulting in hospital admissions for non-acute conditions.” The National Care Association points to a critical shortfall in average council funding of about eight per cent for a typical care home placement as the significant contributory factor in the likely exodus of care providers. This underfunding, together with the impact on care sector overheads of the introduction of the living wage from April next year, is seriously eroding the viability of many care home businesses. Without increased funding from local councils in recognition of the true cost of care, the predicted market crash, the National Care Association believes, will spell the end of the road for many independent care homes. Nadra added: “In short, under very real threat is a UK support service which is essential to local government and NHS care provision.” ■ What do you think of the National Care Association’s findings, and of the predicted market crash? Let us know by emailing [email protected]New survey predicts a ‘care crash’ A Bollywood-themed bash brought residents, their staff and families together to mark a hugely successful first decade for Sunrise of Banstead staff. Although the weather was more Banstead than Bangalore, the rain didn’t dampen any spirits as everyone got in the party mood. Staff welcomed guests in full Bollywood dress with a platter of Indian snacks prepared by Sunrise’s team of chefs. As the celebrations got into full swing, Lionel Blair arrived onstage to perform. Lionel then joined general manager Suzanne Spurgin in toasting to further success and cutting the specially made birthday cake. incorporating The Number One magazine for the care sector Company founder wins top accolade THE founder and director of an award-winning Gloucestershire homecare company has scooped a top accolade. Steve Mills, who founded DoCare with his wife Una 10 years ago, was named businessperson of the year at the annual Stroud Life Business Awards. DoCare employs over 100 staff, and covers 1,000 square miles of Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and West Oxfordshire. Steve said: “While I am really delighted to have been named business person of the year, I regard this as a win for the whole team. “It’s our fantastic staff who make DoCare such a successful company. “We’re a family business, and the support I have from my co-director Una, our general manager Sue Mothershaw and the team is phenomenal. “When we set up DoCare, our aim was to provide quality homecare by training our staff to the highest standards, and making every day a better day for our clients.”
Transcript
October 2015
no.232 • £4.75
By Olivia Taylor
THE results of a National CareAssociation survey of independentcare provider members shows that24 per cent of care providers couldexit the market.
The very people the residentialcare sector relies on to provide highquality care are being squeezed tothe point where many areconsidering an exit from the sector,which could create a serious bedshortage and have seriousrepercussions for the wider NHS.
The National Care Associationpredicts that – due to a £375millionblack hole in state funding – suchan exit could equate to the loss of40,000 beds in the independentsocial care market, and theworsening of a bed-blocking crisisalready in evidence across much ofthe NHS.
National Care Associationchairman, Nadra Ahmed OBE, said:“The chronic underfunding of socialcare by local authorities isprompting the systematic collapseof the independent social caremarket, which could, in turn, meanthousands of frail older people willnot be able to access the care andsupport they need at a time whenthey are at their most vulnerable.
“This will create a pathway intothe NHS, which the State can illafford, resulting in hospitaladmissions for non-acuteconditions.”
The National Care Associationpoints to a critical shortfall inaverage council funding of abouteight per cent for a typical carehome placement as the significantcontributory factor in the likelyexodus of care providers.
This underfunding, together withthe impact on care sector overheadsof the introduction of the livingwage from April next year, isseriously eroding the viability ofmany care home businesses.
Without increased funding fromlocal councils in recognition of thetrue cost of care, the predictedmarket crash, the National CareAssociation believes, will spell theend of the road for manyindependent care homes.
Nadra added: “In short, under veryreal threat is a UK support servicewhich is essential to localgovernment and NHS careprovision.”� What do you think of the NationalCare Association’s findings, and ofthe predicted market crash? Let usknow by [email protected]
New surveypredicts a‘care crash’
A Bollywood-themed bash brought residents, their staffand families together to mark a hugely successful firstdecade for Sunrise of Banstead staff. Although theweather was more Banstead than Bangalore, the raindidn’t dampen any spirits as everyone got in the partymood. Staff welcomed guests in full Bollywood dresswith a platter of Indian snacks prepared by Sunrise’steam of chefs. As the celebrations got into full swing,Lionel Blair arrived onstage to perform. Lionel thenjoined general manager Suzanne Spurgin in toasting tofurther success and cutting the specially made birthdaycake.
incorporating
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Companyfounderwins topaccoladeTHE founder and directorof an award-winningGloucestershire homecarecompany has scooped atop accolade.
Steve Mills, who foundedDoCare with his wife Una10 years ago, was namedbusinessperson of theyear at the annual StroudLife Business Awards.
DoCare employs over100 staff, and covers 1,000square miles ofGloucestershire, SouthGloucestershire and WestOxfordshire.
Steve said: “While I amreally delighted to havebeen named businessperson of the year, Iregard this as a win for thewhole team.
“It’s our fantastic staffwho make DoCare such asuccessful company.
“We’re a family business,and the support I havefrom my co-director Una,our general manager SueMothershaw and the teamis phenomenal.
“When we set upDoCare, our aim was toprovide quality homecareby training our staff to thehighest standards, andmaking every day a betterday for our clients.”
3CARINGNEWS
AdvertisingSales and Marketing Director:Tony BarryTel: 01226 734605Email: [email protected]
Database enquiries to:01226 734695 E-mail: [email protected] every effort is made toensure the accuracy of all con-tent, the publishers do notaccept liability for error, printedor otherwise, that may occur.
www.caring-uk.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter @caringuk
At Script Media, we try to get things right but occasionally, we make mistakes. If you have a complaint about a story featured in our magazineor on our website, please, in the first instance, contact us by email: [email protected] We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice asdemanded by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. For details on the code and what to do should you be unsatisfied with the waywe handle your complaint, please visit www.ipso.co.uk
By Olivia Taylor
WETHERBY Manor care home inWetherby has scooped a gold award atthis year's Yorkshire in Bloom competi-tion.
The awards ceremony was held at YorkRacecourse and was attended by over350 guests.
Wetherby Manor was a joint gold win-ner in the public and private charitableestablishments category.
The judges described the gardens as‘stunning’ and the quality of planting as‘first class’.
They also said the underlying philoso-phy and thought given to the structure,design, planting and maintenance of thegardens were to be commended.
Gardening and maintenance are car-ried out by Pullan LandscapeConstruction and Maintenance headedby Neil Copley.
Vegetables and herbs grown in the gar-den, some of which are produced by thethriving residents' gardening club, areused by Wetherby Manor's chef.
Judith Scurr, manager of WetherbyManor, was presented with the award on
behalf of the team. She said: “Everyone at Wetherby Manor
is really thrilled to win this award.“We aim to make the gardens a talking
point for residents, visitors and staffthroughout the year and a lot of hardwork goes into the seasonal planting.
“Passers-by often compliment our
hanging baskets and our private gardenis a lovely place for residents and theirfriends and families to enjoy.”
Wetherby Manor provides residential,dementia and nursing care for elderlypeople and supported care living apart-ments at Linton House. It is part ofHadrian Healthcare Group.
Yorkshire in Bloom Goldfor ‘stunning’ care home
Judith Scurr (manager, seated left) and Joanne Ogden (quality assurance manager) at WetherbyManor with Neil Copley (second left) and the Pullan Landscape Construction & Maintenanceteam.
CARINGNEWS4
The region’s best home-baked goods, handicrafts, vegetables and floral displays wereshowcased in Lincolnshire as 100 care home residents came together to display theirwork. The Orders of St John Care Trust hosted its fifth annual harvest festival at TheVenue in Navenby. As part of the event, residents from 15 care homes paraded aselection of flower arrangements, preserves, vegetables, baking and crafts, with a ‘BestIn Show’ awarded to each category. Trustee Jill Hughes judged the entries alongsideother OSJCT members of staff. Anita Rudd, OSJCT’s Lincolnshire activities and volunteermanager, said: “Our residents enjoy this annual event as it’s an opportunity to not onlysocialise and showcase their hard work, but to also get back involved with an oldhobby, like gardening or baking.”
By Olivia Taylor
MIDLAND Heart has won a topRoSPA award for its commitment tocontinuous improvement in accidentand ill health prevention at work.
Midland Heart was presented withthe Healthcare Services IndustrySector Award at a recent ceremony atthe Hilton Birmingham MetropoleHotel.
Run by the Royal Society for thePrevention of Accidents, it’s one ofaround 20 prestigious annual awardsfor which the industry competes.
Unlike the majority of RoSPA’sawards, which are non-competitive,the industry sector awards seek torecognise organisations that havedemonstrated the best health andsafety management performancewithin a specific sector.
Judged across 10 key performanceareas, each entrant must demonstratea consistently high and continuallyimproving performance which setsthem apart as the ‘best in sector’.
David Rawlins, RoSPA’s awardsmanager, said: “The RoSPA Awardsencourage improvement inoccupational health and safetymanagement.
“Organisations that gain recognitionfor their health and safetymanagement systems, such as
Midland Heart, contribute to raisingstandards overall and wecongratulate them.”
This is the fifth year Midland Hearthas entered the scheme, gaining goldin the non-competitive programmeas well as winning the HealthcareServices Industry Sector Award andthe RoSPA QSA Platinum Award in2013.
Pete Jones, head of facilitiesmanagement and health and safety atMidland Heart, added: “This is thesecond time in three years we havebeen presented with an industrysector award which demonstrates ourcommitment to protect the healthand safety of our employees,customers and visitors.
“Ensuring consistently high levels ofhealth and safety is embedded in ourculture and everyone plays a part.
“The RoSPA award is testament tothe systems we have in place, howthey are adhered to and how theycontinually evolve to meet new riskswithin the business.
“We are absolutely delighted to berecognised as a sector winner as itsets a benchmark for otherorganisations to aspire to.”
Midland Heart, which manages over33,000 homes and supports 70,000customers, first received a RoSPAgold award in 2011.
Top award forMidland Heart
CARINGNEWS6
A FLYING visit by several birds of preyproved a popular attraction when aWinchester care home unveiled itsnew-look garden.
Residents, staff and relatives atColten Care’s Abbots Barton homewere treated to a one hour display,including an owl, falcon and a hawk.
The visit, by the Eastleigh-basedFalconhigh display team, marked theend of a major garden refurbishment.
The updated garden includes alarger patio area, new walkways andnew trees and plants.
Charles Hubberstey, Colten Care’shead gardener, assisted by AbbotsBarton gardener Emily Truman,
officially opened the refurbishedgarden by cutting a ribbon.
Janet Orchard, activity organiser,said: “The garden looks absolutelyfantastic and everyone is delighted.
“We had a wonderful day, with thebirds of prey proving particularlypopular.
“There was lots of interactionbetween the birds and our residents.This was the fifth visit by Falconhighand it’s always one of the highlightsof the year.”
The special day also included araffle, which raised £137 for thehome’s adopted charity Asthma UK,and a summer supper.
Flying visit marks garden launchStaff, residents and relatives at Abbots Barton in Winchester enjoy a bird of prey displaywhich included some low flying.
By Olivia Taylor
THE CQC has found the quality ofcare provided by Galanos House inWarwickshire, West Midlands to beOutstanding following an inspectioncarried out in March.
Galanos House is registered toprovide accommodation and nursingcare for up to 90 people. There arethree units providing residential,nursing and care for those with adiagnosis of dementia.
Inspectors found staff were caringand compassionate and people werebeing provided with safe, responsive,caring, effective and well led care.
Under CQC’s new programme ofinspections, all adult social careservices are being given a ratingaccording to whether they are safe,effective, caring, responsive and wellled.
The report on Galanos Househighlights innovative and creativepractice used by staff and a clearcommitment by managers tocontinually improve. All of the peoplereceiving care inspectors spoke withwere highly complimentary about thecare and treatment provided andthere was a positive atmospherewithin the home.
The registered manager and deputymanager shared a common vision toprovide a care environment wherepeople were enabled to carry on
living their lives, pursing theirinterests and maintaining theirrelationships.
Sue Howard, deputy chief inspectorof adult social care in CQC’s Centralregion, said: “We found that peopleliving at this home and their relativeswere overwhelmingly positive aboutthe quality of their care.
