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The Carer Digital
THECARERUK
Issue 23
THECARERUK
New Plan To Help Protect Care Homes From Coronavirus Over Winter
A new Adult Social Care Winter Plan will aim to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections in care settings throughout the winter months, the Health Secretary confirmed this week. As part of the plan, people receiving adult social care and care workers will receive free PPE, a new dashboard will monitor care home infections and help local government and providers respond quicker, and a Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care will be appointed to represent social care nurses and provide clinical leadership to the workforce. Local providers must restrict all but essential movement of staff between settings to reduce transmission, supported by an extra £546 million for the Infection Control Fund. This will help care providers pay staff full wages and enable staff to
work in only one care home. This brings the total funding for infection control measures in care homes to over £1.1 billion and underlines the Government’s commitment to ensure adult social care has the resources it needs to keep residents and staff safe. The Government is prepared to strengthen monitoring and regulation by local authorities and the CQC, including asking them to take strong action where improvement is required or staff movement is not being restricted. This can include restricting a service’s operation, issuing warning notices or placing conditions on a provider’s registration. Further details of how the winter plan will be enforced will be set out shortly.
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PAGE 2 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23
EDITOR'S VIEWPOINT Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital! “There are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.” ROSALYN CARTER At the time of writing this according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) there has been a small increase in Covid related deaths in England and Wales. The statistics reveal that 27 people died in care environments due to Covid or Covid related issues for the week ending September 11, which is an increase of 10 recorded fatalities on the previous week. A testament to just how well the sector has coped in extremely difficult circumstances. Now of course we are faced with stringent new Covid restrictions that could last up to 6 months and the threat of a full lockdown looms. We here at THE CARER have throughout the pandemic been calling on the care industry’s leading lights to provide advice guidance and best practice on how to get through the crisis, maintain morale for staff and residents, deal with heart-rendering issues such as isolation, grief and death, mental health issues, legal obligations, training and compliance, and we have been able to include some of the industry’s leading suppliers in all areas of residential and social care to provide the products and services needed during this pandemic. As we face this potential 2nd wave the government has set aside funds to assist care providers. As our front-page story states, a new Adult Social Care Winter Plan aims curb the spread of COVID-19 infections in care settings throughout the winter months, with support including staff and those receiving adult social care provided with free PPE, a new dashboard will monitor care home infections and help local government and providers respond quicker, and a Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care will be appointed to represent social care nurses and provide clinical leadership to the workforce, and the sector is to be supported by an extra £546 million for the Infection Control Fund. Welcome though it is, I strongly suspect it will be nowhere near enough and additional measures will have to be provided. I noted comments by Hammond Care’s Prof. Chris Poulos, who has helped provide clinical governance during the pandemic, who said one key lesson was the importance of screening staff from the beginning to prevent outbreaks. He stated: “Someone in aged care is not going to catch Covid-19 unless someone brings it into the care home. We didn’t learn early enough that staff may not show symptoms. They present the biggest risk to vulnerable residents, requiring high levels of vigilance for screening, and restricting staff working across care homes. “The most important part of course is learning the lessons from earlier this year. As we all know releasing patients from hospital environments into care environments to free up
Editor
Peter Adams
beds proved to be disastrous, therefore, test and trace will be the one of the most significant factors in managing the spread of infection.” I also noted a report by the NHS Confederation which includes a key finding from a new member survey of more than 250 healthcare leaders, and revealed that nine out of ten respondents are concerned about the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the wellbeing of their staff. It is vital not to neglect the consequences surrounding mental health issues with staff. Understandably, there has been much focus on alleviating physical health impacts of the pandemic on health and social care staff. However, there is a danger that mental health issues receive far less attention. Health and social care staff currently face a multitude of acute mental stressors due to their work and a spotlight has rightly been placed on their wellbeing in the wake of the current crisis. This is a particular area we hope to highlight over the next coming weeks and will be calling on some of the industry’s leading lights to provide advice guidance and best practice on how the sector can manage potential issues. We are also delighted to bring back our “Unsung Hero” Award (see page 3). A small gesture on our part, but one we are delighted to say has always been really well received and appreciated within the sector. We are always overwhelmed with the uplifting nominations we receive for various people in various sectors of the industry, from manager, supervisor, care assistant, activities coordinator, chef, maintenance man, gardener, truly heartwarming nominations for people who have gone above and beyond their normal duties, which can sometimes go unnoticed, and we are delighted to occasionally step in with a “luxury 2 night break” in a choice of over 300 hotels! So please do get your nominations in, we will be drawing a winner on Saturday October 21st. I always finish with a thank you to the many homes and their PR agencies providing us with some wonderful Previous Unsung Hero winner, stories of anniversaries, fundraising, in-house care home Helen Miller, activities coordinator initiatives keeping the spirits high, so once again well at Beechwood care home in done and please keep them coming! I can always be Wishaw, Scotland contacted at editor@thecareruk.com
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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23 | PAGE 3
New Plan To Help Protect Care Homes From Coronavirus Over Winter
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Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock said: “We are entering a critical phase in our fight against coronavirus with winter on the horizon. Our priority over the next 6 months is to make sure we protect those most vulnerable receiving care and our incredibly hardworking workforce by limiting the spread of the virus and preventing a second spike. “This Winter Plan gives providers the certainty they need when it comes to PPE and provides additional support to help care homes to limit the movement of staff, stop the spread of coronavirus and save lives. We will be monitoring the implementation of this carefully and will be swift in our actions to protect residents and colleagues across the country.” The new Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care role will provide clinical and professional leadership, while upholding and raising standards among the care workforce. Recruitment will begin in October to ensure the department and sector can benefit from the professional expertise the new role will bring. To improve understanding of where infections are taking place in care homes, a dashboard will be introduced as a single point of information for local, regional and national government to monitor outbreaks and measures being implemented to reduce it. Minister for Care, Helen Whately said: “Our brilliant care workers have been tirelessly looking after our loved ones throughout this pandemic, and Covid rates have come right down in social care through the summer. With cases beginning to rise now, we must take the strongest possible action to stop the virus and protect people. “The creation of the Chief Nurse for Social Care is also an important step and will provide leadership to social care nurses and the wider care workforce who often work unseen. The skills and compassion of our care workers must be fully recognised and supported ” The unveiling of the Winter Plan will be supported by the publishing of the Adult Social Care Covid-19 Support Taskforce report highlighting the effectiveness of the fund and the Care Home Support Package. Chair of the Adult Social Care Covid-19 Support Taskforce, David Pearson said:
“A test of any country is the degree to which it supports and enables those who need care and support to stay safe and to lead the best lives they can. This report draws from expertise from across the social care sector and sets out the actions that should be taken to help keep people safe while maintaining their independence. “I would like to pay thanks to the huge involvement from the social care sector in the taskforce and in the development of this report and indeed in aligning closely with the Winter Plan. Close coordination between local and national bodies within the sector is critically important to the success of the sector and will play an important part in keeping people safe and healthy in the winter months ahead.” The report will also look at how we can learn from the first phase of the virus and sets out a number of recommendations to the government to prepare for winter the sector and the workforce for winter. Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Luke Hall MP said: “We’re doing everything we can to ensure councils are prepared to tackle coronavirus throughout the winter months. “These new measures including providing free PPE to care homes and new ways to track care home infections will make a huge difference in limiting the spread of the virus supporting those on the frontline with this important work.” Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive , Care England said: “We welcome the Government’s focus on care homes and will work with them to implement the Winter Plan to ensure the best outcome for residents of care homes and their families Kathy Roberts, Chair of the CPA said: “The Care Provider Alliance has been working closely with the Minster of State (Minister for Care) Helen Whately, MP and senior policy officials at the Department of Health and Social Care on the core elements of the Winter Plan. As an Alliance we have played an important role in calling on government to provide essential PPE for free to care providers and for the continuation of the zero-rate VAT on PPE supplies after the current deadline of 31st October 2020. Our work with members has resulted in, on average, 99% of all care home providers reporting on the Capacity Tracker data capture initiative. We believe visibility of the dashboard reporting mechanism should be extended to the wider care sector to make sure people using
care and support services and staff are safely supported through the winter. “We are also delighted by the announcement of a new Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care. During the height of the pandemic, many of our members told us of the essential need for expert clinical advice and input. Our expectation is that this role further strengthens our ability to provide more community-based longer term condition management and palliative care. We look forward to working closely with the Chief Nurse when appointed. Vic Rayner, Executive Director at NCF says: “The Winter Plan ticks all the right boxes. It makes commitments and promises to address the very big challenges facing the delivery of social care in a winter with both Covid-19 and flu. Amongst its actions it addresses the importance of clear communication, sharing and use of data, strengthened role for technology and the urgent need to escalate flu vaccinations. “There is lots of detail still to come to bring the plan to life. The criteria for the Infection Control Fund are not yet published making it hard for providers to plan to support staff, nor is the promised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) strategy available, which will shine a light on what the government free PPE approach will mean in practice. In addition, testing is recognised within the plan as fundamental in breaking the chain of transmission, yet the testing regime in homes is suffering significant delays, and the accessibility of testing to the wider social care sector is extraordinarily limited. “There is cold comfort for the social care workforce. Much feted over recent months, the government has not taken the opportunity within this plan to celebrate and reward their efforts. The introduction of the Chief Nursing Officer for Adult Social Care is to be welcomed, but aside from that the primary offer consists of apps and guidance which is no substitute for the serious call for a bespoke occupational health scheme to support the workforce called for in the workforce advisory group recommendations. The workforce is our most valuable asset – and the plan ignores or minimises that fact at all of our peril. “Finally, it is of huge concern that the plan seeks to further restrict visits to care homes, and NCF calls on government to think again about blanket bans in ‘areas of intervention’. We must as a country work harder to prioritise making visiting safe for all.”
It’s Back!!! We Are Looking for the Next CARER Unsung Hero! It would be an understatement to say that these challenging times for the residential and nursing care sector. The threat of a 2nd wave and Covid-19 restrictions are going to have a significant impact on residents and staff wellbeing. Regular readers will know that we here at The Carer have been rewarding somebody that every care home has-” A “Unsung Hero”! More than one in fact! A member of your team who has gone that extra mile, working extra hours, extra shifts, covering staff sickness, fundraising, generally putting in that extra time and effort which can sometimes go unrewarded. This crisis has proved that the entire sector is Unsung Heroes, so we here at The Carer are introducing another Unsung Hero Award during this current crisis. How we wish we could reward you all! And without further ado we invite you once again to nominate a
“Unsung Hero” They can be from any department from carers, to kitchen workers, from administration staff to maintenance staff. Somebody you feel has gone that extra mile, sometimes without the recognition they deserve, and someone you think is a worthy nomination. No complicated or glitzy awards ceremonies a simple no frills nominate your unsung hero in a short paragraph to nominate@thecareruk.com and we will pick a worthy winner and a twonight luxury break for two people in a choice of over 300 hotels around the United Kingdom is the prize. We will also be sending out to £50 Marks & Spencer vouchers to 2 where the runners-up. So please send us a paragraph or two nominating your Unsung Hero and why you think he or she deserve recognition and we will do the rest. Email nominate@thecareruk.com DEADLINE OCTOBER 21 2020
PAGE 4 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23
Planning for the Care We Need By Tim Spencer, Associate Director of Nexus Planning (www.nexusplanning.co.uk) On the 6th August, the Government set out their plans for “radical” reforms to the planning system in England. The Prime Minister’s foreword raises the problem that there are currently nowhere near enough homes in the right places. The Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick MP, calls for the guiding principle of the reformed planning system to be as the eminent architect Clough Williams-Ellis once said, to “cherish the past, adorn the present and build for the future”. With its roots in the 1947 Town and Country Planning Act, the modern system has been regularly adapted and modified and while it has grown significantly more complex, it has remained fundamentally unchanged for the last 72 years. It might be said that the planning system has now passed retirement age. While there is much to be lauded in the White Paper – in particular, the focus on design quality and simplifying the planning system – there
is a disappointing oversight (or omission) regarding the role that developments for older people play in housing an aging population. The planning system is an essential and core part in the delivery of all forms of housing and the planning White Paper confirms that the system “must make land available in the right places and for the right form of development”. Planning for the accommodation needs of the older generation has been largely pushed to the side-lines by the planning system. Very few Local Planning Authorities have meaningful planning policies which promote the development of the correctly balanced communities, which provide suitable accommodation for a range of ages in well located areas. The most recent significant changes to the Town Planning System were brought about in 2012 with the adoption of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which condensed thousands of pages of planning policy to around 60 pages. The NPPF condensed Local Planning Authorities obligations to plan for accommodation for older people, to two short paragraphs. Subsequent changes to the NPPF in 2018 and 2019 further reduced the importance of planning for older people’s accommodation. A number of changes made to National Planning Guidance in June 2019 hinted at better things to come. For example, directives to Local Planning Authorities to encourage a positive approach to address the unmet need for specialist housing as well as an acknowledgment that
housing for the older generation is to be counted against nationally prescribed housing objectives. However, the importance of planning for the specialist accommodation needs of the older community has not been met by the planning system in a manner anywhere near proportional to the urgency of the growing need. Care communities play a vital role in providing safe, age appropriate accommodation in our villages, towns and cities. In June 2019, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that more than 24% of people living in the UK will be aged 65 or older by 2024, an 18% increase from 2016. This figure highlights the scale and urgency of the need to provide accommodation for the increasing number of people who will benefit from the development of care communities. While the White Paper promises “radical change” to the planning system, it needs to remain focused on sustainable development and the need to provide healthy, well planned environments that cater to the broader needs of a wide cross section of society. It is essential that the planning system provides the right homes in the right places. However, the overwhelming emphasis of the planning reforms, which border on a single-minded obsession, is the delivery of “housing” with no mention of the older community, retirees and those in need of specialist older person’s care facilities. The central principle of the planning system is that it is there to work for the overall good of the broader community and to achieve sustainable development. While the White Paper emphasises the importance of creating sufficient affordable homes as well as homes for first time buyers, the lack of attention to the older population is a worrying oversight which needs to be addressed in detailed policies. Nexus Planning will, on behalf of our clients, be responding to the government’s consultation to highlight the importance of addressing the need for later living care accommodation and to ensure that that the planning system has, at its heart, the need to provide the right type of accommodation for all members of society.
Sunrise Senior Living UK Win Prestigious CIPS Award For Their Approach To Risk Mitigation Sunrise Senior Living UK has won the award for ‘Best Approach to Risk Mitigation’ in the Excellence in Procurement Awards 2020. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the awards, organised by the Chartered Institute of Procurement (CIPS). The Excellence in Procurement Awards are the top procurement awards in the UK, with an expert panel of independent judges who are all leaders in the profession. Sunrise Senior Living UK won the Award for their triumph in ‘Project PPE’, as the business successfully procured sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies for all their UK care homes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Within 24 hours of being tasked with securing adequate supplies of PPE, the small procurement team had sourced enough to supply all Sunrise Senior Living UK homes, whilst also buying emergency stock for Sunrise US. Additionally, they helped 12 other UK care providers use their supply channels to source their own PPE. Bob Skinner is a Resident at Sunrise of Cardiff, he thanked the Procurement Team for helping to minimise the risk to all the Residents and Team at his care home, Bob said: “I am a resident at Sunrise of Cardiff, and I have been here for about a year. I would like to thank Chris and Shaun for providing the PPE and all the equipment which has been necessary to keep us safe. “It has kept us safe, always been up to date and we are very pleased with it.” Sunrise Senior Living UK’s Procurement Team earned praise from the judges for
leveraging the supply chain for market intelligence and developing sustainable local sources at speed. The judges also commended the team for demonstrating a good appreciation for solutions to the challenges faced. The team gained recognition for their ability to go above and beyond in helping Sunrise US and other care providers in the UK. Laura Faulkner, Director of Shared Services at Nationwide Building Society and Judge at the CIPS Excellence in Procurement Awards 2020 said: “Great job Sunrise Senior Living – the submission painted a very clear picture of how this small team addressed, delivered, and got recognition for their success. And then they have been able to learn and build on it afterwards. “This is a really good example of managing a project that helps mitigate business risk that is reactive in its nature.” Christopher Dean, Director of Procurement at Sunrise Senior Living UK added: “We are absolutely honoured to win this CIPS Award for Excellence in Procurement. Our quick thinking has helped minimise risk of transmission and maximise the safety of residents. It was also amazing that we could help our colleagues in the US as well as other care providers in the UK with procurement of essential PPE. “We look forward to supporting all our care homes in transitioning smoothly out the other side of this and establishing a new normal. I am so proud of the team for all their hard work throughout this pandemic.”
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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23 | PAGE 5
Public Must Get Behind NHS Workforce as Concerns Grow About Second COVID-19 Wave The public support for the NHS during the first part of the COVID-19 was “remarkable and humbling” and this support will be needed again as a second wave hits at a time when the health service’s workforce is overstretched, and faces chronic staff shortages, the NHS Confederation has said. In the latest report of the membership body’s NHS Reset campaign, COVID-19 and the health and care workforce: supporting our greatest asset, the NHS Confederation highlights the vital role the public has played, and calls for this to be “harnessed in collective efforts to improve people’s experience of work and to build the workforce of the future”. The report also includes a key finding from a new member survey of more than 250 healthcare leaders, which revealed that nine out of ten respondents are concerned about the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the wellbeing of their staff. The report adds that the greatest risk to supporting staff and delivering the NHS People Plan is workforce shortages, at a time when the most recent vacancy statistics for the NHS in England showed more than 83,000 vacancies at the end of the three months ending 30 June this year, with more than 120,000 vacancies in social care. The recent promise of £28 million for international nurse recruitment, set out in Chief Nursing Officer for England Ruth May’s letter to regional chief nurses and nursing directors, was welcome, and the contribution of students and returners in the first phase of the crisis must be recognised, but there is still a much bigger problem to be addressed, especially in light of the backlog of elective and diagnostic activity. It is therefore imperative that every effort is made to address workforce shortages, according to the report, immediately, and over the long term, to make sure the best and brightest staff can be both attracted and retained. The NHS People Plan for 2020/21 and the NHS People Promise contained a welcome focus on underpinning employment practices that create open and inclusive workplaces, improving staff wellbeing, providing development opportunity and flexibility in working arrangements,
but these fail to address fully the long-standing supply and vacancy issues facing health and care organisations, the report adds. The Government’s upcoming comprehensive spending review must include investment to commit to the increased support for undergraduate study; support the workplace placements of additional healthcare professionals; and continue to lead national attraction and recruitment campaigns for health and social care, it states. Among the other issues the report highlights, it also describes how discrimination, and especially that experienced by Black and minority ethnic (BME) staff, has been the greatest challenge to staff as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a direct impact on mortality among the workforce and in turn, on staff’s mental wellbeing. In the face of a disease that killed proportionately more people from BME backgrounds than anyone else, the report says, generations of racist discrimination in the UK were exposed. Now, the report makes clear, the evidence regarding discrimination and racism has led health and care leaders to take action, as they accept that it challenges their privilege, their inaction and the practices, policies and cultures that perpetuate inequality both in society and in NHS organisations. The report sets out key actions that must be taken across the sector, such as improving diversity in NHS boardrooms, as leadership that better represents the people it serves has been shown to improve outcomes for patients; improving engagement so that the experiences of BME staff are properly understood by health and care leaders; and making sure BME staff feel safe and supported to speak up and raise concerns. Taking an in-depth look at the first six months of the crisis and the impact on the health and care workforce as a whole, the report also highlights the extreme pressure on staff, with concerns over burnout and resilience. To improve staff experience and reduce the risk of burnout, action on the ground must include commitment from senior leadership to create the conditions for an open and supportive culture; building line manager confidence, capability and capacity to support individuals and teams;
and providing opportunities for staff to have input into job design and delivery. Meanwhile, there has also been positive action taken across the sector to support staff, the report adds. For example, Imperial College NHS Foundation Trust developed a comprehensive and stepped approach to supporting workforce wellbeing throughout the pandemic, during recovery and beyond. Focusing on practical support in the initial critical phase, it then pooled expertise to create a multi-modal offer to cover a 12-month period that will continue to support staff through the longer-term recovery phase. Danny Mortimer, deputy chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “We owe a great debt of gratitude to everyone working in health and care over the course of the COVID-19 crisis. They have displayed admirable dedication, sacrifice and fortitude in the face of the greatest challenge the health service has ever faced. Our members are clear that they will need to continue to support their staff, and to take decisive action to address the serious concerns of BME staff. “NHS staff are working hard to restore normal services, as well as respond to the resurgence of the virus. This resumption of non-COVID services for their patients is really important to them, but there are limiting factors due to the long-standing level of vacancies across the NHS. The scaling back of non-COVID services and treatment, and the support of the public, helped mitigate this pre-existing problem, as did the commitment and flexibility of NHS teams. Action and investment for the longer-term supply of additional staff is, however, vitally important.” The NHS Confederation is now calling for four key actions from the Government: 1. Provide funding to run more student placements, especially in mental health, learning disability and smaller professions; 2. Continue investment made in staff mental health and wellbeing services to supplement local offers; 3. Run a national recruitment campaign for health and social care; 4. Ensure that any pay award for NHS staff is properly funded with additional investment and does not require reductions in other NHS budgets.
