April 2012

no.191 • £4.75

In association with

By Dominic Musgrave

ONE of the South’s biggest privatecare providers is calling for a returnto a star rating system to helppeople choose between care homes.

Ian Hudson, managing director ofColten Care, which operates 18 careand dementia homes in Dorset,Wiltshire and Hampshire, believesthe industry regulator made thewrong decision to axe what werewidely understood star ratings.

He made the call as a coalition ofpoliticians, professional bodies,charities and the CQC itself areadvocating a new Dignity Codeinvolving a common set ofstandards for care and statedguarantees that elderly people willbe treated with respect.

“A straightforward, easy tounderstand star rating would givethe public very useful informationon the assessment of individualhomes and drive up care quality,”added Ian. “As care operators paysuch substantial amounts to haveinspections, we should be able toexpect the CQC to have the toolsand impartiality to provide someform of rating mechanism to sortthe wheat from the chaff.”

“There is a danger that we maybecome overly reliant on consumerobservations. The CQC is ideallyplaced as the industry regulator to

take a lead in making externalguidance available for using carehomes.

He added that the group currentlypays approximately £100,000 inregistration fees to the CQC a yearacross its 18 homes.

“A robust, consistent rating systemwould complement referrals, wordof mouth, inspection reports andvisiting as ways to decide on achoice of care home,” said Ian. “The‘Trip advisor’ route relies onindividuals posting commentsonline when they may not befamiliar with either industrystandards or the regulatoryenvironment.”

“We of course endorse theprinciple of a set of standardsregarding the care of the elderly butit needs to be properlybenchmarked in the marketplace.

“The CQC should take theopportunity to reinstate what wasgenerally accepted as working well.A rating system driven by theindustry regulator would not onlybenefit people choosing care homesfor their relatives.

“It would also help PCTs and socialservices when they are looking toplace residents from the NHS andlocal authority sectors.”

� What do you think? Let DominicMusgrave know by emailingdm@whpl.net or call 01226 734407.

Operator callsfor the returnof star ratings

Head of strategic development Lynne Gray waspresented with a special recognition award by localtelevision presenter Steve Walls at North East providerHelen McArdle Care’s annual awards ceremony. Theevent at the Newcastle Gateshead Hilton broughttogether more than 200 of the group’s staff, with theawards covering care, catering, housekeeping, nursing,activities and management. Greenways Court in Consettwas named the group’s care home of the year.For more from the awards see next month’s magazine.

MP backscall forelderlyministerED Balls, shadowchancellor and MP forMorley and Outwood,gave his backing to theGrey Pride campaignduring a visit to a carehome in hisconstituency.

During his visit toSchofield Court inMorley, a retirementhousing property inMorley which is home to40 customers, he said:“I’m really pleased thatAnchor has taken theinitiative to create theGrey Pride campaign.

“Talking to residents it’sreally important there isa strong voice for olderpeople in Parliament andGovernment.

“Whether it’s on issueslike social care, theradical changes beingproposed to our NHS orcuts in police numbers,older people deserve astrong voice to stand upfor the issues that mattermost to them.”

Liz Kendall wasappointed shadowminister for older peoplelast year after a petitioncollected more than137,000 signatures.

incorporating

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3CARINGNEWS

AdvertisingSales and Marketing Director:Tony BarryTel: 01226 734605Email: tb@whpl.netAssistant Sales Manager:Heather WelshTel: 01226 734480 Email: hw@whpl.netNational Sales Executive:Mandy EdwardsTel: 01226 734692 Email: mandye@caring-uk.co.ukFax: 01226 734477

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Database enquiries to:01226 734695 E-mail: circulation@wharncliffepublishing.co.ukWhilst every effort is made toensure the accuracy of all con-tent, the publishers do notaccept liability for error, printedor otherwise, that may occur.

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You can now follow us on Twitter at caringuk

By Dominic Musgrave

STAFF from some of the country’s leadingcare providers joined the Care andSupport Alliance’s Care in Crisis masslobby on Westminster.

The organisation made up of more than50 charities were meeting with more thantwo-thirds of English MPs to call for anend to the crisis in care.

Among the campaigners at the Londonevent were representatives from bothAnchor and Jewish Care.

The former has led calls for a dedicatedMinister for Older People as part of itsGrey Pride campaign, and representativesfrom eight regions attended to try andpersuade MPs to add their support.

The managers also handed them lettersof support from older people living inAnchor properties in the MPs’ con-stituencies.

Chief executive Jane Ashcroft said: “AMinister for Older People is needed tolook after the many issues impacting onthe quality of life for older people today –not just social care but also housing,transport, pensions and age discrimina-tion.

“Setting in stone the amount that olderpeople will need to pay for their socialcare will make it easier to plan for laterlife. Our representatives have helped bymaking sure MPs understand that theseare changes that need to be made.

“We hope that the coalition listens tothe 137,000 people who backed Anchor’scall for a dedicated Minister for OlderPeople last year.

“Without a dedicated Minister to takeresponsibility for reform, any changesmay well come too late for the estimated800,000 older people currently left with-out basic care who are lonely, vulnerable

and at risk.”Hundreds more people targeted their

MPs online using Facebook and Twitterin the world’s first inter-active ‘twobby’.

Simon Morris, chief executive of JewishCare, added: “With many people in ourcommunity facing difficulty in accessingcare due to financial constraints wewanted to draw attention of the plight ofolder people by attending the mass lobbyat the Houses of Parliament.

“Much of the cost of providing supportto our Jewish community comes from thelocal authorities but we have to make upthe shortfall through fundraising.

“By bringing this to the attention of thedecision makers in Westminster, we hopethat the government commits to closingthe funding gap in social care andensures funding continues to increasewith future growing demand.”

Providers join mass lobbyAnchor staff at Westminster.

Residents of Jewish Care's Rubens House in Finchley with some of themanagement team and actor and campaigner Tony Robinson.

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Sue helps recruit newcaretaker DominicBy Dominic Musgrave

RESIDENTS have been involved inthe recruitment of the latest memberof staff at Radbrook Nursing Home inShrewsbury.

Sue Anthony, a resident at theMorris Care run facility, was invitedto become a part of the interviewprocess when the care home beganlooking for a new caretaker.

Dominic Morgan has been recruitedand is proving an invaluable memberof staff at the care home.

Nurse manager Sue Austin said:“Many of those living at Radbrookhave gained skills and experiencesthroughout their lives which qualifythem perfectly to take part in theinterview process.

“We felt that it would be veryvaluable to involve residents in ourrecruitment process, as it is soimportant that all staff are able torelate to our residents. This is theirhome, and we strongly believe thatthey should be part of thesedecisions.”

After six candidates were selectedfor interview, Sue, a retired nurse,talked to each candidate before theirformal interview to learn more aboutthem, including their interests andhobbies. Following their interview,she gave feedback on each applicant,

and the unanimous decision wasreached that Dominic was the bestcandidate for the role.

Margaret Maudsley, chief executiveof the group, added: “At Morris Carewe believe that the personality ofstaff, and the empathy they have withour residents, is just as important astechnical skills and qualifications,and this is reflected in ourrecruitment process.

“We have always maintained it is

most important that our residentsexpress their opinion and influencethe running of the home, and we aredelighted that this issue has beenbrought to the forefront of thenation’s attention in a new report forthe NHS and Age UK.”

� Do you involve the residents inthe recruitment process at your carehome? Let Dominic Musgrave knowyour experiences by emailingdm@whpl.net

Dominic Morgan with resident Sue Anthony and Radbrook Nursing Home nurse managerSue Austin.

Valentine’sevent extraspecial atcare homeSTAFF at a care home inNewcastle put up decorations andcreated a special menu to helpresidents celebrate bothValentine’s Day and its 24thanniversary.

Amber House in BrunswickVillage originally opened onValentine’s Day in 1988 and, as itgoes into its 25th year ofoperation, it has a bright future tolook forward to.

The home was looking for anexperienced and passionatemanagement team that wouldput care at the heart of itsbusiness. Care Homes UK Ltdnow run the facility with AnnaBlakey at the helm, and with thesupport of care consultantsWright Care Solutions Ltd.

Anna, who has worked at theAmber House for 20 years, said:“We offer a high standard of careto all who come and stay with us.”

A team member’s husbandprovided the wine for the event,made with bespoke Amber Houselabels, to help raise money for theresidents’ fund.

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By Dominic Musgrave

FLORENCE House near Glasgowhas taken part in a national evalua-tion of a new education initiativeto support infection preventionand control in care homes and thehome environment acrossScotland.

The scheme was developed byNHS Education for Scotland inpartnership with the CareInspectorate, and staff at theLambhill Court Ltd owned homehas been working with local carehome education facilitator KarynHamilton to implement it.

The home’s infection controlchampion Linda Conachan workedclosely with 30 staff over the courseof three months to complete thePreventing Infection in CareProgramme.

As part of an evaluation of theimpact of this programme withinthe pilot sites, Linda and a team offive care assistants attended focusgroup meetings with other localcare homes.

Joan Sands, home manager atFlorence House, which has 55 en-suite bedrooms and three self-con-tained flats within a convertedschool building, said: “We weredelighted to have been chosen by

NES to be involved in the pilotstudy and evaluation and reportedno seasonal outbreaks of influenzathis winter.

“Staff are very keen to participatein focus groups and training andare therefore encouraged and sup-ported to achieve a higher stan-dard in order to ensure the homecontinues to provide the best pos-sible care.

“In addition to our infection con-trol group we also have a nutritiongroup and nurturing dementiagroup and soon to be continencefocus group.”

The Programme addresses thenational and local priorities forinfection prevention and controland extends throughout health-care, health protection and healthpromotion.

It offers education to supportinfection control committees andteams co-ordinate and monitor allthe detailed work of preventingand controlling infection througheffective communication, educa-tion, and risk assessment.

Teams can then consider qualityimprovement approaches throughaudit or surveillance, and reviewlocal policies and procedures tosupport their local practice.

Home takes partin infection trial

Staff and residents at a Merseyside care home will be taking part in Wear a Hat Day tohelp Brain Tumour Research at the end of the month.The charity is particularly poignant for Parr Care Home in St Helens because a memberof staff’s relation Tom Langley died last November from a brain tumour at the age of 21.Matron Colleen Blaney is pictured with staff at the home ahead of the big day.

A DETACHMENT of British officersmore used to dangerous frontlinemanoeuvres brought a taste of armyservice to a Bournemouth nursinghome.

Members of the Royal Corps ofSignals Troop Commanders Coursetook over the Avon Cliff home, dis-pensing afternoon tea and cakes,joining residents on a seafront outingand sharing supper.

The exercise, planned with typicalmilitary precision, followed a requestfrom the regiment to offer servingsoldiers the experience of helpingelderly people in the community.

In all, 20 uniformed servicemen andwomen spent time with nearly 50 res-idents, talking about army life andcomparing wartime stories from pastand present.

Residents’ collective military experi-ence included World War Two servicewith the Royal Fusiliers, RAF, LandArmy and Royal Army Service Corps.

Jan Wilson, Colten Care’s director ofoperations, said: “We have many oldsoldiers in our homes and the chanceto spend a few hours face-to-facewith their modern day equivalentsproved to be a really joyful occasion.”

Residents spend day with Army

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By Helen Williams

ONE of the UK’s leading care homeprofessionals has called on thechancellor to cut the rate of VAT onrefurbishment of health sectorproperties.

Robert Kilgour, chairman ofRenaissance Care Scotland, whichoperates seven care homes aroundScotland, has urged George Osborneto temporarily reduce VAT to five percent on health sector propertyrefurbishments, renovations andimprovements in his forthcomingBudget.

By cutting the VAT rate from 20 percent, Robert argues the Chancellorcould signal the green light fordozens of refurbishment programmesaround the country, driving upstandards in the care home industryand providing a boost to strugglingconstruction companies.

He said: “Across the industry, I knowof dozens of refurbishmentprogrammes which simply can’t getoff the starting blocks due to thecosts involved.

“Twenty per cent is too high a priceto pay and finance when we’re talking

about improvement works onhealthcare properties that can runinto hundreds of thousands ofpounds at a time.

“By cutting the VAT rate forcompanies and partnerships in thehealthcare sector, the Chancellorcould at a stroke give the green lightfor dozens of projects across the UK,protect jobs and potentially createhundreds of new ones in theconstruction industry.

“As it is, these projects are nothappening. Standards in the carehome industry are improving.However, cutting the rate of VAT oncapital refurbishment projects nowwill lead to a step change in thequality of care these facilities canoffer now and for years into thefuture.”

Robert founded Four SeasonsHealthcare in 1989, leaving in 1999having successfully spearheaded thepublic-private takeover of CrestacarePlc in a deal worth £127m.

But the serial entrepreneur hasmaintained his involvement in thehealthcare sector and last year tookover the running of four formerSouthern Cross homes in Scotland.

Operator callsfor chancellorto cut VAT rate

Springfield House manager Lisa Hall with Anna Kirk from Marie Curie Cancer Care andparticipants in the dance event.

A NORTH East care home held aZumba style daffodil dance and acoffee morning to raise money forMarie Curie Cancer Care’s annualGreat Daffodil Appeal.

Funds raised during the day atHelen McArdle Care’s SpringfieldHouse will be spent in the region,allowing the charity to continueproviding specialist end-of-life careto patients with terminal illnesses, in

addition to emotional and respitesupport to their families, completelyfree of charge.