“Inspectors found many examplesof the home’s managementimplementing innovative approachesto ensure care was delivered to a highstandard.
“Galanos House was a communityand each person was seen as havingan important and vital role to playwithin that community. Every personwas valued and respected irrespectiveof their mental or physical health.”
“People at Galanos House hadfulfilling lives because they wereengaged in activities that weremeaningful to them. People withskills or hobbies were encouraged toshare their interests with others.”
Andrea Sutcliffe, chief inspector ofadult social care, added: “The qualityof care which our inspectors foundhere was exceptional and I am verypleased that we can celebrate thehome’s achievements.
“An outstanding service is the resultof a tremendous amount of hardwork and commitment. I would liketo thank and congratulate everyoneinvolved.”
CQC rates GalanosHouse outstanding
CARINGNEWS8
A REGIONAL manager for a leadingcare home operator paddledhundreds of miles through two nightson the water to raise money for hisson’s nursery.
Mike Wilson, who works for AveryHealthcare, canoed from Birminghamto London – a total of 140 miles.
Together with three friends, none ofwhom had even picked up an oarbefore the beginning of this year, theynavigated a total of 166 locks, whichinvolved hoisting the canoe out of thewater and porting it onto the nextstretch of water.
Mike is fund raising for the PeterPan Special needs nursery inNewcastle Under Lyme.
He said: “My three-year-old son
Finley was diagnosed last year withAutistic Spectrum Disorder andsubsequently we were linked in withthe Peter Pan.
“We were very lucky as normally awaiting list is common place for newreferrals, but for us the stars musthave aligned as when we werereferred there was a vacancy thefollowing day.
“The work the staff do istremendous, but the nursery is acharity that requires at least £250k torun per annum.”
The team has already raised nearlyover £3,000 but needs help to reachtheir target.
You can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/140canoe/
Challenge benefits charityAvery Healthcare regional manager Mike Wilson during the watery challenge.
Investors in People Goldaward for care specialistBy Olivia Taylor
REGARD, which provides residentialcare homes and supported livingservices across the UK, has beenawarded the Gold Investors In Peoplestandard.
It makes them only the fourth out of17,000 organisations in the UK, whichcare for people with learningdifficulties and mental health needsto achieve the prestigious award.
The Investors In People assessorspraised CEO Sandie Foxall-Smith andher team for the way they have beenenthusiastically driving up standardswhile keeping service users andcaring at the centre of everything.
Staff will be sharing the successwith those they care for with specialcelebration tea parties across thecountry on September 30. PreviouslyRegard, which has its headquarters inKingston-upon-Thames, hadachieved the silver standard.
People with learning disabilities andmental health needs receive a varietyof services from Regard throughoutthe UK, many in bespoke supportedliving services or specialist residentialservices with others receivingoutreach services.
Investors In People specialist SylviaZachariah said: “It has been agenuine pleasure to undertake thisreview of Regard. The wealth andweight of evidence was quite
overwhelming. The CEO and herteam are fully committed tocontinuous improvement across allaspects of the organisation and havenever wavered.”
The Gold Standard was awardedafter visits to Regard careestablishments, its headquartersfunction and after interviews withstaff at all levels. Some 147 additionalpieces of evidence building on theSilver accreditation were studied.
Sylvia, who looked into every aspectof the management and running ofthe firm, praised the quality ofmanagement and the way staff work.
She added: “It quickly becameobvious that people continue to befocussed on the notions of excellenceand quality; they are fully committedand passionate about delivering thebest possible outcomes forcustomers, patients, stakeholders andthe organisation.
“Your employees are highlymotivated and are fully embracingthe person centred approach, whichis the foundation of their work. It israre that I find a cohort of staff socommitted to improving the life ofthose in their care.
“People fully understand theconcept of customer care which forthem is ensuring service users canlead fulfilling lives and are beingsupported in the most appropriateperson centred way.”
11CARINGNEWS
RESIDENTS at a Kenilworth carehome held a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party tosupport a national cancer charity.
Joined by family and friends, thestaff and residents of KenilworthManor donned their best bonnets inthe tradition of Lewis Carroll’s iconicWonderland stories.
Celebrating their ‘un-birthdays’ theresidents of the home in ThickthornOrchards collected £542 in aid ofBreast Cancer UK, as well as puttingsome of the money raised towards anactivity fund for residents.
The home, where activities are a keypart of life, organises Scrabble games,exercise sessions and outdoor walks
as often as possible, while residentsget to spend time in the gardens.
Joy Thorpe, activities coordinator atKenilworth Manor, said: “We had awonderful time in our ownWonderland after residents gotinvolved and made some fantasticdecorations for our tea party.
“We’ve raised funds towards treatsand activities that help residents gettogether and be the close-knit, wel-coming and friendly community wehave built at Kenilworth Manor.
“Thanks to the generosity of ourfamilies and friends we have alsocontributed to a very worthy cause inthe form of Breast Cancer UK.”
Party supports cancer charityStaff and residents enjoy the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at Kenilworth Manor.
CARINGNEWS12
Home dreams up Poldark-themedceremony for general managerBy Olivia Taylor
POLDARK fan and Hallmark CareHomes employee Rebekah Smith, wasgiven the surprise of her life recentlyby her fiancé, team members andresidents of the care home which shemanages.
Using the guile of Cornishsmugglers, they secretly organised aPoldark-themed ceremony at AdmiralCourt care home in Essex, ahead ofher wedding to the intended, MickAllan.
The couple are both fans of the hitBBC TV drama, as are staff andresidents at the home, whichspecialises in nursing and dementiacare.
The ceremony featured invitations,flowers, food and costumes allinspired by the period drama.
Residents acted as bridesmaids andgroomsmen and even surprised thebride-to-be – unaware of the themeuntil the big day – with anappropriate outfit.
Mick, 46, really looked the part,dressed as the dashing Captain RossPoldark – played on TV by heartthrobstar Aidan Turner – while Rebekah,47, was dressed as heroine DemelzaCarne.
She said: “The theme was acomplete and amazing surprise asmyself and my fiancé are fans of
Poldark. We are even going on ourhoneymoon to Cornwall near whereit is filmed.
“The team and residents at AdmiralCourt are very close knit, so it waslovely to include them in my weddingcelebrations.”
Walking down the aisle to thePoldark theme, Rebekah wasaccompanied by matrons of honourPat Hemmings 76, Irene Warner 87,Winnie Headley 90, and Flo Pamment87.
She and Mick were presented with18th century-style vows by best manDerrick Handley, 94.
The mock wedding had been
months in the planning and wasattended by over 60 guests.
Sarah Savidge, who organises eventsand activities at the home, said: “Westarted planning in December and wealways met up in secret with theresidents. We starting reminiscingabout the residents’ weddings, theirdresses, locations, food and graduallythe residents starting contributingideas to Rebekah’s wedding.
“Everything from invitations,flowers, dresses, wedding jewellery,vows, and food was either made bythe residents or involved their inputand I think it was incrediblytherapeutic for them to get involved.”
Best man Derrick Handley presents groom Mick Allan with a Cornish frippery bracelet.
OperatorappointsmanagerCARE home provider LambhillCourt Ltd has announced theappointment of Elaine Rankin asoperations manager.
She has worked in similar rolesprior to this appointment andbrings with her a wealth ofexperience and an enviablereputation, having worked in thecare sector for more than 28years.
Elaine is a registered nurse whohas previously worked as a homemanager, peripatetic managerand operations manager for bothsmall independent companiesand larger corporate firms.
She said: “I was looking for anew challenge and this post cameup. I joined Lambhill Court Ltd asI feel the team is committed toensuring the best quality of careis achieved in each and everyservice and it has a greatreputation in the industry.”
Chief executive officer SunitaPoddar added: “Elaine has a reallystrong background in care andwe’re delighted to welcome her tothe Lambhill Court Ltd team.
“We know all the residents, theirfamilies and co-workers willbenefit greatly from herappointment.”
CARINGNEWS14
Home ‘revs’ up garden withtribute to iconic bus depotBy Olivia Taylor
A WISHAW care home hastransformed its garden in tribute tothe former bus station which used tooccupy the site.
Residents and staff at Bupa’sKirknowe Care Home decided tocreate a fitting homage to the iconicWishaw Bus Station, which closeddown in 1991, by creating a gardenfeature inspired by one of its mostpopular bus routes.
The 240 bus from Glasgow toWishaw was a lifeline route forresidents in the Lanarkshire area,providing transport across the regionto the city centre.
The act was also a nod to many ofthe home’s residents, who wereemployed at the depot in theirworking years.
One resident in particular, GeorgeMcWilliams, who is now in hiseighties, still proudly displays his busconductor badge in his room.
He said: “It’s great to see the WishawBus Station receive a tribute fromeveryone at Kirknowe – and one thatwill hopefully last for years and yearsto come.
“Many of us have fond memories ofthe 240 bus from Glasgow to Wishawand it’s a nice way to bring back the
good times.”Margaret Cunningham, home
manager at Kirknowe Care Home,says she is thrilled the garden featureis such a hit with residents at thehome.
She said: “The local bus depot hasso much history with many of thelocals in the town and with many ofour residents.
“When we decided to renovate thegarden we knew we had to come upwith a unique idea which everyone
would love – and a tribute to theWishaw Bus Station was the onewhich stood out the most.
“Conceiving the design also allowedresidents and staff to come togetherand reminisce about memories oftheir time working at the bus station.
“We feel it’s very important to createenvironments that are homely,comfortable and allow residents tofeel at ease – and this is just anotherexample of the way in which we doso.”
Kirknowe Care Home’s tribute to the former bus station.
Springhillappointsmanager SPRINGHILL Care Home inAccrington has appointed a newgeneral manager to maintain it asone of the region’s leadingfacilities.
Curtis Bennett, a registeredmental health nurse, will beresponsible for the day-to-dayrunning of the home.
He has extensive experiencewithin the health and social careindustry, having begun his careeras a cadet nurse, before going onto own and manage care homesfor more than 35 years.
Curtis also holds the registeredcare home manager qualification.
He said: “I was attracted to therole at Springhill because of itsreputation and its core valueswhich put people first.
“I’m looking forward to gettingto know our residents and theirfriends and families, whileworking with the team to makesure we maintain Springhill’sposition as one of the leadinghomes in the North West.”
Donna Briggs, MD at SpringhillCare Group, said: “Curtis will usehis knowledge and vastexperience to ensure Springhillmaintains its reputation fordelivering the highest quality incare and specialist services.”
17CARINGNEWS
A POPULAR pensioner who is a resi-dent at Victoria Lodge Care Home inBirmingham recently celebrated her100th birthday with more than 100guests.
Vera Longcroft was born in 1915 atMarston Green Hospital inBirmingham, to Rose and ArthurGreenhill.
She grew up in the Small Heath areaof Birmingham with her brotherHorace and sister Ivy.
Proprietor Sue Howard, who hasbeen running Victoria Lodge for thepast 25 years, said: “Vera has been aresident with us now since January2008.
“She is a very special lady, a joy tocare for and it was a pleasure for ourstaff, residents and families to sharesuch a momentous occasion.’’
Vera remembers leaving school atthe age of 14 and starting work in alocal dairy.
She also went to work at Lewis’sdepartment store in Birmingham citycentre, where Vera met her husband-to-be Sidney Longcroft.
Vera and Sidney were married inMarch 1937 at Hall Green BaptistChurch, and went on to have twosons, Colin and Keith.
Vera enjoyed 67 years of happy mar-ried life and lived in Solihull.
Vera celebrates 100th birthday Vera with her son Colin and his partner June.
19CARINGNEWS
Chrissie Miller has become a high flying 100-year-old after fulfilling a once in a lifetimeopportunity to travel in a hot air balloon. She took to the skies after staff at Bield'sGlasgow Flexicare Service were able to arrange the flight as part of their Wishing Treeinitiative. Chrissie, and her main carer, Jacqui Malarkey, were able to enjoy an hour-longflight, 1000ft over rural Perthshire. Jacqui said: “The hot air balloon ride was a reallywonderful experience. Chrissie was absolutely delighted with the afternoon. The flighttook about an hour and then when we were back on the ground Chrissie was greetedwith some whiskey and a birthday cake, which was a true surprise.”