Residents at Warminster Care Home Create Lockdown Memoir Wren House care home in Warminster has documented its lockdown activities in a book, which is available for family members to purchase so they too can share the memories that Wren House residents made together during the UK’s lockdown period. The hardback book, ‘Lockdown at Wren House’, contains pictures and write ups about all of the things the staff and residents got up to during lockdown including weekly claps for carers, lots of donations from local businesses and a variety of activities. One of the activity days which residents particularly enjoyed was VE Day. The home planned a day filled with celebrations for the residents and everyone took part in themed activities, as well as sharing stories of times gone by with each other. Facetiming family members has been also a key part of residents’ days, and staff members ensured residents were able to keep in touch with their families as much as possible. Another staple in Wren House’s timetable has been weekly
exercise classes, making sure residents could stay on top of their fitness and not feel guilty for indulging in the tasty treats donated by kind-hearted local firms. Domino’s Pizza was one of the businesses which treated everyone at Wren House, by sending delicious pizzas, which the home turned into a Pimms and pizza party! One of the residents at Wren House, Pauline Taylor, said: “Lockdown was a strange time for us all, and it will certainly go down in history. While I am saddened by the losses that families have faced across the world, I’m pleased that I have been able to make some wonderful memories with my Wren House family. “The book is fantastic, and it will be a great way for us to remember this crazy time in years to come.” Wren House care home forms part of Wren Retirement Living and is managed by Healthcare Management Solutions. The home is rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
PAGE 6 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23
Visiting in Care Homes: Where Now?
With COVID-19 cases now on the rise across the country this joint blog by Vic Rayner, Executive Director at the National Care Forum and Caroline Abrahams Charity Director at Age UK explains why visiting in care homes can and should continue to be the default.
WHY THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE
To deprive people living in care homes of the stimulation and unprecedented pleasure that ‘visiting’ bring creates significant risks, Social care is a holistic service – it is concerned with people’s mental and physical health alongside their spiritual and emotional wellbeing – we lose sense of the balance of all these elements at our peril. The impact of taking visitors away from people on a prolonged basis has been closely observed all over the country, with people and organisations commenting on the raw reality of residents going downhill fast, giving up hope and ultimately dying sooner than would otherwise be the case. This is why it matters so very much and why we should think very hard indeed before intervening in a way that severs these connections. The impact of the Social Care Covid-19 winter plan and of rising cases That is not to say that any visit can be taken lightly at this time but the Social Care Covid 19 winter plan, launched by DHSC on Friday 18 September, while not outright banning visiting, gets awfully close to it. The plan outlines measures already in place which have created a blanket lockdown of those care homes in ‘areas of intervention’, which on the last count amounted to a geography covering nearly 20% of all care homes in England. This means that residents and their immediate families, amounting to approximately 300,000 people, a population equivalent to Brighton and larger than Newcastle on Tyne, have been effectively split apart from their loved ones without warning, and without consultation. With a blanket ban meaning no visits can take place – no garden visits, window visits or visits inside the home. This is to say nothing of the many more hundreds of thousands of people impacted by homes being in localised lockdowns through the decision of their Director of Public Health, as a result of being in areas which are on a PHE watchlist.
WHY RISK SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE ASSESSED INDIVIDUALLY FOR PEOPLE AND PLACES
Of course, it is completely understandable that policymakers want to take every precaution they can when it comes to care homes, given the catastrophic suffering and loss of life earlier in the pandemic and now with the emergence of a ‘second wave’. Declaring a ‘no visiting’ blanket ban, or
near ban, may seem to them like the right thing to do against this context – but we seriously question whether it really is, and for a number of important reasons. Firstly, care homes and residents are all different whereas a blanket ban inappropriately treats everywhere and everyone the same. Surely, with this as with everything the appropriate way to proceed is by assessing the risk for places and people on an individual basis. Secondly, it seems perverse, to say the least, for official guidance to say that in certain circumstances a person can be discharged from hospital into a care home without a test showing they are COVID-19 negative, yet carefully managed visits by loved ones should cease. This makes no sense at all. Thirdly, we are not aware of any evidence showing that ‘visits’, if carefully managed, have been a significant risk in spreading the infection so far. On the contrary, our understanding is that the evidence points more towards people who come in and out of a care home inevitably being rather more of an ongoing risk, whether they are staff or visiting GPs and District Nurses, or indeed CQC inspectors. Unless these incomers are housed on site they live in communities like the rest of us and so are as vulnerable to picking up the infection as we all are. Finally, the risk of visiting contributing to spreading the infection is not the only risk that has to be managed here, though it’s the one we have the metrics to count. The other risk, which is very significant for many older people living in care homes, is that their physical and mental health significantly declines as a result of a prolonged lack of connection with those who mean most to them. It is this very delicate balancing act that homes, in partnership with relatives, have been negotiating in recent months. It is a very human balancing act that centres around people and their needs, and the risks for those living and working within a care home and relatives and friends too. Everyone has their part to play in making this a success: homes need to communicate transparently and often, sharing their thinking and measures to minimise risk as the situation changes; relatives need to ensure they are working with the home to facilitate these mitigations; and everyone needs to keep the focus on what really matters here – the safety and the welfare of the person living in the home. A polarised debate helps no one. The public conversation about this is not helped by the term ‘visiting, which somehow fails to capture what many relatives and friends often do for people in care homes to supplement the care available from staff. It is not unusual, for example, for the partner of a resident with dementia to spend many hours with them, helping them very slowly to eat and drink sufficiently. As the most familiar and cherished people in their lives relatives and friends also play a big part in giving residents reasons to stay cheerful. They are also often able to communicate effectively with a person who has dementia or another form of cognitive decline in a way which even the most highly skilled staff cannot manage – love makes all the difference. Finally, for older people with dementia we understand there is clear evidence that connection helps to slow down the progress of the disease, whereas its absence helps to accelerate it. The very hard reality for all us to contemplate is that for many care home residents, they don’t have time for us to get this absolutely right and therefore it is about balance – like every decision we have to take with and for them. However, let us not let this be portrayed as a Faustian pact – it should be a shared endeavour amongst us all to support people to live the best possible life, one we undertake knowingly, and with the best intentions at heart.
WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN SO VISITING CONTINUES TO BE THE
DEFAULT
What do we need to tip the balance so visiting can continue to be recognised as the default position at this difficult time? • Testing is fundamental in terms of management of the virus – getting it right sits in the lap of the Government. To stop visiting because testing capacity or capability is not sufficient is not good enough. Ideally we would have rapid saliva testing for all visitors, including friends and relatives, visiting health professionals and CQC inspectors. • Designating one person per resident as a ‘special visitor’ would help – as in the partner of the person with dementia in the example above. They should be eligible for regular testing, PPE and training alongside the care home staff, to help facilitate their ability to keep coming in. • Public liability indemnity for care home providers – One of the very real pressures impacting organisations which run homes is the ever tightening insurance market. Government can and should address it. It has offered indemnity to the NHS, it needs to do the same for the care sector. • Making permanent investments in the built environment to minimise risks in visiting. It is clear COVID-19 is not going away quickly and there could be other infections in future to worry about too. Let’s make the investments now in securing functional space inside buildings that makes visitors and the visited as safe as possible. There are hundreds of creative schemes being enacted across the country – let’s ‘ramp’ this up with, if necessary, some targeted capital investment, so every home has a space they can use to keep people safely connected. • Shifting the dial on the metrics – We have a much better dataset around the spread of infection and what is happening in real time in homes but are less well served by wellbeing metrics for those living within care settings. We need to harness the power of those working with electronic care planning systems to develop these and roll them out. • Doing everything we can to enable safe visiting in care homes is a cause that the entire health and care sector should rally around, including CQC, local authorities, and health and care staff too. Health practitioners, particularly those with a specialism in mental health and wellbeing, understand only too well how important connections with family and friends are and we need them to demand that we find a way to nurture both people’s mental as well as physical health at this difficult time.
CONCLUSION
Here’s a real life story to finish with. One of us had a conversation recently with a friend who visits his Mum in a care home every week. She is there because of a major stroke. She sometimes struggles to speak and is seriously physically disabled but she has full mental capacity. She has a garden room in her care home and so when her son visits she sits inside and he sits outside, the appropriate distance apart. They both wear masks, which they laugh about sometimes. The only risk here, he says, is that he gets a chill from sitting outside – there is virtually no risk of passing on any infections either way. Are we really saying that even this visit should now stop? If living in a pandemic is ‘the new normal’ then we need a paradigm shift in our thinking now. For many the decisions that are taken about visiting are life changing, and potentially life limiting. None of this is easy – but nothing that mattered ever was. Vic Rayner, Executive Director, National Care Forum Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director, Age UK
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Delay Is A ‘Betrayal of Older and Vulnerable’ Care providers are furious after it was confirmed that long-overdue reform of the social care system was being delayed again. Lord Bethell, a health minister in the House of Lords, has said he could not commit to a plan for social care reform by the end of 2020. Care provider organisation The Independent Care Group says that simply isn’t good enough. Chair Mike Padgham said: “This is yet another betrayal of millions of older and vulnerable people in this country. “Before coronavirus we knew there were at least 1.5m people living in this country without the care they need. With coronavirus, heaven knows what that figure is now. “It is now more than a year since Boris Johnson promised to end the social care crisis once and for all and the only thing we have seen is the situation getting worse. “Under-funded and neglected by government after government, coronavirus exposed a social care system that was already in crisis and plunged it into further despair. Now we are told that there is no hope of even the publication of a plan this year. It simply isn’t good enough. “We need to see, immediately, the Government’s winter plan for helping social care cope with a muchfeared and predicted second wave of coronavirus and then, as a matter of urgency, a full, root and branch overhaul of the social care system.” The ICG wants to see: • A root and branch overhaul of the way social care is planned and funded • NHS care and social care to be merged and managed either locally or nationally • Extra funding for social care, funded by taxation or National Insurance • A guarantee that people receiving publicly-funded care can receive it in their own home or close to where they live
• A commissioner for older people and those with Learning Disabilities in England • A properly-costed national rate for care fees linked to a national career pathway and salary framework for care staff • Dementia treated like other high priority illnesses, like cancer and heart disease • A fixed percentage of GDP to be spent on social care • A cap on social care costs, including ‘hotel’ charges • Local Enterprise Partnerships to prioritise social care • A national scheme to ensure people save for their own care, as they do for a pension • A new model of social care delivery based on catchment areas – like GPs • Social care businesses to be zero-rated for VAT • CQC to have much greater powers to oversee all commissioning practises such as per minute billing and 15minute visits • Less duplication of inspection between CQC and local authorities/CCGs • Greater recognition of the role of the independent sector and utilisation of its expertise in the commissioning and delivery of social care • Guaranteed equal partnership working through seats on Health and Well Being Boards, CCGs and NHS • Giving providers and CQC greater flexibility in delivering services • Providing telemedicine incentives • Allowing nurses and social care staff from overseas to work in the U.K. including lowering the salary cap • Training and bursaries to encourage recruitment/end the shortage of nurses • Long term measures to integrate older and younger people in care settings and change the perception of the generations • Investment in research and development into new models of social care delivery • Funding to help upgrade older care homes to maintain a range of choice for the public and investment in domiciliary care • Funding for leadership training.
Care Home COVID-19 Fatalities Fall To 5-Month Low The number of Covid fatalities recorded in care homes has fallen to a 5-month low according to statistics released by the Office of national Statistics (ONS) The latest ONS data, covering the week ending September 4, revealed that there were 17 COVID-19 deaths in care homes in England and Wales, down from 23 in the week earlier, marking the lowest fatality rate since the onset of the pandemic at the end of March. The year-to-date analysis shows that of deaths involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) up to Week 36 (week ending 4 September 2020), 63.4% (33,214 deaths) occurred in hospital, with the remainder occurring in care homes (15,501 deaths), private homes (2,485 deaths), hospices (750 deaths), other communal establishments (224 deaths) and elsewhere (202 deaths). Between Weeks 35 and 36, the number of deaths involving COVID-19 decreased across the majority of settings. Deaths involving COVID-19 in hospitals as a proportion of all deaths in hospitals decreased from 1.9% to 1.6%. Deaths involving COVID-19 in care homes as a proportion of all deaths in care homes decreased from 1.3% in Week 35 to 1.1% in Week 36. As well as Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides numbers of deaths involving COVID-19 in care homes in England that are based on the date the death was notified to the CQC. From 10 April (the first day when data were collected using the CQC’s new
method of identifying deaths involving COVID-19) to 11 September 2020, there were 14,232 deaths of residents in care homes involving COVID-19. Of these deaths, 21 were notified in the week up to 11 September. In Wales, the Welsh Government publishes the number of deaths of care home residents involving COVID-19 notified to the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW). Between 17 March and 11 September 2020, there were 506 deaths of residents in care homes involving COVID-19. Stuart Miller, Director of Adult Social Care Delivery Department of Health and Social Care, released a letter on Friday urging care homes to conduct weekly testing and keep correct and consistent usage of PPE in light of the higher rate of infection. Mike Padgham, Chair of the provider organisation The Independent Care Group, said: “Of course a fall in the death rate is very welcome but we remain concerned about the ongoing infection rates, which show around 3,000 people a day contracting the virus. “We are also receiving reports of cases increasing in care and nursing homes and we have to remain cautious. “We are continuing to remind all care providers of the need to practice careful hygiene, social distancing and use of PPE, as well as following the testing regime. “The dangers in care and nursing homes have not gone away and our need for support is as great as ever.”
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Dementia Research Entering Exciting New Phase Focusing On Early Detection, Brain Health Clinics and New Drugs Dementia may become treatable in the years ahead if detected early like breast cancer as researchers make real progress on the latest disease modifying drugs, biomarker screening techniques and personalised risk plans. Professor Craig Ritchie, a world-leading authority on dementia and an investigator on more than 30 drug trials, told HammondCare’s International Dementia Conference 2020 today that dementia and neurodegenerative disease research and care are undergoing a paradigm shift. Professor Ritchie said he expected a future where networks of brain health clinics like those being developed by Brain Health Scotland, which launched this month, would play a central role in early detection, individualised risk reduction and ongoing disease management. “There is good evidence emerging that the diseases we know in later life as dementia, or late stage neurodegenerative disease, are really evident from mid life onwards,” Prof. Ritchie said. He likened the period of mid life among people likely to develop dementia later as a “silent period” for brain disease. “But it’s only silent because we are not listening,” he said. “My argument is its time to really start focussing our attention on detection in these populations as early as possible and this is the best chance of impacting on the course of the disease.” Early detection of dementia, or neurodegenerative disease, could become like breast cancer where mammograms can detect pre-can-
cerous or early tumours and at that point the disease can be effectively managed with the best treatments. Prof Ritchie’s keynote address to the IDC 2020 is based on a paper he produced, along with other researchers in the field, outlining the present promising state of research published in August 2020 edition of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. The latest research suggests 40 per cent of the incidence of dementia is due to 12 modifiable lifestyle risk factors — hypertension, obesity, smoking, physical activity, diabetes, social isolation, hearing loss, depression, low education, traumatic brain injury, excess alcohol consumption and air pollution. People in mid life can reduce their chances of the disease by changing these lifestyle factors. The remainder of disease risk is probably attributable to a complex interplay between abnormal tau- and betaamyloid proteins. The next phase of treatment will be in emerging secondary prevention where individuals detected early through screening to be at high risk of cognitive impairment and dementia can benefit from emerging disease modifying anti-amyloid and anti-tau drugs. These treatments were most likely to be effective in the early stages of neurodegenerative disease. In 2019 there were six such disease modifying drugs undergoing phase III trials and their results are eagerly awaited. One of them Aducanumab – administered by an infusion every four
weeks – has been filed for fast-track review with the US Food and Drug Administration with a decision expected by March 2021. Another promising drug is Anavex 2-73, which has involved Australians in phase III trials. Professor Ritchie, Professor of Psychiatry of Ageing at the University of Edinburgh, said advances in blood-based biomarkers of amyloidosis, tauopathy and neurodegeneration open the door for reliable and effective screening and early treatment. He said brain health service clinics, a development on today’s memory clinics, would help people with pre-clinical signs of neurodegenerative disease manage their brain health. Another role for the brain health clinics would be to better help the estimated one third of patients with functional cognitive disorders other than dementia who get wrongly diagnosed with the disease. They may live for 10 or 15 years believing they have dementia but experience no cognitive decline. “We are doing these people a massive disservice by giving them a false positive,” he said. Early detection would have the added benefit of creating a growing group of people available for phase IV trials of new disease modifying treatments. Brain health clinics would play a key role in overseeing these trials with artificial intelligence ensuring the most effective collection of trial data.
Star-Studded Line-Up Announced For Taunton Care Home Poetry Book Project Oake Meadows care home in Taunton has revealed that several of the UK’s leading poets and writers have agreed to participate in the home’s upcoming poetry book. The book will be named ‘We Are Family: Poems from a Care Home’ and will feature a range of poems written by a variety of special contributors, including members of staff and residents. The book will be released and sold via Amazon Kindle from mid-September, with hard copies also available for purchase at a later date. The care home, which is located on Wyvern Road, has already begun to announce the names of some of the stars that have agreed to participate in the project, including award-winning filmmaker and author Dave Jeffery, filmmaker, publisher and author Justin Park, and authors, editors and twins C.L. Raven. Each name brings with them a wealth of talent and experience, with their work commonly featuring in novels, magazines and anthologies across the UK, USA and Australia. Speaking of the project, Louis du Toit, activities coordinator at Oake Meadows, said: “This is a wonderful project and we are both honoured and excited to have the
opportunity to work with some of the UK’s leading writers on this project. We are huge fans of all of their work, and it is a real coup to be able to get them involved with our upcoming poetry book. This project has been in the offing for some time and it seems like the stars have finally aligned for us to get it completed! “At Oake Meadows, we really believe that we are part of one big family. Creating the book in aid of the residents, and managing to get some star names involved, is an amazing feeling and is our way of demonstrating our thanks and gratitude to our wonderful residents.” Oake Meadows forms part of Larchwood Care and is currently managed by Healthcare Management Solutions. The home is currently rated ‘Good’ by the CQC. Across the Larchwood portfolio, the regulator ratings reflect the exceptionally high standards of care given and the drive of every team member to continually improve the care they give.
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Study Shows How Dying Without “End-OfLife Diagnosis” Makes It Harder For Older People To Access Good Community Care New research has revealed that people who die of old age are less likely to receive good care at the end of their lives, with the charity Marie Curie adding that the healthcare system, which is prioritising people with single conditions such as cancer, heart failure or chronic chest disease, is “unknowingly discriminatory.” The study from the University of Cambridge, published today in the British Journal of General Practice and funded by Marie Curie, highlights the way an “end of life” diagnosis shapes care provision. It shows that community care providers prioritise people with an end-of-life diagnosis and offer them additional services, disadvantaging those who die without such a diagnosis. The study concludes that to help ensure more elderly people are not failed by the system, decisions about allocating and prioritising care need to shift to focus on people’s needs and less on their prognosis and diagnosis, with the charity adding that “proximity to death should not be the criteria for good care.” The scale of this issue may be widespread with people over the age of 85 currently accounting for 45% of deaths a year in the UK. Due to the aging population, the number of over 85s is set to rise to 5.1 million in the next 50 years. Louisa Polak, lead author and visiting researcher, Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge said: “To give frail older people a fair share of care provision, we suggest that healthcare professionals’ decisions need to be based less on diagnosis and more on need. This reallocation requires increased resources overall, as not to reduce existing palliative care patients’ quality of care, but ultimately will ensure older people are receiving the care they deserve toward the end of their lives.” Julie Pearce, Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Caring Services at Marie Curie, said: “These findings do not paint a great picture for people who are dying of old age or frailty. It is undeniable that many older people are dying without the care and support they need. The research uncovers the lack of attention on what matters to the individual as they are reaching the last phase of life. “It suggests that the system is unknowingly discriminatory in not enabling access to good end of life services. Older peoples’ experience matters as much as anyone else’s life and death. We all must learn how to have the compassionate conversations with people to ensure their needs, based on what matters to them, are met. “Everyone deserves to get the care and support they need at the end of their life, regardless of their age or
diagnosis. Proximity to death should not be the criteria for good care.” Lead researcher, Dr Stephen Barclay, Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge said: “The lack of sufficient care for those who are dying of age-related conditions does not just affect the patient but can also have a long-term negative impact on the loved ones they leave behind. Clinicians should avoid relying solely on an end of life diagnosis and instead focus primarily on what each frail older individual needs to ensure that everyone has access to a gold standard level of care. “Current guidance recommends that clinicians should diagnose more frail older people as ‘end of life’ but our study points out that this is often difficult to do in practice. Decline and death from old age and frailty is unpredictable, and many older people do not want to think of themselves as ‘end-of-life’ or talk about palliative care. It requires compassionate conversations by clinicians with an open and honest acknowledgement of the uncertainties involved.” The Cambridge study centred around interviews with people who provide community care in one Clinical Commissioning Group in England, including nurses for out-of-hours services and clinicians in community hospitals and nursing homes. The participants all described how an end of life label or diagnosis helps to unlock doors to services. Additionally, in the open-door setting of out-of-hours community nursing, teams described giving priority to calls from end of life patients. They said that making an end of life diagnosis is difficult in frail older people who have no single life-limiting condition, partly because it was not always thought about in time. Several suggested that the lack of diagnosis was a barrier to good community care, contrasting this with the care available to people with cancer: “A cancer diagnosis…opens up so many doors for people, regardless of your age. If you’re frail and elderly and just dying…what have you got? It’s a lot more closed doors.” [Community Nurse Out Of Hours] Some participants spoke of getting around the barriers by “pigeon-holing” older people into an acceptable diagnostic category: “You have to pigeon-hole them into whatever services would be available.” [Community Out Of Hours care provider]
Visit From Sid The Puppy At Nottingham Care Home Home Manager of HC One’s The Beeches care home has brought her new puppy in to meet the Residents. Sid, who is a 14 week old Labrador and Retriever cross breed, has made his first visit to the Nottingham care home today. Sid managed to put a huge smile on all of the faces of the homes Colleagues and Residents. There are plenty of dog lovers at the home so it was a real treat to see such a gorgeous puppy. One of the Residents commented “Sid is lovely, he’s so soft and gentle for a puppy. It’s made me think about the dogs me and my husband had.”
The home manager said “it’s great to see Sid socialising with the Residents. He’s only 14 weeks old so loves to play. Lots of our Residents were chatting about their pets too.” “It’s great to see how much a puppy visiting the home can stir up memories for the Residents of their own pets they have had. Everybody’s faces just lit up when Sid came bundling into the room.” Sid is hoping to return to the home soon and the Residents can’t wait to see him again and watch him grow.