The home’s manager Lisa Hall said:“It is important for Springfield Houseto support Marie Curie Cancer Carebecause we believe it is vital toprovide people, young or old, withthe dignity, care and comfort thatthey deserve, while offering choicesat every stage of their care.”

Daffodil dance raises funds

A MIDLANDS care group hasinstalled aviaries at its homes for theresidents.

Among the birds at the LangdaleGroup homes are quails, canaries and

budgerigars, and Michelle Howe,manager of Langdale Lodge inChesterfield, said they have proved tobe ‘a big hit’ with both the residentsand their families.

Group installs aviaries in grounds

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THE residents of a care home inWatford made the journey to theirnew home in style when they weregiven a lift in a vintage car.

Tremona Care Home is due to bedemolished and replaced by a new44-bed facility later this year so itselderly residents have been moved toMontrose Care Home, which sits justaround the corner.

Bill Hughes, the chairman of B&MCare, who own the homes, broughthis 1911 Napier down on moving dayto take people between the two cen-tres – a tradition that began severalyears ago when residents in St Albansmoved from Clare Lodge to Tara’sRetreat a mile away.

He said: “Tremona has served the

elderly community well over the past32 years and has built up a reputationfor providing outstanding care for theelderly and for those who live withdementia.

“It has an enviable reputation in thecommunity amongst health profes-sionals like GPs and district nurses.But although the home had alwaysreceived good star ratings from theCQC, we felt that the building couldno longer meet the high standards ofenvironment and facilities that ourother homes offer.

“When the site at Montrose becameavailable it was purchased with aview to build a new 50-bed carehome that the Tremona residentscould move into.”

Resident Stella Harding with her family and the 1911 Napier.

Residents make journey tonew care home in style

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CARINGNEWS8

By Helen Williams

DANCE movement psychotherapystudents from Queen MargaretUniversity have been using their skillsto support care home residents.

A pilot scheme carried out invarious care homes by first yearstudents aimed to help participantsimprove their ability as well asbenefiting elderly residents.

Trainee dance movementpsychotherapists from QueenMargaret spent one or two days aweek in care homes where theyapplied the psychotherapeutic use ofmovement and dance to encourageresidents to engage emotionally,cognitively and physically.

Partner organisations NHSEducation for Scotland and the CareInspectorate are now looking intonew ways to use the practiseplacement model to help prepareAllied Health Professions students forthe changing health and social careenvironment.

Dr Vicky Karkou, programme leaderfor the course, said: “Thecollaboration presented a wonderfulopportunity to introduce dancemovement psychotherapy to carehomes and residents who previouslyhad no experience of this type oftherapy.

“Students and residents very quicklydeveloped meaningful relationships.This allowed residents, some, for thefirst time, to explore their emotionaldifficulties through movement.

“The students were also able tomake valuable connections withother residents and care staff byaddressing issues around isolation,loneliness, bereavement and loss, aswell as joy.

“We know from this initialexperience that there is a need toprovide ways of educating peopleabout what dance movementpsychotherapy is and how it cansupport the emotional well-being ofolder people through non-verbalcommunication.

“However, the reactions of residentsspoke volumes and it was rewardingfor both students and care homeproviders to witness the benefits ofthe student interaction.”

Care Inspectorate rehabilitationconsultant Edith Macintosh islooking into the use of care homes asa learning environment, along withother NES AHP education providers.

� Is your home currently workingwith students for a project or study?Let Dominic Musgrave know byemailing dm@whpl.net or telephone01226 734407.

Scottish homes trialdance therapy class

A care home on the Isle of Wight held a karaoke session for its residents.They also enjoyed cocktails and a fish and chip supper at Trent House in Cowes.Manager Jane Goddard said: “We pride ourselves in using local businesses so it wasn'tjust us who benefited from the event. Days like this ensure that families have fullinvolvement and an opportunity to get to know the staff in a slightly different light.” Ateam of volunteers at the home also co-ordinated a cake decorating competition, withall residents winning a prize.Activities co-ordinator Georgina Woodburn is pictured with resident Jim Whitewood.

RESIDENTS at Manor Care Centre inNairn were transported back in timeas they learned about Viking life.

The idea came from PatsyMathewson, who works inadministration at the home. She wentto the Viking Fire Festival ‘Up HellyAa’ with her husband in Shetland.

The fire festival is held on theShetland Islands every year andstarted in the 1880s.

People all over the island dress up intraditional Viking gear and marchthrough the town to celebrate theirNorse heritage. Patsy took in a three-and-a-half stone Viking suit worn byher husband during the festival.

She said: “Some of the residentswere eager to hear about the festivaland after telling them about it wedecided to have a Viking day at theManor.”

Residents learn Viking ways

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By Dominic Musgrave

THE inspectorate has been accusedof missing the point with its recentreport into how the healthcare needsof care home residents are being met.

The accusation came from ECCAchief executive Martin Green in hiscomments on the fact that CQC hasreleased data from its special reviewwhich he claims was originally con-ceived three years ago.

Inspection teams visited 81 carehomes for the study, examiningissues such as continence and GPaccess.

Martin said: “The CQC report onhealthcare in care homes completelymisses the point. This thematicreview was called for in the wake oftwo reports published by ECCA.

“These identified that many peoplein care homes were being deniedaccess to healthcare, or were beingforced to pay significant amounts ofmoney for services such as GPs thatshould have been free at the point ofneed.

“It is disappointing that the CQC, asan integrated regulator, has notunderstood that their reports shouldidentify any systemic issues thatdetract from delivering integratedservices.”

The review found good practice inareas such as care planning, with 77per cent of homes inspected takingthe views of the person into accountand 96 per cent identifying thechanging healthcare needs of resi-dents through informal or responsivemonitoring.

However, the review found thataccess to some services appeared tobe too variable. Despite care homeresidents having higher levels ofdependence on services than the restof the population, basic health needs

were unmet in some areas. In just under 40 per cent of homes

for older people, those who neededan initial continence assessmentwaited more than two weeks for it,which is considered too long and islikely to have an impact on their wel-fare.

More than a third of homes saidthey sometimes had problems gettingmedicines to residents on time and10 per cent said they paid for their GPsurgeries to visit.

CQC director of operations AmandaSherlock said: “All staff and relevantagencies, including the emergingcommissioning cluster groups, have arole in improving the quality of andaccess to healthcare services for carehome residents. This is a responsibili-ty which needs to be taken seriously.

“While we have identified goodpractice in areas, this review suggestssome providers have fallen short ofdelivering effective care by consider-ing the healthcare needs of residentsas a secondary requirement.”

Inspectorate’sreport ‘missesthe point’ saysECCA chief

Martin Green

Residents at an Edinburgh care home are to become even closer knit friends after beingdonated specially made knee blankets and shawls. The ‘Anything Goes Knitting Group’has given the covers to the council owned Marionville Court. The circle of knitters hitthe headlines last year when they knitted 700 colourful squares to cover the trees atLeith Links for the “cool wool” part of the Leith Festival. Those squares have now beenrecycled and turned into a series of blankets and other knitted items for various goodcauses across the city.

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CARINGNEWS10

An increasing number of care homes are installing computers for the use of their residents.Dominic Musgrave reports.

Tech savvy residents get onlineRESIDENTS at a Shropshire nursinghome will be able to instantly contactrelatives abroad after being trained touse the latest technology.

The Lady Forrester, in MuchWenlock, has installed internetcommunication tools Skype and Wi-Fi to give residents moreindependence. Skype enables peopleto conduct video phone calls througha computer free of charge, while Wi-Fi allows internet connection withoutwires.

An IT grant from the Social CareInstitute for Excellence, under the GetConnected Grant Scheme, will enablethree computers to be set up at thehome.

David English, director of EnglishCare which runs the home, said: “Wehave already installed the system atour other home, Bowbrook House inShrewsbury, and saw how oneresident could contact her daughterin Australia.

“At the Lady Forrester people liveeven more independently, so we’vealso introduced Wi-Fi and encouragepeople to do their shopping over theinternet. We’ve turned the old craftroom into an IT room, which localpeople will be able to use too.

“We’re hoping to have two or threecomputers running in the New Year.The inspectorate has said it’simpressed with what we have done.”

One 91-year-old resident wasplanning to contact her two sons viaSkype while another, aged 77, saidthat until now, her main experienceof technology was electric typewritersbeing introduced when she wasworking in Leeds Crown Court.

She was looking forward to speakingto her son and daughter in Stuttgart,Germany.

� A Larkfield care home hosted aFacebook training session todemonstrate to residents the benefitsof the social networking site.

Noticing an increasing amount ofresidents becoming interested incomputing, St Martins homemanager Jan Moulton organised thetraining event so residents couldbetter get to grips with socialnetworking.

After being talked through thebasics by two media savvy volunteers,four residents volunteered to havetheir own Facebook profiles created,and were soon searching for friendsand family to keep in touch with.

Jan said: “It offers a great way forour residents to keep in touch withtheir friends and family and I can’twait to see them get more and moreinto it, and we’ll support them alongthe way.

“The Facebook training was a greatday, and all the residents who tookpart really enjoyed it.”

A not-for-profit care organisation has been successful in its application for 15 laptopsas part of a community project. The laptops will allow residents living in CoverageCare’s homes to get online, surf the internet, SKYPE their relatives or even use it towrite a novel. They were provided by Telford based consulting, technology andoutsourcing services provider Capgemini as part of its ‘Kit in the Community’ project.Coverage Care Services’ business development officer Grace Dyke and chief executiveDavid Coull are pictured with Aspire internal communications manager Dean Smith,Martin Jones from Capgemini and resident Lucy Aldridge.

How to pay less taxIF YOU own, have bought or are selling a carehome or nursing home then you need to talk witha tax expert.

For a building purchased for £650,000, taxsavings in the region of £90,000 are common,while for larger establishments worth maybe £2m,savings of £360,000 are not unusual.

Even the most common of items can be worthsubstantial money to you: door handles, plugs,lights, and computer terminals can all add up topounds in your pocket.

Refits, refurbishments, extensions and newbuilds are common in your industry and, whileyou would expect to claim for new carpets, wouldyou claim for water pipes and electrical wiring?Typical claims take just 10 weeks.

Enquiries: For a copy of ‘The Property Owners guide to Capital Allowances’ contact HowardGivney on 01233 640985, email info@tax-ideas.co.uk or complete an online form at

www.tax-ideas.co.uk

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The must-have elements ofa care home’s websiteBy Rahul Katrak

DWINDLING occupancy levels, adecline in Government funding andincreased running costs have putpressure on many a care home’s bot-tom line.

Having gained an awareness of thechallenges and opportunities manycare home owners like yourself face, Iremain convinced that in these toughtimes, an intelligently branded andeffectively marketed website is one ofthe most powerful tools at your dis-posal.

They can generate enquiries,reduce costs and ensure that occu-pancy levels are at their highest.

A fresh sense of branding – whyshould they choose your home?A website will often be a prospectiveclient’s first contact with your carehome; first impressions are crucialand your website design needs to gobeyond simply being “nice”.

It needs to stand out, be memorableand grab attention with a distinctivebrand personality that communicateswhat makes your care home unique.

Say goodbye to bog standard logos,imagery and out-dated layouts andinvest in a fresh and unique “brand-ing solution” that conveys your corevalues effectively.

Effective and persuasive copywriting– talk to the client, not at themContent is king and an effective web-site should be filled with content thatis psychologically compelling andwhich will assure prospective clientsof the superior level of care that youcan provide. Write your website copyas if you are having a one to one con-versation with them, provide infor-mation which will address their ques-tions and concerns.

Communicate effectively and withempathy and you will see a dramaticincrease in the number of enquiriesthat your website generates.

Search engine optimisation – howare they going to find you?It often surprises me just how manycare home websites have been builtwith no thought given to gaining highsearch engine rankings, sitting pas-sively on the internet and awaiting aflood of prospective clients.

Your website must be optimised soit achieves a dominant presence inGoogle and other search engines,otherwise frankly you have failed tograsp the internet marketing oppor-tunity for your care home.

Social proof – the power oftestimonialsEntrusting the care of a loved one to a

care home is not an easy decision.One of the simplest ways to allay a

prospective client’s fears and doubtsis to give them an abundance of‘social proof’, feedback from otherclients who have benefited fromusing your services. These should behighly credible, either in the form oftestimonial letters on your website orbetter still, small video clips from res-idents and their families, speakingfavourably about your home, the staffand level of care provided.

� Rahul Katrak is an ebusiness con-sultant who runs Futura InternetServices.

Rahul Katrak

AN 89-year-old care home resi-dent has mastered sendingemails after attending a basiccomputer course at a nearbyschool.

Eric Dean, who lives at The Elmsin Crewe, took part in the free,weekly sessions at a local com-munity centre, said: “I took upthe course to learn how to sendemails as I wanted to be able toemail my son.

“It’s been very interesting andI’ve learnt so much more than Ithought I would.”

Eric Dean at his laptop.

IT coursehelps Ericemail son

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ELDERLY residents at a Redcar carefacility have been rolling up theirsleeves and getting messy in abespoke arts and crafts sessiondesigned to ease the effects ofdementia.