21CARINGNEWS
CARE home owners and staff acrossthe UK are recognising the benefits ofpersonal service companies andinvesting vital savings back intoclient care, according to contractingspecialist Nova, an established expertin setting up and administering PSCs.
“Care providers are recognising theadvantages of engaging nurses,domiciliary workers and supportstaff, through their own limited com-panies and some are widening theoffer to include trade supplierarrangements,” said Nova businessdevelopment manager PhilipThomas. “Completely compliant withcurrent legislation, the fixed termcontracts enjoy the same conditionsand duty of care as other employ-ment contracts and there is no cost
to the business, only a competitiveweekly charge for the candidate, whocan increase their take home paythrough qualifying business expensesamongst other financial benefits ofNova’s PSC.”
Nova works with the UK’s leadingrecruitment agencies and healthcareemployment specialists, offering awide range of compliant employmentsolutions.
Recognising the benefits of PSCs
A wish came true for fast car enthusiast Joan Reese when a Dorset care home arrangeda special trip in a BMW convertible. The 92-year-old had told staff at Colten Care’s TheAldbury in Poole that she wanted to “feel the wind in my hair”. Activity organiser SarahIngram passed the request to her boyfriend, Antonio Wellman, a sales executive withRidgeway Bournemouth BMW.
Care provider launchesnew instant feedbackinitiative at its homesBy Olivia Taylor
HC-ONE has launched a new initia-tive to receive instant feedback aboutthe quality of care and services beingprovided in its homes.
This is not just for residents and rel-atives, but also for HC-One staff andvisitors.
The company has so far installednew user-friendly touchscreen tabletcomputers in the reception areas of174 of its homes, an easy and conve-nient way to provide regular feed-back.
Using these tablets, residents, rela-tives, visitors and staff are able torespond to a series of questionsabout their experience in the home,such as: whether people receive awarm welcome to the home; whetherthere is a positive atmosphere in thehome; and whether other colleaguesare appropriately prepared for visi-tors.
It will also assess the level of staffsupport and engagement withResidents and the home’s cleanliness.
The information gathered will beused to ensure that the highest stan-dard of care is provided to residents.
HC-One’s chairman Dr Chai Patelsaid: “We have launched this innova-
tive initiative as part of our ongoingcommitment to providing the bestexperience and kindest care for resi-dents.
“This scheme will also ensure thatour homes are a great place for ourdedicated colleagues to work, and forrelatives and members of HC-One’slocal communities to visit.”
HC-One began installing tablets inits homes in June. Since then, over6,500 pieces of feedback have beenreceived across the country.
A member of staff has her say at an HC-One home.
23
Range of exhibitors increases anddiversifies at newly branded showTHE newly branded Care &Dementia Show – formerlyknown as Care Show,Birmingham – will run alongsidethe International DementiaConference.
It is a must-attend event, bring-ing together care professionalsand health care suppliers to helpthe sector better support andcare for older people and thoseaffected by dementia.
Over one million people in theUK and 75 million people world-wide are predicted to havedementia by 2030.
Care professionals can attendCare & Dementia Show to explorethe range of cutting edge prod-ucts and services on offer fromover 250 suppliers to help providebetter care.
Chris Edwards, event directorfor UBM’s Care & Dementia Showsaid: “The range of newexhibitors taking part in thisyear’s show is striking.
“From technology, health andsafety, uniforms and utilitiesthrough to bathing, furniture andprofessional services, there willbe a wealth of choice for allinvolved in addressing the needsof those affected by care of olderpeople and dementia at this
year’s Care & Dementia Show.”This year’s event will introduce
a ‘Start-up Academy’, providingnew companies with the oppor-tunity to showcase their innova-tions.
The Academy is a competitionaimed at uncovering the verybest in start-up innovations fromacross the UK and will be judgedby a committee of professionalsfrom throughout the care indus-try, with a shortlist of the mostinventive companies given a free
stand at the show within the newStart-up Pavilion, offering theopportunity to meet with theindustry’s senior decision-mak-ers. Thought-provoking educa-tion is also offered to attendees,with Care & Dementia Show run-ning two simultaneous, free ofcharge conference programmesfeaturing pioneering speakers inpanel discussions and presenta-tions to address the key issuesfacing the care of older peopleand dementia industries today.
The live build feature will returnfor the 2015 event and there willalso be opportunities for visitorsto network and meet new faceswithin the industry and build onexisting business relationships.
For full details on who isexhibiting, products at the showand all visitor attractions, plus toregister to attend the Care &Dementia Show or theInternational DementiaConference, visitwww.careshow.co.uk
24
CareDocs Advanced Health
ARM
Access 21 Interiors
Aid Call
Beaucare® Medical Ltd
Intercall
Caring UK
CareDocs is an integrated solution for care planningand care home management. Designed by care homeowners, it’s a user-friendly package that makesperson-centred care planning quick andeasy. Managers have immediate access toall the information they need to ensureimportant tasks are not overlooked, savingtime and resources. Contact: 0333 500 5115.
Advanced Health and Care provide market leadingsoftware for care home owners, homecare agencies,schools, supported living providers and localauthorities. Advanced offer integrated solutionsspanning care home management, electronic callmonitoring, care planning, financials and staff HR.Advanced use technology to allow organisationsto increase efficiency and compliance. Contact: 01233 722670.
Alarm Radio Monitoring Ltd has been manufacturingand supplying market leading wireless systems andintegrated solutions for over 20 years. Wirelesssolutions include ARM Nurse Call, ARM Staff Alarm,Fire Alarm systems, Door Access & Door Intercoms,DECT Telephony & Paging systems toenhance your Nurse Call / Staff Alarmsystem. Contact: Visit www.arm.uk.com
Beaucare established since 1992, supply the full rangeof medical, nursing, hygiene supplies and capitalequipment to the care home and healthcare sectorsnationally. Alongside our product offerings we have adedicated service department, which undertakes theservicing of care home equipment at competitiverates, such as electric profiling nursingbeds, patient lifting hoists and slings.Contact: 01423 878899.
CARING UK is the number one magazine formanagers in the elderly care sector. Our editorial pages feature top columnists,parliamentary and legal updates, news, people stories,event and exhibition previews,conference coverage, diarydates and business andproperty news. Contact: 01226 734288.
Aid Call are market leaders in the production ofwireless nurse call technology and offer a wide rangeof products and bespoke solutions designedspecifically for care homes and hospices. Ournurse call solutions are the product of over 35years of industry leading experience, an ongoinginvestment into research and design, and theinvaluable feedback of our loyal customers.Contact: 0800 052 3616
A flexible service offering everything from a ‘little extrasparkle’ to full refurbishment and new build, makingyour rooms comfortable, desirable, easy to market andadding value. Choose from interiordesign, project management, furniture,curtains and finishing touches with nominimum order.Contact: 020 8399 3091 or visitwww.access21interiors.co.uk
Intercall supplies industry-leading technology intocare environments providing security, comfort andassistance to users. Our commitment to innovationthrough continuous research, development andimprovement has made Intercall the best-selling caresystem in the UK. Visit us on standL30 to witness the launch of the newIntercall Touch Series product range. Contact: www.intercall.co.uk
D54 F40
D16
K52
C10
J40
L30
F12
25
Royal Bank of Scotland Connect to Care
FowlerUK Power Plate
RBS is part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, alarge international banking and financial servicescompany that provides a wide range of products andservices to personal, business, commercial and largecorporate and institutional customers. Ourteam of specialised relationship managers workacross the Healthcare Sector serving businesscustomers with a turnover of £250K and above.Contact: Richard Wilson on 07889 644 508.
National training provider for the care sector, Connect2 Care (C2C), offers a wide range of professionallyrecognised health & social care apprentice-ships, short courses and traineeships tohelp increase the overall effectiveness, con-fidence and profitability of staff workingacross the range of care home functions. Contact: 0800 954 2803 or visitwww.connect2care.net
Manufactured and distributed globally byPerformance Health Systems (PHS), Power Plate® isthe world's leading brand of whole body vibrationequipment. At the Care Show, PHS willbe showcasing their strength and bal-ance solution for falls prevention.Contact: [email protected] call 0207 317 5000.Powerplate.com
Fowler UK specialises in the supply, installation andmaintenance of commercial laundry and cateringequipment. Our service department can tailor make apackage to suit your business requirements, fromreactive call outs to fully inclusive contracts coveringall parts/ labour /annual gas service andcertification. Finance options availablefrom outright purchase, lease and rental.Contact: 01200 444430.
C64 F16
C63L32
26
Line-up of leadingglobal dementiaexperts unveiledTHE UK’s first cross sectorInternational Dementia Conferencewill bring together leading figuresfrom across the world and from avariety of different industrybackgrounds to learn and share ideason the best solutions to tackle thisglobal issue.
These professional experts will bejoined by specialist architects andplanners, nurses and occupationaltherapists as well as specialists indementia from sectors includinghousing, local authorities and carehomes.
45 concurrent session presentationswill address topics ranging fromassistive technology, case finding,meaningful activity, end of life carethrough to design, environment, staffeducation, attitudes, language andsupport and many more valuableareas for dementia discussion anddebate.
The International DementiaConference has been established byStirling University’s DementiaServices Development Centre, as aninteractive, educational platform todrive understanding.
Running alongside the dedicatedCare & Dementia Show(www.careshow.co.uk), it will alsooffer practical support.
Organisers are specifically invitingdecision makers from housingproviders and associations;architects, designers and townplanners; local authorities; socialworkers; GPs, CCGs and NHSprofessionals including occupationaltherapists, doctors and nurses.
The conference will be addressed byDame Joan Bakewell as well asplenary speakers from France,Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, HongKong, the USA and the UK.
They will include:� Professor Timothy Kwok, Directorof Jockey Club Centre for PositiveAgeing, Chinese University of HongKong.� Professor Manuel Carrasco, Aita-Menni Hospital, Psychiatric ResearchInstitute, Spain.� Professor Alistair Burns, NationalClinical Director for Dementia, NHSEngland and Professor of Old AgePsychiatry, University of Manchester.� Professor Tara Cortes, New YorkUniversity College of Nursing.� Dr Sridhar Vaitheswaran MD,MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist,Schizophrenia Research Foundation(India).� Shirley Law, Head of Learning &Development, Dementia ServicesDevelopment Centre
29
By Paul Robinson
WE all refer to the people that live incare homes as residents.
I used to refer to them as such, butthe manager of a care home that I oncevisited corrected me by telling me thatthey are much more than residents,they are in fact paying guests.
The first thing that the paying guestsin a care home do in the morning is toget dressed. This usually sets theirmood for the day.
If their clothing is clean, fresh, softand smells nice they will probably startthe day with a smile on their face.
If their clothing isn’t particularlyclean, has lost its brightness, is a bititchy and it pongs a bit, they will proba-bly start their day in bad mood, as Iwould and you probably would too.
To ensure that they start the day in agood mood, use good quality laundrydetergents and softeners.
Washing laundry has three functions:� To achieve a visibly clean wash result.� To achieve a hygienically clean washresult – most laundry products state theminimum amount that should beadded per wash load, this is to ensurethat the washing is hygienically clean,using less than the recommended levelwill not guarantee a hygienic washresult.� Respect the fibres – some detergentsare particularly aggressive and should
not be usedon delicategarments, likepersonalclothing. Agood fabricconditionerwill preparethe washingfor finishingand therebymake theironing easier.Unfortunatelyall too oftenthe care home laundry has one objec-tive – to do the washing as cheaply aspossible
Sites that spend as little as possible ontheir detergents end up carrying out alot of re-washing or replacing itemsthat just won’t come clean, and thenspend extra time doing the ironing,because they didn’t respect the fibres.
The average weekly cost for a payingguest at a residential home in the NorthWest of England is £500. The cost ofnursing care can be £1,500 per week.
Shorrock Trichem can supply prod-ucts to create a fantastic wash result forapproximately £1 per week. Not toomuch to ask is it?
Cheaper products have less ingredi-ents and therefore do not perform aswell as more expensive products.