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Flu Vaccination Campaign for Health and Social Care Workers
Care England has welcomed the launch of the flu vaccination campaign for health and social care workers but raised concerns about the delivery mechanisms. Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says: “In what is likely to be a difficult winter for the social care sector, given the potential impact of both flu and Covid-19, it is imperative that flu vaccinations are rolled out in a timely and efficient manner to health and social care staff and residents to encourage universal uptake. The delivery of the campaign must match the impetus.” With Covid-19 still in a high state of transmission it is particularly important for all social care staff and residents to get the flu vaccine this year. The flu vaccination will help stop the spread of flu, which is enormously significant for social care settings as residents are particularly vulnerable to both flu and Covid-19. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is working with the NHS to make the flu vaccine easier to access for social care workers this year. All frontline social care
workers should seek to be vaccinated due to their increased risk of catching the flu. The free flu vaccination is the best form of reducing the winter pressures borne by the health and social care sector, whilst also protecting the people cared for, team members, and family and friends. If you are a social care employer running a local campaign, please visit PHE’s Campaign Resource Centre for support in engaging your colleagues – PHE have free print, digital and social campaign materials available. Professor Green continues: “It is more important than ever this year that the DHSC and NHS work to ensure that flu vaccinations reach the frontline in order to protect both those on the frontline and some of society’s most vulnerable. It must now be ensured both social care residents and staff are not only eligible for flu vaccinations, but that they are also readily available and easy to access.”
New Paper Outlines Counties’ Four Main Themes to Guide Social Care Reform The County Councils Network (CCN) has published a new think piece The Other Side of the Coin, setting out the themes it believes should be at the heart of reform the adult social care system in the wake Coronavirus pandemic. The paper has been released to help shape thinking around the long-awaited social care green paper, and argues strongly that care should be kept local in any reform as councils have delivered quality services despite funding challenges and its links with other areas such as housing, public health, and children’s social care. Download the report at .https://tinyurl.com/y447rnbs The four themes encompass: Scope: taking full account of the wide range of adult social care services delivered by councils and ensuring reform fully considers working age adults as well as older people and hospital discharges. Infrastructure: considering the best ways to deliver an adult social care system which is of high quality, provides value for money, and fully engages communities. Resource: providing the right resources to help adult social care be commissioned effectively to meet the needs of local communities Improvement: putting in place the necessary framework to not only ensures quality but create an ongoing culture of continuous improvement which helps everyone to live their best lives for as long as possible. Separately, CCN has also announced that it would be commencing a new project in partnership with Newton Europe to explore and evidence the key themes for social care reform more deeply, drawing on
the experience of local authorities delivering services on the ground and Newton’s expertise in the sector. The project is due to report later in the autumn. Cllr David Fothergill, CCN spokesperson for health and social care, said: “County authorities have been warning for several years that the adult social care system has been close to breaking point. Coronavirus has thrown into sharp focus the urgent need for reform of the system – a move which CCN and its member authorities would very much welcome. “However, any such reform must focus not on a narrow health-centric view of hospital discharges or care in residential homes but recognise the huge fabric of social care provision managed by local authorities – including for those of working age with chronic conditions or mental health issues. “Adult social care is, fundamentally, a local community service and any proposals for reform needs to consider the role local authorities have played in delivering quality care despite yearly funding reductions, rather than any knee-jerk moves towards centralisation. We therefore urge the Government to take on board the principles outlined in this paper so that county councils’ extensive experience of delivering adult social care is fully reflected in any future proposals for reform.” Danny Sperrin, director at Newton Europe, said: ‘We are very much looking forward to working with the County Councils Network and its members, and to draw on our experience of delivering change with local authorities, in order to contribute to the national discussion on the future of social care.”
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Weathering the Storm of Mental Health During the Pandemic By Heidi Stewart, group commercial director, Salutem Care and Education As the tide of the global pandemic continues to ebb and flow, its broad and far-reaching implications continue to emerge. Some were foreseen like the shops shutting, children falling behind in education and quieter restaurants. Others were less obvious at the outset – spikes in domestic violence, growing NHS waiting lists for pre-existing conditions and the significant strains on mental health. Nowhere was the impact on mental health more keenly felt than among key workers. The war-effort mentality, huge sense of responsibility and indeed fear of infection, played heavy on the minds and consciences of those at the frontline, whether they work in supermarkets, the NHS or indeed, the care sector. Carers, even in the best of times, work, very often, with the most vulnerable people in society. In this period of crisis, they have had to manage their own health, their family’s health and the health – sometimes literally life or death – of the people they support. They have done so against a backdrop of a media fanning the flames of Sturm und Drang; a constant barrage of negativity and fear mongering. The rigours of new infection control measures in this caustic environment, can only have served to increase anxiety levels; the knowledge that a tiny slip in procedure – as simple as forgetting to change gloves, or disinfect a parcel – could have dire consequences. At Salutem like many other providers in the sector I suspect, we have sought to address this growing impact on the mental health of our frontline staff caused by the COVID-19 pandemic but also to embed these changes in our working practices ongoingly. As a sector, it is important that we share knowledge and best practice so that, as well as being able
to improve our clinical and infection control measures, we can keep our teams healthy in mind and spirit. Over the past few months, we have introduced or expanded our range of mental health support measures for our staff across the board – not just frontline workers. Early on during the pandemic, we began a rolling programme of awareness campaigns covering a variety of topical and emerging issues. This was backed up with the creation of a dedicated hub for mental wellbeing resources, which included resources for homebased workers too, recognising that this provided a new challenge, especially for those managing childcare responsibilities alongside their work. We have introduced new onboarding resources, outlining what new employees should expect when working on the frontline during the pandemic. To support this, managers have been equipped with induction resources to talk about managing stress with new employees. Above all, as an organisation, we have recognised that even today, in these circumstances, mental ill-health is still treated as the lesser relation to physical ill-health. That even up against the unprecedented events of the past six months, people suffering with stress, anxiety, or depression, still feel societal stigma. Signing up to the Time to Change campaign has sent a message to the Salutem family that we’re here to listen, that we value the emotional wellbeing of our team and put their health, physical and mental at the core of our organisation. In the coming months, we are bound to see more peaks and troughs in this pernicious virus. We will see local lockdowns, changing legislation and guidance for our processes and, who knows what else. But one thing is certain – throughout it all, our frontline teams will be the lynchpin of our organisations, charged with our most important task – the safety and wellbeing of the people we support. To neglect their wellbeing and safety, would be folly beyond compare.
Pressure Ulcer App Launched for Carers Nationwide Carers across the country are now able to access a tool designed by a dedicated community matron to help identify and treat pressure ulcers. Sarah Stringer, who is part of the Trust’s Bedfordshire Community Health Services (BCHS) team, has created a new app to provide a clear, simple educational tool that can be referenced and understood by carers. Her visual guide is also available on the national NHS Improvement Stop the Pressure website. The project started as part of Sarah’s district nursing Master’s degree studies and the educational tool was first designed as a laminated leaflet. The printed and digital versions use a traffic light theme to illustrate different stages of pressure sores. The focus for Sarah’s project has been providing help and support for carers and care home professionals, who support people with the highest risk of developing pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers cost the NHS more than £2bn a year and the condition is preventable. “My hope has always been that by working in partnership with colleagues and partner organisations we can make a genuine change, protect the vulnerable and improve their lives and wellbeing by reducing pressure ulcers,” said Sarah, who is also a Queen’s Nurse. https://nhs.stopthepressure.co.uk/literature-bank.html
The Care Forum – A Hybrid Event For The Care Industry
Discover new care solutions at the Care Forum. This unique event takes place on October 5th & 6th 2020 at Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire and brings together senior care professionals with suppliers to the sector for business relationship building. The two-day Forum is hybrid which allows you to attend either in-
person at the live event or via our virtual platform. It is completely flexible – you can join for the whole event or for just half a day. As our guest, you will be able meet 1-2-1 with suppliers to the sector, based on your requirements and upcoming projects. Meetings are pre-arranged and there’s no time wasted, no hard sell. Plus, live event attendance allows you to also enjoy; overnight accommodation, all meals and refreshments throughout, as well as topical webinars and networking with peers. Delegates are invited from the following sectors: Care Homes Dementia Care Hospitals Housing Groups Mental Health NHS Nursing Homes Supported Living Suppliers in attendance will cover the whole spectrum of care solutions, including Catering/Food Supply, Compliance Services, Equipment, Fixtures & Fittings, Interiors/Furnishings, Gardens & Exterior, Hygiene Services, Resident Hygiene/Care, Security, Technology and much more. Senior care professionals are invited to attend the Forum for free.
Confirmed buyers include: Abbeyfield Society, Sanctuary Care, Tricuro, Central & Cecil Housing Trust, Achieve Together, Golden Care, Origin Housing, Canford Healthcare, CHS Group, St Matthews Healthcare, CasiCare Hazel Court and many more! Here’s what some of them have to say about previous Care Forums: “The Care Forum is a great opportunity to revaluate the innovation, technology and competitive edge of your business viability for now and the future.”- Chilton House “The Care Forum was well organised with a good balance of constructive supplier meetings, seminars and informal networking opportunities.” - Cinnamon Retirement Living “A well organised event with a good range of suppliers. Dedicated time to discuss requirements was very valuable.” - Solden Hill House “Well organised, very enjoyable and a good opportunity to network and meet suppliers.” - Avante Care & Support Ltd You can register for your free place at https://thecareforum.co.uk/delegates-booking-form/ – Flexible virtual and live event attendance options are available. Alternatively, contact Angelina Holden on 01992 374075 / a.holden@forumevents.co.uk If you’re a supplier to the sector, contact Leslie de Hoog on 01992 666723 / l.dehoog@forumevents.co.uk to find out about the range of event partner packages (Virtual packages are also available).
Giant Gorilla Takes Pride Of Place In Care Home Garden Talented chainsaw sculptor Paul Morris has carved a new masterpiece – a five foot tall gorilla. The giant ape has taken pride of place among a magnificent menagerie of wooden wild creatures at the Pendine Park care organisation in Wrexham where Paul works as part of the gardening and maintenance team. The leafy 11-acre grounds were already home to a grizzly bear, giant squirrels, owls and hawks. Paul, 56, wanted to add a bit of colour to brighten up the lives of the residents. The former art student discovered he had chainsaw carving skills by accident after deciding to make a garden owl for his wife’s birthday. According to Paul, his trusty chainsaw buzzed into action again after he spotted the gorilla “hiding” in a huge chunk of felled maple tree. He was inspired to carve the gorilla because Pendine Park proprietors, Mario Kreft MBE and his wife, Gill, are keen conservationists and have been on several gorilla trekking expeditions in Africa. Paul said: “I see a piece of wood and can just spot the subject staring back at me, in this case, a gorilla for Mario and Gill. “I started out carving owls, squirrels and the like from wood that would otherwise go to waste. I think it gives residents something to look at and brightens up the garden. “I then carved the big bear in memory of Mario’s late father who many years ago travelled the world as a bear and lion trainer in the circus. “The bear now stands on display at the rear Highfield House Care Home and is in a place where residents can see it whenever they look
out at the gardens. “I knew Mario and Gill have a real love of gorillas and other great apes so when we had to bring a tree surgeon in to fell an old maple tree that was in as dangerous condition I asked him to leave me a good sized piece for a carving. “The block he left me was a good five feet high and almost three feet wide and weighed close to a tonne I suspect. I managed to get it to the barn using a big digger we had on hire so it was undercover.
“I asked Mario if I could carve a gorilla and he seemed really pleased. His only stipulation being he wanted the carving to depict a thoughtful and peaceful gorilla not one that was angry and threatening. I don’t think he wanted a King Kong around Pendine Park!” “Gorillas make a great subject and if we are honest, they are more intelligent than humans. They don’t kill each other, destroy their own world or waste time and energy stressing over how they are going to pay a mortgage.” Mr Kreft is delighted Paul’s latest design is a gorilla. He said: “Gorillas are gentle giants and display many human-like behaviours and emotions, such as laughter and sadness. “In fact, gorillas share 98.3 per cent their genetic code with humans, making them our closest cousins after chimpanzees and bonobos. “Paul is hugely talented and his chainsaw creations add interest to the gardens. I know how much residents like seeing them. “I’m really looking forward to seeing the gorilla carving unveiled. The bear Paul carved in memory of my father is fantastic. “My late father, Franz, worked as a circus animal trainer particularly with bears and lions so the sculpture of the bear also means a great deal to me.” Head gardener Andrew Jones is equally impressed with Paul’s dazzling skill with a chainsaw. He said: “He uses wood from storm damaged or diseased trees we have to cut down. “Instead of the wood going to waste or just being burned it’s been given a new lease of life and the sculptures really add something new and interesting to our gardens.”
HYBRID EVENT FOR THE CARE INDUSTRY Join us at the Care Forum, a unique event for senior care professionals and the suppliers who service them.
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Removing the Social Care Sticking Plaster for Good By Helen Dempster, Founder, Karantis360 (www.karantis360.com) A topic that is certainly generating noise is that of the future of social care: a system that was already in crisis and further exacerbated by the unforeseen Coronavirus pandemic. Billions of pounds from the Government’s Coronavirus emergency response fund were pledged in April towards public services, including social care. Recently there was talk of taxing the over 40’s to fund later care, and then came the Government’s pledge of more than half a billion pounds to help people return home from hospital by funding immediate costs of care within their own home. Without a doubt social care needs to undergo a rapid and long term transformation, but this can’t be achieved nor sustained by simply finding more capital to fund the same broken system. Helen Dempster, Founder, Karantis360, explores how investing in technology can provide a solid foundation for transforming the delivery of social care through a more joined up and holistic approach throughout the entire healthcare ecosystem.
FLAWED STRATEGIES
While increasing tax for the over 40s to help pay for social care has not been confirmed by the Government, it’s certainly provoking food for thought and mixed opinions among both politicians and the public. Rightly so; there is a general consensus that something drastic needs to happen to prevent the same crisis that we’ve seen unfold within care homes during the pandemic. The desperation among all generations, particularly those who are at the stage of planning for later life, to not endure the same shortcomings of care that have been witnessed recently, means that the idea of paying more tax to improve social care may not seem so bad after all. But, look a little deeper and it’s clear to see that it’s illogical to increase tax for the over 40s to solve the social care problem. Those people are already fighting a long working week to pay the bills in an economic crisis. For most, higher taxes will mean working even longer and harder – is that not a vicious cycle to the deterioration of one’s own health and wellbeing? And secondly, taxing our people more money to plough back into a care
model that has long proven its failings isn’t going to fix the system. All it will do is create hospital care homes which totally contradicts the most recent Government pledge of home care funding to enable early hospital discharge. And while the Government's pledge to help people return home from hospital by funding immediate costs of care in their own home may appear encouraging on the surface, the reality is that the nation is already suffering from a severe shortage of carers. How will the Government ensure the safety of those facing early discharge in an already over-stretched industry? There is no doubt that being cared for in your own home is the safest and the preferred model of care for most individuals. But, the UK relies heavily on overseas carers, and with Coronavirus and Brexit restricting free movement of key workers, there appears to be very little strategy as to how the significant volume of essential carers and nurses will be found to deliver the level of care that is required – and promised. Technology to support However, if the Government uses the billions of pounds that it’s pledged for social care wisely, there is no need for the suggested tax scheme. Importantly, there is a solution to ensuring safe early hospital discharge; one that can support the existing care workforce; one that enables individuals to live independently for longer within their own home; and one that can empower clinicians and carers with the right information to provide the best possible level of care. But, this means rethinking the entire model of care and investing in technology to underpin the social care sector. Adopting technology to monitor individuals' health in their own homes not only provides a safeguarding solution, but also enables behavioural and biometric patterns to be learned. The solution can therefore identify problems such as Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), for example, at the earliest onset to begin treatment immediately. Early identification and diagnosis minimises risk of an infection escalating to a critical point that requires a visit to A&E, and possible hospital admission – saving the NHS money and reducing bed blocking. Furthermore, these types of technology systems can help to provide a more joined up approachbetween the clinical and social care setting. For example, biometric data can now be used in acute and continuous monitoring settings, meaning that typical vital sign checks that are usually performed by the GP can now be accessed remotely in real time. Both carer and clinician can have full access to an individual's overall health, enabling
accurate and informed care decisions to be made. Crucially, technology has the ability to support and retain the precious carers that we do have. Society’s expectations of everyone in the care industry are overwhelming – and the impact on mental health is disturbing: 84% of carers feel stressed, 78% anxious and 55% report suffering from depression as a result of their caring role. For carers, it is the continual fear of the unknown that can create significant levels of stress. From visiting a client for the first time, to arriving at the door of a client with dementia and unpredictable mental and physical capabilities, to discovering a deceased client, even the frustration of traffic, parking and finding a new address, every day potentially raises a new set of stressful events. Add in the challenge of trying to cram administration and reporting into a 30 minute care visit, and the process becomes inherently unsatisfying – for both carer and client. Using digital technology to reduce admin and increase client contact time is an obvious step to improve the experience for both parties. But that is just the start: the fundamental requirement is a way to better share information between carers and gain far more insight into a client’s wellbeing than can ever be achieved within a short visit. For carers, having a quick overview of each client’s recent activity on a mobile device before entering the house is incredibly powerful, especially when combined with notes – which can be spoken into the device – from the most recent care visits. For example, has the client had an episode over the past few days? Refused or been unable to get out of bed? If the system is being used to its full potential, not only will the carer have an up to date view of the client’s activity, but any abnormal behaviours will immediately create an alert for the care agency. Essentially, the carer is forewarned of any potential problem with a client – eradicating the uncertainty that is so devastating to mental health. Technology alone cannot replace human care, but amidst the social care crisis and carer shortage, funding should be focused on supporting the carers and nurses on the front line that we do have, to ensure no individual is left with unmet care needs. It’s this type of technology that can provide a full, detailed and accurate overview of the individual, giving them the time and confidence to deliver optimum levels of care. Let’s remove the social care sticking plaster once and for all, and transform the way in which social care is delivered to all parties.
Rising COVID-19 Deaths Concerning as New Cases Spiral Responding to the latest ONS mortality figures for England and Wales, Dr Layla McCay, director at the NHS Confederation, said: “We are starting to see the predicted increase of deaths relating to coronavirus, which gives particular cause for concern following Government experts warning that there could be 200 deaths a day by mid-November without clear and decisive action. “We must do everything we can to help the NHS support people who develop COVID-19, and prepare for a challenging winter, alongside bringing back more nonCOVID-19 patient services – while considering the impact that any new measures or restrictions could have on non-COVID-19 deaths and the nation’s health and wellbeing. As a country, we have learned a great deal about the virus and its spread, meaning the NHS is in a better position now than six months ago, but we must pro-
ceed with extreme caution and ensure NHS leaders are involved in decisions that could affect their services. “Now more than ever, we also need to make sure that the test and trace system is reliable, and that as many people as possible can be reached and asked to self-isolate so that the spread of the virus can be curtailed. We welcome the news that frontline workers will be prioritised for testing, as our members have been calling for this, but the key will be making sure they, and everyone, can access tests easily and quickly. Results must also be turned around rapidly so that those who are not infected do not have to self-isolate unnecessarily – and so that contacts can be traced rapidly enough to prevent further spread.”
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Care Staff - When Working from Home is Not an Option For many in the care sector, working from home isn’t an option. Most carers are working mothers, many of whom are juggling jobs with staggered school-day timings and cancelled after-school clubs ¬– and few caresector staff on low wages can afford childcare. Balancing flexible-working requests with the need to provide a round-the-clock service is no easy task. As infections rise again, concerns are rising too. Emma Edis, specialist in employment law at Moore Barlow, addresses some common questions.
CAN AN EMPLOYEE REFUSE TO COME TO WORK BECAUSE THEY’RE SCARED OF GETTING CORONAVIRUS? It is important to understand why the employee is scared as this will impact on how you should respond and will identify any employment risks, such as disability discrimination In a nutshell, an employee cannot refuse to attend work if all risk assessments have been satisfactorily completed, ensuring the workplace is COVID-19 secure. However, if the employee has underlying health issues, consider their specific circumstances to ensure you can protect them fully when at work. Assess if their fears are reasonable, and if it’s safe for them to come to work and that appropriate adjustments have been made, then reassure them of that. If they continue to refuse to return, this may then become a disciplinary issue and unauthorised absence from work.
IF AN EMPLOYEE WON’T COME INTO WORK, WHAT SHOULD I DO? Talk to them to really understand their objections, which may be perfectly justifiable. Show you understand their worries and that you’re working hard to make their workplace as low risk as possible. Discuss your risk assessment - if it clearly sets out that their concerns have been addressed and the work place is COVID secure, and there are no discrimination-related issues then, after concluding they’re unreasonably refusing to
follow a reasonable instruction, disciplinary action is an option. But take advice first.
AM I LIABLE IF ONE OF MY STAFF CONTRACTS COVID-19 WHILST AT WORK? If you’ve followed the guidance and your workplace is COVID-19 secure, you should be able to robustly defend any liability claim. Take immediate action if staff display COVID symptoms whilst at work. Anyone showing symptoms must go home immediately and not expose others to an infection risk. Employees with either COVID-19 symptoms or diagnosis are required by law to self-isolate. Those notified under the track-and-trace scheme of recent contact with someone COVID-positive must also self-isolate, for 14 days. If an employee can’t work from home, self-isolation may mean that they’re absent from work, in which case they’re entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (or contractual sick pay dependent on your sickness policy). Some employees may be reluctant to reveal track-and-trace notification if they know their pay will be reduced. Clearly communicate with staff that this is a requirement and if staff fail to disclose this, it will lead to disciplinary action.