Yew Tree Care Centre welcomedspecialist creative practitioner ClaireFord to host a workshop as part oftheir commitment to roll out the verybest in elderly healthcare.

From sculpture and painting,through to poetry reading andstorytelling, residents sampled arange of sensory-based activities alldesigned to enhance their health andwellbeing in a relaxed atmosphere.

Sam Jones, activity co-ordinator atthe Executive Care Group owned site,which has 76 en-suite bedrooms,said: “We like to offer all our residentsa wide variety of activities and whenwe heard about Claire’s workshops weknew that they would provide avaluable therapeutic and funexperience to all our residents.

“Whether its arts and crafts,cooking, gardening in our greenhouseand allotment, or simply socialisingand watching a good film, we aim toprovide an environment which issocially stimulating, keeping theminds of our residents active.”

Claire has recently returned to theNorth East following a lengthyresearch mission throughout

America. It was during her travelsthat she decided to concentrate herenergies on conducting the sessionsfor the elderly and people sufferingwith dementia.

She said: “My focus is to use art as atool to stimulate and empowerpeople with dementia. One of the keyoutcomes of the workshops is toencourage self expression andpromote self understanding. Theresidents at Yew Tree responded really

well to the workshop many used it asa vehicle to reminisce which is oftenthe case when they are provided witha creative setting.

“Forward thinking care homes likeYew Tree are ensuring that our elderlypopulation is being well cared for, bymaking it their priority to provide aninspiring and caring environment inwhich to express themselves. I amlooking forward to working closelywith them in the future.”

Residents get messy forarts and crafts sessions

Claire Ford with resident Lilly Barwick.

Group togive closedhome newlease of lifeA WEST Sussex care home thatwas once owned by SouthernCross will be given a new startthis summer after Care UK agreedto buy and re-open it.

Managers at the company arepromising a ‘new beginning’ forOrchid View, which is currentlyclosed. Richard Pearman, CareUK’s director of businessdevelopment, said: “This emptybuilding has the potential to be areally fantastic, high quality homeproviding compassionate care forolder people including thoseliving with dementia.

“We won’t be reopening untilthe summer because we areabsolutely committed torecruiting and training the finestteam to deliver the high qualitycare that we are known for.”

All recruits to the new hometeam will undergo an intensivetraining programme regardless ofhow much experience they bringfrom previous roles.

The company is also openingnew homes in Halstead, EastGrinstead, Orpington andHailsham.

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CARINGNEWS14

Industry respondsto Commission’snew dignity reportBy Dominic Musgrave

SOME of the leading names in thecare industry have been giving theirreaction to the publication of a newreport which investigated thetreatment of older people.

Delivering Dignity produced jointlyby the Commission on ImprovingDignity in Care for Older People,made up of representatives from AgeUK, the NHS Confederation and theLocal Government Association,makes practical recommendationsfor fundamental change to “stampout undignified care”.

In total, the commission published48 draft recommendations whichincluded making dignity a priority atboard level, encouraging staff at alllevels to challenge bad practice andensuring patronising language, suchas ‘old dear’, is not used.

These will be consulted on over thenext month before a final action planis published in the summer.

National Care Forum executivedirector Des Kelly welcomed the ‘wellbalanced report’.

He added: “I am sure that theCommission?s conclusion thatundignified care is rooted indiscrimination in our society and ourcare system will be instantlyrecognisable to many.

“But it needs to be matched by adetermination to consign any lack ofrespect and kindness andcompassion in care services tohistory.”

These comments were echoed byOliver Thomas, UK director for BupaCare Homes.

He added: “The report recognisesthere is some great care beingprovided across the sector bythousands of dedicated staff whowork extremely hard to ensure thatdignity of all the older people in theircare is their top priority.

“We welcome and support theCommission’s call for best practice to

be celebrated and shared betteracross the social care sector.”

Lawrence Tomlinson, chairman ofIdeal Care Homes, welcomed thereport but said it was ‘truly appalling’that an investigation was necessary toimprove dignity in care for olderpeople.

He called for a fee structure to beput in place that rewarded quality ofcare, adding: “I give my full supportto the investigation and would love tosee it have an impact nationwideensuring the elderly are afforded thebasic human rights that the rest of uswould expect.

“Sadly, I am doubtful that without afull overhaul of the system, puttingquality at the heart of care structures,that this investigation will have fulleffect.

“Whilst price continues to play thefundamental role in commissioning,costs of staff and training will remainan issue for many providers.

“A strong national fee structure thatrewards quality would ensure thatthese sickening abuses are fully dis-incentivised and providers focus onwhat matters - the quality of care theresidents receive.”

Ideal Care Homes chairman Lawrence Tomlinson.

Oliver Thomas

Caring forthe elderlyshould startwith dignityBy Leon Smith

THE Commission on ImprovingDignity in Care for Older Peoplerecently urged the medicalestablishment to treat older peoplewith dignity.

The very process of aging, nolonger being able to do the mostelementary tasks and becomingincreasingly dependent on othersis in itself intrinsically important tohow people feel.

Many older people are too frail togo to the toilet by themselves. Evenbathing involves in many cases forlegal reasons, being hoisted on achair into a bath – a process whichcannot be considered as dignifiedunder any circumstances.

Notwithstanding this, there aresimple but vital things which weshould expect from all carers tomaximise the sense of dignity ofolder people and boost their self-esteem. For instance, in the carehome I run, I would not expect astaff member to address a residentby their first name withoutpreviously seeking theirpermission.

Similarly, I would expect aresident who was a doctor to beaddressed as “Doctor” unlessspecified differently. I would alwaysexpect staff to knock on the door ofa resident’s room before entering;not to speak in a patronising toneof voice; and never dismissanything they may say.

At Nightingale, we have goneeven further and have madedignity a priority in caring for ourresidents by developing andimplementing, a completelytailored person centred care modelin partnership with the Universityof Bradford’s internationallyrecognised centre for excellence,Bradford Dementia Group. SinceJanuary 2011, we have done ourvery best to tailor care according tothe history, personality andpreferences of every person.

I am particularly eager to ensurethat the staff members get to knoweach resident on an individuallevel, ensuring that they arerespected for what makes themunique. This is a big change fromthe one-size-fits all approach thatis so common in the health andsocial care sector.

Some of the biggest changes sofar have been around mealtimes.These may sound small but theyhave had an incredible impact.

Staff sit down to eat with theresidents, helping to developfriendship and mutual respect, andresidents can choose to eat theirmeals at any time of day, givingthem more freedom to lead theirlives as they please.

This approach is improving thelives of all of our residents, but it isparticularly important for thoseresidents with dementia, who areoften less able to express theirviews. We sit down with familymembers regularly so that we getto know each resident further,ultimately ensuring that it is theperson we treat, not the dementia.

We have a full-time projectmanager who is leading on thisprogramme to ensure that everymember of staff, from the cleanersand cooks to the carers, fundraisersand managers alike are extensivelyretrained.

She works closely with expertsfrom the Bradford Dementia Groupwho visit Nightingale once a weekto meet with team leaders and carestaff, and to identify where furthertraining is needed.

Nightingale is the living proofthat dignity in care is not just afancy concept or an abstractphilosophy; it can be a reality ifonly care homes gave themselvesthe means to implement it,ultimately making a hugedifference to the well-being of somany older people.

� Leon Smith is chief executive ofNightingale care home.

Leon Smith

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15CARINGNEWS

Event held tomark director’s20 years’ workTHE director of nursing for a Leedscare home group has been recog-nised by colleagues and residents atan event to mark her 20th anniver-sary with the company.

At the event for Bronwyn Gregoryheld at Westward Care Ltd’sHeadingley Hall facility, group man-aging director Peter Hodkinson said:“At a time when standards of elderlycare in the UK are increasingly beingcalled into question, it’s a constantreassurance to me that we haveBronwyn at the helm of the care sideof our organisation.

“Her pioneering approach and ulti-mate professionalism have helped usachieve an impressive collection ofawards and accreditations such asInvestors in People, Beacon statusaccreditation for Gold StandardsFramework End of Life Care andExcellent status with the Care QualityCommission. “

Bronwyn started her nursing careerat Leeds General Infirmary in 1975,moving on to a post at the Women’sHospital in Roundhay, Leeds beforebeing appointed senior sister special-ising in older people’s services at Ida

and Robert Arthington Hospital inCookridge, Leeds – a post she held for13 years.

She was approached by WestwardCare in 1992 to become matron of thecompany’s first care home,Southlands in Roundhay.

The home quickly gained a cred-itable reputation with the HealthAuthority, Social Services and theindependent sector.

Bronwyn was promoted to her cur-rent role shortly before transferring toSouth Leeds in 1995 to set up thecompany’s next venture, PenningtonCourt in Beeston – a 62-bed nursinghome.

Since then she has helped pioneer anew kind of care home at WestwardCare’s Headingley Hall which offers achoice of care rooms and privately-owned apartments with support pluslaunching ‘At Home’, a new outreachservice for those older people whochoose to stay in their own homes.

� Is a member of staff at your carehome celebrating a landmarkanniversary? Let Dominic Musgraveknow by emailing dm@whpl.net ortelephone 01226 734407.

Cinema opens with fancy dress daySTAFF dressed as famous film char-acters to help celebrate the openingof an Essex care home’s new cinemaroom.

The new facility at Windle Courtwill be open three days a week and

was designed to offer residents thecinema experience, as well as creat-ing a room for them to reminisce.

Popcorn and other treats will alsobe served to give a further sense ofauthenticity.

RESIDENTS at a Newcastle carehome took to the dance floor to showthe younger generation how theyWaltzed, Quickstepped and Cha ChaCha’d in their day.

Residents at the Craghall home inJesmond were treated to a perfor-mance by youngsters at the Wallsend-based Campbell Dancing School.

And it didn’t take long for the resi-dents to also take to the floor to sharesome steps with the young dancers.

The home’s manager ChristineBarbrook said: “The residents always

enjoy when groups like this comeinto the care home and they have aspecial affinity with dancing becausewhen they were young this is whatthey did.

“Many met their husbands andwives in the local dance hall, so to seethe younger generation performingdances from their day really makesthem happy.

“They didn’t take much encourage-ment to get on the dance floor to jointhe children and everyone had a greattime.”

Residents take to the floorResidents join members from Campbell Dancing School on the dance floor.

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CARINGNEWS16

By Dominic Musgrave

CARE home residents in North Walesare starting the Diamond Jubileecelebrations early.

As a result, the Queen can expect aspecial delivery from the artisticresidents of Pendine Park.

They are producing colourfulpostcards to mark the monarch'smomentous 60 years on the throne ina project that has beenmasterminded by the group’s artist-in-residence Sarah Edwards.

All the residents who want to takepart will be able to hang thelaminated postcards on a ‘jubileetree’ outside each of theorganisation's seven care homes inWrexham. Sixty of the postcards willalso be sent to the Queen inBuckingham Palace – one torepresent each year of her reign.

Sarah said that parties will be heldin all the homes on the big day.

She added: “We wanted a specialDiamond Jubilee project that couldinvolve every single resident acrossthe homes. The residents can makethe cards themselves or the activitiesteam can do it for them. It can be acollage, a drawing or a photograph on

the theme of the jubilee, with amessage to the Queen or memoriesassociated with the Queen.

“The project will have aCommonwealth flavour as it is suchan important institution to the Queenand will form a central part of theDiamond Jubilee celebrations.”

Residents’ links with the Queenhave been discovered while takingpart in the project, with one beingawarded the MBE, another meetingher when she visited the hospitalward where she was matron and athird seeing her when she came tovisit the North Wales town.

Sarah added: “The Jubilee MessageTree will also be festooned with theflags of the Commonwealth which isclose to the Queen's heart and a bigpart of the Diamond Jubileecelebrations.

“It’s a huge team effort andeverybody’s going to get involved, wewant all the staff to participate andfamily and friends.

“There is a great deal of enthusiasmand I think everybody is happy toparticipate so we’re also utilising theart classes, the photography classesand the calligraphy classes toproduce the postcards.”

Artistic residentsstart Jubileefestivities early

Sarah Edwards makes Diamond Jubilee postcards with resident Emma Locker.

Two prams donated forhome’s dementia unitSTAFF at a South Tyneside carehome are overjoyed at the donationof two prams for its dementia unit.

People living with the condition atPalmersdene residential home inJarrow use dolls and a pram as partof their therapy.

The home had a Silver Cross prambut, when a wheel was damaged,staff appealed for someone toreplace it.

Manager Maureen Patterson saidshe was delighted the appeal hadbeen so successful.

She added: “The prams will becentral to the therapy sessions we

hold with residents living withdementia.

“As the dementia experienced byan older person progresses, it willbecome more difficult for them toexpress their underlying emotions,and they can use a doll in a pram toexplain how they are feeling bytransferring their emotional stateonto it.

“The dolls and the prams are alsoused to help people with dementiato talk about what it was like whentheir children were growing up andbring back happy memories.”

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17CARINGNEWS

THE Caring UK newsdesk has beeninundated with calls and emailsfrom care home owners nationwidefollowing our March story on thelaunch of the Good Care Guide.

The new site allows individualsto rate care home and homecareproviders for their quality of care,facilities and value for money, aswell as make positive or nega-tive comments.

Care home proprietor MylesCullen agrees with the con-cerns raised by NCA chiefexecutive Sheila Scott in thelast issue.