Therefore they have to be dosed at
higher levels to do the same job, andeven then, because they don’t havesome of the ingredients that the moreexpensive products have they neverachieve the same result.
Buy a cheap laundry detergent liquidfor £10 for 10 litres and dose it at therecommended 30mls per kg in a heavysoil wash in hard water (most ofEngland has hard water).
Recommended dosing level:� Soil level dosage (ml/kg dry goods).� Light 8ml (soft water) up to 12ml(hard water).� Medium 12ml up to 15ml per kg ofdry clothing.� Heavy 15ml to 30ml per kg of dryclothing.
Cost per wash in a 10kg washingmachine is £0.30.
Buy an expensive laundry detergentliquid for £28 for 10 litres and dose it atthe recommended 10mls per kg in aheavy soil wash in hard water.
Cost per wash in a 10kg washingmachine is £0.28 and the washing willbe whiter and brighter
There are some very aggressive pow-ders on the market for use on whites incommercial laundries that use very hotwater as part of the cleaning process.
These powders are not designed towash personal clothing, but they arecheap and some care homes use them.� Paul Robinson is a laundry profes-sional at Shorrock Trichem Washcraft.
Clean, fresh and soft clothesmeans happy ‘paying guests’
Paul Robinson
30
A cleaner wash using less energyFOR care homes laundry can be a big problem.
Domestic washing machines can’t cope,commercial ones are too big and expensive, andoutsourcing can be pricey and difficult to manage.That’s why Samsung developed the ProfessionalLaundry range.
It’s big enough to deal with awkward loads likeking size duvets or the team’s muddy away kit, butsmall enough to fit in the utility room. It also hasa sanitize programme that meets CQC standards.
The Samsung Professional Laundry washer,model WF431, has a 14kg capacity. Although itretails at up to 60 per cent less than competitors’models, it is packed with clever energy-saving andperformance-enhancing technologies. In additionit is backed by a comprehensive two-year parts andlabour warranty.
One of the smartest features is the digitalinverter motor. Because it is direct drive it hasfewer moving parts and, being brushless, it createslittle noise or vibration.
Compared to conventional motors, it uses 50 percent less energy and delivers a reliably long servicelife.
Enquiries: For more information visitwww.franciscopro.com orwww.rbdistrbutors.co.uk
The answer to the age old red bag dilemmaWhat is the red bag dilemma?THE red bag arrives in the laundry, tightly sealed,containing foul and infected clothes that areready to be washed at 65°C. The laundry assistantnotices that there is a cardigan in the bag.This is the dilemma!The operator can’t open the bag and remove thecardigan, as this would contravene theDepartment of Health code of practice whichstates that foul and infected linen should besealed in a red alginate bag, which should first bewashed at a minimum of 65°C, without beingopened.However, the operator knows that if the bag is putin the washing machine and washed at 65°C, thenthe cardigan will be ruined, this will upset theresident and the resident’s relatives, who will thendemand that the cardigan is replaced at the carehomes expense, which will further upset themanager and the care home owner.Halo Commercial is the answer to the dilemma!Our unique Halo products combine lowtemperature bug kill and odour elimination, withthe ultimate in cleaning performance. This nextgeneration laundry detergent range is designed to
deliver results in themost demandinglaundry environments.
The activeingredient, Hygienilac,inhibits transport ofnutrients, leading todeath of micro-organisms.
Within five minutes contact time at atemperature as low as 30°C. Halo should be usedinstead of conventional laundry detergent,because it decontaminates and disinfects the linenat reduced temperatures further reducing laundrycosts.
Enquiries: Contact Shorrock Trichem on01942 875325 or speak directly to Paul
Workshop unveiled for care professionalsCARE professionals are being urgedto consider the benefit of investingin management systems whichstreamline their existing kitchen andlaundry provisions, ahead of a one-day workshop aimed at staff fromacross the care industry.
Leading laundry and food serviceprovider, Electrolux Professional hasannounced plans to host a careexcellence day at its Luton Centre ofExcellence on Wednesday, October14.
Held in conjunction with CareEngland and Sealed Air, a globalmanufacturer of protective andspecialty packaging for food andconsumer goods, the day willdemonstrate how laundry andkitchen management systems canhelp to maximise health andnutrition best practice in a variety ofdifferent care environments.
Thorough the demonstration ofbespoke solutions, the event willshow care professionals how acomplete laundry cyclemanagement processes whichincorporate barrier and traditionallaundry concepts, can guaranteecomplete cleanliness and infectioncontrol.
As the first and only HACCPInternational Certified laundrymanufacturer, ElectroluxProfessional is able to offerequipment that meets the moststringent of food safety standards.This gives attendees the opportunity
to interact with a world-leadingproduct range, and visitors areinvited to bring garments or linen toput the machines to test.
In light of last year’s governmentreport which recommended a set offood standards that should becomeroutine practice across NHSHospitals, the event’s attendees willalso have the opportunity to engagein food preparation and cooking tofind out more about how certaincatering equipment can help tosafely deliver a consistentlynutritious menu that every residentwill enjoy.
At Electrolux Professional, allmodular cooking solutions are
manufactured to fit together as asuite, which offers economies ofscale at the point of installation andbespoke kitchen solutions can becreated for the care sector basedaround their capacity, ongoingbudget, including energy usage andmenu ambitions.
Darren Lockley, head of region forUK and Ireland at ElectroluxProfessional, said: “With care staffexpected to improve standardsdespite being faced with budgetcuts and stretched resources, we feelit is important to promote the waysin which certain processes can beimplemented to significantlyimprove both their residents’
hygiene and their establishment’sefficiency levels.
“Not only will attendees be able tosee how our wide range of foodservice and laundry solutions canmake a real difference to their dailyduties, but it will also provideopportunities to discuss theconcerns facing the care industryand how some of its challenges canbe overcome.
“Through demonstrating ourproducts, we hope to change theway staff think about launderingand catering in the care setting, andplace an emphasis on health andsafety which is a hugely importantconsideration.”
33CARINGNEWS
Workplace pensions in the care sectorBy Matthew Mitten
INCREASING numbers of small andmedium sized businesses (SMEs) –those employing up to 30 membersof staff – are getting closer to theirauto-enrolment staging date, wherethey will be required to put workers –who meet certain criteria – into aworkplace pension scheme.
In the tax year 2016/17, we will seea peak of just over 600,000 smallbusinesses needing to auto-enrol.
And, as a result, many commenta-tors have confirmed that they believethe pensions industry will face acapacity crunch. Only time will tell...
Providers across the sector won'tturn down business, but what I thinkwe will face is a situation where theyprice themselves out of the marketthrough the introduction of higherfees.
I hope we don't face another roundof headlines around 'rip off pensions'– auto-enrolment is in place to sup-port those not already saving into apension to do so.
Pension providers shouldn’t tarnishtheir brands; this could be their timeto really shine.
Business owners/managers, whowill be responsible for enrolling theiremployees into a workplace pension,are unlikely to be ‘willing buyers’.
Dealing with providers which mayhave increased their costs is going toprove frustrating.
When it comes to the care industry,a large proportion of employees are
likely to be low paid. And selected care home managers
will have no previous experiencewhen it comes to pensions.
The language will be new, and theirpayroll systems could be complex –with monthly, weekly and casualworker pay runs – adding anotherlayer of complexity.
The following provides some hintsand tips for care home owners/man-agers starting their auto-enrolmentjourney:Definition of earningsThe first thing an employer needs tounderstand is the definition of earn-ings; which earnings will be includedin the pensionable salary and – moreimportantly – which are not.
You could try researching yourself,visiting TPR’s website or referring to aspecialist such as Enrolsme, who canhelp you work out the definitions.
Selecting the right pension providerFrom there, they then need to selectthe pension provider they would liketo use when automatically enrollingtheir employees into a pensionscheme.
This is where planning becomeskey. We encourage businesses to startthinking about their auto-enrolmentjourney as soon as possible – delay-ing could mean they have little or nochoice when it comes to selecting thepension provider.
Engage your employeesEmployers need to make a decision
on how they will engage theiremployees.
Will they opt for the bare minimum– both in terms of the offering, butalso how they communicate?
Or will they aim for a qualityscheme, which will then act as a cat-alyst for communicating this to theirworkforce?
Care home managers need toencourage their employees to sup-port and get behind the new benefitbeing provided.
Seek the right supportResearching pensions isn’t an easytask – how does the average smallbusiness owner know what ‘defini-tion of earnings’ is?
Or which of the pension providersare best to use for their scheme?
Many are likely to feel out of theirdepth.
It is therefore important they seekthe right levels of support for settingup the scheme.
What many won’t know is that if thebusiness and payroll data arestraightforward, the pension can beset up in a matter of hours.
It doesn’t have to be a time-con-suming and laborious task.
Know where you stand now Whether a business employs one per-son or 29, I would urge them to havean appreciation of where they standnow.
They should look to get their pen-sion provider selected and on board
as soon as possible, that way theywill ensure they are ahead of themasses that auto-enrol (mainly in2016).� Matthew Mitten is a director atEnrolsme.
Matthew Mitten
CARINGNEWS34
Carer takes legal actionagainst ex-employerover minimum wageA CARER is taking legal action againsther ex-employer after she was notpaid for the time she spent travellingto and from appointments.
Caroline Barlow, 56, worked as ahomecare worker for MiHomecare – anationwide homecare servicesprovider with 35 branches whichcares for people who need help andsupport due to old age, illness,disability or infirmity.
It is estimated that they employaround 6,000 homecare workers,many of whom, lawyers believe, mayalso have a claim.
Caroline, a mother of two, workedfor the company from October 2014to February 2015 attending anaverage of eight appointments perday at various locations in the South-West of England.
She would travel to theseappointments in her own car, oftenspending several hours a day drivingto get to see people in their ownhomes.
Leigh Day, the law firm representingCaroline, has launched a legal actionin the employment tribunal, whichchallenges MiHomecare’s practice ofnot paying carers for the time theyspend travelling to and from careappointments.
It is estimated that 883,000 peoplereceive domiciliary care in the UKwith over 500,000 people employed inthe sector. According to lawyers atLeigh Day, the number of claimscould run into thousands costing care
providers millions of pounds inunpaid wages for staff.
According to the investigativeorganisation Corporate Watch aleaked internal MiHomecaredocument calculated it could oweworkers from just one of its branchesas much as £80,000 for not payingtravel time.
Jasmine Patel from the employmentteam at Leigh Day, said: “Withoutpayment for her travel time, MsBarlow was being paid less than theminimum wage per hour and webelieve that this is an unlawfuldeduction of wages.
“Ms Barlow’s travel to and fromappointments was a necessary part ofher job and as such, she should havebeen paid for it.
“Leigh Day understands that thereare potentially thousands morehomecare workers working forMiHomecare, and other careproviders, who are also being paidless than the National MinimumWage”
Caroline added: “My job involvedgoing to see people in their ownhomes and performing a range oftasks to ensure that these veryvulnerable people had someone tocare for them on a regular basis.
“By the nature of the job I had totravel to people’s homes to carry outmy work.
“It is only after doing the role thatyou realise just how much of your dayis essential travelling.”
Rosie Myers has raised £6,500 for carehome organisation NightingaleHammerson by cutting 12 inches off herhair. The money raised will help supportthe cost of providing care to the residentsof Hammerson House where Rosie’sgrandfather, Gordon Myers, lived for fouryears until he passed away in May 2014.A plaque commemorating the 18-year-old’s fundraising efforts and the memoryof her grandfather is going to be placed inHammerson House. She said: “I'm sopleased to have raised so much forNightingale Hammerson. They took suchgood care of my Grandpa in his lateryears so I'd like to say a big thank you toeveryone who supported me in this.”
Bield employee Kevin Rowe and his friend Natalie Ross.
A FOOTSORE pair of fundraisers havemarched almost 100 miles to raisehundreds of pounds to help olderpeople living with dementia.
Bield employee Kevin Rowerecruited his friend Natalie Ross tojoin him on his latest fundraisingeffort for Bield’s care services.