HOW CAN I MANAGE EMPLOYEES WITH VARYING PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES? This is an increasing problem for the care sector because patient care often means that flexibility cannot always be agreed. Clarify if the employee is looking for a temporary adjustment to their start and finish times and/or hours due to the COVID pandemic, or if this is a permeant request. This will help determine if an informal temporary flexible working request can be considered, or if a formal flexible working request under the statutory scheme should be made. When considering an informal (or formal flexible) working request, be consistent, particularly if you receive a several requests from people in the same team. If requests are not reasonably dealt with, they could give rise to employment claims, including discrimination. A common reason for making a request is childcare issues. If you make a policy that all requests are rejected, the employees may try and suggest they have been indirectly discriminated against on the grounds of their sex. Moore Barlow website: http://moorebarlow.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moore-barlow-llp
Dementia Project Shows Digital Technology Can Make A Life-Changing Difference Digital technology can bring huge benefits to the health and wellbeing of people with dementia and their carers, a pathfinder project has found. Through the Leeds Dementia Pathfinder, technology such as iPads and Alexa devices were brought to support groups and Memory Cafes, as well as loaned to carers to use at home. The technology had an incredibly positive impact – one carer said it had “changed her and her dad’s life” after she used it for medication, exercise and appointment reminders. Another said that using an iPad had helped him to feel less isolated as it had enabled him to continue with his hobbies as well as spend more quality time with his wife, playing games and listening to music together. Overall, carers said there were practical benefits, such as enabling them to manage medication or get health information. They also said it improved their wellbeing by providing them with online support, as well as an opportunity to relax, socialise and have fun. The pathfinder was part of the NHS’s Widening Digital Participation Programme, delivered by NHS Digital, which aimed to make digital health services and information accessible to everyone – particularly the most excluded people in society. In addition to loaning out technology, the Leeds Dementia
Pathfinder – which was run by 100% Digital Leeds alongside several community partners – provided training and resources. Almost 800 people engaged with the pathfinder over 12 months, including people with dementia, carers, staff, volunteers and stakeholders. Among them were 172 people who trained as Digital Champions. Lessons learned from the project, as well as the equipment, were used to continue to provide vital support when the UK went into lockdown due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in March – just as the pathfinder finished. Devices were loaned to settings such as care homes, hospital wards, support groups, Carers Leeds and Neighbourhood Network Schemes across the city. This enabled staff to support residents, patients and isolated older people to stay connected with friends and family using video calling. Val Hewison, Chief Executive of Carers Leeds, said: “The Leeds Dementia Pathfinder had a really positive impact on carers’ lives. During the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and lockdown, it was more crucial than ever to keep in contact with carers of people with dementia. We used our experience and knowledge gained through the Leeds Dementia Pathfinder work to do this. We found creative approaches to digital technology to help carers who are socially isolated and by so
doing, we improved that ever important connectivity with families and communities. “Our work with 100% Digital Leeds means we are confident in encouraging and supporting carers of people with dementia to improve their quality of life, empowering and building on the wealth of strengths of carers that already exist. None of this would have been possible without the success of the Leeds Dementia Pathfinder project.” Across the country, 20 pathfinders have been run in partnership with the social change charity Good Things Foundation to test new ways of helping people access digital tools to improve their health. Ian Phoenix, Director of Citizen Health Technology at NHS Digital said: “It is fantastic to hear that this pathfinder made such a huge difference to the lives of people with dementia and their carers, not only during the project but during the period afterwards when support was provided remotely using digital technology. “The main aim of the Widening Digital Participation programme was to develop innovative ways to improve health and wellbeing which could then be rolled out more widely – and this is a great example of that. The Leeds Dementia Pathfinder shows what a critical role digital technology can play in tackling health inequalities.”
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PAGE 20 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23
Care Choices in a Future Emergency- Advanced Discussion Essential Resuscitation Council UK has updated the ReSPECT (Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment) process which supports person-centred conversations about care in a future emergency following feedback from professionals, patients and their families. As patients are often not able to make decisions about their priorities of care or treatment in an emergency, discussing what they would want to happen in advance is essential. The ReSPECT process is already widely used by health and social care organisations across England and in parts of Scotland to support them having important conversations with patients in advance about their emergency care, and whether cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be attempted in a future emergency. The ReSPECT process is supported by a discussion guide and form and version 3 is being introduced into clinical practice today. The form is used to document the discussion and any recommendations agreed, is signed by the clinician and can be signed by the patient/ their legal proxy or family member if they wish to do so. The changes made to the form have resulted in a more patient-centred form, with increased prompts for explicit clinical reasoning. It addresses areas where misunderstandings have been reported and includes more personable and clearer language. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of sensitive and well-structured conversations about someone’s realistic care choices and for there to be shared understanding between professionals, patients and their families. The ReSPECT process was first introduced by Resuscitation Council UK in 2016, with design expertise from the Helix Centre, Imperial College London, to support discussions and clinical recommendations about emergency care being made in advance. It was developed by experts and patient representatives keen to develop a process that supports professionals, patients and / or their families having a carefully constructed and person-centred conversation. It aims to develop a shared understanding between the healthcare professional and the patient of their condition, the outcomes the patient values and those they fear and then how realistic treatments and interventions, such as CPR, fit into this.
care or treatment. The new form will support better conversations and well-informed decision-making in advance, and we are happy to be introducing it for professionals and patients.” Dr Zoe Fritz, chair of the ReSPECT subcommittee, said: “We first developed the ReSPECT process to help professionals and patients or their families achieve better conversations and better recording of important treatment recommendations. The ReSPECT process encourages discussion about the individual’s condition, what’s important to them, what their realistic options are and what the likely potential health outcomes will be. “A number of misconceptions exist about CPR and when and how recommendations not to attempt CPR are made. So, it is crucial to have a person-centred approach and conversations that aim to ensure shared understanding between the professional and patient. By doing so, any The completed form stays with the patient and should be available immediately to health professionals called to help in an emergency, whether the patient is at home, in their community or in a healthcare setting. Professionals such as ambulance crews, out-of-hours doctors, care home staff and hospital staff will be better able to make quick decisions in an emergency about how best to help if key information has been recorded on the ReSPECT form. Sue Hampshire, Director of Clinical and Service Development at Resuscitation Council UK said: “We’re pleased to be introducing updated documentation to underpin the ReSPECT process today. “Communities in around 70% of counties in England and parts of Scotland are already using the ReSPECT process and the improvements we have introduced today are based on feedback from organisations who are already using the process as well as from patients and their families. “People have different views about the care or treatments they would want if they were suddenly ill and could not make decisions about their
misunderstandings can be addressed, and professionals can ensure that any recommendations made are based on what’s important to the patient.” When completed, the ReSPECT form provides a clinical record of agreed and realistic recommendations that come out of that conversation between a professional and the patient or their legal proxy or family member. A person’s ReSPECT form includes recommendations about emergency treatments that could be helpful and should be considered, as well as those not wanted by or that would not work for the patient. It includes a recommendation about CPR, but that may be a recommendation that CPR is attempted, or a recommendation that it is not attempted. For more information on the ReSPECT process, visit: www.resus.org.uk/respect
Knitters Create ‘Fish’-Tastic Aquarium for Care Home Lockdown knitters in Somerset have been clicking their needles to create an aquarium with a difference for residents at a care home in Wellington. Responding to a call from the activities team at Camelot House & Lodge for knitted sea creatures they duly picked up their needles and came to the rescue. “It’s been pretty tough for our residents these past few months due to the Covid-19 restrictions,” said the home’s activities co-ordinator Richard Dempslake. “Sadly, it’s been very difficult for them to see their friends and families and we’ve been doing all we can to keep their spirits up. “That’s when we came up with the idea or repurposing an unused fish tank that we had in storage into a sensory aquarium with knitted sea creatures. “For people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease it is particularly important to energise their minds and to create talking points.
“Sensory tanks give visual stimulation to our residents and become an activity in themselves – such as naming the sea creatures or asking for their favourite knitted creature.” Richard, along with Sophie Carter, Kathy Burge and Amy Lemon, dressed the tank with tinsel, artificial aquatic plants and LED lights and fish hanging down from wires. The creatures, which include tropical fish, a crab and even a mermaid were all made by local knitters Christine Wall, Julie Bolt and Karen Kerslake. “I thought it was a brilliant idea and was really pleased to help,” said Julie. “I hope the residents get many hours of pleasure from looking at them.” Christine, who runs weekly ‘knit and natter’ sessions at the Salvation Army’s hall in Taunton who make knitted items for local care homes and community projects, said the fish were fun to make. “Sadly, due to the restrictions I haven’t been to see the aquarium yet, but it looks great in the photographs and I’m delighted to have been involved.”
LGA Responds To Ombudsman The Social Interest Group Annual Review Of Adult Social Care Complaints Responding to the 2019/20 annual review of social care complaints by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Councils and the care providers they commission have been working hard, especially during the pandemic, to support those who use and work in adult social care. “This is despite continued funding and demand pressures, which existed prior to the coronavirus outbreak. It is good that providers continue to work with the Ombudsman in its investigations, to make
improvements to their services. “Any future reforms of adult social care must apply the lessons learned from coronavirus, as well as address the issues of fairness in how we pay for these vital services. These include people who fund their own care. “Social care needs parity of esteem with the NHS, backed up by a genuine, long-term and sustainable funding settlement, which councils have been calling for long before the current crisis. “Cross-party talks on the future of adult social care must start as soon as possible.”
The Social Interest Group (SIG) is made up of subsidiary charities that collectively believe that everyone has the right to live a positive and healthy life. We work in partnership to deliver quality support, health and social care through prevention, early intervention, recovery and rehabilitation. We are experts in working with adults who have the most complex and chaotic lives; enabling and
empowering them to take charge of themselves, giving them the skills and resilience to live healthy and fulfilled lives. Penrose has been helping vulnerable adults make a change to their lives for over 50 years with support interventions that have a positive and lasting impact. Penrose was founded in 1969 and since then we have supported thousands of people with their own personal journey and empower them to reach their own aspirational goals. Equinox Care provides support, care and recovery services to people who have a range of complex needs such as substance misuse and mental health issues. SIG Investments buys or leases property on behalf of the Group, and then leases it to Group members at an affordable rent. For further information please contact: communications@socialinterestgroup.org.uk
Minimising Contact with Door Handles Reduces the Risk of Germs and Viruses Spreading Around 80% of infections are spread by touch, including touching contaminated surfaces such as door handles. In care homes ensuring residents adhere to strict sanitising guidelines can be very difficult and can cause stress and anxiety for them too. Removing the need to open doors as residents and staff walk from room to room is an easy solution to eliminate the need to touch door handles and hand plates. The elderly are one of the most vulnerable group of people with regards to infections like flu and COVID-19, finding ways to reduce the spread of these diseases is therefore paramount. Dorgard offers a solution to legally hold fire doors open so staff and residents can move around the building ‘contact free’, reducing the risk of cross-infection with germs and viruses. These battery-powered door
holders are easily fitted to a fire door by a handyman. The device ‘listens’ for the sound of your fire alarm and when the alarm goes off the Dorgard automatically releases the door and allows it to close, preventing the spread of fire and toxic smoke. Hence, not only is the risk of cross infection reduced, the fire safety of the building is also maintained. With a range of Dorgards to choose from you will find a solution that is ideal for your setting. The original Dorgard is perfect for small to medium settings with normal or low noise levels. For noisier environments, where enhanced sound recognition is beneficial, Dorgard SmartSound offers a great solution. If you would like to discuss your needs further with our knowledgeable customer care team please call 0800 978 8746 or visit
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Prevention Before Cure Is Key For Battle with Pressure Injuries In Care Homes, Says Sleep Expert By James Leinhardt, founder and CEO at Levitex (www.levitex.co.uk) When it comes to choosing an appropriate lying surface for residents in care, pressure relief, and specifically the prevention of pressure injuries, trumps comfort and sleep quality every time. In 2018, NHS Improvement described pressure injuries as a ‘concerning and avoidable harm’ with the costs to the NHS of treating the condition running at more than £3.8 million every day. Pressure injuries are a major complication faced by people who are bed bound or immobile. The pressure that builds on soft tissue causes distortion to the tissues and/or an interruption to the blood supply – and that kills or damages skin leading to painful ulcers. Last year, The University of Leeds’ Institute of Clinical Trials led the first ever independent evaluation of pressure relieving mattresses of its kind, and evidenced that the dynamic airflow mattress, commonly found in residential care, was found to offer marginal benefit over Hi Spec polyurethane foam mattresses. Also known as alternating-pressure mattresses, airflow mattresses contain air pockets which inflate and deflate to constantly change pressure points on the skin.
Professor Jane Nixon, who led the study into them, also highlighted that: “Some patients find the air mattress unsettling. They are kept awake by the noise of the pump, feel unsafe because the mattress is moving, or just find them uncomfortable. Rehabilitating patients also complain that they can’t move around themselves or get in and out of bed – and that exacerbates already limited mobility.” As long as pressure injuries are treated as a problem in their own right rather than a symptom of poor care, then the problem in my opinion will only worsen. Neuroscientist Mathew Walker wrote in 2017 that; ‘Sleep is the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body each day - Mother Nature’s best effort yet to contra death.’ However, the UK Sleep Council published a poll that showed being uncomfortable in bed as the main factor in disturbing sleep. Poor sleep posture can also create a vicious cycle – people work all day in positions that cause neck and back pain, and then sleep in ways that don’t treat this, or even make it worse. They wake up the next day in even more pain because of their sleep posture, become frustrated, and go into a routine of bad days and nights. 10 per cent of hospital beds have air flow mattress, and yet until 2019, no one had carried out research on the effects of sleeping on them. Now, these clinical studies, and even our own independent research carried out by The University of Salford and The University of Central Lancashire (Uclan) have demonstrated how important sleeping on the right surface is, so surely comfort should be a given rather than an optional extra, whether it’s in healthcare or a domestic setting. One of the best kept secrets in healthcare and particularly elderly care is the impact of good posture in bed. There are a range of aims that can be related to postural care, which include: • Improved quality of sleep • Increase in amount of sleep • Improve function and communication lying • To maximise comfort and reduce pain • Uphold and progress quality of life
Ease physical care required Protect body shape Maintain or improve muscle tone Support in repositioning and moving and handling needs Postural care may also have significant impact on the health status of individuals and therefore impacts on services and the ongoing cost of health care needed, for example: • The musculoskeletal system – to prevent or reduce contractures and body shape distortion • The neurological system - to provide proprioceptive feedback to aid maintenance of, or improve, muscle tone • Respiratory function – to maintain a good airway and to prevent body shape distortion from impeding the respiratory system • Digestion – to prevent body shape distortion from impeding the digestive system • Pressure care - by improving the body shape and positioning, pressure can be more effectively distributed therefore supporting good pressure care, preventing pressure injuries • Personal hygiene Perhaps, a starting point for better posture in residential care would be prescribing the right pillow and mattress, backed by independent research from recognised institutions to ensure a legitimate benefit for patients. All of our work in healthcare is assessment led, so we get to see at first-hand the damage and body shape deformity patients suffer due to a lack of knowledge or consideration of their posture. Many local authorities have little or no provision for the postural needs of patients in their community, regardless of it being for sitting (specialist seating) or lying down. The sooner posture is a priority in care homes, the better chance we have in preventing pressure injuries at their root cause. • • • •
Cygnet Health Care Opens New Mental Health Hospital for Women Cygnet Nield House in Crewe, a new purpose-built facility offering specialist mental health services for women, has been officially opened by Cygnet Health Care. The new service responds to a growing demand for specialist mental health care dedicated to female health, and Cygnet Nield House is among only a few of its kind in the country to offer specialist holistic support for women with complex personality disorders with a co-morbid diagnosis of disordered eating. Providing specialist treatment for women aged 18 and over, Cygnet Nield House will offer 30 beds across two wards, Clarion Ward and Compton Ward. Facilities at Nield House include an internet café, beauty salon, communal gardens, and dedicated space for families to meet and to be closely involved in the care of service users. It will also provide up to 70 jobs locally. Research shows that depression co-occurs in around 94% of women with an eating disorder, and anxiety and substance abuse are also much higher in individuals affected by eating disorders. Recognising and treating these co-morbidities together significantly improves outcomes for disordered eating. Hospital director Masimba Kamba said: “The specialist support we offer
means that women with a dual diagnosis of personality disorder and co-occurring eating disorder are able to have both conditions treated simultaneously in an environment where they feel safe. “We are all excited that Cygnet has invested in this specialist hospital. The ethos of our service is about assessing and treating service users in the least restrictive environment and helping them manage their mental health so they can prepare for independent life back in the community.” After touring the new wards and meeting staff, Cllr Benn Minshall, the Mayor of Crewe who opened the hospital on Wednesday (16 September), said: “Mental health has been a taboo subject for some time and places like Nield House help to destigmatise that. We all know somebody who has been affected by mental health and to know that access to these facilities is on the increase that gives me hope. Congratulations to the team on opening such an incredible facility.” In the UK, approximately 1.25 million people are affected by an eating disorder and 75% of those affected are women and girls. While eating disorders are becoming increasingly common among young people in the UK, there are frequently long waiting times for children and young people to get treatment.
Christie & Co Sells Portfolio of Nine Scottish Care Homes Business property adviser, Christie & Co, has facilitated the sale and leaseback of a portfolio of nine care homes in Scotland on behalf of Holmes Care Group. The nine care homes, situated throughout Scotland, have been purchased by Impact Healthcare REIT plc. The net purchase price before transaction costs is £47.5 million and the initial rent £3.5 million, reflecting a yield of 7.4 per cent. They have also agreed a deferred payment structure with the vendors under which Impact will pay up to £3 million based on the trading performance of the nine homes, in exchange for an annual rent increase of up to £225,000. The initial rent cover on the portfolio is in excess of two times. The portfolio was previously owned by family-run Holmes Care Group, which pursued a sale and leaseback route as it allowed the owners Mr Shiraz and Mrs Indumati Lakhani to retire whilst allowing their daughter to continue to operate
and grow the business. Commenting on behalf of the company, Ms Sharifa Lakhani, Managing Director of Holmes Care Group, says, “Providing excellent care to everyone who makes their home with us is our absolute priority. We are very pleased to have concluded this deal, which will allow us to continuously invest in our homes across Scotland whilst maintaining our proud tradition as a family-run business. This long-term arrangement will see us continue to operate all of the homes, and is great news for residents, their families and our team.” Martin Daw, Senior Director at Christie & Co, who handled the portfolio, comments, “This deal is the largest care home transaction to happen in Scotland in over 15 years. For the deal to be agreed and concluded during this very difficult time we find ourselves in goes to show the confidence in the Scottish care home sector and our client’s quality of operation.”
Nursing Home Holds First Ever Virtual Launch Event Shrewsbury based care provider, Morris Care, is holding its very first virtual launch event as it unveils Radbrook Garden Suite, an exclusive new wing of the renowned Radbrook Nursing Home in Shrewsbury. On Thursday 24th September at 2pm, viewers can tune in via the Morris Care website at morriscare.co.uk/garden-suite for a live broadcast from the new Garden Suite revealing its five star facilities and featuring special contributions from local celebrity chef Marcus Bean from Brompton Cookery School and Shropshire’s much-loved horticulturalist Margaret Thrower who have helped to mark the occasion. The live streaming will be hosted by the county’s award-winning broadcaster and presenter, Carl Jones who will join Lucy Holl, Chief Executive of Morris Care for a guided tour around the new wing with its 10 luxurious ensuite bedrooms, private lounges, spa and wellbeing rooms, looking out onto a beautiful new garden.
Lucy Holl commented “The whole of Radbrook Nursing Home has benefitted from refurbishment to create bright and airy living spaces and beautifully appointed en-suite bedrooms. The completion of the Garden suite with its exquisite private lounges and spa and wellbeing rooms adds another level of luxury – I’m sure everyone is going to be wowed by the end result. “We couldn’t let this milestone event pass by without celebration and our virtual event is the perfect and safest way to bring many people together to see the new wing. Not only is this an opportunity to see all the work we have done, but also a chance to meet just some of our dedicated professional team who go the extra mile every day to serve and support. All our wonderful residents across our homes will be tuning in with tea and cake to join the tour, along with their families, friends and supporters.”
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23 | PAGE 25
FURNITURE AND FITTINGS Interiors Company Working To Provide A ‘Healthier Solution’ SOMMER Rose Interiors is working with upholstery manufacturers to provide a ‘healthier solution’ to care home furniture. Sarah Thompson and her team would like to introduce Sileather™. Sileather™ silicone fabrics are highly durable and abrasion resistant, thanks to our unique silicone, and Sileather™ upholstery fabrics are all over 200,000+ Wyzenbeek double rubs, over 130,000 Martindale and 3000+ Taber cycles (rotating “cement discs”). We take a long term approach when considering our production of silicone leather and want to do our part to be environmentally friendly. With our non-solvent production technique and with the lack of PVC or PU elements, we are much safer and healthier than traditional fabrics. Unlike PVC fabrics, we do not need to use chlorine in any of the production process, and our fabrics do not leak VOC emissions throughout its life. There’s no need to clog up landfills – silicone leather is recyclable! We have passed the most common environmental standards so you can breathe
Sileather™ fabrics have ultralow VOCs, so it is among the healthiest fabrics, making it perfect for use around children, hospitals, ALL HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS, hotels, boat cabins, trains, and any number of enclosed spaces.
EVERYTHING ESSENTIAL
comfortably knowing that you are using a fabric that’s safe for you and the environment. We take pride that our fabrics are environmentally friendly and safe to use by anyone, Sileather™ silicone fabrics are made with the same material as baby bottle nipples, so they are gentle enough even for babies’ skin.