“The scope for maliciouscomment is immense,” hesaid. “These sites only bene-fit the ego and pockets ofsite developers. Innocentindustrious carers will suf-fer.”

On Twitter, Jenny Twiggcommented: “In twominds about @CaringUK article oncare home ‘Trip Advisor’ stylereviews. Good tool, but is it too opento individuals' misuse?”

Margaret Lee, manager of DarenthGrange care home in Dartford, Kent,told Caring UK she can see both sidesof the argument when it comes tothis type of website.

She added: “The only thing elderlypeople or their families hear or readabout care homes are the cases ofabuse, and when it comes to choos-ing one it is a nightmare for the fami-ly and the person – almost likeRussian roulette.

“I think they should be able to readabout people’s experience in a carehome. I am fed up with the negative.

“What about the good home thatconsiders its residents and regularly

takes them out on trips to the zoo,theatre or on a boat, provides activi-ties and entertainment and has greatstaff?

“I think our residents’ familieswould love to write a review. Yes Itake the point that you can’t pleaseeveryone, but I am sure that if youhave lots of good comments and theodd one you can work that one outfor yourself – the same withTripAdvisor. When I review a hotel Itake the majority not the minorityview. I think it would put people’smind at rest if they can read an inde-pendent report not written by offi-cials but residents or relatives of peo-ple who actually live at the home.”

The industry has been giving its views on theTripAdvisor style websites that have been setup for care homes in England. DominicMusgrave reports.

Online ratingsites receivemixed reaction

Last month’s front cover.

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19CARINGNEWS

Shaw Healthcare chief executive Jeremy Nixey.

By Dominic Musgrave

ONE of the UK’s leading health andsocial care providers has achievedtwo industry accolades, including aglobal award which recognises themost outstanding practice in the over50s housing sector.

Shaw Healthcare, headquartered inCardiff, beat off competition from1,200 claimants across 37 countries towin the most outstanding extra carefacility manager award at the inau-gural Global Over 50s HousingAwards, which recognise the best per-formed individuals, companies andcontributors in the elderly housingindustry worldwide.

The awards were created to cele-brate the rapid growth of the over 50s’housing sector worldwide and thecapacity of individuals to influenceand set new performance standardsacross different countries andregions.

Shaw also achieved an award forbest employer at the UK Over 50’sHousing Awards, which celebratedthe best individual and company per-

formance across the UK.Chief executive Jeremy Nixey said:

“The fact we’ve achieved a globalaccolade for our housing provisionfor over 50s in the UK is fantasticrecognition for the hard work andexcellent service that our staff deliverevery day.

“Equally, as a business which oper-ates under a shared-ownership modelwhere our staff own 70 per cent of thebusiness, our national award for bestemployer is particularly pleasing anda great reward for the managementstandards and professionalism thatwe strive to achieve.

“We’re particularly keen to ensurethat our staff are equipped with allthe tools they need to provide thebest standard of care possible for allof our patients across the UK.”

Cardiff-based Shaw employsapproximately 4,500 staff to providecare to individuals in nursing and res-idential homes, hospitals, supportedliving arrangements, extra careschemes and domiciliary care set-tings.

Cardiff providerreceives globalrecognition

A BRISTOL care home is undergo-ing a major refurbishment costing£1.4m.

Brunelcare, who own RobinsonHouse, say they are makingimprovements to provide a posi-tive living experience and promotewell being in the accommodation,which is provided for older peopleand those living with dementia.

The home was originally built in1993 and offered accommodationfor 64 residents, including doublerooms for partners to share.

However, in order to accommo-date changing needs of residents,all rooms will be single with ensuite facilities, providing a total of70 rooms.

Home manager Sandra Paynesaid “The positive benefits therebuild will have for the residentsare numerous.

“Once completed, we will allbenefit from a fantastic living andworking environment. The staffhave an increased sense of pride,they are proud of the wonderfulfacilities provided for the residents

and the enhancement it brings totheir daily lives.”

The communal areas will also beimproved, offering residentsgreater flexibility and larger areasin which to enjoy.

Once the work is completedthere will be three lounges andthree dining rooms on each floor,as opposed to just one floor pro-viding these currently.

This allows the residents greaterflexibility and choice, of wherethey wish to sit, and with whom.

In addition to their own showerrooms, residents will also be ableto enjoy new spa baths in thebathrooms.

The courtyard area has also beenreconfigured and allows openaccess in a safe environment.

The garden will be landscaped byvolunteers and residents, later inthe year, with new large rooftopterrace being created to provide anarea from which to enjoy the gar-den.

The refurbishment is due to becompleted in May.

An artist’s impression of the new home.

Home’s £1.4m refurbset for May completion

Dignity award for WellfieldA MANCHESTER care home has beenrecognised by the city council fortreating its residents with dignity andrespect.

Wellfield House picked up a daisy

chain award following several visitsfrom an inspector, who assessedeverything from the personal care,dining experience and activities thatthe home provides.

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21CARINGNEWS

Residents raise a glassto home’s new pubBy Dominic Musgrave

RESIDENTS are toasting a new ‘local’attraction at their Bromsgrove carehome – their own private pub.

Regents Court has raised the bar forservice by transforming one of thedining rooms into a traditional tavern– complete with full bar, optics, minijukebox and pub-style table andchairs.

The Albert Arms was officiallyopened during an old-fashioned pub-themed day, with staff dressing in tra-ditional costumes.

Residents will now be able to take atrip down memory lane with tradi-tional pub grub on selected days suchas a ploughman's lunch or pie, and toenjoy their favourite tipple with achat on pub nights – all without leav-ing the comfort and safety of theirhome.

The Albert Arms – named after thehome's ground floor Albert Unit – hasbeen made possible thanks to a£3,750 grant from WorcesterDementia Standard.

Home administrator Claire Cardussaid: “Many of our residents are nolonger able to get out to the pub likethey used to when they were younger– so we thought we would bring thepub to them.

“We have a cassette jukebox loadedwith songs from the 40s and 50s and,for the opening night, female staffwere dressed as old-style servingwenches with the men in flat capsand waistcoats.

“The pub is all about helping resi-dents reminisce and socialise in a dif-ferent environment.”

The rest of the grant has been usedfor improvements to a snoozle room

at the specialist dementia care homerun by Redditch-based Alpha CareHomes.

The room has been decorated andequipped to resemble a beach scene,with mood lighting, soothing sounds,fish tank, giant bean bags for relaxingand clouds painted on the ceiling.

An upstairs corridor has also beendecorated as "Nature's Way" with for-est-scene wallpaper.

Care home administrator Claire Cardus with resident Judy Harrison.

Japanesestudentsspend dayat schemeA GROUP of students from Japanenjoyed tea and cakes with resi-dents at a Cheshunt retirementscheme.

The students, aged 17 and 18,are all in an interim periodbetween school and universityand are staying with families inthe area. The visit to EmmanuelLodge was organised by CulturalHome-Stay in Europe – a nonprofit organisation specialising inhome-stay based education studyprogrammes for groups and indi-vidual students visiting the UKand Ireland.

During their stay the studentsexperience the culture, lifestyleand language of the country.

Jill Andrews, senior retirementhousing co-ordinator, said: “Thestudents played games, did origa-mi and wrote tenants’ names inJapanese lettering. The residentsenjoyed the games and visit andwere particularly proud thatEmmanuel Lodge was chosen bythe students to visit. This is now ayearly event for the residents tolook forward to.”

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CARINGNEWS22

Manager lives as residentBy Dominic Musgrave

A NORTH East care group’s areamanager spent the day as a pensionerto experience life in a care home.

Wellburn Care Homes’ SuzanneHughes experienced a resident’stypical day at the company’s StGeorges nursing and residentialhome in Harraton, Washington.

It is part of an ongoing drive by thecompany to keep standards highthroughout the 14 residential homesit operates, as well as ensuringmanagers continue to understand thehuman side of its business.

When she arrived Suzanne wasgiven the ‘role’ of an elderly womanwho had recently had a stroke, whichmeant all feeling down her right handside had gone.

This meant she had her arm in asling and was wholly dependent onstaff to help her.

She said: “It’s very interesting to seelife in a care home through the eyesof a resident and how as an ablebodied person you take very simplethings like being able to get upunaided from a chair for granted.

“This is something that allmanagers at Wellburn will now do aspart of their ongoing developmentand if we can learn from this andfurther improve the service andquality of life for our residents, then itis very worthwhile.”

During the day Suzanne followedthe same routine as the otherresidents in the home, includingtaking part in the daily activities,

having meals at the same time and, ifnecessary, even being escorted to thetoilet and bed.

The idea came from the company’smanaging director Karl Beckett.

He added: “As a family run businesswe understand just how important itis to know that if you put an elderlyrelative in our care, this care issecond to none and that the homethey live in is of the highest possiblestandard.

“This is the responsibility of all ourstaff across the North East andYorkshire but as the people running

the business we feel it is vital that oursenior managers spend as much timeas possible in our homes so they cansee what goes on day-to-day.

“By spending a full day living as aresident, the managers will learnwhat it feels like to be old, and in themajority of cases infirm, and moreimportantly what the standard of careis that people receive in one of ourhomes. It may be embarrassing forthem to ask to be helped to the toiletbut this is exactly the sort of situationour residents go through every day oftheir lives.”

Wellburn Care Homes’ Suzanne Hughes with nurse Joyce Swainston

Mayor cutsribbon onhome’s newtuck shop STAFF and residents at Sunrise ofBeaconsfield welcomed the town’smayor to celebrate the opening ofa new tuck shop.

Richard Keith cut the ribbonalongside Sunrise residents CaraPealing and John Morris and thecompany’s head Guy Geller.

The shop will sell old worldsweets to provide a taste of daysgone by, as well as toiletries andmagazines for the convenience ofresidents.

“The tuck shop will be a greatnew facility for the residents,” saidGuy. “Not only will it furtherenhance their independence, butit will give greater choice for thosewho are less able to participate inour trips to town.”

The not-for-profit shop has beenopened in response to residents’requests, and has transformed aredundant former smoking room.

The project has been overseenby community manager Mark Birdand activities co-ordinator JoWeeden.

� If you are opening a newfacility at your care home emaildm@whpl.net

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23

Caring UK Commercesection brings you all the latest property,business and trainingnews every month.

In this issue:

� Is fee setting theanswer?

Page 24

� Developers’change of directioncould create 300new jobs

Page 26

� Innovation andefficiency: themarriage betweencharity and care

Page 27

Shortage in quality carehome provision predictedBy Dominic Musgrave

THERE will be a ‘chronic shortfall’ inquality care accommodation if the UKpopulation’s life expectancy continues toincrease, it has been claimed.

Kames Capital and Target Advisers’prediction follows the publication by theOffice of National Statistics of its latest‘Focus on Older People: PopulationAgeing in the United Kingdom andEurope,’ in which it highlights theincreasing longevity of the UK’s popula-tion.

The report reveals that the UK popula-tion is ageing dramatically over the nextfew decades, with the fastest populationincrease set to be within what it termsthe ‘oldest old’ or those aged 85 and

over. Its figures suggest that between1985 and 2010 the percentage of thepopulation aged 85 and over increasedfrom one per cent to two per cent, withthe number aged 85 or over doublingfrom 0.7 million to over 1.4 million.

By 2035 it is projecting this to be 2.5times larger still, reaching 3.5 millionand representing five per cent of thetotal population.

Kames Capital and Target Advisersbelieve the demographic change will putincreasing pressure on the existingelderly care sector facilities, leading togreater demand and a chronic shortageof suitable accommodation in the mid tolonger term.

Managing partner Kenneth MacKenziesaid: “The elderly care home sector

needs to invest in good quality purposebuilt facilities to ensure it can meet thisexpected demand in the coming years.

“The growth in numbers of the elderlyare to be welcomed, and is a wonderfultestament to modern medicine and bet-ter nutrition, but we all know that as weage there comes increasing levels offrailty and often loneliness.

“A comfortable modern, warm andfriendly community environment, suchas the care homes in which we invest, isa wonderful antidote to some of theconsequences of the ageing process.”

The ONS data also reveals thatalthough life expectancy, healthy lifeexpectancy and disability-free lifeexpectancy are all increasing, the lattertwo still lag behind the former.

Ros Lund lays a roof tile overseen by Steve Walker from Act Roofing and Newfield sitemanager Mark Hornsey.

Mayor Ros lays first roof tileMAYOR of Wakefield, councillor RosLund, laid the first roof tile as part ofa ‘topping out’ ceremony at a newcare home in nearby Castleford.

Newfield Lodge is being construct-ed by LNT Construction on the site ofa former local authority facility and,once completed in August, will createapproximately 50 jobs.

The home has been designed forsister company Ideal Care Homesand will offer residential and special-

ist dementia care for 64 older people.The home is the group’s first to have

an additional range of energy effi-ciencies and, as a result, will have a21 per cent reduction in carbon emis-sions.

A combination of ground sourceheat pumps and solar thermal panelswill ensure at least 15 per cent of theoperating home’s total predictedenergy requirements will come fromrenewable sources.

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CARINGCOMMERCE24

Vertere sells former homeon behalf of administratorsACTING on the instructions of thejoint administrators N. Cropper, S.Wilson and A. O’ Keefe of ZolfoCooper, Vertere has unveiled the saleof a former care home in Grimsby.