The pair successfully completed a96-mile walk along the Kintyre Way insix days, raising over £400 which willgo towards providing care serviceacross Bield’s developments inScotland.
Starting in Tarbert and finishingwest of Southend, they walked onaverage for eight hours or 16 milesevery day.
Kevin said: “I am so pleased with
the money we have managed to raiseby walking the Kintyre Way andespecially with Natalie’s efforts as thiswas her first long-distance walk. Itwas also her suggestion originally toraise money for Bield at the sametime so she was the real driving forcebehind it.
“The money raised will benefit Bieldtenants in so many ways and I wouldlike to thank everyone who hasdonated. We greatly appreciate it andyour money will help us enhance andenrich the lives of the older peoplewe care for.”
Following on from this fundraisingwalk, Kevin will also be leading a 27mile walk along the John Muir Wayfrom Kirkintilloch to Linlithgow.
Footsore friends walk100 miles for charity
A COUPLE recently celebrated theirdiamond wedding anniversary atWealstone, the CLS-run care homein Upton, Chester.
Janet Fennel, who lives at thehome, and husband Ralph marked60 blissful years of marriage with aparty at the home, where they weretoasted by friends, family and staff.
Janet and Ralph’s story is a classictale of two childhood sweetheartsmaking a life together.
The couple first met in Walton onThames in 1937, and they started
seeing each other when they werejust 13.
The couple had four children(three boys and one girl), and theyhave nine grandchildren, and twogreat grandchildren.
They moved to the Chester areaeight years ago to be closer to theirson Peter.
Home manager Joy White said:“Janet is such a lovely lady, andwe’re all very fond of Ralph, so itwas a real honour to be part of theirspecial day.”
Couple celebrate 60th anniversary
CARINGNEWS36
Staff members and their children from High Lee Care Home in Luddendenfoot took partin the Alzheimer's Society 10k memory walk in Leeds. In total £320 was raised to helplead the fight against dementia. Prior to the walk, High Lee care staff did a meet andgreet in Hebden Bridge, advocating and educating people on ways to be dementiafriendly and promoting the dementia friends. A spokesperson for the facility said: “Staffat High Lee feel passionate about fundraising and promoting dementia friends as theysee and know the devastating effect dementia has on a person and their family andfriends.”
A BUPA care home has come up withan unusual tonic for residents – byproviding them with their owntraditional pub and beer garden.
Bupa’s Golfhill facility in Glasgowopened ‘The Dennistoun Arms’ as aconcept to provide a recognisablesocial environment for residents torelive the past and encourage thesharing of memories and stories.
Although the ‘pub’ is a not alicensed premises, it is fully equippedfor social activities with dartboardand karaoke machine.
The Dennistoun Arms opens on tothe beer garden area, complete withoutside tables and pub umbrellas aswell.
A range of drinks are also provided,and the ‘bar’ has already proved ahuge hit with residents, relatives andstaff.
Susan McDonald, home manager atGolfhill Care Home, said: “Byproviding The Dennistoun Arms wehave created a comfortable andfamiliar social setting for ourresidents, which is a great way forthem to relax.
“While it is open to all residents, wehave found it has a particular appealto male residents, allowing them toreconnect with their traditionalnotion of ‘going for a pint with yourpals, and we hold many of the men’sclubs at The Dennistoun Arms.”
Pub is just the tonic for residents
FRIENDS of Orton Manor NursingHome in Water Orton held one of itsregular community meetings withguest speaker, local historian, ColinGreen.
Home manager Iram Khan recentlycommissioned a set of old localphotographs from Colin’s hugearchive.
These will become a permanentdisplay at the home and resource forreminiscence activity with residents.
Among the photographs was one ofJones the butchers’ shop that hadstood on the site that is now OrtonManor Nursing Home.
Colin’s commentary was drownedout by the buzz of interest andconversation that the photographsgenerated as they were passedaround. However, his delightfulinsights and anecdotes were not lost,and his passion for local history wasvery much appreciated.
Historian speaks at meetingColin Green addressed the audience at Orton Manor Nursing Home in Water Orton.
37CARINGNEWS
In light of the recent World Alzheimer’s Month (September), Ellen Brown, care homes divisionalmanager at apetito, looks at how to support staff when catering to residents with dysphagia …
How can you help yourcarers at mealtimes?IN the course of our work with carehomes, we come across so manyexamples of the difference goodnutrition makes to the health ofelderly people.
I’ll never forget meeting a lady withdementia and could only muster twoteaspoons of food a day.
It’s staggering – and incredibly sad –to think how she was existing on suchlittle nourishment and her carerswere very excited to see the differencea change in diet made.
Since being served food she reallylooks forward to eating, her appetitehas increased dramatically and thechange to her wellbeing has beenunbelievable.
As one in six people aged 80 andover have dementia1, catering to resi-dents with this condition is a chal-lenge that most care homes faceevery day.
For carers, ensuring that residentswith dementia have a positive diningexperience can prove a major chal-lenge...
Ask the expertsSadly, dysphagia can often accompa-ny dementia and if this is the case, it’svital to seek input from a speech andlanguage therapist (SALT), who willbe able to ascertain which stage resi-dents are experiencing.
You’ll then know which of theNational Patient Safety Agency(NPSA) Dysphagia Diet Food TextureDescriptors you’ll have to adhere towhen preparing food.
SALTs can also be willing to holdtraining sessions on preparing mealsthat fit the descriptors.
Similarly, some suppliers providefree specialist training on food prepa-ration and service for special nutri-tional needs such as dysphagia sodon’t be afraid to ask about this.
Choose your championsAppointing designated ‘Nutrition andHydration Champions’ is a very use-ful way to engage staff and ensurethat nutritional care for all residents,including those with dementia, ismanaged and monitored at all times.
Ideally, you would choose one carerand one member of the catering teamand don’t forget to include them inany training on dysphagia youarrange for your home.
Avoid distractionsIt’s widely recognised that creating anenvironment conducive to the enjoy-ment of meals is especially importantfor residents with dementia.
Therefore, where possible, avoidscheduling any visits that require theattention of your carers during meal-times.
Finally, when choosing suppliers towork with for all aspects of your careprovision, I would urge you to lookfor those who have an appreciationfor the skills needed to support thosewho care for those living with demen-tia.”� For advice on helping residentsdine with dignity or to book a FREEtasting session with the apetito carehomes team, visit www.chal-lengeapetito.co.uk or call 0800 5422631. Ellen Brown
38 SPONSORED BYwww.requiredsystems.com
The new CQC Essential Standards –call now to arrange your free trial
ALL our Policy/ Procedures havebeen brought into line with thenew 2014 Legislation and to makeit even easier to demonstratecompliance we have developed amodule that shows you how tomeet each of the five newcategories.
Enquiries: To find out more call01236 782477 or visit
Research study tohelp shape futureof dementia careA STUDY, which will shape the futureof education and training arounddementia within the NHS, has beenlaunched by health researchers atthree Yorkshire universities.
The research team, led by ClaireSurr, professor of dementia studies atLeeds Beckett University, alongsidecollaborators from the University ofBradford and the University of Leeds,will investigate the most effectiveapproaches to training health andsocial care staff about dementia.
Results from the study will helpensure that money is invested ineffective training that supports bettercare for people with dementia.
The study, the ‘What Works?Evaluation’, is funded by theDepartment of Health’s PolicyResearch Programme on behalf ofHealth Education England and is dueto be completed in July 2017.
Speaking about the launch of thestudy, professor Claire Surr said:“Providing high quality care forpeople with dementia relies onknowledgeable and skilled staff.Research shows that effectiveeducation and training can, lead tobetter quality care.
“However, we also know not alltraining is effective, meaning it iswasting time and money. We need toknow more about what effectivedementia training, looks like and thisresearch will provide the field withgood evidence about the ingredientsneeded for effective dementiatraining.”
The ‘What Works?’ study will involvea survey to gather data on existingdementia training programmes. Theresearchers will then conduct more
detailed research on selectedprogrammes to look at how effectivethey are and identify ways they canbe improved. They will then workwith a number of organisations toimplement the best trainingprogrammes they have identified tosee which produce the best outcomesfor people with dementia and providethe best value for money.
Professor Jan Oyebode from theUniversity of Bradford added:“Dementia and dementia educationfinally have the profile and attentionthey deserve. We are heartened thatHealth Education England are puttingmoney into this rigorous, in-depthevaluation of training, and atBradford we are very pleased to beplaying a central role in this, alongwith Professor Surr.”
The results of the research study willbe used to develop policy andcommissioning guidelines for use bythe Government, Health EducationEngland and Local Education andTraining Boards (LETBs), alongsidegood practice guidelines for healthand social care organisations andeducation and training providers.
Professor David Sallah of HealthEducation England said: “HealthEducation England is committed toensuring that the diagnosis,treatment and care of people withdementia in England should beamong the best in Europe.
“We are particularly interested inknowing whether and how educationand training is having a positiveimpact on staff attitudes, skills andbehaviours; and delivering betteroutcomes for people living withdementia and their carers.”
A VERY Sheltered Housing development in Airdrie hasbeen helping their tenants develop their digital skills –and keep in closer contact with their families - aftersecuring a grant from a local charity.
The Voice of Experience Forum, a charity in NorthLanarkshire that helps older people’s voices to be heard,awarded Broomfield Gardens £1,400 which they used topurchase four iPads for the tenants.
Yvonne McQueen, development manager at BroomfieldGardens, said: “I applied for the grant because the tenantswanted to learn new skills by getting online.
“For their generation, using computers and the internetis still relatively new to many.
“The tenants use the iPads to Skype and FaceTime inparticular to contact loved ones which is hugelybeneficial, especially for the tenants whose family cannotvisit very often.”
After receiving the iPads many of the tenants embarkedon a six week training course in order to learn more aboutthe internet and the technology.
Tenants get tech savvyBroomfield Gardens tenant May Close.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Care willimplement a suite of solutionsincluding a HR and finance systemfrom Advanced Business Solutions togain better efficiencies, control andvisibility of financial information.
The organisation will save up tothree days a month with the newOpenAccounts finance system, whichwill go live, with the rest of theproduct suite in October.
The organisation will also go livewith electronic workflow solution
eBIS, document managementtechnology (powered by V1),dashboard reporting technology(powered by Intuitive) andAdvanced’s Payroll Bureau service,which will all seamlessly integrateinto the Finance and HR systems.
Buckinghamshire Care wasestablished in October 2013 andhelps and supports thousands ofadults both at home, through itsreablement, homecare and laundryservices.
Group to implement solutions
CARINGNEWS40
BADGE manufacturerBadgemaster has debuted newtwo-shift production system,giving them the capabilities toalmost double capacity anddeliver some of the fastestturnaround times in the industry,not only in the UK but acrossEurope.
Production at the company’s sitein Newstead, Nottingham isoperating a two-shift productiveoperation, running from 6am-2pm and 2pm-10pm five days aweek.
The changes will make asignificant reduction inturnaround times, meaningcustomers can now benefit fromthe speediest ever service.
It is now possible for urgentorders being placed as late as 4pmbeing able to be processed and gointo production the same day.
The ramp up in production is aresult of a significant period ofgrowth for the company withorders at all time high, securingon average 200 new accounts permonth since the beginning of2015.
Major new rollouts taking placein recent months include highstreet names such as Argos, Avis,Coral, Carphone Warehouse,Next, Disney and WH Smith.
In the hospitality sector theseinclude Premier Inn and BestWestern and transport and travelcompanies including ScotRail,Virgin/East Coast Trains, VirginAtlantic and TUI, which in newbusiness alone spans anestimated additional quarter of amillion wearers.
Under the new regime, the UK
based manufacturing site will becapable of processing on average2,000 individual orders per day.
Badgemaster’s managingdirector John Bancroft MBE, whofounded the business with hiswife Vicky in 1992, is thrilled withthe company’s achievements –not only in terms of the businessand it’s customers – but also forthe wider industry.
He said: “ The badge makingbusiness is driven by three things:quality, price and turnaround
times, and in order to succeed youneed to be delivering on all threein equal measure.
“These most recentdevelopments allow Badgemasterto step it up a notch, allowing usto raise our game to previouslyimpossible standards.