High Quality Soft Furnishings Manufactures Tailored For All Your Window Needs WL Interiors are a family run company with over 20 years experience in manufacturing high quality soft furnishings for the healthcare industry based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. WL are suppliers of flame retardant curtains, blinds & soft furnishings. We offer high-quality fire resistant fabrics that are perfect for care homes, including any dementia specific requirements where needed. Working on your care home refurbishment, new build or general replacements, WL Interiors Ltd can do site surveys and check measures, offer free samples and quotations. • UK Wide Fitting & Installation Available
• UK Manufactured • Highest Quality British Manufactured • FREE QUOTES Contact details – Lorraine Firth Telephone- 01924 298953 Email- Lorraine@wl-interiors.com
It’s our mission to bring you a healthy fabric that’s safe, hygienic and meets high standards that help to ensure your well-being. Thanks to the unique advantages of our proprietary silicone, Sileather™ fabrics are inherently: • Flame resistant. • Does not promote growth of mildew or mould. • Superior in hydrolysis resistance compared to vinyl and polyurethane fabrics. • Superior in UV and colour fading resistance. • Stain resistant to many substances found in healthcare facilities, including biro, iodine, betadine, blood and urine. • Resistant to liquids and fluids. • Easy to clean – common stains need only water, including biro. • Medical grade skin friendly and allergen free. • Highly abrasion resistant and durable with recovery ability to reduce sagging and wrinkling. • Luxurious soft touch. For free samples of this upholstery or to view sample furniture, please contact Sarah Thompson on 07495 471038 or email: sarah@sommer-rose.com
Euroservice Trolley Manufacturers celebrating 40 years of experience in the sale and manufacture of wooden trolleys for the catering trade, Euroservice trolley manufacturers have now acquired a worldwide reputation and still offer an extensive /comprehensive range of top quality wooden trolleys manufactured in the UK. Top quality is a priority in the production of all of our products and Euroservice are specialists in the manufacture of sturdy and beautiful looking trolleys which will grace any environment from the small privately owned restaurant to
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PAGE 26 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Renray Healthcare Design and Manufacture New New Pressure Relief Options from Airospring Medical COVID19 Response Beds for Temporary Hospitals Renray Healthcare has developed a field response bed to supply to temporary hospitals, with our design expertise and manufacturing capability we have been able to put the COVID-19 Response bed and mattress into production quickly, with deliveries going out across the country to help in the fight against COVID-19. Renray has been supplying beds, mattresses and furniture for over 50 years and due to the increasing spread of Coronavirus, we are proactively using Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour (HPV) decontamination system in all our Heavy Goods Vehicles prior to delivery of your goods to eliminate the virus or any potential contaminant, making deliveries safer for our staff, customers and users. Let us know if you require beds for temporary or permanent hospitals, to ensure you have everything you need to continue caring for patients in this difficult time. Download our brochure now for more information: The COVID-19 Response Bed Brochure at https://tinyurl.com/unofs42 Please contact customer service on 01606 593456 or info@renrayhealthcare.com who will be happy to assist you. See the advert on page 3.
Calibre Audio - Unleash the Power of your Imagination Audiobooks offer a gateway to the world of independence when print is inaccessible. Reading books has many health benefits; from reducing anxiety and helping to combat memory loss, to boosting mental health. Books provide us with companionship, adventure, empathy and enjoyment, and listening to audiobooks extends all of this to people who cannot read printed books. A restricting disability can bring with it the sting of isolation, and being locked out of activities that were once enjoyed can create frustration and loneliness. However, research has shown that listening to audiobooks can boost mental health (ref. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), helping to counteract depression and other mental health issues. Escaping to audiobooks provides comfort and companionship as well as being a coping strategy in hard times. Calibre Audio is a charity, providing free audiobooks to anyone who struggles to read print, through sight loss, dyslexia or a physical disability. Our collection of
over 11,500 audiobooks includes books from all genres, both fiction and non-fiction, from the classics to the latest blockbusters; from crime to autobiographies. Our books are available online for members or delivered to your door via a free postal service. It is free and easy to join. Visit www.calibreaudio.org.uk for more information or to join.
Why Specify a Yeoman Shield Fire Rated Door Edge Protector? When specifying for a structure, it’s important to be aware of the level of wear and tear a door can be exposed to in a public building. Door edges, in particular, can be easily damaged or worn down by regular use – which can then render them non-compliant for fire safety regulations. To ensure that a project remains compliant, an architect can specify durable door edge protectors to add durability and longevity to doors. Not only will specifying edge protectors increase the longevity of doors, they will enhance the cost efficiency of a project by reducing maintenance demands and the possibility of having to replace unsafe fire doors. Yeoman Shield fire rated Door Edge Protectors are unique with a 2.0 mm Vinylac outer and a specially formulated 9mm PVCu reinforced core. They are FD30 (1/2 hour) and FD60 (1 hour) rated
with intumescent seals that are in accordance to the fire door’s specification. Fire rated Door Edge Protectors are suitable for commercial applications such as residential blocks, schools and hospitals etc. Door Edge Protectors can also be specified with different fire seals, from a plain intumescent fire seal to a brush, fire and smoke variant. Of course, for doors that are non-fire rated in an architect’s project Yeoman Shield also provide quality edge protectors without seals to enhance durability and reduce wear. Source a full range of door protection panels and kick plates from a single supplier by choosing Yeoman Shield. Our door protection panels and kick plates offer the same lasting durability and quality as our door edge protectors. See page 12 or visit www.yeomanshield.com for details.
Adaptawear Clothing To Help Healthcare & Care Home Workers: Independent & Assisted Dressing If you are a healthcare or care home worker or Occupational Therapist and struggling to dress your patients during this Covid-19 pandemic; then take a look at our range of Adaptawear adapted clothing for both men and women. Adaptawear comfort clothing has been designed to help independent living and assisted dressing with the aim to make getting dressed easier and less painful for both the wearer and carer. Adaptawear designs and manufacturers a range of ladies and men’s open back and drop front trousers, magnetic & open back shirts and blouses, dresses, skirts, open back nighties and front fastening bras. We also sell a selection of everyday essentials aimed at making people comfortable day and night. Adaptawear clothes are ideal for
arthritis, stroke, Parkinson, incontinence and dementia sufferers as well as people of all ages who struggle with buttons and zips. The easy fit clothes are made from quality and natural fabrics to provide maximum comfort. Adaptawear Offers: • Discreetly Adapted Clothes • Independent & Assisted Dressing • Ladies & Men's Daywear and Nightwear • UK Nationwide and Overseas Deliveries • No Quibble 14 Day Returns • VAT Exemption where relevant • FREE Delivery on orders over £100 For more information on Adaptawear’s Product Range please visit www.adaptawear.com. Carer readers please quote TC141 for 10% discount off your first order.
Airospring Medical manufactures a range of pressure relieving devices. Our flagship products are a range of lightweight and breathable pressure relief cushions and mattress overlays made from high-tech 3D Knitted Spacer Fabrics. Airospring has been awarded a full patent in August 2014 approving this ground breaking technology. Our pressure relief cushions distribute weight and allow maximum airflow. The cushions have been tested for the dissipation of perspiration, a key factor in the fight against pressure ulcers. Welcome to a new standard in healthy seating. Call: 0115 9322403 Email: sales@airospring.com Visit: www.airospring.com
In-House Practical Engagement Workshop Scripts Now Available for Care Homes & Services As training sessions and venues may be difficult to facilitate for some time, Happy Days Dementia Workshop has acted quickly, re-writing their ‘Practical Engagement Workshop’ into a series of easy to follow presentation and training guides. Enriching social care is at the heart of Happy Days, ‘It’s amazing to see how care teams are heartened and invigorated once they see how easy it is to engage more meaningfully with residents on a daily basis’ says Gillian Hesketh, MD of Dementia Workshop. Training in-house can support the safety of your care teams, reduce travel, time and cut costs. Demonstration and nostalgic materials can be included in packages with options to add an activity manual, reminiscence baskets and memory prompts. The workshops are ideal for building carer confidence, boosting morale and uplifting everyone’s mood.
Packages can be created to suit your care team requirements and resident interests. See The Carer front page or find starter practical workshop packs online at www.dementiaworkshop.co.uk / Phone direct on 07971953620 or see the advert on page 1.
CareZips Dignity Trousers ™
CareZips™ preserve dignity and privacy of people receiving care during diaper changes. CareZips™ make diaper changes easier and faster, reducing workload, saving efforts, and saving time! CareZips™ help to deliver better standards of care! Fitted with unique 3-zip fastening system, the CareZips™ make changing of incontinence diapers more dignified and comfortable for the patients and easier and faster for the carers. CareZips™ feature 3 strategically positioned zips, 2 of which run from the waist to the knees on both sides of the body. The 3rd zip goes from the inside of one knee up to the crotch and down to the second knee on the inside of the other leg. This zip facilitates total opening of the trousers at the crotch during diaper changes. The 3-zip system ensures fast and easy access to the abdomen and crotch without having to undress the patients or pull their trousers down.
CareZips™ are suitable for men and women. They are available in 7 sizes for perfect fit. CareZips™ are soft and wrinkle resistant with stretch and give for extra comfort. Practical, durable, washable and non-iron, the CareZips™ trousers are the perfect choice for daily use. Contact Win Health Medical Ltd - 01835 864866 www.win-health.com or see the advert on page 7.
iMEDicare Pelvic Health Naturally When it comes to women’s intimate health, many of us are reluctant and embarrassed to talk frankly about it, which often leads to women suffering in silence. A lot of the problems we worry about, however, are surprisingly common, such as stress urinary incontinence (SUI) – a frequent effect of the menopause experienced by as many as one in three women. Stylish, effective and washable, iMEDicare’s Wearever washable and re-useable incontinence underwear is a great alternative to incontinence pads, better for the environment (washable over 200 times) with absorbencies ranging from 100ml all the way up to 650ml: • 3-layer Hydrex™ (patented)
system for total protection by containing the urine and preventing it from penetrating through the garment • Unique-Dri™ System that traps liquid and controls odour with its Silver ion anti-microbial treated fibres. Wearever underwear is seamless – so that possible pressure points that could be cause for pressure sores are minimized. If you buy a 3 pack, we guarantee the first pair for another size or style or absorbency, or refund all three, provided 2 of the 3 pairs are unused within 30 days of initial trial. Choose life - not leaks. Be confident again and visit www. MyPelvicHealth.co.uk or call 01923237795.
C & S Seating Postural Management C & S Seating has been providing postural control equipment to hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and medical equipment services nationwide since 1991. With 9 different sizes of T-Rolls and Log Rolls in a removable and machine washable, waterproof Titex or Soft Knit material. These rolls are used to control posture and position of the body in either supine or side lying. Our Knee & Leg support wedges are available in 2 sizes. C & S Seating is the sole manufacturer of the Alternative Positioning Support (APS) system. Ideal when more control of the abducted lower limb is required (See photo) which
has removable side cushions and middle pommel; this is available in small or large. Our popular range of Soft Knit covers in a choice of 5 vibrant colours provide a softer alternative that fit easily over our standard waterproof rolls. It is recommended you seek professional advice to select the correct product depending on your needs. Contact us on 01424 853331 or visit us at www.cands-seating.co.uk to request or download a brochure, pricelist or order form, request an individualised quotation, speak to an advisor or to place an order. See the advert on page 10.
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23 | PAGE 27
HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL
How to Effectively Provide a Clean and Safe Environment in Care Homes
Written by Shaun Doak, CEO at REACT Specialist Cleaning (www.reactsc.co.uk)
With recent government guidance indicating a rising number of cases of the Coronavirus, it’s clear that safety and hygiene is of paramount importance, especially in care homes where residents and staff are some of the most vulnerable in society. It’s imperative that care homes be given clear advice on providing clean and safe environments for staff and residents. In addition to signage, social distancing measures and correct use of PPE, a focus on cleaning and infection control is critical. There should be an increase in frequency as well as a thoroughness of the regular
cleaning routine, with an initial deep clean of the building to provide protection for staff and residents, specifically focusing on high-touch surfaces such as tables, handles, door buttons, arm rests and toilets as the virus can last up to three hours in the air and up to 72 hours on hard surfaces. This should be done following a three-step methodology: clean, disinfect and test. Outsourcing the initial deep cleaning process to a professional company is advisable as they will have the products and training required to conduct a meticulous deep clean in addition to regular routines. When completing a deep clean, the standard disinfecting process should be followed by ULV (Ultra Low Volume) fogging of the building. ULV foggers deliver the disinfectant product at droplet sizes ranging from 10-120 microns. For this reason, ULV foggers should only be used with products that are safe for use in the presence of people when adjusted to levels below 80 microns. When deploying ULV fogging, it is important to follow manufacturers’ recommendations and take care to isolate areas which may be sensitive to the process, such as electrical equipment. Fogging is a beneficial extra step to take as the disinfectant treats entire areas and has greater surface contact time to destroy all present threats. For small, enclosed areas, the use of UV (ultraviolet) lights can also be beneficial. UVC works at a high energy to destroy the genetic material inside viruses, and so can be used for disinfection. UVC has not been clinically tested against the virus which causes COVID-19, although it is proven to destroy related coronaviruses. Caution is required when using UVC, however, as it can cause damage to eyes and skin. In the regular cleaning routine in care homes staff should first wash down surfaces using a PH-neutral detergent first, such as soap and hot water to remove ‘hidden’ bacteria and viruses in lingering dirt and dust.
AtmoSan Supports Safety at Avery Care Homes In a further step to ensure that its care homes continue to be some of the safest places to live, Avery Healthcare has deployed AtmoSan systems to all of its services. As a part of its comprehensive approach to hygiene and sanitisation, supported by extensive staff training, it is now using AtmoSan Fogging machines, a ULV ultra-fine droplet cold fogging system, to provide complete room decontamination, prior to a new resident moving in and for regular cleaning and virus prevention. AtmoSan is a specialist manufacturer of decontamination solutions against surface
and airborne pathogens, and its advanced Biocide is completely natural, 100% safe and non-toxic to humans, animals and plants. Accredited and approved to multiple European and British Standards sanitisation standards, it kills 99.999% of all known pathogens, including viruses such as norovirus, MS2 and the coronavirus, bacteria such as Campylobacter, fungi, spores and moulds. Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are one of the easiest types of viruses to kill with an appropriate disinfectant product. Biocide Regulatory Agencies such as the USA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) employ a ‘hierarchy-
Reducing the Risk of Infection The Manor Residential Home in Nottingham has introduced extra hygiene measures to protect its residents from the spread of infection. This includes the installation of HyGenikx in its kitchen. Ordinarily, care homes face the tough challenge of protecting their residents from the spread of infection, many of whom fall into vulnerable and high-risk groups. Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, this job became significantly harder. Just one cough can produce up to 3,000 droplets, which can then land on people, surfaces or stay suspended in the air! In the air, flu viruses can survive for several hours, and on surfaces for several days if the conditions are right¹, which makes care home environments — with their many residents and communal areas—particularly high-risk for spreading infection. In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, The Manor Residential Home in Nottingham has increased its hygiene and infection control practices, over and above its already careful routines, to help protect its residents. This includes additional cleaning, social distancing where possible, stopping all non-essential visitors, and, the installation of a HyGenikx air and surface steriliser in its kitchen. HyGenikx is an advanced and compact, wall-mounted air and sur-
Follow this with a disinfectant which has been certified to be effective in disabling similar coronaviruses. Virucidal disinfectants are stronger than their antibacterial counterparts but, in many cases, their effectiveness against coronaviruses is unproven, and so choosing the right disinfectant is crucial. As some virucidal disinfectants may contain potentially harmful ingredients, it’s important to follow manufacturer’s guidance on the correct ‘contact period’ and when to reapply the product. Surgical spirits can also be used as an alternative to virucidal disinfectants as they can destroy the protein and RNA of viruses in as little as 30 seconds. To use surgical spirits, rub the liquid over the surface using a cloth. The spirit will then evaporate and does not need to be wiped away. To verify that the rooms have been disinfected effectively, you should test surfaces for the presence of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), an indicator molecule for the presence of biological residues. This test works by wiping a swab across surfaces, inserting it into an active substance and then measuring the output on a hand-held device called a ‘luminator’, which will indicate how much residue is on the surface depending on light output. ATP testing is strongly recommended to ensure the effectiveness of decontamination and to provide confidence that the cleaning regime is effective and should be extended to high touch areas throughout the care home. It’s crucial that care home owners ensure that rigorous cleaning methods are included in daily cleaning routines with strong and effective disinfectants. Although a deep clean doesn’t need to be implemented every day, it should be done initially to provide a more thorough protection for staff and residents as we continue to aim for a safe return to ‘normal’ life.
based’ approach for new virus strains, meaning a product such as Biocide that is found to be effective against harder-to-kill viruses is likely to kill a virus such as COVID-19. Tony Devenish from AtmoSan was thrilled at the agreement; “We are delighted to partner with Avery Healthcare in providing an effective aerial and surface disinfection solution for their 56 care homes nationwide. It is a privilege to work with such a proactive care group and to be able to contribute towards increased resident safety and providing peace of mind for their families in these difficult times.” Director of Care and Quality for the Avery Group, Julie Spencer, was similarly enthusiastic with the project roll-out: “After testing and a pilot phase, we are confidently deploying the AtmoSan systems to all our homes as part of the fight against the coronavirus and other health risks. It’s a great addition to our other protocols and will help keep our residents, staff and their respective families safe when in an Avery environment.” Find out more at www.atmosan.co.uk
face steriliser that quietly goes about its business in foodservice environments – keeping staff, visitors, food and surfaces protected from viruses and bacteria, even in the hardest to reach areas. The unit utilises a combination of the most effective air and surface sterilisation technologies available to produce Superoxide Ions and Plasma Quattro, which are proven to target and kill biological hazards, including Salmonella, E. coli, Norovirus, and other primary sources of infections. Although HyGenikx has not been tested against the current Coronavirus strain (SARS-CoV-2), as there is not sufficient detail freely available, there is a great deal of scientific evidence that this technology can kill a wide range of other microbes that are much more difficult to eradicate. At The Manor Residential Home, HyGenikx has been installed in the kitchen, as an extra precaution against potential hygiene risks. Hitesh Chavda, Director at The Manor Residential Care Home, comments: “The safety and well-being of our residents is our highest priority, and our dedicated team are working hard to help and care for them in the safest way possible. Our cooks have always followed a rigorous cleaning procedure in the kitchen, and now, this is even more meticulous and thorough. “For us, HyGenikx is an important ally in helping us to improve our kitchen hygiene standards to the highest levels possible. It works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, keeping the air and surfaces in our food prep area protected from viruses and bacteria. “In these very troubling and challenging times, it has provided us with the reassurance that we are doing everything we possibly can to protect our staff, food prep areas, and residents, from any harmful pathogens that might find their way into the kitchen.” The HyGenikx range has models to suit every application, from food preparation areas, cold rooms and front of house, to washrooms, refuse areas and small occupied areas such as offices, corridors and reception areas. To find out more about the range, including lab and field test results, please visit: www.mechline.com/hgx.
Antimicrobial Contract Fabrics for Added Reassurance Skopos has recently launched a new sub-brand, Skopos Pro-tect Plus, as a marker for all Skopos products offered with an antimicrobial finish. Skopos has been offering antimicrobial fabrics for over 15 years, however the new sub-brand helps to clearly identify this offer to our customers, at a time where extra reassurance within contract interiors has never been more relevant. Within Pro-tect Plus Skopos customers have a choice of fabrics for different end uses; Antimicrobial drapery fabrics,
Antimicrobial woven upholstery fabrics, Antimicrobial faux leather and vinyls. The upholstery fabrics offer includes luxury velvet, printed fabrics, vinyls and a large range of woven collections, mostly waterproof, soil and stain resist, perfect for caring interiors. Many of our drapery and bedding fabrics can be finished with an antimicrobial treatment, so please ask. Choices include print basecloths, plain and woven designs. All antimicrobial fabrics are flame retardant and tested to the high stan-
dards required for contract interiors. Skopos antimicrobial fabrics have bacteriostatic, viralreducing and anti-fungal properties. Fabrics are not seen as a beneficial host for Sars Cov-2 even without antimicrobial treatment, however including this extra benefit viruses and bacteria are greatly reduced. Free samples of our fabrics are available online or via our customer services team: sales@skopos.co.uk. www.skoposfabrics.com
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Find out more at LANDVIRALERT.COM
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23 | PAGE 29
HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL Electrox Sterilising Water Electrox Sterilising Water is an ecological disinfectant that kills viruses, bacteria, spores and fungi significantly faster than bleach and other traditional disinfectants. It is 80 x more effective than bleach, no alcohol, non corrosive, pH neutral and hypoallergenic. The active substance in Electrox is hypochlorous acid, which has been successfully tested for full virucidal activity as defined in EN14476:2013, and has activity against all viruses. This includes all coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2. When used with fogging machines, Electrox can sanitise care
homes rapidly, with minimal disruption and without the harsh chemicals found in traditional disinfectants. Electrox customer Eddy Pyatt, Director of Platinum Care Homes says “We’re using Electrox Sterilising Water and the fogging machine in four of our Care Homes and have found it provides real peace of mind and assurance to our residents and their visitors. We are fogging communal areas, outdoor visiting areas in between visits and resident’s rooms within our care homes to make sure we’re providing a sanitised environment for our staff, residents and their visitors alike. We wanted a sanitising product that didn’t involve large amounts of chemicals and found Electrox to be the most cost effective of all the solutions we looked at.” Contact Electrox today: www.electroxwater.co.uk 0117 318 0830 sales@electroxwater.co.uk
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Sanozone. The Easy Way To Sanitise Your Indoor Spaces SANOZONE, which delivers the most efficient sanitisation performance in indoor spaces, is now available from Barbel. Manufactured by Vitaeco S.r.l., the world famous manufacturer of the highly regarded HotmixPro thermal blender range, SANOZONE sanitises rooms of many sizes in enclosed HRC sites, hotels, restaurants, bars, conference rooms and similar establishments where totally reliable and regular sanitisation is needed. SANOZONE is particularly suitable for hospitals and care home areas, where absolute cleanliness is mandatory, and in areas where it is difficult or impossible to deliver effective sanitisation throughout. The SANOZONE range of
machines use Ozone (O3) technology, a gaseous form of Ozone that fills the room, reaching every corner of the space, santising surfaces and critical hard-toreach corners homogenously, consistently and safely. The SANOZONE range of sanitisation machines are all equipped with the latest technology and customised disinfection programmes to suit your specific requirements. The running costs are considerably lower than any traditional disinfecting programmes and most importantly, there is no manual labour involved. For further information about the SANOZONE range, please contact Barbel on 01629 705110, email info@barbel.net, or visit the website at www.barbel.net
Care and Protect
Options available include a blue nitrile examination glove which has strong barrier properties and high resistance to oils, fats, and chemicals; synthetic examination gloves; and vinyl general purpose gloves. The gloves are packed in a way that they are dispensed ‘cuff first’ which has clear hygienic advantages. All of the gloves are tested to BS EN 455 and conform to a number of other standards. The Wave® range also includes water-soluble strip laundry bags for the safe containment of soiled linen, with a watersoluble seal and a tie string for securing the bags. The strip and tie part of the bag dissolve in water allowing the contents to discharge into the wash. We also supply other forms of PPE such as aprons; face masks and protective plastic sheeting for receptions and other areas of work. www.cromwellpolythene.co.uk
Cromwell Polythene is a major supplier of waste management solutions to the healthcare sector and an active member of the Sanitary Medical Disposal Services Association. We offer a full range of sacks for clinical waste management, from ultra-strong sacks with very high tear resistance to economically priced sacks with a high recycled content. It is essential that care staff, who work so hard to protect us, have the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to help prevent the spread of infection. Our Wave® range of disposable gloves are both latex and powder free, for comfort and performance.