Vertere is the redevelopment agencydivision of the national specialistproperty agent DC Care.

The new division was establishedlast year as DC Care recognised thatthere was not the same requirementfor confidentiality when selling avacant property.

DC Care director Anita Allen said:“We can increase the exposure givento non-trading care home propertiesand increase advertising; it’s a slightlydifferent approach than our standarddiscreet, confidential way ofmarketing.”

Littlecoates House was previouslyregistered for 46 residents requiringresidential and dementia care. Thebuilding provides fully en-suiteground floor accommodation.

Zolfo Cooper instructed AlisonTaylor of Vertere/DC Care to marketthe care facility alongside othertrading units within the sameadministration.

Interest was gained from variousparties, and the end purchaser wasintroduced within two weeks of thehome being offered to the market.

The care home property has beensold for an undisclosed sale price to aprivate limited company who plan toredevelop the building and re-open itas a home specialising in dementiacare for the elderly.

Littlecoates House in Grimsby.

Is fee settingthe answer?By Graham Hallows

ACROSS England and Wales, localauthorities are turning to thecontentious issue of fee setting,particularly in relation to care homesfor the elderly.

Their quest is to develop amethodology to understand carecosts and subsequently set fees.

At the heart of this debate is aninherent tension between providerand commissioner.

As commissioners, councils havebeen placed on the back footconcerning the methodology andrationale supporting fee levels by aseries of events: most significantlythe High Court ruling regardingPembrokeshire council and the fees itpays to care homes and, to a lesserextent, Stafford and Sefton councils.

These cases are symbolic of afracture line in relations betweencommissioners and providers. Theprovider sector often feels aggrievedat a lack of discussion andconsultation with commissioners.This sense of grievance is translatedinto the use of a methodology such asLaing and Buisson that furthers theprivate sector’s case and promotestheir market control.

In turn, commissioners are drivenby government initiatives to ‘defend’or provide a rationale for the tariffrates paid.

The outcome of this work becomesthe football that both services thenkick around, sometimes withdevastating consequences like thecase in Pembrokeshire.

Critical in this is the day-to-dayreality of not losing sight of thecurrent market. Commissionersusually have good local knowledge ofthe provider market and understandif there is sufficient capacity,

capability and quality.In many cases, the drive to develop

and apply a methodology is due moreto pressure from provider forums andrecent legal judgments rather thancommercial need.

A key step in developing a maturerelationship with providers is thedevelopment of robustcommissioning strategies, practicesand processes, which engage thesector in open dialogue about currentand future commissioning needs andintentions.

And through this process ofengagement providers can in turninform councils of their commercialneeds. It is the commissioningstrategy that should set out thecontext and provide a ‘rationale’ forfee setting rather than applyingblanket cuts or using a toolkit inisolation.

Such an approach will help toensure that a council’s engagementwith the market is robust anddefensible.

� Graham Hallows is chiefexecutive officer for Commercial andClinical Solutions.

Graham Hallows

TWO established Hampshirebusinesses have been broughttogether by business adviser Christieand Co and combined forces in ajoint venture to open a new elderlycare home in the heart of the NewForest.

Highwood Group, experienced caredevelopers with many major projectscurrently under construction,acquired Hill House in Lyndhurst,Hampshire, and immediately saw theunique opportunity created by boththe quality of its location and thepotential to convert andsympathetically extend the existing

building to create a new 50-bed carehome. Traditionally, Highwood Grouphas built care homes for others tooperate.

However, in the case of Hill House,director Nigel Meek felt the companyshould become directly involved andinstructed Christie to find anoperating partner with a sharedvision and established track record.

They introduced them to HartfordCare, a family-owned business witheight care homes in the region.

Building work on the new carehome has started and it is due toopen in early 2013.

Firms join forces for new siteAn artist’s impression of the new home.

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25 Taylor National 20/3/12 10:38 Page 1

CARINGCOMMERCE26

NorthStar directors Danny Sharpe (left) and Ian Holmes present a cheque for £500 toJodie Vaughan of nominated charity Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Developers’ changeof direction couldcreate 300 new jobsBy Dominic Musgrave

A DEVELOPMENT and projectmanagement duo formerly affiliatedwith a major care provider haslaunched as an independentcompany.

Having already secured contractswith other care providers, the move isset to bring work to otherorganisations across the country.

NorthStar, working out of offices inNewcastle and South Oxfordshire, isconfident it will create more than 300jobs across the UK in its first year ofoperations through the execution ofcontracts to build and refurbish anumber of residential care homes.

Ian Holmes, director of thecompany along with business partnerDanny Sharpe, said: “We already holda strong reputation within theindustry for offering an awardwinning approach to developing andproject managing care homes acrossthe country, and now that we havelaunched ourselves independently wecan offer our specialist expertise toother care home providers.

“The NorthStar supply chain ofarchitects, lawyers and other

construction professionals haveworked hand in hand for many yearsand offer a comprehensive servicecomprising of the best consultants inthe healthcare sector, all underNorthStar’s lead.”

The firm is already celebrating itsfirst boost with news that a carehome they developed in Newmarket,Kentford Manor, has been chosen asone of three finalists in the BestLarger Home for Elderly Carecategory at this year’s nationalPinders Healthcare Design Awards.

Ian added: “This is a particularlyexciting time for us at NorthStar aswe branch out independently. To beshortlisted for such a prestigiousaward as we start our journey is awelcome boost to morale and servesto strengthen our already impressiveportfolio of award winning carehomes which we have developed.”

And, the team at NorthStar havekick started their new era ofindependent operations bynominating Alzheimer’s Research UKas their designated charity, afterbeing presented with a cheque byPinders as part of the short listingprocess.

Construction work has begun on Hadrian Healthcare Group’s new residential nursingcare home in Wetherby which is expected to create approximately 60 jobs. Completionof the £6m 59-bed development, which will also include a dementia suite and eight self-contained independent living suites for residents who need minimal care but benefitfrom living in a supported environment, is expected in January. The new home will beone of the group’s Manor House Living developments and will have a library, garden,cinema, hair salon, ballroom, bistro, newspaper and sweet shop, residents’ bar andbowling green.

Owners expand business FIFTEEN jobs have been created at aWolverhampton care home after itsowners purchased a building nextdoor to the existing facility.

Following increased demand forplaces at Essington Manor, partnersCaroline Cox and Dr Robert Powelldecided to purchase the newproperty after securing a £835,000loan from Lloyds TSB Commercial.They have converted it into a 20-bedresidential facility, expandingcapacity to 43 beds.

Registered manager Caroline Coxsaid: “For a long time the care homehas been consistently at full capacity,but the purchase of the property nextdoor has allowed us to welcome newresidents and employ new staffmembers. All the rooms in the newbuilding are en-suite, which offersresidents privacy and independence,and they are quickly being reserved.Our residents join us from the localarea, as does our staff, which createsfantastic relationships between all.”

An artist’s impression of the new home.

CASTLEMEAD Care has beengranted planning approval for astate-of-the-art 50,000 sq. ft.facility in Bradford on Avon, nearBath.

The £9m development will bebuilt on the former BerryfieldHouse hospital site and willcomprise of a 63 bed elderlynursing home and 14 twobedroom assisted living units.

It will provide nursing anddementia care for residents andwill be operated by Porthaven CareHomes. The home will also provideservices to residents in the assistedliving units, which Castlemead willdevelop for retirement housingspecialists Beechcroft.

Castlemead businessdevelopment director Tony Cole

said: “There is already shortage ofbeds available for those sufferingwith dementia, and with morethan one million additional peopleexpected to be diagnosed by 2051,it is more important than ever thatthese facilities are made availablein areas such as Bradford On Avon.

“Our integrated offering and highquality design ensures that all ourfacilities are ‘future proofed’ andadaptable to the different types ofcare needed in the area. Thisapproach not only secured supportwith our funders but the planningofficers as well.”

The development has beendesigned by DWA architects andconstruction will commence inMay, with completion in thesummer of 2013.

Green light for £9mstate-of-the-art home

Tax reclaims for care home owners...CAPITAL allowances are among the most valuable and leastexploited methods of reducing property owners’ income tax orcorporation tax liabilities.

Capital allowances arise from capital expenditure onpurchasing or constructing a new property along with extensionsand refurbishments.

We comprehensively survey the property which allows us toidentify any qualifying items that, for numerous reasons, havepreviously not been claimed.

Don’t delay as the government are considering closing thisopportunity for retrospective claims. Call now for your freeappraisal.

Have you made a Vat reclaim? If you were operating between1993 and 2002 call now to start making your claim.

We will quickly identify the validity of a claim withoutobligation. If it does not proceed there will be no fee.

Enquiries: Telephone 01246 293011 or visit www.salmon-business.com

26 20/3/12 13:07 Page 1

27CARINGCOMMERCE

Innovation and efficiency: themarriage between charity and careBy Linda Convery

THE decline of Southern Cross lastsummer brought to the fore the riskof large private care home operatorsproviding for those in need as the ageof austerity bites.

There has since been warnings thatthere will be a repeat of the SouthernCross crisis unless local authoritiesrecognise the true cost of care.

Some have said that more should bedone to monitor the financial healthof companies that house the elderly.Others have gone as far as to say thatsocial services should no longer out-source care provision.

The latter would be a regressivestep. If you compare the current qual-ity and diversity of care accommoda-tion with the old style care homesand institutional care that wasaround prior to the introduction ofthe Community Care Act 1990, therecan be no doubt that, generally, therehas been an improvement in what isavailable for those in need.

Much of this has come about due tothe willingness of the charitable sec-tor to innovate and work in partner-

ship with local authorities. In particu-lar housing associations have, overthe years, developed effective socialbusinesses providing care, accommo-dation and support for the elderly.

National organisations such asAnchor Trust, Housing 21 and MHA,as well as many locally based associa-tions, work well in partnership withlocal care providers.

Like Southern Cross, many of theseproviders supply the majority of theiraccommodation and care to residentswho are financed by local authorities.

It has always been the case that theamount a local authority is willing topay is generally less than the privatemarket rate and yet somehow theseorganisations have managed to sur-vive and even flourish.

Why is this? One could argue it issimply because they do not have thesame fiscal pressures as private busi-nesses, but is it more than that? Dothese organisations have a differentapproach to the way they operate,which creates efficiencies withoutsacrificing standards?

Certainly very often the quality ofthe care is more individual-centric.

There is a constant drive to maintainstandards, avoiding the cycle of lowquality leading to low occupancyleading to less income leading toeven lower quality and on and on.

Extra care facilities are becomingvery popular as an alternative to liv-ing in a care home. They are support-ed by local authorities as well as theprivate sector and many privatedevelopers are looking at ways inwhich to meet older people’s aspira-tions.

However, it is important to ensurethat the care and support is not justan ‘add on’. It should form an integralpart of the scheme as a good mar-riage between the developer and careprovider is paramount in achievingefficient operation.

Some developers may be looking topartners outside their organisationsto provide the care, including the pio-neering social businesses in this sec-tor. It will be interesting to see if thereis an increase in the number of jointventures as the market matures anddevelopers and providers cometogether to supply the perfect pack-age.

Ultimately it is important toremember that, in the rush to redressthe collapse of Southern Cross andreform healthcare in the UK, there ismuch good to be gleaned from thecontributions of the charitable sectorto the quality and efficiency of care.

� Linda Convery is a partner spe-cialising in care and retirement hous-ing in the real estate and develop-ment department at Lewis Silkin LLP.

Linda Convery

Avery Healthcare has opened its doors to a new £3.3m, 65-bed nursing home inHertfordshire, creating approximately 80 full and part time jobs. Acacia Mews has beenbuilt on the site of Hatfield’s old police station and has been designed to complementthe architecture of the adjacent court buildings. The three-floor development featuresseven premium rooms with double bed and living area, with the option to include akitchenette for independent living. Further facilities include a hair salon, therapy room,activity lounges, reminiscence area and a courtyard garden.

Work begins ongroup’s new homeWORK has begun on Care UK’s latestground-breaking nursing home inEdinburgh, which will provide resi-dential and dementia care for 90 resi-dents.

The home will create approximately80 new jobs to the area, and residentswill also benefit from a woodlandarea near the development which thegroup has donated to the city council.

The home has been designed byRichard Pollock, of local practiceBurnett Pollock Associates, who isalso the dementia services develop-ment centre's director of architectureat the University of Stirling. He hasworked with his wife Annie, a land-scape architect who creates gardensdesigned for people with dementia,to create a home and grounds thatare functional and homely.

Care UK’s new homes director ColinReynell said: “Our dementia special-ists have carried out a great deal ofresearch into helping older peoplemaintain their independence withinour homes.

“We have found that by makinghomes as ‘homely’ as possible, pro-viding lots of natural light and lettingresidents choose the lifestyles andactivities they want, we can improvelevels of well-being by up to 40 percent. This has led to residents enjoy-ing greater levels of mobility,increased socialising with other resi-dents and developing and pursuingtheir own interests and hobbies.”

The 90 bedrooms will be separatedinto nine self-contained ‘flats’, eachwith a kitchen and dining roomrather than one large communal can-teen.

The ground will be kept intimate bythe use of trellises, sheds and gazebosto break up the space. Washing lineshave also been incorporated into thedesigns to make the grounds feel likehome.