“Our customers of coursebenefit greatly from ourinvestment, so does too the widercommunity via employment,investment in local economy andadvances in our technologicalcapabilities.
“A two-shift production is justone of many ways our businesshas become stronger, and I amthrilled the business can groworganically through customerdemand.
“We are now the largest namebadge making company in theUK, almost certainly in Europeand making our mark on theglobal landscape.
“I thank our loyal and skilledstaff and, of course, our everincreasing customer base for suchan amazing achievement.”
Badgemaster has taken on adozen new members of staff, withmore to come in the forseeablefuture.
These latest additions take thecompany’s roll call up to over 100,boosting the local landscape inwhat was once known in northNottinghamshire and surroundingarea as an ‘employmentblackspot.’
Significant investments inadditional state-of-the-arttechnology has not only boostedthe factory’s technical capabilitiesin production but also aided theskillset of the company’s evergrowing workforce.
“We are a British basedmanufacturer, whose business iscurrently booming, and that issomething I am incredibly proudof” added John.
“At a time when the widerindustry is awakening to thesocial and ethical issues, risks andwider issues of manufacturingoverseas, at Badgemaster we arevery proud of our Made in the UKstatus.
“Keeping business, jobs andskilled workers within the UK andwithin our industry will only dogood things for our widereconomical future.”
For more information contact the Badgemaster customer servicesteam on 01623 723 112, email [email protected]
or visit our website at www.badgemaster.co.uk
Badgemaster steps production upa gear for its fastest ever service
Staff see their latest machine producing over 1000 badges per hour.
The Badgemaster team.
41
Event celebrates refurbishmentA LEADING charity and housingassociation has celebrated the com-pletion of refurbishment on itsPaddock Wood supported home witha celebratory event.
Staff at The Abbeyfield Kent Societygathered with residents and associ-ates at Margaret Fisher House in OldKent Road to celebrate the refurbish-ments, which have added en-suitesto all 10 rooms as well as two newself-contained apartments alongsidethe home.
The new apartments aim to provideindependent living for over 55s, withbespoke fixtures and fittings ensuringthe home is suitable for people withdisabilities.
Staff are also on hand to check onresidents daily, and the Society’sdomiciliary care provider, CaringCompanions, can provide care ifrequired.
Zena Thomas, head of supported
housing at the Society said:“Loneliness is currently a huge prob-lem amongst older people. We hopethe addition of the two apartmentswill boost the Margaret Fisher Housecommunity.
“Residents of the apartments arefree to walk across to Margaret FisherHouse and share the communalspace, enabling all residents to enjoya pleasant social life.”
The building work was able to takeplace as the Society received twodonations from The Frederick DruryWare Trust, which contributed£100,000 and Jo Passmore, a Trusteeof the Margaret Fisher CharitableTrust, who contributed £300,000 tosupport the refurbishments.
Jo, who attended the event and hasworked closely with the Society forover 25 years, said: “Margaret Fishergave her name to the Paddock Woodhome and took a keen interest in all
that happened there throughout herlife.
“She set up the Margaret FisherCharitable Trust, which continues tosupport the home, providing fresh
flowers each week.“It was Margaret’s wish that
trustees would continue to providefinancial support, should they feelthere was a worthwhile cause.”
Guests at the celebratory event at Margaret Fisher House.
Final phase to begin ahead ofschedule
Page 42
Pre-existing funding availableto finance new projects
Page 44
Operator sells part of portfolioto HCP
Page 46
By Olivia Taylor
CONSTRUCTION of the newRichmond Witney retirement villageis progressing so well that, havingsold almost all of the Villageapartments within the initial phase,the decision has been taken to startwith the final phase of building aheadof schedule.
There is a wide choice of propertiesavailable, with the average two-bedroom property providing some1,000 sq ft of living space, up to a verygenerous 1,500 sq ft.
Many are privately located, southfacing with views over the wild grassmeadow, and with easy access to thespa and other central facilities.
Apartments are well appointed andinclude a spacious kitchen, livingroom, one or two bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms.
They are finished to a highstandard, with kitchens featuringgranite work tops and Bosch and Neffwhite goods, and separate laundrycupboards to avoid using preciousspace in the kitchen.
The new £30million RichmondWitney includes all the facilities thathave made the other Richmondvillages so popular, including awellness spa with swimming pooland gym, hair and beauty salon, alibrary, IT room, terrace café, qualityrestaurant and garden bar, and all setwithin beautifully landscaped
grounds with a bowling green andnature reserve beyond.
Managing director of RichmondVillages, Paddy Brice, said: “Theseproperties are ideal for those thinkingabout living independently and wanttheir own front door, yet like the ideaof being in a safe and sociablecommunity with support andassistance close at hand if required.
“We listened carefully to what ourclients wanted which included havinga large living space and up to twolarge bedrooms, especially importantif someone is downsizing. We aredelighted to be able to press aheadwith the final phase so soon, andunderlines the strong demand forquality retirement living we provide.”
42
DC CARE has completed the sale ofClifton Court care home, nearDoncaster in South Yorkshire.
The home, which was an asset ofMirus Care Limited (in liquidation),was originally registered for 33 elderlyclients and closed late last year.
Upon instruction from BegbiesTraynor LLP, DC Care carried out anextensive marketing campaign, toattract purchasers looking tocontinue to use the property for careprovision.
The home was sold to specialist careprovider Community Places Ltd.
They are carrying out substantialalterations to the building so they candevelop and deliver a bespokeservice, working closely withcommissioners.
A spokesperson for CommunityPlaces said: “We put service users atthe very heart of what we do and weare so pleased DC Care was able to letus know about this opportunity.
Peter Herberts, for Begbies Traynor,added: “We are happy that CliftonCourt is continuing its life as a carehome and that it will be an integralpart of the local community.”
Closed care home’s sale completeClifton Court in Doncaster.
Final phase to beginahead of schedule
The bowling green at Richmond Witneyvillage.
43
DAVID Beattie (director of CareIdeals) has been working in seniorpositions in the healthcare indus-try since 2002.
He has been very successful indealing with difficult and complexoperational and clinical issues.
David’s extensive experienceincludes:� The turning around of systemat-ically damaged hospitals and careunits.� Significantly improving the carebeing provided to service users.� Building of constructive rela-tionships with regulators andcommissioners
In 2014, David decided to startCare Ideals, which is a manage-ment consultancy service that pro-vides positive, long-term solutionsfor healthcare businesses, theirservice users and their staff.
David can work with you inmany ways, including helping youto prepare for any type of inspec-tion (in England, Scotland orWales).
He can assist in getting warningnotices and bans on referrals lift-ed; and will increase occupancyand profitability.
In addition, David can compileplans and strategies that willimprove and future-proof yourbusiness for the long-term.
Firm’s directorcan help withdifficult issues
Former cattle auction sitetransformed into schemeBy Olivia Taylor
A FORMER cattle auction site hasbeen transformed into a luxury assist-ed living scheme, providing a hometo 73 residents and employment forup to 100 people.
Construction on the £7m scheme atPonteland in Northumberland isalmost complete, and operatorsCrown Care are now recruiting nurs-ing staff ahead of its opening in theAutumn, paying above the livingwage of £7.25 an hour.
The Royal Hampton will provideresidential, nursing and dementiacare; two three-bedded bungalowsand four three-bedded town houseswith associated car parking, serviceamenities and garden area.
Crown Care engaged Newcastle-based architects Alston MurphyAssociates to design the developmentto the highest specifications along-side the building contractors,Chester-le-Street’s MeldrumConstruction.
Wendy Conn, Crown Care’s manag-ing director of healthcare said: “TheRoyal Hampton really will be a carecentre with the wow factor – it is thejewel in our crown.
“It will include an internet café, cin-ema, spa services, library and a musichall, alongside quiet lounges for resi-dents and those staying with us for a
short time.“Each of the single bedrooms will
have en-suite shower rooms whilethere will be a number of suites withprivate lounges and kitchens to helpour residents maintain indepen-dence. This is the perfect site for us.There will be a large area of land-scaped gardens and it is close to thetown centre so our residents will bepart of the community.
“We are looking to deliver the bestquality environment the region has tooffer while providing the highest pos-sible standards of care to ensure
those who come to live here or staywith us for a short time get the care,attention and lifestyle they deserve.”
Architect Ian Murphy said: “We havebuilt more than 80 developments inthe care home sector around thecountry and the Royal Hampton willbe the most spectacular.
“We have looked at a whole range ofdevelopments for inspiration andcome up with plans of the highestspecification. We believe this is thesort of development which canbecome a blueprint for future assist-ed living schemes.”
The Royal Hampton in Ponteland will create up to 100 jobs.
By Olivia Taylor
BUSINESSES in the care home sectormay be unaware of pre-existingfunding available within theirorganisations to finance newprojects, according to Clydesdale andYorkshire Bank’s head of healthcareDerek Breingan.
Derek was speaking at the ‘WorkSmart to Create an Outstanding CareHome’ seminar, which recently tookplace at the Village Hotel in Leeds.
Hosted by DWA Architects andYorkshire Bank, the event providedpractical advice to healthcarebusinesses from across the UK onhow to deliver top class care homesin an industry facing increasingexpectations, rising prices andincreased resource pressures.
Around 25 professionals from theindustry attended the session, whichincluded presentations onarchitectural design, planning,funding and money management.
Derek spoke about the need forbusinesses to analyse costs and lookat existing sources of funding fromwithin their businesses before takingthe step to develop a care home.
He said: “With a growingpopulation, improvements inhealthcare, and people living longer,there’s a lot of pressure on the care
home sector to deliver. “This means right from the start
businesses must have robust plans inplace to ensure their developmentsare built on time, on budget and tothe highest quality.
“We’re here to help commercialbusinesses in the care home sectorsource appropriate funding to grow.What many companies don’t realise is
they may already have access tofunding which can be made availableby securing financial supportpackages against hidden value intheir existing properties.
“The Bank can help them identifythis value, as well as providing thesupport necessary for their carehome to be built, from thedevelopment stage all the waythrough to completion.
“Our size gives us the agility andflexibility to spend time with clientsand find solutions which fit theirspecific requirements.”
Multi-award winning DWAArchitects, who have a wealth ofexperience in developing care homes,spoke to attendees about designing acare home fit for 2015 and beyond.
David Ward, chief executive, added:“We are delighted to have co-hostedthis event with Yorkshire Bank, and itwas a pleasure to welcomeprofessionals from across theindustry and provide practical adviceon how to develop an outstandingcare home.
“Having worked in the care sectorfor more than 26 years, it was afantastic opportunity for us to shareour knowledge and expertise, and wehope that this will have a positiveimpact on future care homedevelopments.”
44
Pre-existing funding availableto finance new projects ...
Derek Breingan
PORTHAVEN Care Homes hassuccessfully obtained planningconsent for a new facility inKidlington, Oxfordshire.
The home will be built toPorthaven’s award winningspecification, and will provide 24-hour residential and nursing carefor the elderly, including residentsliving with Alzheimer’s and otherforms of dementia.
The home will comprise 70spacious bedrooms, each with itsown wetroom, and residents willbenefit from numerouscommunal facilities including acafé, hair salon and nail bar,cinema room, leisure andwellness room, a private diningroom for special family occasions,as well as several lounges anddining rooms.
Each room will be designed toincorporate the best of currentinnovation in care home designwhile maintaining a warm, safe,comfortable and homelyenvironment.
John Storey, chief executive andfounder of Porthaven, said: “Notonly will we be providing a muchneeded service for the residents ofKidlington and Oxford and thesurrounding area, but the homewill also directly employ up to 90local people.”
Kidlingtonhome getsgo-ahead
45
A tale of two marketsBy Andrew Long
WE continue to be bombarded byheadlines declaring the fragile state ofthe social care market, especially inresidential and nursing care.
Local authority budgets are reduc-ing, providers are feeling the bitefrom fee pressures and rising wages,and this is all pointing towards slip-ping standards with less profitabilityfor operators.
It is certainly true that the market isnot an easy one to operate in, butthen again, it never has been. Socialcare is, and probably will remain, oneof the biggest public funding dilem-mas the country faces.