New VIRALERT 3 Human Body Temperature Screening System Delivers COVID-19 Protection for the Care Sector Care facilities have been severely affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 across the world. Protecting the safety and wellbeing of people in these facilities including patients, staff and visitors, is a key priority for managers of care organisations in this current pandemic. AMETEK Land, a global leader in temperature measurement technologies based in the UK, has used the expertise and knowledge of its workforce to support this vital sector by develop a new human skin temperature screening system, VIRALERT 3. Designed to screen visitors at an entry point without slowing the flow of people, VIRALERT 3 scans temperatures without any person-to-person contact, keeping all parties safe. VIRALERT 3 is easy to use, and can be left to operate automatically, with audible and visual alarms alerting when high temperatures are discovered. VIRALERT 3 is the first of its kind, providing a camera and a temperature-controlled reference source on a single mounting. This makes for a compact system that won’t get in the way of queueing people and can be easily wall-mounted. Using automatic face detection, it locates the best areas for temperature detection, taking a reading that is accurate to within 0.5°C, then calculates core body temperature through a rapid test procedure in less than two seconds. The system has recently been installed at the Dronfield Medical Practice, where it has brought extra confidence to staff and patients visiting the site. “At Dronfield Medical Practice we wanted to see
how we could all work together to “Stay Alert” by ensuring patients are seen appropriately, and by keeping all staff secure with the knowledge they are being looked after,” said Kathryn Wileman, Practice Manager, Dronfield Medical Practice. She continued, “The installation of VIRALERT 3 has been a very effective way to achieve this. If a visitor’s temperature is high, we can ask them to leave the premises, then arrange to see them safely without putting anyone at risk.” Division Vice President Justin Smith at AMETEK Land said: ““VIRALERT 3 is a major global technology in keeping people safe in the fight against COVID-19. Highly accurate readings mean that anyone with an elevated temperature will be identified before fully entering the building, thereby reducing the spread of infection”. In addition to the care sector, the roll-out of VIRALERT 3 has attracted interest across a variety of sectors including hospitals and healthcare, commercial areas, education facilities, and public spaces, transportation entry points, offices and manufacturing locations, and sports and leisure sites. Visit www.landviralert.com for further details.
t: 01977 686868
e: info@cromwellpolythene.co.uk
www.cromwellpolythene.co.uk
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HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL Staysafe Visor - CE-Certified PPE Manufactured in the UK Staysafe Visor is a subsidiary of 1st Packaging Ltd, a leading specialist UK plastics manufacturer founded in 2002. Used in a wide range of health and commercial settings, our high-quality recyclable CE-certified face shields offer protection against liquid droplets, sprays and splashes. Our visors are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, are anti-fog and easy to assemble. As a long-established UK company, we have been able to step up our manufacture of PPE to meet high demand
during the current unprecedented circumstances. Our facilities enable us to produce well in excess of 200,000 items per week. At Staysafe Visor our experienced team takes very seriously its role in supporting the health of the community by helping to maintain a safer environment. Availability and affordability are the cornerstones of our operation. Because we sell directly to businesses, organisations and the general public, we are able to remove the need for
intermediaries and keep costs low. We believe that we offer the most competitive rates on the market for this type of CE-certified PPE. Our high-quality products are helping to better protect employees in the NHS, care homes, education, transport, manufacturing and a host of other workplace settings. For further details about our range of visors please do not hesitate to contact our friendly expert team. See page 4 for details or visit www.staysafevisor.co.uk
Haigh Engineering Callero Shield for Care Homes and Clinics Resident and patient waste is a day to day practical matter that simply cannot become a problem for frontline carers and nursing staff. With the raised awareness of cross infection risks, the proven reliable waste disposal systems from Haigh are recognised more than ever as being a key part of the toolkit for ensuring that human waste is effectively and efficiently removed as a source of risk, day in day out, without the risks and complications of either washing pots or manual bagging waste for collection. The team from Haigh have been working hard to support this beyond just the manufacture of the Incomaster and Quattro waste disposers here in the UK, but also developing innovative and safe methods to enhance the servicing provisions that are available to customers. The recently launched all-inclusive rental proposition has proven particularly effective and popular with new and existing customers alike, not least as it reduces the operational, maintenance and financing headaches from sites which have more critical matters to address. For more information about incontinence and bedpan waste disposal please feel free to contact the Haigh team on 01989 763131 or info@haigh.co.uk
For over 40 years, Gratnells Medical products have been widely used for hospital storage. From trolleys and frames, to trays and accessories, the wide range of products makes up the ideal storage solution for any medical environment. Designed with a multitude of settings in mind, the Gratnells Medical range would fit suitably into care homes, dental practices and other surgeries.
The Gratnells Callero Shield range is a complete collection of products designed to offer ample storage that is easily moveable and fits neatly into any environment. Treated with BioCote® antimicrobial additive, the trays and trolleys in the range protect against the spread of various viruses, bacteria and germs. Callero Shield trolleys are available in double and treble column width and with multiple tray combinations. Suitable for the safe storage of PPE, medical files and equipment, uniform and beyond, the trolleys are easily movable between locations and can be set in place with lockable castors. They’re also popularly used as sanitation and cleaning stations due to the ample storage space and the antimicrobial metal worksurface. The antimicrobial Gratnells Rover allows the movement of heavier loads with ease. Robust, hygienic and practical, safely carry medical equipment over any terrain and up and down stairs. With a safety strap to secure antimicrobial trays in place and the option to add antimicrobial lids to trays, contents will be safe on
their journey from place to place. Recently added to the Gratnells antimicrobial range are the new SortED inserts. SortED is a new range of removable, modular inserts designed to fit and create separate sections in shallow and deep Gratnells trays. Also treated with BioCote® additive, the dishwasher safe inserts offer a safe and hygienic solution for the storage and distribution of smaller medical equipment or PPE. Browse the full Gratnells Medical range: www.gratnellsmedical.com
Airdri Launches Air Purifier To Flush Away Washroom Bacteria Airdri, a leading designer and manufacturer of hand dryers, has added a new air purifier unit to its portfolio, to tackle washroom bacteria and eliminate odours. Complementing its range of hand drying solutions, the Airdri Air Purifier uses custom thermal convection technology to kill airborne and surface bacteria and viruses, eliminating the bad odours they cause, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Offering both odour and infection control, the unit is ideal for use in busy washrooms. Its compact profile means it can sit discretely in the top corner of a washroom, yet can service the entire space, covering a floor area of up to 30m2. With minimal maintenance and low energy consumption of 10w, the Airdri Air Purifier is a green solution for providing constant sanitised washroom air. Trudi Osborne, Marketing Manager at Airdri, says “Washrooms are the primary source of infections, with many housing bacteria and viruses that are unseen to the eye. Given
that in just eight hours a single bacterium can multiply into over eight million cells, it is vital to ensure washrooms are kept clean and hygienic at all times. Cleaning and disinfecting alone are only a partial solution – they do not stop ongoing surface contamination or tackle airborne bacteria. Equally, fragrances or fresheners simply mask the associated odours, doing nothing towards hygiene. “The Airdri Air Purifier kills both surface and airborne bacteria, removing the unpleasant odours that they bring with them. The unit processes contaminated air in the purifying chamber, emitting an efficient cleaning agent. Other solutions, which may feature a HEPA filter or have an antibacterial coating, only clean the area immediately surrounding the dryer. The Airdri Air Purifier provides a complete hygiene solution for the whole washroom ensuring that the whole environment is clean, hygienic and odour free.” For more information visit www.airdri.com
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23 | PAGE 33
HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL Show How Much You Care with DispenserONE ®
In a world where building and operations managers in every sector fight to make their premises COVID secure and prevent the spread of coronavirus, nowhere is the importance of safe, effective hand hygiene starker than in care homes. With around 30% of all nursing and residential care home deaths attributable to coronavirus and operators striving to control its spread, conventional sanitizer dispensers are a common sight. However, such systems, with their limited capacity, reliance on batteries and fragile dosing mechanisms, can only be considered a short-term fix. For a permanent solution, professionals choose SEKO’s DispenserONE® hand sanitizer system. Designed specifically to handle the high demand for hand sanitizer during and post-COVID19, DispenserONE® features robust, revolutionary pump technology – unprecedented in hand sanitizer dispensers – that automatically delivers the same pre-defined dosage every time. That’s without the spillages typical of manual systems as their dosing mechanism wears out, meaning that as well as removing a potential slip hazard, operators can minimize product wastage. The DispenserONE® series boasts a broad capacity range that enables between 3,000 and 25,000 doses to be delivered between refills, compared to 1,000 when using traditional 1-litre systems. This allows operators to select a system ideally suited to their facility and guarantee residents, visitors and staff alike access to sanitizer 24/7 while avoiding the common problem of
dispensers running dry as busy maintenance staff struggle to keep them topped up. Meanwhile, DispenserONE®’s built-in Wi-Fi hotspot enables operators to access the unit wherever they are via smartphone, PC or laptop by logging into their personal online dashboard. This allows managers to view the live status of all their DispenserONE® units across multiple sites, using key information such as product level to ensure maintenance staff refill only when necessary. As a failsafe, operators also receive notifications when product quantity falls below a pre-set level to help guarantee sanitizer on demand. DispenserONE® helps operators to prevent virus transmission with its automatic sensoractivated delivery, using touch-free technology to ensure users do not need to contact the unit with their hands. Encapsulating the attention to detail in the system’s design is the delivery nozzle position, set at a height that makes it accessible for wheelchair users. Finally, DispenserONE®’s mains power connection frees operators of their reliance on batteries, guaranteeing continuous use and removing the environmental impact of battery disposal. Helping nursing home managers to properly protect residents, visitors and staff alike, nothing says “we care” better than DispenserONE®. Find out more – visit the dedicated DispenserONE® website today: www.dispenserone.com or see the advert opposite.
New Mobile Hands-Free Wash Basins from Hygiene Does Not Stop At The Washroom says Kimberly-Clark Professional Mechline Have the X Factor Mechline Developments has extended its line-up of BaSix hand wash stations with an all new range of space-saving, mobile, hands-free basins. The range facilitates hygienic handwashing in any location—even where water, waste and electric utilities are not available—and the completely portable ‘X’ model provides double the washes per litre of any comparable product on the market. As Nick Falco, Product and Technical Director at Mechline, explains: “As Coronavirus lockdown measures are eased and many businesses reopen their sites, hand washing remains key to mitigating against the risk of Covid-19 transmission. Every business needs to encourage customers and visitors to wash their hands, especially when first entering venues, and the new BaSix mobile hands-free basin range makes this very easy to do. Models in the range are slimline, easy to manoeuvre thanks to removable castors and a splashback grab handle, and the ‘X’ model can be used in locations without any utilities at all—as it all comes integrated. This means it
can be wheeled out daily if necessary, to sit outside an establishment, and with a compact footprint of just 384 x 360mm it is an ideal and reassuring addition to entrances and other small spaces. We have also used our experience to incorporate water-saving technology into the range, adding value to the basins by providing unique water saving benefits for the end-user. Using the ultra water-saving diffuser supplied, the ‘X’ model can provide up to an impressive 304 hand washes per water container, so users can rest assured it will last a long time between refills! Furthermore, with its hands-free design, the new mobile basin maximises user hygiene. Unlike traditional taps, where the lever or handle must be touched with dirty hands, and then revisited with clean hands to turn it off, our mobile BaSix range removes the need for manual contact—reducing the risk of cross-contamination.” BaSix mobile hands-free basins are operated via a foot pump or time flow foot valve, depending on which model is required. All models can be fitted with an optional hanging bin, soap/sanitiser dispenser, and towel dispenser, to provide a complete hygiene station in any location. The ‘X’ range stores water and waste containers within the unit, which can be easily accessed via a hinged door with a ¼ turn thumb latch. For further information please contact Mechline at info@mechline.com or call +44 (0)1908 261511
Now more than ever we all want to know that we are doing everything we can to keep ourselves, our colleagues and visitors safe and well. To do this requires understanding the science behind surface wiping and cleaning, says Kimberly-Clark Professional. We want to know that people have washed their hands properly and that places are as clean and as hygienic as possible. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends prioritising the daily cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces. Cleaning vs. Disinfecting Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and other impurities
from surfaces or objects by using detergent (or soap and water) to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects by using chemicals1. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. The CDC recommends a two-step daily routine to clean frequently touched surfaces. For Step 1 clean surface with a detergent or soap and water. With Step 2 disinfect the surface using an EN-registered disinfectant. Surfaces considered hot spots for germs include computer keyboards, phones and light switches. Science indicates why these surfaces need daily hygiene protocols in addition to hand hygiene standards in facilities For more information about how to make your facility truly exceptional – a place where everyone feels equipped and empowered to contribute to a more hygienic environment – visit our hand and surface cleaning page. https://youtu.be/WHNYNtVeymM https://home.kcprofessional.com/UK_Healthy_ Workplace_Cleaning_0520
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HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL Angloplas Dispensers Help Reduce the Risk of Cross Infection Angloplas are a UK manufacturer who specialise in producing dispensers for the health and hygiene industry. Although these are designed to keep the workplace tidy and uncluttered they are, more importantly, built knowing the control of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a priority for healthcare providers, and who are employing a combination of infection prevention and control strategies, including hand hygiene, cleaning, training and the adoption of new technologies, to tackle the problem. As a result, a wide range of infection control products and technologies are emerging on the market, including antimicrobial technology. Angloplas’ range of dispensers are produced in the world’s first proven Antimicrobial PVC with silver ion technology and which is
exclusive to Angloplas. This helps reduce the risk of cross infection by stopping the growth of bacteria and mould and works continuously for the lifetime of the product, reducing levels of bacteria such as MRSA, E Coli, Legionella, Salmonella and mould by up to 99.99%. For non-clinical environments Angloplas has recently launched its new Budget Range of products which are made to the same exacting standards as the antimicrobial protected ones but with lower price tags. You can order Angloplas products directly from its website by going to www.angloplas.co.uk and clicking Hospital, Health and Hygiene or by using the Quick Response code.
Environmental Science Limited (ESL) Restructures its Business to Launch Unique and Effective Palm Tree Foaming Hand Sanitisers
PLEASE MENTION THE CARER WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISING
Environmental Science Ltd based in March, Cambridgeshire was originally set up in 1994 and has focused primarily on the authoring of Safety ata and Workplace Activity Safety Protection (WASP) Sheets, identifying chemical hazards and providing on-site COSHH monitoring, LEV testing and risk assessment services. This core activity will continue, however due partly to the changed circumstances brought about by Covid-19, the company has made the decision to significantly expand and restructure the business. ESL has built and established trusted relationships within the UK chemical industry over the last 25 years, therefore it is a natural progression for the business to move into the development, manufacture, and distribution of hygiene products. These will include hand sanitisers, sprays, medicated soaps, surface and floor wipes and disinfectants. To facilitate these new product lines, a new business entity is being created with the name “Environmental Science Hygiene Ltd”, and the existing company is renamed as “Environmental Science Group”. Their new website is: www.envsciencegroup.com One factor behind the change of direction for the business is that some products are being very hastily marketed during this pandemic; therefore they do not perform as efficiently as may be implied. By contrast, the team at Environmental Science are committed to pro-
ducing high quality products that are both safe and effective. They also feel it is important to provide complete transparency by supplying the relevant GHS Safety Data Sheets, Product Labels, Product Information Sheets, etc. Our Palm Tree Foaming Hand Sanitiser is unique and different from other current products for the following reasons: • The alcohol is naturally sourced and distilled from the sap of palm trees. • The palm trees are not damaged in the extraction process, so the product is both sustainable and eco-friendly. • Unlike most other sources of Ethanol, by tapping into an existing resource it means that valuable agricultural land can be used for food production instead. • The foaming action is preferred by the healthcare sector over gelbased products. • The alcohol content is in excess of 60% as recommended by the World Health Organisation. • Conforms to the European Standard EN1276. For further information, please contact: Tel: +44 (0) 1354 653 222 Email: sales@envsciencegroup.com Web: www.envsciencegroup.com
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23 | PAGE 35
HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL CTU Services' Thermal Access System With the introduction of various measures to constrain and manage the emergency of COVID-19 in the UK, CTU Services Thermal Access System presents the ideal solution. To address the challenge of social distancing many public places are implementing restrictions on customer flow. This includes locations such as the hospitality industry and the retail sector. CTU Services perfectly resolves the problem of "how to accurately and efficiently control customer flow in a premises" Their system detects how many people are present in the targeted area and display the figure in real-time. If the capacity is reached the system's display immediately indicates no more people should enter. The two systems that CTU Services supply can be merged together to give you more security and social distancing. The Thermal camera can be wall mounted or comes on a sleek stand. It will also notify
any number of members of staff of any issues with potential clients entering the premisses via text or email. • Facial recognition is fully integrated with body temperature monitoring. This means no additional staff are required. • The solution is contactless, reducing the risk of cross infection. • Extensive storage of facial images and temperature information enabling easy historical access. • Fast facial recognition and temperature monitoring reducing access congestion. In Scotland will detect if you are or are not wearing a mask / face covering. • Integration with third party products such as turnstiles and VMS. See a demonstration of the system at https://youtu.be/lcQllOytA7Y For further information, see the advert this page, call 01257 477060 or visit www.ctuservices.com
Airox Face Masks - Protection. Quality. Comfort. Airox face masks are made from advanced textile technology from Baltex one of the UK's leading textile companies. They provide you comfort and security. The Airox AX100 and Airox AX110 are textile face covering masks produced with stretchy 3XD Spacer fabric - developed for medical textiles by our parent company Baltex in the UK. It provides: • Snug fit and comfort • Good coverage of face and mouth
• Anti-bacterial • Machine washable - 40oC • Breathable • Reusable • Treated with Viral Off treatment* The fabric is made from Polyester and Lycra and is treated with a durable water repellent finish to avoid the absorption of droplets. They are also anti-bacterial reducing odour and providing superior comfort compared to basic textile masks. Many masks are made from Cotton and will absorb moisture and water droplets. For further information and to order, please visit www.airox.co.uk
www.airox.co.uk
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23 | PAGE 37
LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS A Reliable Service Partner is Key to an Efficient Laundry Function - FORBES PROFESSIONAL A laundry function is a central service in any care home and commercial laundry equipment is an important procurement area in terms of hygiene adherence, day-to-day logistical operations and financial projections. As such, it is vital to source the right service partner, who will support the smooth running of your operation and offer the relevant industry, planning and technical advice. You need to ensure the reliability and stability of any supplier, and to feel confident that they are capable of delivering a service that you can depend upon. Forbes Professional has been providing an awarding winning first class customer service since 1926 and has a solid understanding of the specific requirements of the healthcare sector. With depots across The South East, The Midlands, The South West, The North East and Scotland, we deliver a local service on a nationwide basis. We have flexible finance options and can provide commercial washers, dryers, rotary ironers and dishwashers on a rental, lease or purchase basis. We can also provide chemical detergents and auto-dosing equipment for a complete solution. From the initial site survey, we assume a consultative and advisory approach to business, with all clients being assigned a dedicated account manager who remains their contact for all on-going account management or service requirements. We advise upon all plumbing, electrical and regulation requirements, and ensure that the right product decisions are made for the
specific project. Our team of manufacturer and City and Guilds trained field engineers fully install and commission all equipment, as well as providing any necessary user training to enable the products to be fully optimised. Forbes runs a centralised administrative and customer support operation from our head office in Surrey, which enables us to deliver a streamlined and efficient response to our clients. If a service requirement arises, we provide a same/next day engineer response. Our clients have total peace of mind in that they know that they will receive the on-going service that their organisation requires. For more information contact Forbes Professional info@forbes-professional.co.uk or 0345 0702335.
Please go on our website to see the new range of Dishwasher proof ID labels which can also be stuck onto textiles.