As well as retro features, the homewill include modern facilities such asa spa, cinema and hairdressers aswell as space for crafts, activities andfitness programmes.

COLLIERS International Healthcareand Christie and Co have beeninstructed by joint LPA receivers tosell Adderley Green Care Centre inStoke.

Two purpose built self-sufficientcare homes are available to purchaseor lease as a pair.

In addition, there are 24 residentialapartments in two blocks on the

same site which are also availableeither as part of the care complex orby separate negotiation.

Construction of the care homes wascompleted in December 2011, andthe homes provide accommodationin 90 and 60 single bedrooms respec-tively.

All bedrooms have full en-suite wet-room style shower and WC.

Firms instructed to sell CentreGOMPELS HealthCare Ltd is offering a new cost analysis service to assist care home managers maintaintighter budgetary control on every day disposables.

Through using the service, which takes just a few minutes to access online, buyers may save up toseven per cent on annual expenditure on items such as paper towels, incontinence products and janito-rial supplies.

The cost analysis service, which is free to Gompels customers, allows buyers to view a detailed pur-chasing report on their group or individual care home accounts which shows quantity, category, expen-diture and region.

Each purchase can be double clicked for even more detail so issues such as overspend on a particularproduct can be easily and quickly identified.

The service is one of a number offered to care home managers. Others include an extended cut-offtime of 5pm to place orders for next day delivery and conversion charts which allow you to compare thecost of the brand you normally buy to that of other brands.

Enquiries: Call 0845 450 2420 or visit www.gompels.co.uk for online ordering.

Saving made easy with Gompels’ newcost control service

27 20/3/12 13:08 Page 1

Eric Howard 15/3/12 15:24 Page 1

29CARINGHOMECARE

AN undercover investigation into thehomecare system has found exam-ples of poor care of older people,including missed visits and vulnera-ble people left with soiled bedclothes,with food left out of reach, and withvital medication missed.

Which? asked 30 people and/ortheir carers to record every detail ofhomecare visits they received for aweek during January. Using voicerecorders, paper diaries and comput-ers, they logged 287 visits showingthe impact of good and bad care.

One lady was left alone in the darkfor hours unable to find food ordrink, another was left without awalking frame so she was unable toget to the bathroom, and one manwas not given vital diabetic medica-tion.

Which? executive director RichardLloyd said: “Our undercover investi-gation found some disgraceful exam-ples of care with elderly people beinggiven little time or respect.

“The Government can no longerclaim to be shocked as report afterreport highlights the pitiful state ofcare for older people.

“If they are serious about ensuringvulnerable people are treated withdignity, then we must see real action

because every day they delay isanother day older people risk beingneglected.”

Some people did report carers goingthe extra mile to give excellent ser-vice, especially those with regularcareworkers.

However, in a separate Which? sur-vey, one of the most common com-plaints reported was missed andrushed visits, with relatives often leftto step in.

Nearly half (47 per cent) of respon-dents reported at least one visit hadbeen missed in the past six months,with 62 per cent claiming they hadhad had no advanced warning.

In many cases, the diarists said agood service was provided only aftercomplaining, with some family mem-bers being forced to make continuousphone calls and to have a constantbattle with agencies.

Cllr David Rogers, chairman of theLGA's Wellbeing Board, added: “Thisresearch highlights the very real crisisthis country is facing in providingcare for the elderly and vulnerable.

“We know there isn't enough moneyin the system and without fundamen-tal reform the situation is only goingto get worse and stories like this willsadly become increasingly common.”

Which? reportfinds examplesof poor care

Pictured with the award are Laura Windross, assistive technology services assistant,warden Carol West, relief customer adviser Nicola Brown and Joanna Caton,Independent Living Services co-ordinator.

Top accolade for firm’semergency monitoringCOAST & Country has been awardedthe highest industry standard for thequality of its HomeCall service – a 24-hour emergency monitoring andresponse service for elderly and vul-nerable residents.

As the industry watchdog for assis-tive technology service providers, theTelecare Services Association gives itsprestigious Code of Practice award toonly the best organisations, withHomeCall securing the validation forthe third year running.

The HomeCall service allows olderpeople to live safety and indepen-dently in their own homes.

In order to gain the quality stan-dard, HomeCall had to pass a seriesof rigorous inspections which includ-ed:

� Monitoring and installing equip-ment.

� How well staff respond to cus-tomers.

� How well customers fully under-stand the service they are beingoffered.

� How well the service meets theneeds of its customers.

Jason Lowe, head of independentliving services, said: “The accredita-tion endorses the quality of ourHomeCall service and also recognisesCoast & Country as a leader in thefield of providing support for elderlyand vulnerable people across the TeesValley.

“The welfare of our residents is coreto Coast & Country’s values and westrive to support them as their needschange as their lives progress.

“It is important for our residents,staff and partnership agencies toknow that Coast & Country’sHomeCall has been officiallyacknowledged for the high level ofservice and support we provide to ourcustomers.”

Caremark (Bromley) won the ‘Achievement Award’ at the company’s fifth annual con-ference at the Hellidon Lakes Hotel in Northamptonshire. The accolade presented toSharon Dhillon was one of three top awards among a total of 10 presented in recogni-tion of a franchisee who has made significant, broad achievements over the last yearunder challenging circumstances. The firm’s international development director SeanCragg said: “Delays with the CQC meant that Sharon had to wait 12 weeks to get aninterview date. However, she used this time wisely and her patience and tenacity haspaid off.” This year’s conference focused on making a difference through the provisionof the highest standards of care.Sharon Dhillon is pictured receiving her award from Caremark Limited’s national sup-port manager Anne O’Rourke and international development director Sean Cragg.

AN award-winning regional careprovider has launched At Home – ahomecare service for older peoplein Leeds which will provide an alter-native to moving into a care home.

Westward Care operates three carehomes in the West Yorkshire city,and the new venture is designed toleverage the company’s professionalapproach to care and customer ser-vice and recreate this for clientswho wish to be looked after in theirown homes.

“There was a time when thingswere black and white,” said manag-ing director Peter Hodkinson. “Youwere either able to lead an indepen-dent life at home or you weren’t, inwhich case a care home was oftenthe only solution.

“We are working towards buildinga portfolio of services and facilitiesthat means every individual canaccess the kind of care that suitsthem best –we don’t believe in a onesize fits all approach.”

The new company will provide asmuch or as little care as each cus-tomer requires, with services rang-ing from help with personal careand hygiene, getting up or going tobed, shopping and trips away fromhome, housework and laundry, pay-ing bills, home repairs and collect-ing pensions and prescriptions.

Westward Care was the winner ofthe ‘Best Small Care EmployerAward’ for Yorkshire and theHumber last year and was a finalistin three categories this year.

Provider launchesalternative service

MANORCOURT Homecare inThetford has appointed a new man-ager with more than 30 years’ experi-ence in the care profession.

Jenny Daynes has taken the reins atthe office at the Keystone InnovationCentre, overseeing domiciliary care inThetford, surrounding villages and

parts of Suffolk. She returns to the care sector after a

number of years working as a projectmanager at the Diocese of Norwich.

In addition to management skills,Jenny brings a vast knowledge of resi-dential, hospital and home care toher new role.

New boss for Suffolk company

29 20/3/12 13:08 Page 1

CARINGDEMENTIA30

Care homes nationwide have been holding events for Dementia UK’s Time for a Cuppa campaign.Dominic Musgrave reports.

THE event, which brings peopletogether over a cuppa and a piece ofcake, is the charity’s annualfundraiser.

The money raised from donationswill be used to support thedevelopment of Admiral Nurses,specialist dementia nurses who offerpractical and emotional support topeople affected by dementia.

Members of Oxford United FootballClub’s first team squad and chairmanKelvin Thomas dropped in at YarntonResidential and Nursing Home in thecounty.

They were joined by 32 choristers ofWilliam Fletcher Primary School’s‘Glee Club’ for the event, which wasparticularly special for 85-year-oldresident Bill Dempsey, who playedfootball for the club when it wascalled Headington United in the1950s.

The home’s manager SarahRawcliffe said: “It was such a specialday for our residents and particularlyBill. They were so excited to meetstars from their beloved OxfordUnited and there was a huge buzzaround the home.

“The residents enjoyed the GleeClub – they performed for us atChristmas and our residents’ faceslight up when they see them.”

A South East and East Anglia group

of homes supported the campaign forthe third year raising £575.

All 12 of the group’s homes invitedtheir local communities to take partin ‘Time for a cuppa’ with tea partiesorganised for everyone to enjoy.

Several of the homes put on teaparties from the 40s, 60s and 70s andthe staff dressed up in costumes.

Many of the homes also put onentertainment and held raffles to tryand raise as much money as possible.

Managing director Nicola Coveneysaid: “We are very pleased that thelocal communities were keen to getinvolved and come along for a cuppa.

“The day is not just about raisingmoney. It is also about giving peopleaffected by dementia, includingcarers, care home residents, familiesand friends, something to lookforward to after the busy festiveseason.”

Twenty Care UK homes also put onevents to mark the day. As well as teaparties and cake sales, many of thehomes also arranged other events tomark the day.

These included rocking and rollingwith an Elvis lookalike at PaisleyCourt in Liverpool, a raffle andtombola at Mitchell House in Pooleand helpful talks about dementia atWhitby Dene in Middlesex.

Homes brew up for charity

Bill Dempsey with his wife Joyce.

Residents Rose Hudson and Phyl Cranage.

30 22/3/12 15:04 Page 1

31CARINGDEMENTIA

Speakers at Script Events’ regional conferences will be, from the left: Paul Edwards, Damian Utton, Sheila Scott and Barbara Pointon.

Distinguished line-up of speakersconfirmed for regional conferences DEMENTIA Care: The Way Forward isthe title of a series of must-attendconferences being held nationwide byCaring UK’s sister company ScriptEvents.

The first of the events, which arebeing held at St Mellion Hotel inCornwall on May 15 and the followingday at Bristol Zoo Conference Centre,feature a distinguished line-up ofspeakers. Further conferences areplanned for Hilton Avisford ParkHotel and Hilton Maidstone Hotel onJune 13 and 14 respectively.

Chaired by Caring UK editorDominic Musgrave, heading thespeakers will be Alzheimer’s Societyand Dementia UK ambassadorBarbara Pointon MBE, who shares the

story of her husband Malcolm’s 11-year battle with the condition in hertalk ‘Caring for Malcolm’.

Dominic said: “We are really excitedabout how the conference pro-grammes are shaping up, and wehope many care home operators andmanagers will spare a day from theirbusy schedules to join us to hearfrom some of the leading names inthe sector.

“The facts and figures aboutdementia are well documented andwill impact on everyone working inthe industry in future, which is whywe believe our conferences are amust-attend.

“The events are also an excellentopportunity for networking, while the

extensive exhibition which will runalongside the seminars will featuresome of the latest products availableon the market.”

Joining Barbara at the events will bepopular NCA chief executive SheilaScott, who will ask ‘What next forDementia?’ in her seminar.

Paul Edwards, head of training andpractice from the specialist BradfordDementia Group based within theUniversity’s School of Health Studies,will talk about how dementia carecould be improved using evidencefrom research, policy and practice todrive change.

And Damian Utton, a partner atleading specialist dementia architectsand designers Pozzoni LLP, will dis-

cuss how the design of a home canhave an impact on the quality of lifefor a person suffering from dementia.

Also among the day’s speakers willbe Kingsley Healthcare operationsdirector, dementia care and specialistservices, Mandy Masters, who willspeak about how the group over-hauled its approach to dementia careusing David Sheard’s methods to finda way to meet emotional as well aspractical needs.

To book your place at the specialrate of £25 for a single delegate or£37.50 for two, call the hotline on01226 734475. This offer closes onApril 15 and places are strictly limit-ed.

Initiative aims to end use of drugsBy Dominic Musgrave

A NEW initiative has been launchedin Wales to save people with demen-tia being subdued under the chemi-cal cosh.

The ground-breaking guide hasbeen devised by Steve Ford, thedementia advisor of Care ForumWales which represents more than500 independent care providers inWales.

The easy-to-use guide helps identifywhat might be triggering behaviouralproblems and ways to handle it with-out drugs.

The document ‘Assessment ofChallenging and ManagementProblems Initiating Options for NewSolutions’ can be downloaded fromthe Forum’s website and helps identi-fy what might cause inappropriatebehaviour.

Steve, managing director ofPembroke Nursing Homes Ltd, whichprovides dementia nursing care for 45clients at two Colwyn Bay homes,said: “There is a national impetus tomove away from inappropriate anti-psychotic medications for use inchallenging behaviours and this pieceof work helps to achieve solutions forsome of those care management diffi-culties without necessarily picking upthe phone to request a GP visit.

“The document is comprehensive inthat it identifies the problematic

behaviour and gives ideas for thesolutions, but it’s very easy to com-plete. Switched on care providersshould know when anti-psychoticmedication is of little therapeuticvalue. In exceptional circumstancestheir use should be time limited andnever the first choice for managingdifficult behaviour.”

Steve consulted with user groups,families, care providers, includingnurses within the NHS and represen-tatives of local health boards andsocial services and drafted his docu-ment seven times before he was satis-fied.