One thing that is undeniable, how-ever, is that there will always be aneed. The pressures of demographicscannot be ignored – we are an ageingsociety with vastly growing expecta-tions. There will therefore always bea market for care providers, but therewill be increasing focus on the qualityof their offer.
The latest ADASS survey demon-strated that councils are astute to thisissue. In the short term, the impactof fee pressures will impact those careproviders who are running on a shoestring, with little budget for anything,let alone capital investment.
Those who have quality stock ofcare homes, in state-of-the-art, pur-pose-built environment with a careoffer which meets the expectations ofthe next generation remain secure.They have the potential to build their
private client base, achieving occu-pancy and fee levels that will enablethem to reinvest in their portfolio,ever improving their offer to clientand maintaining business perfor-mance.
Our sister company, IdealCarehomes, recently sold 24 carehomes in its portfolio to the AnchorTrust for over £100m who also boughttwo turn-key care homes from LNT inthe past six months.
LNT also has a significant pipelineof demand from third parties keen tobuy our turn-key homes. You onlyneed to flick through the pages of anyof the care press and they are talkingabout the influx of American REITsbuying into the UK care market.
This doesn’t point to a market that is
failing- quite the opposite for thosewho offer a quality product.
When asked, Christies & Co. com-mented that they “have long seen atwo tier market where older style(pre-existing as they are known) con-verted care homes are increasinglyunder pressure from newer qualityprovision. Both residents and fami-lies, and also operators and fundersplace a significant premium on highquality built-for-purpose homes.”
LNT Carehome Developments seethis trend continuing, with demandevery-increasing from providers of allsizes looking to add to their portfolio.Over the past couple of years we haveturned our sights to the South and arenow developing and selling homesnation-wide. Providers recognise thatthe efficiency and future-proofing ofpurchasing a fully-equipped, demen-tia friendly home not only has bene-fits for the residents but for staff andefficiency too. Our turn key schemesare universally accepted by banks,private equity and institutional fun-ders, demonstrating the strength ofthe quality-care model.
Despite the plethora of issues facingthe market, there is a cross-censusthat a quality asset accompanied byan excellent care offer makes goodbusiness sense in the market and thisview is strongly supported by funders.
For more information on LNTCarehome Development’s turn keyschemes: http://turnkeyplus.co.uk/ � Andrew Long is development direc-tor at LNT.
Andrew Long
Topping outceremony atnew homeA PURPOSE-built care home tooka step closer to completion as theteam behind Garforth Care Homein Church Gardens was joined bycouncillor Mark Dobson to cele-brate the traditional ‘topping out’ceremony.
Garforth is the latest state-of-the-art care centre to be built by inde-pendent provider MeridianHealthcare and will offer residen-tial care for up to 58 residents.
The home promises superbaccommodation, with those livingthere benefitting from a range offacilities including the Elegancehairdressing salon, a spa and anonsite gymnasium.
Meridian Healthcare’s managingdirector, Paula Keys, said:“Meridian Healthcare has beenproviding high quality care acrossthe North of England for over 25years and we have used all of thatexperience in developing GarforthCare Home.
“Every aspect of this new devel-opment has been designed with itsresidents in mind, from the care-fully considered layout of the liv-ing accommodation to the accessi-ble landscaped gardens.”
Garforth Care Home will joinMeridian Healthcare’s PremiereCollection.
By Olivia Taylor
DEVELOPMENT led care homeoperator New Care Projects hasconcluded the sale of part of itsportfolio for an undisclosed sum toHCP, a specialist California-basedhealth care investment REIT.
The operation of the two homes,Allingham House Care Centre inTimperley and Manorhey Care Centrein Urmston, has been taken over byMaria Mallaband Care Group withimmediate effect.
The transaction offered New Carethe opportunity to dispose of themature trading assets, which hadbecome a prime target for corporateacquisition not only due to their newbuild nature, but also as a result oftheir location in the affluent boroughof Trafford.
The multi-million pound dealallows New Care to exit with surplusfunds to fuel their ambitiousexpansion plans; designing,constructing and operating ‘newgeneration’ purpose-built care homesacross the UK.
New Care provides a uniqueconcept in the care sector founded by‘builder and nurse’ team, ChrisMcGoff and Dylan Southern,following controlling interestinvestment by the McGoff brothersand a minority group of serial equityinvestors.
New Care Projects’ CEO, ChrisMcGoff, said: “We are very pleased tosee this deal conclude, as not only didwe take comfort in the fact that ourexcellent reputation and legacy wasbeing transferred to suitablecustodians, but it also acts as acatalyst for the future growth of theNew Care platform which we hopewill become synonymous with raisingstandards in elderly health careprovision.”
In reaching a conclusion of the saleof the two homes, New Care Projectswas advised by Manchester-basedlaw firm Field Fisher and GrantThornton.
New Care Projects has retained fullownership of their third and recentlycompleted care home, The Grand, inWest Bridgford in Nottingham.
46
THE Beeches, a luxurious nursinghome in West Cornwall, has changedhands in a deal brokered by specialistproperty adviser Christie + Co.
Outgoing vendors Peter and LesleyPool established the home in 1988and built an enviable reputation forproviding the highest standards ofcare to residents.
The 28 bedroom property has nowbeen acquired by Patrick and MirjamWintershoven for an undisclosedsum.
The home will continue to be run bythe present manager, with Patrick
and Mirjam overseeing the operationand ensuring the quality of carecontinues at the home as it has doneover the last 28 years.
John Crocker, director at Christie +Co’s Exeter office, handled the sale.
He said: “The Beeches generatedtremendous interest with multipleoffers received from both first-timebuyers and existing operators.
“We are delighted to have ensured asmooth transaction for Peter andLesley, and we wish Patrick andMirjam all the best with their newventure.”
Luxury nursing home changes handsThe Beeches in West Cornwall.
Operator sells partof portfolio to HCP
New Care Projects CEO Chris McGoff.
47
Minimum wage increase could be‘catastrophic’ for care homesBy Joe Bates
THE proposed increase to the mini-mum wage, which is set to hit £7.20an hour from April 2016, could forcecare homes out of business and sig-nificantly reduce the care availablefor state-funded residents.
In order to overcome this challenge,care home managers must drive costefficiencies and identify additionalrevenue streams to supplement theirincome as a matter of urgency.
Wages are by far the largest expenseincurred by care institutions, withstaff pay accounting for up to 70 percent of turnover. In addition, a largepercentage of employees, approxi-mately 40 per cent, are currently paidthe minimum wage. In view of this,care homes are likely to see a signifi-cant increase in their wage bill at atime when budgets are alreadystretched, leaving them at risk offinancial distress.
Martin Green, the chief executive ofCare England, recently estimated thatlocal authorities currently commis-sion care for the elderly at £71 a weekbelow its actual cost.
A rise in the minimum wage, with-out any corresponding increase ingovernment funding will furtherreduce the economic viability of pro-viding care provisions to state-fundedresidents as well as reducing the
social impact of not-for-profit organi-sations.
Unlike some long-term public sec-tor contracts such as the running ofprisons or janitorial services for hos-pitals, care home grants do not adjustfor inflation, which means the fullcost increase must be absorbed bythe care operator. To stay afloat, carehomes must take measures now tobolster the balance sheet andimprove their cash position.
First and foremost, care home man-agers should begin by exploring whatother services their institution canprovide in order to boost income. Tomake best use of available resources,there are two immediate options; daycare and domiciliary care.
Day care provision provides an idealexpansion opportunity, as the serviceappeals to a wider pool of potentialcustomers and allows staff to utilisetheir current expertise. In addition,the cost of caring for each residentper hour is reduced as overnight careand private living space are notrequired. It also provides a usefuldiversity of people using the homeand stimulation for the residents.
Domiciliary care may also representa possible avenue for expansion.Again, this provision utilises the exist-ing skills set of employees and train-ing can easily be provided to newstaff brought in to service additional
demand. Care-at-home services arecalculated on a case-by-case basis soare subject to change; it is thoughtthat in this area local authorities willbear a significant proportion of theexpense incurred by the increase tominimum wage. As a result, institu-tions may wish to rebalance theirresources across both live-in andhome-based care to reduce theirfinancial burden.
Aside from increasing revenues,where possible efficiencies must bemade to reduce organisations’ costbase. Crucially, only non-essentialservices should be considered fordecommissioning and any changesmade must not affect care standards
as a whole. Typically, it is likely thatvalue-added amenities will be thefirst to fall in the name of cost-cut-ting, including holistic therapies,entertainment and group outings,which is a great shame as far as quali-ty of care is concerned.
Supplier contracts should also bereviewed. Smaller institutions maywish to drive economies of scale bysourcing a number of different ser-vices or supplies from the same ven-dor, in order to secure a cost saving.Similarly, larger firms may find thatputting large contracts to tender fornumerous homes in a specific regionor nationwide, could prove more costeffective.
The company accounts should becarefully examined to provide abreak-down of spending. Servicesthat are currently outsourced such asrecruitment or cleaning could poten-tially operate more efficiently in-house and drive further cost savings.
In the period leading to April 2016,it is vital that care home managerstake measures to ready themselvesfor an increase to the minimum wage.As margins are further eroded by aburgeoning wage bill, firms mustmake a concerted effort to drive costsavings and explore other revenuestreams in order to survive.� Joe Bates is a partner and carehomes specialist at accountancy firm
Joe Bates
A NEW guide to continence training and productsolutions for care home professionals has beenproduced by Ontex Healthcare to support itsgrowing iD-Direct incontinence care and personalhygiene programme.
The iD Care Home and Product Support Guideprovides advice on the extensive iD Expert rangeand related solutions, as well as the training andsupport the company offers care home staff.
iD-Direct benefits from having one of the largestand best-qualified field support teams in the UKcontinence care market, constituting CRB-checkedmale and female nurses.
Training and education are overseen by thecompany's clinical support team.
Carers also benefit from having access to iDExpert eLearning: accredited by the Royal Collegeof Nursing, this online tool has been developed toincrease knowledge and understanding ofincontinence and help keep to-to-date with bestpractice.
There are currently 10 modules available,including one dedicated to carers, with furthermodules in development.
Enquiries: Contact www.id-direct.com
CARINGINDUSTRY NEWS48
Beaucare launches comprehensivenew medical catalogue
OUR most comprehensive catalogue to date ispacked full of all the everyday medical equipmentand consumables a care home requires.
We have broadened our product offeringswithin a number of ranges, including introducingnew nursing profiling beds, which were showcasedat the Birmingham Care Show last year, anddementia care products to mention a few.
We guarantee a one-stop shop policy, withorders placed by 5pm being delivered next day atno extra cost.
Beaucare® Medical Ltd, established since 1992,is the UK’s premier supplier of hygiene, medicalsupplies and equipment to individual care homes,care home groups, hospitals and NHS Trusts.
Enquiries: To obtain your copy call 01423 878899, email [email protected]
or visit www.beaucare.com
SINCE 1982, Colne (Lancs) based, RichardsResidential Supplies have concentrated uponsupplying simple solutions to common nursinghome problems.
The new WACMAT® adheres strongly to thistradition.
With its ultra absorbent cotton pile and 100 percent waterproof backing, the remarkableWACMAT® is an ideal accessory where spills mayoccur.
Used as a commode mat, in bedrooms orbathrooms, the WACMAT® ensures full carpetprotection. Then, after use, simply machine washand tumble dry! It’s that simple...
The WACMAT® will then be clean and odour-free, ready to perform time and time again.Alternatively the flat-laying WACMAT® can be usedas an entrance mat, saving you hundreds of poundsin rental costs alone.
Enquiries: Telephone 0800 074 3749.
Simple solutions
Claim VAT back on your home evenif you are not VAT registered
Ontex introduces care home productand support guide to iD-Direct
New printed fabrics on the Skoposstand at the Care Show
Girbau UK appointed exclusivedistributor of GMP Ironers
Care Roadshows visit Cardiff andLondon this Autumn
IT is true, care providers can reclaim VAT worthabout £3,000 per bed for any residents who stayedin your home between 1993 and 2002 paid for bythe local authority.