5 Reasons Why You Should Choose LaundryTec Chester based LaundryTec since its foundation in early 2016 has become one of Alliance Internationals major UK distributers. Founded by Jeremy Hartigan, the team of industry professionals with the backing of the Alliance Lavamac brand and supported by its service partner PDS Laundry based in Nuneaton. They supply a significant number of the UK’s leading health care operators with equipment, installation and after sale support. The LaundryTec designs offer not only washing, drying and ironing equipment but a full range of handling, distribution, folding and identification systems, to create a fully functioning laundry complete with all items necessary for efficient operation. Every LaundryTec machine includes full installation options, including the removal and disposal of an existing machine. A training program and a minimum of 24
months part and labour warranty. The environment is at the forefront of every operator’s mind. Standard specification on a Lavamac machine includes functions that automatically weigh and control the energy input into the machine and store the data in the machines memory. Our LS range of electric heat pump dryers require no ventilation or gas services and operates at 3kw per hour.
5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE LAUNDRYTEC 1. Cost 2. Efficiency 3. Service 4. Design 5. Innovation Telephone 0151 317 3127 Web www..laundrytec.com
Please Please mention mention THE THE CARER CARER when when responding responding to to advertising. advertising.
0151 317 3127
www.laundrytec.com
info@laundrytec.com
5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE LAUNDRYTEC 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Washer Extractors
Tumble Dryers
Cost Quality Service Design Innovation
Flatwork Ironers
Other Equipment
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CATERING FOR CARE
Five Ways to Futureproof Your Veg*n Diet From Dementia September 2020 is World Alzheimer’s Month and a chance to reflect on two things that most of us don’t like to think about at all: Where will I be in older age? What will happen to me should I develop cognitive impairment? Some of our most cherished beliefs can be threatened by dementia, including our dietary choices. Individuals choose veganism and vegetarianism for a number of reasons, whether it is ethical, environmental or even religious. In fact, being vegan or vegetarian can often be the most powerful conviction that people hold, guiding their everyday lives, careers and relationships. However charity Vegetarian for Life is only aware of two fully vegetarian care homes in the UK, offering Indian/Gujarati food. So if you are a vegan or vegetarian, it’s very likely that you would be a minority group in a care setting. Some years ago, an older woman, who had been a dedicated animal rights campaigner, entered care after developing dementia. While in care, she was given foods containing meat products – a practice considered acceptable by staff because she ‘wouldn't know any different’. Yet in spite of this she still identified herself as vegan. Recently, care providers have highlighted instances where a vegan/vegetarian with dementia has demanded meat, or tried to take it from someone else's plate. In such circumstances, those who care for them are faced with a difficult ethical dilemma. Here are Vegetarian for Life’s top tips on measures to take now, to help to avoid this happening to you in the future:
practical issues, such as care for your pets. Visit Vegetarian for Life’s website for a free template.
3. MAKE A LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY A Lasting Power of Attorney, or LPA, is a legal document that enables you to nominate people you trust to make decisions for you. Your nominated advocates will then be able to make decisions regarding your care and health, if you choose for them to do so. The document gives people you trust the authority to speak up for you and enforce your choices, even when you are no longer able to do so yourself. If there were any confusion about what foods you should eat, the LPA would give your advocates the power to set things straight.
4. CAREFULLY CRAFT THE LANGUAGE THAT YOU USE Straight-talking, simple language can make all the difference in times of confusion or worry. If you make your choices clear for all to see, not only does it provide unquestionable guidelines for your care providers to follow, but it also gives your advocates confidence in what they are supporting you on. For example: “In the future, if my decision-making capacity is questionable and I appear to want meat, please consider providing me with mock meat products in their place.” Not only does this make it clear that you don’t wish to eat meat, but it affirms your commitment to that choice – even if it appears that you have changed your mind.
5. CHOOSE YOUR CARE PROVIDERS AHEAD OF TIME We could find ourselves in many types of care setting in later life, from care homes and sheltered accommodation to staying at home with a visiting carer. In cases where your shopping is done, or your meals are prepared for you, it’s comforting to know that you can trust those providers. One way to make sure is by checking the Vegetarian for Life UK List – a list of care establishments that have agreed to make a special effort to cater well for vegans and vegetarians. An increasing number of care establishments in the UK are joining the UK List – and this can give you a good indication of whether an organisation that you have in mind is committed to catering to someone like you. Additionally, some have also signed the Vegetarian for Life Memory Care Pledge – a specific commitment to respecting the veg*n wishes of those who are experiencing issues with capacity or cognition. If there is a care establishment that you like that isn’t on the List, or hasn’t signed the VfL Memory Care Pledge, just ask them to get in touch. Please contact Vegetarian for Life for any further information, or any of our publications aimed at older vegans and vegetarians.
1. HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT YOUR WISHES Discuss your wishes with your care provider beforehand, preferably with friends or loved ones with you, or someone else to bear witness. Make it clear what you will and won’t accept as part of your diet and lifestyle. Having this conversation ahead of time lets the carer know clearly and in no uncertain circumstances that you wish your diet to be adhered to at all times.
2. PUT IT IN WRITING To make your wishes absolutely clear, it’s recommended that you make an advance statement ahead of time. This is a written statement that sets down your preferences, wishes, beliefs and values regarding your care. Having everything written in a statement gives all parties interested in your care a clear idea of what things are important to you, even if the day comes that you can no longer express those wishes yourself. It can include everything from how you want your beliefs to be reflected in your care, what sort of things you enjoy and don’t enjoy, and concerns about
Martin McKee’s Croque Madame
INGREDIENTS Sandwich • • • • • • •
20 slices of thick white bread 20 British Lion eggs 20 honey roast ham 2 red onions 150 grated mature cheddar 150 grated Gruyère cheese 50g butter (soft)
Method:
Bechamel • • • • • •
90g butter (unsalted) 90g plain flour 1/4 tsp English mustard 100g milk powder 900ml milk (whole fat) 50g grated parmesan
Serves: 10 Allergens: Eggs, wheat, milk
1. To make the Béchamel, fortify the milk with milk powder in a pan. In a separate pan, combine the melted butter with flour. Slowly incorporate the butter on a medium heat until it’s smooth. Add the parmesan, mustard and salt and pepper. 2. To make the sandwich, spread each slice of bread with the Béchamel before adding some ham, red onion, Gruyère cheese, cheddar and pepper. 3. Spread the top slice of bread with butter. Heat a pan on a medium heat and place the sandwich butter side down with a little extra butter and fry on each side. 4. Remove from the heat, top with more Béchamel and cheese and place in the oven to finish cooking at 170°C for 3 – 4 minutes (fan oven). 5. Remove the fried sandwich and top with a sunny side up British Lion egg. 6. Serve with a fresh tossed mixed salad with red onion, mixed peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, radish and carrot. Recipe courtesy of www.eggrecipes.co.uk For more information please call the British Egg Information Service on 020 7052 8899
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CATERING FOR CARE
Are You in Need of Dysphagia Training ? *
*This training is intended for healthcare professionals only. Did you know that between 50-75% of nursing home residents suffer from dysphagia1? Nutricia has a training solution for you, a FREE e-learning covering the fundamentals of dysphagia management using Nutilis Clear. The training is divided into 4 sections and has been specially designed for busy health and social care staff caring for people living with dysphagia. It takes 60 minutes in total to complete, however you can complete one section at a time.
HOW CAN THIS TRAINING HELP YOU? • Easy & convenient online solution to dysphagia training • Visibility to track progress in your care home • Raise the quality standard of dysphagia care in a consistent way The quality standards aim is for all new health and social care staff members caring for patients with Dysphagia to complete the modules as part of their induction programme. Existing health and
social care staff members should also complete the learning to support their continuing professional development. There is a certificate that can be downloaded once the training has been successfully completed. Use the camera on your phone to scan the QR code to access the e-learning and get started! For any questions contact your local Nutricia sales representative or our Resource Centre at resourcecentre@nutricia.com. Nutilis Clear is a Food for Special Medical Purposes for the dietary management of dysphagia and must be used under medical supervision. Reference: 1. O’Loughlin G, Shanley C. Swallowing problems in the nursing home: a novel training response. Dysphagia 1998; 13, 172183.( https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/clinical-information/dysphagia) See the advert on page 37 for further information.
Renowned Care Home Chef Launches A Series Of Cracking Lion Egg Dishes NACC Care Chef of the Year, Martin McKee, has created a series of new videos showing how Lion eggs can bring inspiration to care home menus across the country. The recipes have been developed to reflect the growing trend for menu simplification that has been seen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The five easy-to-make recipes have been tailored to meet various nutritional requirements of residents, ranging from undernourishment, to dementia, or dysphagia. The dishes, designed to serve 10 or more people, include: an egg and bacon breakfast muffin; salmon and broccoli stuffed pepper with baked egg; smoked bacon, scrambled egg and potato waffles; spinach, ricotta and cherry tomato frittata; chocolate fondant with vanilla bean ice cream; and Mediterranean vegetable scotch eggs. The latest Food Standards Agency advice means that vulnerable groups, including care home residents, can eat runny, or even raw, eggs, as long as they are produced to British Lion standards. Eggs meeting the Lion standard will carry a red
Lion and best before date on every egg. Previously, care homes had to restrict the way they served eggs, but they can now make the most of this nutritious, versatile, and cost-effective food. Martin said: ‘’Eggs are an essential ingredient in every kitchen, and it is brilliant that we can now serve them runny as long as they meet Lion standards. The recipes I’ve created are easy to replicate and have been designed to make the most of the nutritional benefits of eggs, including key vitamins and minerals, as well as providing an abundance of protein which is vital for care home residents’ diets. ‘’I always use British Lion eggs and I would strongly urge any other care home chef to follow suit when sourcing and cooking with eggs, to guarantee highquality, safe dishes.’’ The video recipes are available to view on British Lion eggs YouTube channel and can also be found on www.eggrecipes.co.uk See the advert on page 19 for further information.
Microwave Specialist Launches Its Biggest Ever Giveaway Regale Microwave Ovens is offering a free Panasonic rice cooker with every purchase of some of the brand’s microwave ovens. Users can now benefit from a free Panasonic rice cooker when they certain Panasonic microwaves via specialist supplier, Regale Microwave Ovens. Panasonic Rice Cookers are Ideal for cooking porridge at breakfast and keeps it hot for late risers when on standby without it drying out! One of the models where the giveaway applies is the Panasonic NE-1878, a 1,800W inverter-powered microwave designed to feature the benefits of an all metal door. With each purchase, companies can receive a free model SRGA421 rice cooker, worth over £120, which will also come with 2kg of FOC Tilda rice inside. All enquiries received by Regale will be passed to the nearest geographical dealer, and both units will be dispatched by Regale to the operators on the UK mainland with next day delivery, free of charge. There are three other Panasonic ovens included in the promotion, but these
qualifying for a FOC 7.2L Panasonic rice cooker. The ovens are the:• Panasonic NE-C1275 13A plug-in combination microwave oven with ‘five-way’ cooking methods. • Panasonic NE-1880 & NE-3280. The extra-large and very powerful microwave ovens can take 2 x full size (1:1) Gastronorm pans. • Each of these ovens comes with a 7.2litre Panasonic (model SRGA721) rice cooker, Free Of Charge. Each rice cooker comes with a complimentary 5kg of Tilda Basmati rice. Furthermore, Regale will deliver the equipment free to any UK mainland operator on the next working day. Regale deputy MD Iain Phillips said: “Of course there are a few terms and conditions with this fantastic giveaway, the main one being that it is restricted to ‘whilst stocks last’, however we are hoping that we can run it from now to somewhere towards the end of August.” See the advert on page 10 for details or call 01329 285518..
EF Group Launches CaterCloud - The Secret Ingredient for Menu Management Success Manchester-based, EF Group has announced it is offering free for life access to its new cloud-based, menu management platform, CaterCloud, which launched this week. The easy-to-use, next generation allergen, nutrition, menu planning and costing system offers a wealth of enhanced functionality to help caterers gain significant efficiencies in their operations, to control costs and increase profits. CaterCloud helps businesses ensure food safety remains a key focus. With food labelling regulations set to change in October 2021, as a result of Natasha’s Law, all England-based businesses working in the food industry will be required to clearly label all foods produced and packed on their premises with a full list of ingredients detailing the full allergen profile. Designed to help businesses prepare for this upcoming regulation, CaterCloud provides sub-allergen information and tagging; QR Code scanning for live allergen and nutritional information, along with the ability to print Natasha’s Law compliant food labels. CaterCloud also offers customers access to a range of accredited training for allergen awareness and food safety. CaterCloud’s innovative functionality also boasts many other benefits to enable simple menu management for caterers across the hospitality, healthcare, education and retail sectors. It offers effective menu planning with dish and menu costings; access to a nutritional database with 1,000s of ingredients and customisable dashboards to record KPIs.
Users of CaterCloud can also join the e-foods’ Buyers’ Club and benefit from its substantial buying power. The Buyers’ Club is made up of a network of trusted accredited suppliers across the UK. Users can purchase food and non-food goods from these suppliers with savings of between 5 to 10%. Paul Mizen, Chief Executive, EF Group said: “The service industries are moving at pace towards technology to help meet their stock ordering,
menu planning and compliance challenges. Our experience shows that there is increasing demand for more advanced dish and menu costing tools, as well as detailed, easy to use product data. “Catering managers require their menu management software to seamlessly integrate with their ordering systems and demand best value from their food suppliers. With CaterCloud, we will remain at the forefront of delivering the innovative features the industry needs. “The entire catering industry has been heavily impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic and as businesses work hard to recover, we are providing CaterCloud for free to help maximise efficiencies and reduce costs. This is our way of giving something back to the industry upon which our business is founded.” CaterCloud is a web-based menu planning, nutrition, allergen and costing system which is part of the E-F Group. CaterCloud helps hundreds of hospitality businesses deliver performance and control costs while reducing food safety risks. CaterCloud is committed to innovation in food management, its leading-edge platform helps to manage food offerings from front desk to kitchens, with the aim of improving efficiency in catering operations. Live menu costings help businesses to see how their business is performing every day, enabling them to focus on producing quality food and increasing profitability. CaterCloud’s clients are mainly in the following sectors: healthcare, education, hospitality and retail. For more information, see the advert on the facing page.
PAGE 42 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23
NURSE CALL AND FALL PREVENTION Call Aid UK - Cost Effective NURSE CALL Nurse Call Systems IT’S NOT OBSOLETE UNTIL THE OPERA LADY SINGS
EDISON TELECOM LTD (IN BUSINESS SINCE 1984)
have spares, enhancements and expertise for wired and wireless systems abandoned by the original manufacturer, whoever they are.
Call us on 01252-330220 We can give most systems a new lease of life and maintain them into the future.
www.edisontelecom.co.uk Please Please mention mention THE THE CARER CARER when when responding responding to to advertising. advertising.
At Call Aid UK we like to let our clients speak for us! “We were introduced to the PAM system a year ago and are delighted with the difference it has made since its introduction. The system is very reliable and offers a couple of sound options for day and night mode, ensuring that residents are not disturbed during quiet hours. The system notifies you as soon as movement is detected which in many cases decreases the risk of falls. Call Aid are also helpful and offer a personalised service. We have a single point of contact that ensures actions are taken quickly if required and also contact us to see how
we are getting on. I cannot fault the system nor the services “ West Lodge Nursing Home Call Aid UK is an electronics design and manufacturing company specialising in providing electronic solutions to the healthcare market. We are committed to delivering innovative solutions with easy to use systems and we recognise the importance of listening to our customers’ needs. We produce systems that use the latest technology, compliment the decor and are competitively priced. Visit www.callaiduk.com or see the advert on this page for details.
TumbleCare from Easylink Medpage Limited T/A Easylink UK was established in 1984 after the invention of an alarm clock to wake deaf people. The “Shake Awake” set a new precedent in quality standards for products designed for sensory care, notoriously at the time – rubbish. The company invented a new device for the detection of nocturnal epileptic seizures in 1994, which also set a new precedent for quality, especially after the company achieved certified medical accreditation. We could boast and say we have supplied more seizure detection monitors than any other company in UK. You could say we are innovators; we are and very proud of it. To constantly adapt to changes in demands for care technologies, remain competitive and continue to develop new care solutions it takes more than intelligence, it takes passion. Despite the COVID-19 lockdown, failing economy, factories closing and international shipping facing the worst crisis
ever known, we have battled through. At the start of the lockdown we supplied the NHS and Local Authorities with over 2000 bed occupancy detection alarm systems, many of them used to enable long term patients to be discharged from hospital to free up beds for COVID victims. Independent living support was and is essential during this pandemic. Now we launch our new brand. TumbleCare. The TumbleCare brand is a range of fall detection and prevention products focussing on affordable quality and product performance. The products are tough, easy to set, use and provide carers with reliable advance warning notification of potential falls. Visit our website. Firstly, you’ll be amazed at the variety of care solutions we offer, then blown away by our realistically fair pricing. Visit www.easylinkuk.co.uk or see the advert on page 2 for details.
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23 | PAGE 43
NURSE CALL AND FALL PREVENTION
Wireless Fall Prevention A Digital Future of Care in a Post COVID-19 Era By Ben Kilbey – Business Development Manager, Spearhead Healthcare
The last thing any care home wants to have to deal with is an elderly resident falling in their home. However, with over 255,000 hospital admissions in England a year relating to the elderly suffering injury after a fall, being alert and aware as soon as a fall happens is critically important in the administration of aid; as well as helping reduce emotional distress. For years, the care industry has used a tremendous range of call alert solutions to help care home staff respond to these falls quickly and easily. The most popular and regularly used of these are systems which plug in to nurse call systems. Nonetheless, these come with their own issues and can often create their own risks in regard to falling; largely in the use of trailing cables that need to be plugged in to make them work. These potential trip hazards can cause the exact issues they are trying to prevent. But with new innovations come new solutions, and we are increasingly seeing a range of wireless solutions that provide a variety of benefits. Below we list things to look out for when selecting these systems:
NO LOOSE WIRES When looking at a wireless solution, make sure it truly is wireless and that any receivers, or sending features on the items are contained and are not left loose where someone can catch a foot on it, or accidently rip it out.
WIRELESS CALL BUTTONS Care home staff cannot be chained to their desk and need to be checking on residents and conducting all the
Edison Telecom We here at Edison Telecom Ltd have been providing specialist solutions to your call system requirements tailor-made to each customers needs for over 25 years, says director Bob Johnson. Is your current Nurse Call “legacy”, obsolete, so full of software bugs or commercially not viable for your current supplier/maintainer to maintain? We may have just the part and expertise that you are looking for to give your nurse call a further exten-
duties that are required to create a smooth-running home, filled with happy residents. A wireless alert that can be carried in a pocket allows the user to respond as swiftly as possible to potential falls, helping homes provide the highest level of care. A centralized alert system is an option that also presents many benefits, as homes can ensure that the right person in the right place is alerted in a timely manner. Making sure that a system works both centrally and on the move, giving you the best range of options to help provide a high level of care.
PLUGS While this might very well be viewed as a smaller issue, nurse call systems come with a huge variety of plug types; and ensuring that your receivers have the correct plugs for your call system is key.