The guide comes as new findingsare released by University ofManchester, who have carried out thefirst study of its kind looking into thecare and treatment of 994 elderlypatients with dementia registeredwith 53 GP practices in the North-West. They found that 259 – just overa quarter – were on antipsychoticsand on average they had been takingthem for nearly two years.

Experts recommend that the drugsshould be used for a maximum ofthree months and only then as a lastresort for the treatment of hallucina-tions.

Steve Ford with the new document.

Residentsand college studentsmake DVDDEMENTIA sufferers living in aHertfordshire retirement schemehave joined forces with students froma local college to record their memo-ries for a DVD about their lives.

Hertford Regional College’s creativemedia production students recordedthe DVD as part of BroxbourneHousing Association’s ‘MakingMemories Last’ project for its resi-dents.

The company made a donation tothe course to thank the students fortheir work and invited the star of theDVD, Caroline Emily Pickering, topresent the cheque at an event heldat their Wormley Court facility.

Deborah Fenton of housing servicessaid: “ When we asked the college ifthey would like to be involved, wehoped we may get one or two stu-dents interested in working with ourresidents.

“We were absolutely delightedwhen we had 30 students on the dayof filming. The ‘Making MemoriesLast’ project is a first for us and wehope we will do many more in thefuture.”

31 20/3/12 13:09 Page 1

?? Badge master 15/3/12 15:24 Page 1

33CARINGNEWS

Council fined afterresident suffersburns in showerTHE Isle of Wight Council has beenfined £12,000 after an elderly residentstaying in respite care was scalded ata care home in Freshwater.

The Health and Safety Executiveprosecuted the local authority forfailing to have the correct shower fit-ting at a resource centre, which led tothe incident.

Portsmouth Magistrates’ Courtheard that on October 30, 2009, BrianLeek 76, was staying at the respiteresidential care facility at TheGouldings.

On the day of the incident heentered the bathroom, undressed,turned on the shower and sat on thebath's hoist seat below the showerunit.

Very hot water from the showersprayed onto his lower back, scaldinghim severely and causing 13 per centburns.

After the hearing, HSE's inspectorJoanna Woodcock said: “Where thereis a risk of scalding for vulnerablepatients, it is vital that operators fitadequate control measures to ensurethat water temperatures are restrict-ed, particularly where people can bealmost completely immersed in bathsand showers.

“Vulnerable people may be unable

to react quickly to avoid the danger.They may also be more liable to seri-ous injury from very hot water. Theconsequences of scalding can, inaddition to causing excruciating pain,be fatal, although thankfully did nothappen in this case.

“Everyone involved with the care ofvulnerable service users must ensurethat they have the necessary safe-guards in place. Cases like this arecompletely avoidable if the correctguidance is followed.”

Mr Leek was hospitalised on the Isleof Wight and then transferred to aburns unit in Salisbury. Following thisincident, he now lives in a care homeand has not been able to return tolive with his wife.

The HSE investigation found theshower fitting was not suitable for usein a healthcare facility and was notinstalled with a thermostatic mixingvalve, which would have limited thetemperature to 41°C.

Two other local authority homes onthe island also had showers availablefor use with no TMV protection.

The council pleaded guilty toSection 3(1) of the Health and Safetyat Work etc. Act 1974.

It was fined £12,000 and ordered topay costs of £5,133.

AN Australian day at AmberwoodHouse care home was made extraspecial when the 18-month-old greatgrand-daughter of a resident flew infrom Sydney.

Scarlett Young, and her dad Chris,were guests of honour at the event atthe home where Rose Hare, 98, is aresident.

Rose and her fellow residentsenjoyed a variety of Australian-themed activities with musician andstoryteller Tim Laycock proving par-

ticularly popular.Home manager Angela Bennett

said: “It was lovely to also welcomethe families and friends of our resi-dents to join us. The visit of Chris andhis young daughter, who happened tobe visiting the UK from Australia, wasa particular highlight.”

The 54-bed nursing and residentialcare home was decked out inAustralian flags as well as traditionalartefacts including boomerangs and adidgeridoo instrument.

Scarlett, her father, Chris, and great grandmother Rose Hare with activity organiserJaney Lloyd and musician and storyteller Tim Laycock.

Home celebrates Australia Day

33 20/3/12 13:09 Page 1

CARINGNEWS34

Party and art exhibitionmarks home’s birthdayBy Dominic Musgrave

STAFF and residents at an Epsomcare home held a party and artexhibition to celebrate its 10thanniversary.

Residents at Appleby House workedwith activity coordinators to createworks of art for the exhibition as wellas preparing decorations for the bigday.

Home manager Jeni Rushton said:“The residents have been creativeand used different mediums tocapture their favourite things.

“One resident has painted hischildhood home; another man, whowas a sailor, has painted ships andthere are pictures of pets, flowers andloved ones.

“When people move into a homethey often fear they will lose all theirhobbies and interests, as well as theirfriends and family. Nothing could befurther from the truth. Our activitiescoordinators work with residents tofind out what they enjoy and helpthem to carry on while others cometo new hobbies. Some of ourresidents hadn’t painted since theywere at school but they had awonderful time with the canvas andhave discovered a new pastime.”

As well as the art show, the residentsand their relatives also joined staff fora party with local entertainer Karen

Frances, who performed favouritesongs for everyone to sing-along to.

Jeni added: “Everyone at ApplebyHouse has worked very hard atmaking this every resident’s home.We encourage all our residents to

take an active part in the day-to-daylife of the home because it helpseveryone to keep up their life skillsand gives people the sense of peaceand control they would have hadbefore joining us.”

Appleby House deputy manager Lynne Rogers and manager Jeni Rushton celebrate thehome’s 10th anniversary with Elaine Carruthers, manager of Orchard Day Centre, whichis situated next door.

VITAMIN levels were a concern in themajority of care home meals testedby trading standards officers inWarwickshire.

The county council representativessampled the lunch menu at 10 homesin the county, which includedpuddings, and samples were sent tothe public analyst for examination.

They found that vitamin C levelswere a concern in eight out of 10meals sampled, with vitamin D levelsalso inconsistent

County councillor Richard Hobbs,portfolio holder for communitysafety, said size of portions and thenumber of calories were also issueshighlighted by the tests.

He added: “The homes were verywelcoming and appreciated the workwe were able to do to identifyproblems and offer solutions.”

“All the homes that took part wereprovided with advice and assistanceto improve the nutritional standardsand portion sizes of the meals theyserved.”

The meals were analysed againstthe Caroline Walker Trust andNational Association of Care Caterersguidelines.

Vitamins inmeals worryauthority’sinvestigators

34 20/3/12 13:10 Page 1

35CARINGNEWS

By Mark Baker

MANY care home managers start topanic or have a sense of dreadwhen they get a call from receptionto say that there is an environmen-tal health officer at the door butthere is not usually any need forhysteria.

The inspector should havechecked the file held on your carehome in the local authority’spremises file and so may well knowthe names of the manager andother senior staff and some of thehistory of the premises.

Although, if your home is seen aslow risk, it may be a couple of yearsor more between inspections so theinformation held in the file mightnot be completely up to date.

The inspector will show you theiridentification card and if they don’tshow it to you they will not mindbeing asked for it.

Environmental health officersrecognise the need for proceduresto be followed so they generallyhave no problem following yourprocedures regarding visitors.

Officially they have no right ofentry if they do not clearly statewho they are and the purpose of

the visit.Personally, I like to be asked for

my identification, as it indicates tome that the business takes safetyand security seriously.

The inspector should tell you thereason for the visit; i.e. whether it isfor a routine inspection, food com-plaint or other reason.

The inspector has a right to enterat a reasonable time and talk toanyone in the business and to takephotographs and examine docu-ments and watch work activitiesand indeed anything that isrequired as part of the inspectionor investigation.

Furthermore to refuse to give rea-sonable help or support to theinspector could be seen asobstructing the officer in carryingout his work and would make youliable for a prosecution.

The inspector may want to speakto a number of people at the homebut it is generally best for you andthe inspector to have a brief chat toestablish the particular issues thatthe inspector wants to look at dur-ing the visit.

You can then explain if the rightpeople are around or when theymay be available. The inspector

will then usually agree a plan ofaction for the inspection.

During my inspections I like to:� Talk to people working at thesite.� Watch some of the practices tak-ing place while I am there.� Look through policy statementsand records.� Mark is an independent environ-mental health consultant and hasbeen involved in advising carehomes on health and safety andfood hygiene and environmentalmanagement for more than 20years.

What the inspector wantsto see when they arrive

Mark Baker

Employeesstart tonominatefor awardsA CARE group’s employees aroundthe UK have started to nominatecolleagues for the sixth BarchesterCare Awards, which continue torecognise the dedication of thenational care provider’s staff.

Staff members from all of thegroup’s homes are encouraged tonominate fellow workmates fortheir contribution and commit-ment in the delivery of high quali-ty services.

Entries are assessed by thesenior management and finalistswill be announced at a glitteringaward ceremony where winnerswill be announced in May.

The 12 categories have been cre-ated to reflect excellence in awhole variety of roles across thecompany ranging from ‘DiverseServices Champion’ and‘Registered Nurse of the Year’ to‘Maintenance Champion’ and‘Chef of the Year’.

Jim Marr, director of care andquality, said: “These awards centreon celebrating the calibre of skillsand talent we have and it is a joyto learn about the achievementsof the people who make a specialdifference to the lives of those welook after.”

Study reveals homes’continued strugglesCARE homes are struggling to providehigh quality care for residents withcomplex medical conditions, againsta backdrop of a severe funding,equipment and staff shortages, it hasbeen claimed.

A survey by the Royal College ofNursing of almost 600 of its membersfound that nurses working in carehomes are facing huge challenges inproviding care.

A new report, Persistent Challengesto Providing Quality Care, identifies alack of training for staff, inappropri-ate admissions and extreme pressureon the workforce leading to poor staffmorale

The report also highlights the keyissue of funding and admissions.

RCN chief executive and generalsecretary Dr Peter Carter said: “Thisreport paints a hugely concerningpicture about the many daily chal-lenges that so many nurses in care

homes face in delivering high qualitycare.

“Many of these challenges are notnew, but following years of underin-vestment these issues have now sig-nificantly worsened.”

The College says that getting healthand social care funding right is cru-cial for the sustainability of the socialcare system and the NHS.

It recommends:� Re-evaluation of how funding is

allocated to cover the needs of resi-dents in care homes.

� National guidance on staffing lev-els and ratios for care home.

� A Government review of carehome workforce planning and toensure that this workforce is appro-priately supported, trained, qualifiedand valued.

� Regulation of all health care assis-tants.

RESIDENTS at a Leigh care home arelooking forward to spending moretime in the garden thanks to a dona-tion from a local community group.

Hazel Jackson, home manager atHourigan House, accepted a chequefor £590 from Sandra Latchford andKaren McDonald of the Wigan andLeigh tenants and residents groupThe Trees Forum to spend on a gar-

den makeover.Hazel said: “We’re very grateful to

The Trees Forum for their generousdonation, which will be put to gooduse improving our back garden.

“We are planning to make the grassyarea more accessible for all residents,and introduce some multi-sensoryfeatures for everyone to enjoy.”

Donation to upgrade garden

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36

SINCE 1982, Colne (Lancs) based,Richards Residential Supplieshave concentrated uponsupplying simple solutions tocommon nursing home problems.

The new WACMAT® adheresstrongly to this tradition.

With its ultra absorbent cottonpile and 100 per cent waterproofbacking, the remarkableWACMAT® is an ideal accessorywhere spills may occur.

Used as a commode mat, inbedrooms or bathrooms, theWACMAT® ensures full carpetprotection. Then, after use, simplymachine wash and tumble dry!It’s that simple...

The WACMAT® will then beclean and odour-free, ready toperform time and time again. Alternatively the flat-laying WACMAT® can be used as an entrance mat,saving you hundreds of pounds in rental costs alone.

Enquiries: Telephone 0800 074 3749

Simple solutions Leading risk management software supplier

DATIX is the leading supplier ofpatient and resident safetysoftware for health and socialcare risk management, incidentreporting and adverse events.

Datix gives care homemanagers the information theyneed to build a completepicture of risk in theirorganisation. Datix can help to improve safety for residents and staff, while reducing administrativeoverheads. From small care homes to large groups, Datix plays a key part in the corporate governance ofthe organisation.

Key features of Datix for social care include:Management dashboards which display information on the organisation’s risks in a clear, simple format.Sophisticated alerting mechanisms that give care home managers early warning of potential trouble

spots.Flexible views of risk management information, allowing risks to be shown by particular care home,

department or even an individual resident.Security of access to information, restricting managers to viewing only data that is relevant to their care

home or area of interest.

Enquiries: Contact 020 8971 1971 or email info@datix.co.uk

BEAUCARE® Medical Ltd is the UK’s premier supplier ofhygiene, medical supplies and equipment to individualcare homes, care home groups, hospitals and NHS Trusts.

We have developed a mattress disinfection wipe tocompliment our hygiene and janitorial range. These wipesare specifically formulated to control infection anddisinfect in one solution, with healthcare professionals inmind.

The wipe contains a complex mix of biocidesformulated to target a broad spectrum of microorganismsfound in health care environments, such as bactericidal,mycobactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal and sporistaticdisinfection.