You don’t have to be VAT registered to make aclaim. We can usually find the information requiredwith minimal disruption to your business.
How is this possible? Well in 2002 a careprovider called Kingscrest challenged the view heldby HMRC and won. There is no cost to you unlesswe are successful.
And the best part is that you get the money inyour bank account before you pay us. Don’t forget
the tax repayment is free of tax – it is extra profit.Enquiries: Call 01233 640985 and ask for Howard to find out more.
The answer to the age oldred bag dilemma
What is the red bag dilemma?THE red bag arrives in the laundry, tightly sealed,containing foul and infected clothes that are readyto be washed at 65°C. The laundry assistant noticesthat there is a cardigan in the bag.
This is the dilemma!The operator can’t open the bag and remove thecardigan, as this would contravene the Departmentof Health code of practice which states that fouland infected linen should be sealed in a redalginate bag, which should first be washed at aminimum of 65°C, without being opened.
However, the operator knows that if the bag isput in the washing machine and washed at 65°C,then the cardigan will be ruined, this will upset theresident and the resident’s relatives, who will thendemand that the cardigan is replaced at the carehomes expense, which will further upset themanager and the care home owner.
Halo Commercial is the answer to the dilemma!Our unique Halo products combine lowtemperature bug kill and odour elimination, withthe ultimate in cleaning performance. This nextgeneration laundry detergent range is designed todeliver results in the most demanding laundryenvironments.
The active ingredient, Hygienilac, inhibitstransport of nutrients, leading to death ofmicroorganisms.
Halo Commercial is scientifically proven todestroy:
� H1N1 flu virus.� C difficile spores.� MRSA bacteria.
Within five minutes contact time at atemperature as low as 30°C.
Halo should be used instead of conventionallaundry detergent, because it decontaminates anddisinfects the linen at reduced temperaturesfurther reducing laundry costs.
Enquiries: For further information contactShorrock Trichem on 01942 875325 or speak
directly to laundry care professional PaulRobinson on 07771 928196 or [email protected]
SKOPOS Fabrics are excited to be launching theirnew print collection at the Care Show inBirmingham in November.
Skopos launches new print collections each yearand, with each design available on a wide choice ofbasecloths, designs can work well for care andhospitality interiors .
Anthem has a nod to dancehall days andmovement within the design mark that gives ahandcrafted, artisan feel to the print.
The collection is a perfect solution for softfurnishings in bedrooms and public spaces, withfabric options including blackout, dim-out, regulardrape qualities and a waterproof upholstery basecloth in the mix. Including a simple organic design,a textured stripe and some soft geometrics, thecollection offers a contemporary solution.
This collection will blur the gap betweenhospitality and care, providing inspirational designswhich work well with the Skopos range ofupholsteries, providing a fresh solution for hotelinteriors and providing a quirky lift to interiors forcare.
Anthem is available this Autumn with shortlead-times and small minimums.
Skopos is an ISO9001 accredited company andhas over 35 years’ specialist experience in thedesign and manufacture of high performance FRcontract fabrics for the healthcare and hospitalitysectors.
Enquiries: To find out more visitwww.skoposfabrics.com
GIRBAU UK has been appointed the sole distributorof GMP roller ironers in the UK. Ideal for smaller on-premise laundries in care andnursing homes, GMP ironers offer substantialproductivity gains and a high quality professionalfinish.
GMP ironers are energy efficient, easy to use,reliable and robust. An accurate twin-sensortemperature control system and enhancedinsulation reduce heat dispersion and improve heatdistribution evenly across the ironing surface forbetter ironing, reduced energy loss and improvedenergy efficiency.
The large control panel is simple and extremelyeasy to understand and use. Users can easily adjustironing speed and temperature to suit all types offabric. Accurate and reliable temperature sensingand control prevent wasteful energy loss andprotect laundry from scorching.
The range of GMP ironers available from GirbauUK includes the GMP 100.25, GMP 120.25, GMP
140.25, GMP 140.30 and the largest GMP 160.30.The first number of each model denotes the ironingwidth of the roller (from 1.0 to 1.6 metres), thesecond number denotes the roller diameter(250mm or 300mm). Larger models offer higherproductivity of up to 50kg of ironing per hour whilesmaller models are more compact and affordable.
Enquiries: For more information visitwww.girbau.co.uk
FOR the past five years, Care Roadshows havebeen taking place across the UK providing carehome owners, managers and all those workingwithin the sector with updated from industryleaders and showcasing the latest innovations onthe market.
This autumn, the event will be coming to twonew locations, visiting Cardiff City Stadium onOctober 20 and Epsom Downs Racecourse onNovember 17.
Both events offer attendees a packed day outincluding informative seminars, hands-onworkshops and a wide range of products andservices to explore from dedicated care providers.
Enquiries: For further information and toregister for your free tickets visit
www.careroadshows.co.uk
49CARINGNEWS
WEST London residential care homeParkfield House nursing home inHillingdon once again takes on agrand theme after a new manage-ment team transformed it with astunning interior refurbishmentthanks to healthcare furniture andinteriors specialists Shackletons.
Making the most of the impressiveGeorgian residence, once the homeof Lady Hillingdon, Shackletons part-nered with interior design companyHomeSmiths to create a distin-guished interior refurbishment remi-niscent of the building’s magnificentpast.
Through design consultation withstaff and residents the 44 en-suitebedrooms, dining facilities, loungesand reception area benefitted from adiscerning interior overhaul creatingan uplifting environment for resi-dents and staff to enjoy.
Home administrator Sue Martinsaid: “From specialist chairs, fit toaccommodate comfort and mobilityrequirements, to occasional furnitureand soft furnishings, Shackletonsthought of everything needed tomake Parkfield House a bright andbeautiful place to live and work – our
residents absolutely love it.”Shackletons and HomeSmiths part-nered to deliver a supportive livingenvironment that not only consid-ered resident and staff preferencesbut the complex needs of elderly careand adaptive design accommodatingsensory and mobility impairment,physical comfort and safety.
Shackletons have been in the busi-ness of creating comfort for over 50years and are the UK’s leading designand manufacturer of specialist con-tract furniture for the healthcare sec-tor.
New beginningsfor West Londonnursing home
Danfloor to exhibit at Showdanfloor will be returning to theCare and Dementia show inBirmingham with our range ofinnovative and high performancecarpets which are ideal for the carecector.
Visitors will be able to see theselection of colours and designsavailable from the EquinoxCollection and Economix range,which both offer fully imperviouscarpets, advanced anti-microbialyarn coatings and an array of
design opportunities. For those seeking design options
for dementia care settings ourEquinox Tones and Economixranges are ideal as the tonal designsmake them not too distracting tothe eye.
So why not come along and visitstand I34 and also meet our littlefriends who help to tell the story ofthe 100 per cent sustainable fibrewhich is used within the Economixrange.
Public Health Ministerto speak at conferenceTHE Care England annual conference& exhibition, ‘What’s New? A Year ofChange’, will take place on November12 at the Church House ConferenceCentre, London.
The event will take a close look atthe current social care landscape andassess the challenges for next year.
Jane Ellison MP, ParliamentaryUnder Secretary of State for PublicHealth, will deliver the openingaddress and present her vision forimproving the care of long term con-ditions.
Other influential speakers includeDr Jane Martin, Local GovernmentOmbudsman, Dr Clive Bowman, con-sultant physician and gerontologistand Ian Smith, Four Seasons chair-man, who will deliver the provider’sperspective.
All providers, not just Care Englandmembers, are welcome to attend thisevent, which also features an exhibi-tion and seminars from leading sec-tor product and service suppliers.
Further information is availablefrom www.careengland.org.uk
20th birthday for Medpage’sMP5 seizure detecting alarmTHE Medpage MP5 Epilepsy Alarmhad its 20th birthday recently.
It is hard to believe the very firstMedpage epilepsy alarm was sent to acustomer 20 years ago.
Did you know it was an OT that gaveus the idea for the MP5? While tryingto find a solution to help a familywith a young daughter having morethan her fair share of seizures, manyof them going undetected resulting inregular hospitalisation, we wereintroduced as a company that may beable to help.
Indeed we did, and so the MP5 wascreated. The MP5 remains the mostaffordable seizure monitor priced at£205 + VAT.
The MP5 monitor can be used withthe two alarm pagers supplied, or itcan connect directly into a nurse callsystem.
How many seizures has the MP5detected?We wondered how many seizures ourmonitors may have detected over theyears, quite amazing – read on.
With over 20,000 serialised epilepsyalarms supplied since 1995 (for theMP5 model only), we have calculatedan approximate number of detectedseizures based on one seizure detec-tion per week (and a lot of other fac-tors) per monitor to be in excess oftwo million.
If you have got a story for the nextissue of Caring UK mgazine, email it
A NORTH East care company is thefirst in the UK to introduce aninnovative technique in pureed foodto help their residents, and others inthe country, with dysphagia.
Helen McArdle Care started trials ofSmoothfood in their care homesearlier in the year, and have seensuch positive results they have nowtrained all of their chefs in the newtechnique and rolled it out across thewhole group.
Developed in Germany by Biozoonin 2011, Smoothfood is a uniquepureed food technique intended togive elderly people, who haveproblems eating solid food, morenutritional and enjoyable meals.
Unlike other pureed food solutionsin the UK, which can be dull and lookartificial, Smoothfood uses specialthickening and gelling agents withinpureed food, so that when it sets, hasthe correct texture but crucially, canbe broken down easily in the mouth.
The pureed food is then shapedback to its individual form, in order
to be aesthetically pleasing as well asvery tasty.
Sean McArdle, head of catering atHelen McArdle Care, said: “Five yearsago I attended a training coursecalled ‘Focus on Undernutrition forthe Elderly’ and part of the coursewas a practical session based onpreparing food and feeding peoplethat have difficulties swallowing.
“During the training we shaped andmoulded food to make it look morepresentable, still calling the foodpeas, carrots, casserole. I found thisdifficult to understand as I knew thatthe pureed food would never havethe texture of the food it wassupposed to be.
“Although I had someunderstanding of the distress thatpeople must go through when theyhave difficulties swallowing andeating, until this training I neverrealised just how limited the optionsfor food and hydration were. Fromthat day I was determined to make itbetter.”
Provider is first in UK to introduceinnovative pureed food technique
Catering development manager Del Penman and head of catering Sean McArdle with aselection of Smoothfood dishes.
Home’s residents take awalk on the wild sideRESIDENTS at Crossways, the CLS-run care home in Northwich,Cheshire, took a walk on the wild siderecently, when exotic animal handlersfrom Zoolab visited the home,bringing a host of weird andwonderful creatures along with them.
All the residents showed no fearwhen getting up close and personalwith the exotic animals; Ray Milner,89 and Constance Pendlebury, 69took their chance to touch a giantsnail, Margaret Jones, 88 made a newfriend in a bearded dragon, whileFreda Stagg, 89 showed some seriousnerve by holding a giant cockroach.
Freda said: “All of the animals wereso lovely and beautiful, I actuallycouldn’t help but give some of them akiss.”
Zoolab is an animal handling
experience company, with a networkof regional teams who provide arange of tailored activities, fromprimary school education workshops,to holiday entertainment, to animaltherapy. Zoolab is a regular visitor toCLS homes.
Crossways home manager PaulBowman said: “We have a very fullprogramme of activities here atCrossways, but Zoolab visits arealways a highlight.
“The residents can’t help but getexcited when they see an animal theyhave never seen before, let alonewhen they get the chance to holdthem. The handlers are fantastic atgetting everyone interacting, which isexactly what these activities are for;that and putting a smile oneveryone’s face, staff included.”
Memory Walk raises more than £500TWO TEESSIDE care homes raisedover £500 for the Alzheimer’s Societyby staging a Memory Walk in AlbertPark, Middlesbrough.
The walk was organised by TheBeeches and The Gables care homesand involved residents, family and
staff. It is part of a national campaign to
raise money to fight dementia, withother Alzheimer’s Memory Walkstaking place across England, Walesand Northern Ireland throughoutSeptember.