LOOK AND FEEL Make sure the system you choose is as unobtrusive as possible. Often fall prevention equipment is designed to be as hidden as possible. Should the item be particularly obvious make sure you are happy it fits as well as possible into the decor of the room it sits in and think about choosing a floormat that corresponds with the flooring in the room e.g. wood effect vinyl or carpet. Spearhead are proud to distribute the entire Alerta wireless range that has been launched this year. For further information visit www.www.spearheadhealthcare.com sion to life, adds Bob, “Edison will treat your nurse call with the same compassion that you give to those in your care. There will come a time when your equipment is beyond repair but Edison are experts in extending the life of obsolete systems.” www.edisontelecom.co.uk
After 50 years being at the forefront of advances in Nurse Call solutions, Courtney Thorne continue to develop solutions which now seem more relevant and important than at any time before. The introduction of digital care planning and medication solutions has enabled forward thinking care homeowners to go paperless, giving more accurate, timely and readily available information on those in their care. These same digital devices, tablets and smart mobiles can now be used to view calls and emergencies generated by a Courtney Thorne nurse call system. Both new installations and many existing Courtney Thorne systems can benefit with calls being delivered straight to the carer. Monitoring of resident’s care planning and medications are just two areas that reduces the amount of paperwork and administration, freeing up carers to spend more time actually caring. The monitoring of the caring staff themselves can become arduous and time consuming for management, not with a Courtney Thorne nurse call solution. The introduction of Staff ID tags of fobs is nothing new, there are so called systems on the market which use simple magnets which carers need to remember to press onto a room sensor when they attend, and again when they leave a resident’s room. With Courtney Thorne’s Altra Tag the process of logging who attended, what time they attended and how long they remained in the resident’s room is all logged automatically and seamlessly. No longer are there management and staff disputes about forgetting to “fob in/fob out”. The volume and detail of the data captured automatically by a Courtney Thorne nurse call system is vast. All the data is available to management using the reporting function built into the main touch screen server. However, where visiting the home is difficult due to COVID-19 restrictions or time and distance problems, owners and managers may find retrieving data difficult, resulting in a lack of monitoring and possible reduction in quality of care delivered. Courtney Thorne’s CT-Cloud service provides ready complied, detailed reports daily, coupled with a “live” view of all data contained in the server from any location with an internet connection. Carrying out regular checks on sleeping residents is
time consuming and often counter-productive as residents often wake, have poor sleep and can even fall after attempting to use the toilet once awake. Acoustic monitoring means that only those who actually need assistance get it, those who are sound asleep do not get disturbed and carers can concentrate on more productive tasks. So, in this new COVID-19 and Digital world what other new solutions are on the horizon? Nurse call devices around a care home become intelligent enough to identify a resident in need. Already we can measure changes in levels of noise, but monitoring light, temperature coupled with wearable devices monitoring vital signs, now a deterioration in a resident’s wellbeing can raise an alert or be recorded. A resident ‘connected’ with a wearable device can have their movement, location, heart rate, sleep, blood pressure etc., monitored automatically. Instead of intrusive, often unsocial physical monitoring, at-risk residents have vital signs checked and recorded continuously. If an emergency occurs, the nurse call system will still summon help, only now one of its key functions will be to record, store and make available critical data. Thereby reducing the touch points, minimising transmission of disease, freeing up carers time and providing a safer and healthier life for both residents and staff. For further information visit www.nursecallsystems.co.uk or see the advert below.
www.nursecallsystems.co.uk
PAGE 44 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23
TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE Putting the ‘Home’ Back into Care Homes: How Innovative Technologies Can Help Carers Give Residents a Better Quality of Life By Phillip Moorcraft, UK Director, CLB (global.clb.nl) When a person moves into a residential care home, the quality of their medical and social care is hugely important to that individual and their loved ones. However, they also want a place that feels genuinely welcoming and homely, and which allows its residents to enjoy appropriate levels of privacy and independence. Striking that delicate balance, between providing a ‘home from home’ and ensuring that residents’ medical and social care needs are met, can be hard for residents, families and care home staff alike. And it is a widespread problem – with about 21,556 care homes in the UK alone, there is lots of pressure on care staff to make residents feel ‘at home’, while also meeting each person’s (often complex) needs. This pressure has greatly intensified with the challenges of the pandemic. Technologies can ease the pressure of regular and unnecessary ad-hoc welfare checks on top of providing personal quality care, while giving residents more privacy and independence. For example, acoustic monitoring technology, which has been used in many countries worldwide for more than 25 years, can monitor for adverse events and reduce their potential to cause life-changing effects. What is more, residents with acoustic monitoring can establish better sleep patterns because they are less frequently disturbed by staff visits, and better sleep conveys multiple health and wellbeing benefits. Meanwhile, the technology alerts staff as soon as an event occurs, which also improves quality of life and can make a crucial – even life-saving – difference to medical outcomes in the case of health emergencies. Furthermore, acoustic monitoring gives greater privacy and autonomy for each resident. For example, those who prefer to go to bed later/earlier than their peers are no longer restricted by the facility’s monitoring schedule and can enjoy more flexibility, and those with particular concerns about privacy can be left in peace without having to compromise their safety. What do good care homes provide? The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told service users and those who care for them what they should expect of a good care home. The expectation that residents will be treated with respect and able to exercise their rights (to privacy, to self-determination, to care of high quality, to dignity) is woven like a golden thread through that document. No reasonable care professional would argue with those values, but they can be tough to achieve simultaneously. The need to monitor residents is a prime example. Many homes carry out periodic checks on residents – often, every two hours or so – and this is a critical element of providing good social/clinical care. However, it is also highly disruptive for patients, who may be disturbed several times during the night, and it takes carers away from other duties. Residents who are disturbed during the night (even for the best of reasons) may suffer chronic or recurrent sleep deprivation, which has a serious impact on their quality of life. Sleep deprivation causes grogginess, mood changes (in some cases, aggression, anxiety or
depression) and increases vulnerability to illness. So, an action that is intended to protect a resident can also make them ill. Meanwhile, carers may become frustrated with the constant need to interrupt whatever they are doing to carry out welfare checks, particularly if this takes them away from providing personalised care for individuals, and their morale, along with the broader functionality and productivity of the care home, can suffer as a result. Acoustic technology meets the needs of care home staff and residents Unsurprisingly, some care homes have tried to solve this problem with technology. And the CQC agrees that care homes’ use of innovative technology is key to maximising their performance. The challenge lies in knowing which type of technology to use. For example, some care homes have used voice and video baby monitors, or alarmed mats that detect movement. However, these are primarily for domestic use and often cannot cope with the demands of a care home. They can be hard to maintain and may not have an appropriate radio frequency; all are intrusive but video monitors in particular compromise residents’ privacy. And they can lead to a delayed response by care staff, which has significant implications in time-critical events like a heart attack or stroke. Acoustic technology, in contrast, is not intrusive and has been designed for care home settings. Acoustic technology allows individual sensitivity settings for each resident and will alert staff when the thresholds are exceeded. It is highly accurate, so will sound if a resident falls, for example, or if a resident (e.g. with mobility problems) tries to get out of bed. When acoustic technology is used in an intelligent nurse alert system, it monitors resident welfare with a high level of accuracy. When triggered, an alert is sent to a professional operator who can assess the situation and forward the alarm directly to a carer’s device if applicable. That allows an immediate response, giving the resident the best outcome, including in cases of medical emergency. Acoustic technology also reduces adverse events, thanks to the quality and consistency of its monitoring that allows swift and preventive action. For example, it reduced resident falls by 35% in one facility. Meanwhile, carers can reduce the number of in-person visits and can maintain their focus on other work, such as meeting the needs of individual residents, which increases morale and productivity. For the residents, acoustic monitoring delivers the privacy, dignity, self-determination and appropriate independence that good care homes provide for their residents. It gives them a more relaxing and homely environment and allows healthy sleep cycles that enhance their quality of life. Above all, it keeps them safe. It is time for care homes to make technologies work for them The pandemic has caused much anxiety for care home providers, residents and their families. It has also focused national attention, perhaps more than ever before, on the most vulnerable members of our society and the people who dedicate their lives to caring for them. It has been an incredibly hard and draining time. Innovative technologies in care homes, such as acoustic monitoring, provide an exciting opportunity to move the emphasis from intrusive and unnecessary checks to discreet, yet continuous, monitoring that gives both residents and carers the comfort and security that a home should have. By putting the right technology to work in care homes, we can relieve that burden and grow a care sector that genuinely provides the relaxing and homely environment that all residents, families and staff desire, along with the top-quality care and working conditions they deserve.
Workforce Scheduling Solutions Workforce Scheduling Solutions deliver Electronic Time & Attendance systems worldwide, using the latest Face Recognition technology.
Why should care homes move from paper to electronic time sheets
The industry is under considerable financial pressures. An efficient electronic booking on/off system that will schedule, provide budgets, calculate hours worked, overtime and absence such as sickness and holiday entitlement will save Time and Money.
How is time and money saved by doing things electronically?
Collecting payroll information from paper timesheets can be slow, prone to errors, and very labour intensive. Staff rosters can be produced as far in advance as practical and accurate within budgeted hours. Staff book on and off-duty electronically, thus eliminating any time errors. Wage queries are virtually eliminated and immediate checks can be made without wading through reams of paper which invariably are inaccurate, misfiled or even 'lost".
There are many systems on the market - Why facial recognition is important and how it works
Some systems use tokens, which can be lost or left at home, requiring management involvement in the booking on/off procedure. Fingerprint systems can be beaten and Social media is awash with ways to copy fingerprints. Face recognition combined with a staff PIN is simple to use and manage using touch screen technology and web cams. Staff see their image displayed immediately when booking on or off and confirms their identity visually. It provides the best deterrent available as it builds a greater 'image knowledge’ of each employee, a picture is worth a thousand words. Eliminates 'buddy punching' where employees can book colleagues on/off duty using someone’s tokens, swipe card or even fingerprint.
How is data protected?
With the correct security setup computer systems provide more data protection than paper-based records which can be easily removed or stolen. GDPR covers all data including paper records and therefore the chances of infringing the rules and incurring fines is greater with paper.
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23 | PAGE 45
TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE Technology in a Post-Covid World Let’s not beat around the bush: It’s been a terrible year so far. Healthcare around the world has been pushed to the limits. Here in the UK our amazing NHS pulled out all the stops, despite being hugely underfunded even before the pandemic. The unsung heroes were the Social Care sector. We heard many appalling stories of both staff and residents falling victim to this indiscriminatory virus and but also stories of people’s love and determination to help the more vulnerable amongst us. As we move towards a new post lockdown phase, we ask ourselves: How have we survived so far and what does the future have in store? Since the prime minister announced in March that we were to stay at home, we have clung on to two factors to help our mental health manage the dramatic change to our lives: long walks and video conferencing and sometimes, but not being too over indulgent, both at the same time. As many of us prepare to work from home, the discovery of “Zoom”, mainly known as a colourful ice lolly to many before March, transformed the way we began to communicate. Zoom saw its number of users explode from 10 million a day to 200 million over lockdown. Video conferencing isn’t just for business though. It allowed families and friends to remain connected throughout. Crowd funding appeals began to help raise money to pay for tablets. These were given to residents in care homes to ensure they too weren’t missing out on the digital party. It’s not just the video conferencing either. We’ve exercised with Joe Wicks and we’ve written
or partaken in online quizzes. Most of us have had more time to interact with friends and family because other distractions have been taken away. Now we’ve been able to move away from lockdown thanks to government initiatives such as Test and Trace. So, we must ask ourselves, where would we have been without technology? Amazingly, despite most of us having access to computers, tablets and smart phones, almost three quarters of our sector are still operating paper-based systems within their homes? We have fully embraced technology for our personal use, but why not our business? We’ve relied on it for months, it’s enriched our lives, imagine what it could do in our places of work. Will changing to a computer-based care system, like Ablyss CMS, change our lives? No. But, will it make a positive impact to the way we operate and run our businesses? Yes. We need to learn from the lessons of 2020. We don’t know what’s around the corner, so it’s impossible to be ready for the next challenge. But we can do our best to be prepared. The future is not written on a piece of paper, it is changeable, it will adapt and will, occasionally, throw us a Covid-shaped curve ball! We need adaptive systems in place to help us navigate the road ahead. We need to fully embrace and invest in the technology and advances that are available to us. Put faith in technology. We’ve tested it to its limits and now we know, we DO need it. See the advert on this page for more information about Ablyss.
Mainteno Facilities Maintenance and Management Software Whether it’s managing planned maintenance or dealing with fault repairs, Mainteno simplifies the day-to-day maintenance of almost any organisation. Mainteno also seamlessly incorporates asset management and tracking. Mainteno streamlines every aspect of the maintenance management process, saving your organisation time and money.
USABILITY MADE AFFORDABLE Mainteno was designed with practicality in mind. The interface is so intuitive that basic operation can be learned in minutes, and you can be a power user in one afternoon. Elegant usability usually means a hefty price tag. However, our pricing structure means that for small organisations, Mainteno can cost as little as two cups
of coffee a month. No set-up fees, no lengthy contracts and a free trial, all mean that the system starts paying for itself straight away. Dr Asif Raja, Bsc MBBS Summercare Managing Director says “Facing significant challenges of ever increasing quality and compliance demands upon time and resources as well considerable economic pressures, Summercare, an award winning provider of residential care and housing related support, sought to upgrade their systems for managing the property and environmental aspects of its service delivery. After an extensive period of investigation and research Mainteno was selected as the platform of choice for the entire organization based on its ease of use, very short-term contract, quick set up and ongoing support.” Visit www.mainteno.com, Tel: 020 8798 3713 or email sales@redro.co.uk
www.mainteno.com
sales@redro.co.uk
Please Please mention mention THE THE CARER CARER when when responding responding to to advertising. advertising.
PAGE 46 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23
TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE Covid19: Accelerating the Use of Digital Technology in Healthcare As this crisis impacts every part of the health sector, significant vulnerabilities are being exposed. The NHS ‘digital revolution’ has long been touted as the key to futureproofing both Social Care and our health service in the face of increasing patient demand. That demand has now reached unprecedented levels and seems unlikely ever to revert to previous trends; against that background; there is an urgent requirement to move quickly to realise the opportunities which are available from digital technology. It is no longer an interesting speculation; it is an essential requirement to support staff and save lives. (Rt Hon Stephen Dorrell)
when invoicing? How many industries with shift workers rely on manual payroll processing outside the care sector? Repeatable systems should harness the power of technology to cut back the massive waste of man hours spent processing and checking manual tasks. In order to work out the best technology for your needs, you should assess your current systems against your requirements. Think about what inefficiencies exist in your homes and how you could: 1. Capture relevant information, such as resident/staff details, in a simple, time-efficient way. 2. Manage your documents to ensure that information is dealt with logically. 3. Avoid duplication at all costs; completing handwritten timesheets which then need to be manually inputted into payroll is a massive, unnecessary waste of time & manpower. 4. Address technological obstacles. The perception that your staffs are not IT literate is out of date; most people own a smart phone so yes they are! See www.fusion4care.com for details or see the advert on page 17.
USING TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY Poor efficiencies in many areas of the sector are caused by the lack of investment in technology. Technology will improve the way your staff carry out tasks by either speed up existing processes or allowing new, more flexible and accurate ways of carrying out a job or process which will in turn enables live real time management information. Would you expect to check out of a hotel with an invoice and extras raised in Word or Excel so why do many operators still use this method
WristPIT from Pinpoint The WristPIT from Pinpoint,is a bespoke patient call transmitter designed to be worn on the wrist. This wrist-worn personal infrared transmitter (WristPIT) is easily accessible and allows patients to activate a call for even if they are away from their bed or a fixed call-point. Pinpoint’s renowned PIT technology (usually worn by staff for personal safety) has, for the first time, been designed around patient use. The WristPIT can withstand showering and brief submersion in water and also incorporates antimicrobial product protection, reducing the ability for bacteria to grow. According to figures published by the National Reporting and Learning System, around 250,000 incidents where patients required assistance in hospital were reported in 2015/16. In many cases, nursing staff remained unaware that a patient had had a fall for quite some time.
Pressing the clearly labelled call button on the WristPIT notifies the personnel on duty that a patient is requesting help and informs staff exactly where the patient is. The call button is recessed and surrounded by a bump guard to prevent false alarms. Pinpoint Alarm Systems are installed in thousands of medical facilities throughout the UK and USA. The new WristPIT is backward compatible and easily integrated into existing Pinpoint Systems. A green LED indicates the WristPIT is ‘activated’ with good battery level. When the battery requires changing, the LED flashes red until the battery is changed and the device has been retested. In addition to being water-resistant, the WristPIT has been designed to withstand harsh environments and user tampering, meaning suitability for facilities where service users may be at risk of self-harm. For more information: www.pinpointlimited.com or see the advert on this page.
CARE VISION – Outstanding Care is at the Heart of Everything We Do At Carevision, outstanding care truly is at the heart of everything they do. They have combined over 40 years of hands on experience running care homes and working with some of the smartest mind in tech, they have created Care Vision - An all-inone, cloud-based system that incorporates all your care and admin in to one easy to use system. Carers can compile resident notes, health observations and EMAR. Care home managers can manage rotas, accounts, HR and house-keeping tasks and log visitors using the digital visitor book. Residents can use the system to make personal choices on meals and activities and use the app to keep in touch with family and friends. Rishi Jawaheer, director at Care Vision says “The 100+ care homes
PINPOINT WRISTPIT The WristPIT is a wrist worn Personal Infrared Transmitter designed exclusively for patient use. The latest call button is recessed and surrounded by a bump guard to prevent false alarms. It is also backward compatible, allowing seamless integration into existing Pinpoint Systems.
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that use our system have seen its benefits – They are saving 2-4 hours of staff hours per resident, per week and they are achieving outstanding CQC results. Carers love it, residents and relatives love it, and care home managers can’t remember how challenging managing a care home was before it.” Of course, taking on a whole new system can seem daunting, that’s why Care Vision offer minimal investment, all round support and flexible hardware options. They don’t feel the need for long-term contracts, Rishi says “We have total confidence, once you use Care Vision, you will love it as much as we do.” The Care Vision team would love to talk to you about what the system can do for you. Contact at info@care-vision.co.uk or call 0208 768 9809. See the advert on page 45 for details.
PAGE 48 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 23
PROFESSIONAL AND TRAINING
Dementia Training - Caring During a Crisis
Theresa McNally, Creative Practice Manager at specialist dementia care provider Vida Healthcare, discusses progressing with dementia training within care environments during a pandemic and the different stages of dealing with people living with dementia. Caring for individuals living with dementia brings many challenges, and a global pandemic makes caring for one of our population’s most vulnerable groups even more difficult. When it comes to successfully supporting people living with dementia, suitable education and progression is crucial. The issues of ‘dementia training’ There are numerous training courses available for people who need to understand the fundamentals of supporting people living with dementia. However, too often we see people on these courses who don’t understand the role of education as the concept of dementia training is notoriously problematic. It can be challenging to direct training focus as there are many aspects to consider from the neurological and emotional impact of dementia, to the physical symptoms. Yet dementia training should include all of these issues to ensure it takes into account the fact that every individual is affected differently.
The importance of training leaders While content is important, the person delivering training and their credentials must be taken into account as their methods of imparting knowledge are crucial. Training leaders should come to sessions vibrant and enthused, with the necessary skills to ensure the right knowledge is imparted. It’s also crucial that the need for genuine connections between trainees and the people they care for is emphasised, beyond specific exercises or situations. Trainers must take into account that people who undertake training will have different opinions of what will enable them to be successful in their role as caregiver. Certain individuals are likely to want to be aware of the procedure for every scenario and the facts involved. How can individuals progress? For individuals to progress, they need to receive teaching that is positive and emotional. Dementia is an emotional condition and any training must mirror this if efficient and effective care is to be consistently delivered. In-house training is also a great tool for care operators to give their staff opportunities to progress. A successful organisation should recognise natural leaders and talented individuals and nurture them. This will not only improve their ability to support residents living with dementia, but also pass on their knowledge to other staff members. In terms of training during a pandemic, COVID-19 has brought about a unique set of problems. Any classroom based training is of course not currently possible, therefore creativity is more important than ever before. Although video calling platforms such as Zoom are useful, they do have their limitations. Face-to-face learning is the best way to progress in care ability and so it has been challenging to navigate this, for example increasing time spent coaching and mentoring, in such an unprecedented situation. Progression within dementia training can take many forms, particularly during a pandemic. People who care for individuals living with dementia should look to their colleagues, or to people who inspire them. Social care providers and employers should also consider effective supervision and the provision of ongoing learning to ensure staff are supported and provided for. The language of stages
Although there are many different types of dementia and each one can lead to deterioration, it is unhelpful to employ specific language around stages of the illness. Each individual living with dementia is different and it’s important to understand that everyone will be affected differently. Although there are milestones to a dementia journey and certain similarities, such as loss of memory or the ability to relate to the world, which can develop our awareness of what needs to be considered in providing care, these won’t be shared by everyone. Providing the right care In the very beginning of an individual’s journey it can be helpful to share the early symptoms with other people also experiencing issues with memory as this can be comforting. However, as dementia progresses the majority of people tend to lose insight in terms of taking comfort from associating with people going through similar experiences. From the point of view of care, it makes sense to support people with similar needs and to ensure the right people are employed to offer appropriate and consistent levels of care and support to individuals. An environment should also be offered that not only meets current care needs, but is able to progress with individuals as they move through their dementia journey. In terms of care homes, assigning designated teams to different areas can encourage specialisms to develop amongst staff. As people progress through their dementia journey their needs will change but the requirement for suitable care and enrichment doesn’t diminish. Everyone needs purpose and fun experiences to maintain a meaningful life and this is no different for people living with dementia, therefore all care should take this into account. However it’s important to make sure the right entertainment is being delivered for each individual. Coronavirus and the changes that have followed have meant that caring for someone living with dementia has become increasingly challenging. However if training is deployed efficiently, and caregivers understand the role of personalisation and entertainment, the future of dementia care looks bright. For more information on the specialist dementia care available and dementia training, please visit www.vidahealthcare.co.uk
Employee Engagement: Employee Retention Are you spending too much time on recruitment and not enough time engaging with your current employees? This is not an uncommon situation to find yourself in and is magnified by the current COVID-19 crisis where you may have to be making difficult decisions with redundancies or unable to meet your demand for care worker. It’s important to note, these are not just a couple of buzz words used by HR managers; engaging with your employees can have a significant, positive impact on your business and its performance. This handy checklist will help create a more employee focused organisation and help towards retaining your valued employees: Selection – Be open and honest about the role and
responsibilities at the initial recruitment stage Development and progression – Offer opportunities for employees to gain skills and build on their career Engage employees – ensure you’re having regular performance conversations and reviews, conduct surveys and have in place a grievance procedure Be flexible - Wherever possible, accommodate individual preferences on working hours and times Manage work load - Monitor workload and ensure it is manageable within working hours Employee well-being - Support employees with issues such as workplace stress For further information, contact The Policy Library. See the advert on the facing page for details.
Meaningful Care Matters Established in 2019, Meaningful Care Matters (MCM) focuses on the development of resilient relationship-centred cultures of care shaped by the people living and working within them. MCM believe that when cultures of care express the personhood of people within them, caregiving is meaningful for everyone involved. In these person-centred services both “caregivers” and recipients of care can flourish. Meaningful Care Matters recognises that individual well-being is not an ‘individual’ matter. Our relationships with the people, places and things that have shaped our life journey make us who we are and sustain our sense of personhood. Engaging in moments, experiences and activities that resonate with who we are and meet our needs for love, attachment, belonging, agency, occupation, comfort and attachment makes life meaningful. Individual ill-being occurs when these relationships are undermined and life lacks meaning and purpose when such connections are absent in our daily lives. Meaningful relationships make us feel secure, free and able and help us to feel at home in ourselves. Having a diagnosis, disease, cognitive or physical impairments does not take these feelings away from
us, it just makes these relationships matter even more. Nurturing these person-centred relationships is therefore key to sustaining individual well-being and developing an emotionally resilient culture of care. MCM believe that care is most meaningful when it is informed by carers' lived experience as well as an empathic understanding of what matters most to each recipient of care. This means that every personcentred practice and relationship is unique, reflecting the individuality of the people giving and receiving care and the specificity of the context in which it occurs. This stance establishes self-awareness, emotional intelligence and spontaneity as a key competency for carers. Person-centred care is therefore enhanced when carers have the confidence to be themselves, the insight to know what makes each encounter meaningful and the freedom to be guided by their empathy and practiced wisdom. MCM helps care providers optimise healthcare outcomes and realize their full potential by transforming the features of their service that undermine relationships and developing the features of care that help person-centred relationships to flourish. Meaningful Care Matters facilitates transformation of care cultures and works across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and Australia with an approach to support people to be ‘free to be me’. See the advert on age 52 for details.
PROFESSIONAL AND TRAINING
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