Our mattress disinfection wipes are ready to use anddisposable, eliminating the risk of cross contamination. Acost saving alternative to multiple product solutions,supplied in a tub with resealable fastening for easier andquick dispensing. Ideal for cleaning our waterproof covered pressure reliefmattresses or doubles up as a multi-purpose surfacewipe.

Enquiries: Telephone 01423 878899, email sales@beaucare.com or visit www.beaucare.com

Beaucare’s mattress disinfection wipes Can you prove your water is free fromlegionella bacteria?

ARE you aware that should one of your clients contract Legionnaires Disease and subsequently die,the care provider can be prosecuted under The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homocide Act2007? Scary but true nevertheless.AquaCert can assist with legionella control from providing an L8 Risk Assessment (each care/nursing homemust possess one by law) through to water screening via our postal/courier service (please see our mainadvert). Testing costs as little as £44.50 + VAT for a 20 bed home – all you have to do is fill the bottle and Aquacertdoes the rest.

Enquiries: Ring Freephone 0800 048 1737 or visit www.aquacert.co.uk

A NEW range of Huebschtumble dryers has beenannounced by Armstrong,incorporating Over-dryingPrevention Technology.

This not only cuts energycosts but also reduces dryingtime, so improving productivity.The final moisture content foreach cycle is fixed by theoperator and the OPT systemdelivers it with the optimumbalance of heat input and cycletime.

The outcome is a win-wincombination of lower energycosts and shorter drying times.The new dryers are available in afull range of sizes to suit everyapplication.

Enquiries: Telephone 01635 263410, fax 01635 32434 or visit www.armstrong-laundry.co.uk

New dryers from Armstrong cut costs

WITH a wide selection of both contemporary andtraditional workwear, Grahame Gardner have garments tosuit every taste.

Their range of tunics and trousers are extensive, alldesigned to be both practical and comfortable, with anumber of alternative trouser styles, including hipster andboot cut.

Urbane Scrubs on the other hand is the perfect rangefor those looking for something a little out of the ordinary– with a bold colour palette and flattering tailoring,Urbane is a scrub range a cut above the rest.

Grahame Gardner also offer an embroidery service sothat care homes can personalise their garments with theaddition of logos or name badges.

This enables managers to cost effectively create abespoke identity to enhance the image of the surgery.

For added convenience, Grahame Gardner has alsoselected a range of clogs and shoes perfect for the staff.

Enquiries: Telephone 0116 255 6326 or visitwww.grahamegardner.co.uk

Grahame Gardner - to meet all youruniform needs

IRONING need no longer be a chore – andthe results will amaze you.

Try it for yourself with a free trial of theBlanca Press, which irons everything fromsheets to shirts in half the time. If you likeit, keep it. If you aren’t completely happy,return it. The finish is superb and clotheswill last longer because there is no rubbing.

Sheets can be ironed up to four layers ata time – and you can even use the presswhile sitting down. Once you have tried ityou will wonder how you ever did withoutit.

The Blanca Press retails at £595 plus VATand delivery and comes with a fullinstruction video, one-year guarantee andexcellent after-sales service

Enquiries: For information or a free trial contact: Fast Systems Ltd, Dalton House, NewtownRoad, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, RG9 1HG, telephone 01491 419200 or e-mail

sales@blancpress.co.uk and see www.blancapress.co.uk

Blanca Press halves ironing time - proveit with a free trial

STYLISH new collectionsof seating for bedrooms,dining and social areaswithin care homes andresidential facilities wererevealed byKnightsbridge Furnitureat the recent Care Show.

Inspired by thepowerful style of artist Pieter Mondrian, Knightsbridge Furniture’s new Mondrian series of easy chairs,settees and dining chairs is characterised by the artist’s idiosyncratic geometry and simple, unclutteredlines. Upholstery is in either fabric or vinyl, with show-wood in six standard finishes.

Another newcomer to the Knightsbridge Care portfolio this season is Slide, a range of practical uprightchairs for dining and activity rooms. With sturdy skids incorporated into the frame in the place of legs tofacilitate stability and manoeuvrability, Slide chairs include both armed and armless models.

Also on display were Knightsbridge Furniture’s graceful Lugano upright armchairs, Lucia dining chairs, ahigh-back version of the classic Monaco chair and the versatile Jasmine range of seating, created to meetdemand for a budget collection which conforms to the company’s customary superior quality.

Enquiries: Contact the sales team on 01274 731442, email enquiries@knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk or visit www.knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk

Stylish additions to Knightsbridge careportfolio on display

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37CARINGPRODUCTNEWS

Companies must act to cut utility costsOPERATORS can save thousands onenergy by taking action now to getthe best deals on utilities, buyingspecialist Lynx Purchasing hasurged.

By not switching to better deals,businesses risk facing steep increas-es in the cost of gas and electricitylater this year.

With oil prices still at relatively lowlevels, but increasing as tensions inthe Middle East and Africa continue,Lynx believes that businesses shouldbe looking at signing up to multi-

year contracts to guard againstvolatility in the utilities market.

The warning comes in the newly-published ‘Lynx Purchasing MarketForecast’, an overview of market andpricing trends for hospitality opera-tors.

John Pinder, managing director,said: “Utility prices are driven byevents, and predicting how they willbehave is never simple.

“While the continued downturn inthe European economy and fallingin demand in China have kept the

price of oil steady, the renewed ten-sion in the Middle East is likely tocause another price spike.

“With utility prices currently as lowas they’ve been for a couple of years,but expected to rise, we believe isthe time for operators to look atlonger term, two to three year utilitydeals.

“The savings on existing deals canrun into thousands, even for a singlesite, and increase significantly formultiple operators.” John Pinder.

SPECIALIST care home agency DCCare is celebrating its 10th anniver-sary in 2012.

The privately owned firm hasgained an excellent reputation forproviding vendors with a profession-al, ethical and friendly service.

They have sold over 300 care busi-nesses worth in excess of £440msince their formation in 2002.Director Anita Allen said; “By the endof 2012, and given our sales pipeline,we hope to report that we have soldseveral more care facilities.

“The transactions we have managedvary from small boutique style resi-dential elderly care homes to largepurpose-built units and numerousspecialist care facilities, single units

and groups located throughout theUK.

“In the current economic climatethe sales process can often be pro-tracted and requires tenacity, team-work and an in-depth understandingof the sector. We are pleased to saythat we have maintained our positionin the marketplace as one of the mostactive agents during the last couple ofyears.

“Of late we have also been engagedby banks and administrators sellingdistressed facilities and, while thesales and marketing approach forthese vendors is slightly different, weare achieving the maximum sectorexposure and full sales prices forthese care homes.”

Specialist property agentcelebrates anniversary

Badges meet criteriaSINCE 2010 healthcare practices reg-ulated by the CQC must meet servicedelivery criteria including the clearidentification of individual staffmembers.

The guidance publication entitled‘Essential standards of quality andsafety’ specifies that, for providers toachieve the required standard of careand welfare of people who use theirhealthcare services, their users “canbe confident that, wherever possible,they will know the names and jobtitles of the people who provide theircare, treatment and support” (part ofOutcome 4C).

Compliance with this standard issimple according to Badgemaster, theUK’s leading supplier of namebadges. “Providing name badges tocustomer-facing staff is a proven and

very cost-effective solution to theCQC regulations,” said MD JohnBancroft.

Nottinghamshire-based for 20 years,Badgemaster designs and manufac-tures ready-to-wear employee namebadges for thousands of hospitals,surgeries and care homes and wellunderstands the needs of healthcareprofessionals.

HEALTHCARE furniture and equip-ment manufacturer and supplierJames Spencer & Co Ltd has a strongorder book after clinching new caresector orders worth over £200,000.

Cumbria Care has placed a £62,000-plus order for bedroom chairs, diningchairs and commodes for the refur-bishment of 30 homes run byCumbria county council’s adult andlocal services directorate.

In Calderdale, Halifax-basedPennine Housing 2000, now part ofthe Together Housing Group, hasordered dining, lounge, lobby andconservatory furniture with a com-

bined contract value of £20,000 aspart of its refurbishment of ClementCourt.

And North of England-based Tees,Esk and Wear Valleys NHSFoundation Trust has placed a£19,000 order for specialist challeng-ing environment beds for a new unitat its award-winning, multi-millionpound mental health and learningdisability development, RoseberryPark in Middlesbrough. They are inaddition to 318 existing inpatientbeds, which is made up of self-con-tained ward units, clustered aroundclosed landscaped courtyards.

Firm’s new orders boost

New addition proves popularEQUINOX Stripe, the newest additionto Danfloor UK’s healthcare collec-tion, is proving very popular withinthe care sector.

The Stripe range consists of ninetonal shades produced in a slightlyheavier weight making it suitable fora variety of applications from bed-rooms to corridors.

This versatile carpet is designed tosuit a number of environments fromnursing homes to retirement villagesand sheltered accommodation.

Many care groups are engaging withthe Stripe collection and Danfloor

has seen it installed within loungesand circulation areas to create animpressive and stylish atmospherewhich complements the rest of theinterior design schemes.

In addition to the outstanding per-formance characteristics the newStripe also includes mædical™ a per-manent antimicrobial coating on thecarpet fibres.

mædical™ provides a permanentbarrier against microbes and inhibitsbacterial and fungal growth, whichare the major causes of cross contam-ination and odour.

CASTLEOAK, the specialist care sec-tor development and constructiongroup, has completed NewmanCourt, a 64-apartment extra careproject with day centre in

Basingstoke. This was the group’sfifth extra care scheme for SaxonWeald, and comprises two-bedroomapartments which will be offered forshared equity purchase and rent.

Castleoak complete care scheme

Washer-extractors vitalfor contamination controlHYGIENIC processing of laundry isparticularly important in retirementand care homes, as well as hospitals.In such establishments, laundry canbe the source of the spread of infec-tion and potentially pathogenicmicroorganisms.

Many nosocomial infections can betraced back to poor hygiene stan-dards in the processing of contami-nated laundry.

Miele’s PW 6163, PW 6243 and PW6323 barrier machines provide theideal solution for processing soiledand potentially infected laundry withtheir safe disinfection programmesand controlled process parametersset new standards for laundries.

How does the barrier system work?These new high-throughput barriermachines from Miele with drum

capacities from 160 to 320 litres offercare and retirement homes and hos-pitals optimum physical separationbetween the unclean and clean sidesas stipulated in the Prevention ofAccidents Regulation BGR500 and arealso suitable for other situations werethe hygienic processing of laundry isparamount.

DisinfectionThe Profitronic M controls on thenew Miele washer-extractors controlthe temperature and holding timesprecisely to comply with the requiredstandards.

Miele Professional barrier washershave special hygiene packages; ther-mal disinfection, chemo-thermal dis-infection and incontinence/soiledlaundry.

New additions at NaidexGAINSBOROUGH Specialist Bathing,will showcase a host of further bathsfrom its extensive range at Naidex.

Designed for those that need fullcarer assistance in either a hospital orcare home setting, the Malvern isavailable with further options includ-ing nursing arms, detachable transferseat, child seat and leg raising unit.

New for this year, the hi-lo powered

bath has additional optional featuresincluding a sound system which isdesigned to help lower blood pres-sure and relieve pain as well as easeanxiety; a spa system for relaxationand relief and there is the option ofChromotherapy, which is a colourand light therapy, that can enhancethe users’ mood which is proven tohave a positive effect on the body.

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38

Occupancy specialist

Computer Software

Recruitment

Signs

Care Home Software

Transport

Business

Buyers are often unaware just how much global events can change the price of producing everyday consumable products. Sam Gompels, managing director of Gompels HealthCare Ltd, takes alook at how your purchasing costs might be affected.

WHAT do Greece and Iran have to dowith the price of your everyday carehome supplies?

Just as storms that spread across theoceans can buffet the country andbring some unwelcome side effects,political and economic activities thatoccur many miles away may affect ustoo.

We live now in a world that is trulyglobal. If you stand in yourstockroom, the chances are you willbe next to a box of gloves from China,black refuse sacks from India, handtowels from Italy and a toilet cleanermade in Coventry.

Here we look briefly at some keycore product categories: oil/plasticand tissue/paper pulp and predict

what is happening to them in themarket and why.

Oil/plastic: prices are likely to go up.Oil prices are at a high of USD 120 perbarrel, a substantial increase of 20 percent in the last few months from USD100 per barrel.

Freight rates from the Far East havealso gone up dramatically this monthas the shipping cartels try to recoverfrom a loss making year in 2011.

The net result is that disposablegloves, as an end product, are likely togo slightly up in price.

Tissue/paper pulp: prices are likelyto come down. There has been arecovery from the economic damagecaused by earthquakes in Chile andstrikes in Finland, two of our

supplying countries. So tissue prices have lowered a little

and this will slowly feed through tothe end users.

It has also been helped by cheaperimports from Europe.

So what does all that have to dowith Iran and Greece? The sanctionson Iran have been responsible formost of the increase in the oil priceand the loss of confidence in Greeceand the Euro zone generally hasreduced the value of the Euro.

A lower Euro means cheaperimports from Europe and thepotential for lower prices.

A mixed outlook is forecast and awatchful eye is crucial to yourbusiness success.

How global events can affect you

Sam Gompels

Have you got a story for Caring UK?Let Dominic Musgrave know by calling 01226 734407

or email dm@whpl.net

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