December 2010

no.175 • £4.75

In association with

BByy DDoommiinniicc MMuussggrraavvee

A HIGH Court judge has grantedpermission for a judicial review ofhow Pembrokeshire council sets theamount it pays in care home fees.

A hearing in Cardiff heard that theweekly £390 it pays per resident isnot enough to cover costs. Theowners of four homes claim they faceclosure without more money andthat the fees structure is unfair.

At the hearing, the homes – Pen-coed in Saundersfoot, Langton Hallin Fishguard, Woodfield Care Homein Narberth and Woodland Lodge inTenby, which are trying to claim extrapayments of £90 per resident perweek – were refused a temporaryincrease in fees until the judicialreview.

Care Forum Wales, whichrepresents independent careproviders, provided written evidenceon their behalf.

Senior policy advisor Barry Lathamsaid: “These cases appear to besymptomatic of a wider problem inthe social care sector which iscausing a postcode lottery in relationto the provision of care in Wales.

“As around 75 per cent of residentsin care homes are publicly funded,the fees which local authorities pay

for their supported residents have acritical impact on the financialviability of care homes.”

But he council’s legal defenceclaims the homes' financial problemsare not a consequence of how thefees are set.

Councillor John Davies said that thesituation with the homes was notcaused by the level of fees paid byPembrokeshire, and also revealedthat at least six local authorities inWales pay lower fees than those ofhis council, while seven pay at asimilar level.

He added: “Some people haveincorrectly assumed there is arecommended rate for fees.

"The national organisation, CareForum Wales, has a view on fee levelsbut this is not one which is widelyadopted. The responsibility ofCouncils is to set fees. It is not anegotiating process.

“We are firmly of the view that wehave done this fairly and we haveused a nationally recognisedfinancial model to assist us. We areconfident that the Council's positionwill be upheld by the court when thefull facts are explained in the finalhearing in December.”

Judicial reviewto look intocouncil fees

Doctor Hilary Jones officially opened a new carehome in Henley-on-Thames. Best known for hisregular appearances on GMTV, he was joined bythe town’s mayor Jennifer Wood at the event atCarebase’s purpose-built Acacia Lodge CareHome, which offers elderly nursing and dementiacare. The 55-bed facility also offers a hair andbeauty salon, bar, library, cinema facilities,treatment rooms and garden.

‘Substantialinterest’expectedJOINT administrators fromaccountancy firm PKFhave said they expect“substantial interest” inthe Southern Care Group,which operates nine carehomes in North Wales.

PKF is now running fourcompanies trading as theSouthern Care Group,which has homes inWrexham, Colwyn Bay andPrestatyn. It has alsoappointed HealthcareManagement Solutions, aspecialist care homemanagement company, toassist it in running thehomes. In a statement,PKF said: “Steps have beentaken to stabilise thetrading position and linesof communication havebeen opened with therelevant regulatoryauthorities. Theadministrators arecommitted to ensuringthat all care standards aremaintained and all homesremain open.

“Once the financialposition is stabilised, theadministrators intend tooffer the businesses forsale. The homes haveenjoyed a high occupancylevel and substantialinterest is expected.”

The company employs270 people and cares forup to 300 elderly people.

incorporating

The Number One magazine for the care sector

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3CARINGNEWS

AdvertisingSales and Marketing Director:Tony Barry

National Sales Executives:Rebecca Hazell Tel: 01226 734685 Email: rh@whpl.netMandy EdwardsTel: 01226 734333 Email: mandye@caring-uk.co.ukFax: 01226 734477

PublishersWharncliffe Publishing Ltd.47 Church Street, Barnsley, SouthYorkshire S70 2AS.Email: info@caring-uk.co.uk

EditorialGroup Editor:Andrew Harrod Tel: 01226 734639 Fax: 01226 734478

Healthcare Editor:Dominic MusgraveTel: 01226 734407

Reporter:Christina EcclesTel: 01226 734463

Group Deputy Editor:Judith HalkerstonTel: 01226 734458

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.

www.caring-uk.co.uk

You can now follow us on Twitter at caringuk

LIFE-SIZED plastic livestock in a NorthEast care home’s grounds are causingquite a stir with the local community.

Buttercup the cow and Tuppence thesheep were named by the residents at afete held at the Ascot Care owned StAnnes care home in Whitley Bay afterbeing purchased by owner Trevor Nesbit.

Manager Julie Charlton told Caring UKthe farm animals have attracted a lot ofinterest from passers by.

She added: “The owner asked me whatI thought about getting them and I saidthey are a good idea to have them in thegrounds to put a smile on residents’faces when they wake up in a morning.

“We have done a lot of work on thefront garden which looks out to thecoast this year, and the residents haveenjoyed getting out there when they canto be with them.

“One lady here was brought up on afarm, and it was her job to milk thecows, so it has proved really therapeuticfor her.”

The animals helped the home scoopthird place in the residential care orsheltered accommodation category ofNorth Tyneside in Bloom, but they havealso attracted some unwanted attention.

Julie added: “Recently we had a queueof traffic on the road by the homebecause people were stopping their carsto take pictures, and we have also had

schoolchildren, residents’ grandchildrenand even a couple of policeman on hors-es come for a look.

“We have also taken several calls frompassers by asking why they are there. Ialways respond by asking if they put asmile on the person’s face, and every onehas said ‘yes’.

“There is so much negativity in theworld, and unfortunately somebodythought it would be funny to push the

animals during the night so we have hadto chain them up, but apart from that allthe feedback has been positive.”

Julie says Trevor is always coming upwith new ideas for the residents, thoughshe is not sure what his next venture willbe.� Have you come up with a quirky idealike this for your care home? LetDominic Musgrave know by emailingdm@whpl.net or ring 01226 734407.

Resident Audrey Waters with Buttercup the cow

Plastic animals? Pullthe udder one ...

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CARINGNEWS4

Regents Court manager Karen Hancox and her deputy Becky Dallimore with resident Bill Sly at the memorial rose arbour.

Home’s floral tributeto former care workerBy Dominic Musgrave

A BROMSGROVE care home hascreated a tribute to a formermember of staff who died in a caraccident last year.

Residents and staff at Alpha CareHomes’ Regents Court describeTina Irish, who worked as a careassistant for 14 months, as a‘beautiful wild flower, climbing ashigh as she could’.

So they have planted a rosearbour and unveiled a plaque inmemory of the 45-year-old, whodied at the end of September 2009when her car crashed into a tree.

Manager Karen Hancox said:“Tina was a lovely person who had

a troubled life, but came intodementia care and really shone.

“She used to go in every morningsinging a song by The Stylistics tothe residents, and had a naturalway with people with thecondition.

“As well as being very pretty shewas also has a bubbly, outgoingpersonality and, as her confidencegrew, she decided to work in thecommunity.”

The mother-of-four achieved herNVQ Level 2 in care during hertime at the home. She left todevelop a new career as acommunity carer six monthsbefore she died.

Karen came up with the idea for

a memorial area for Tina so theresidents who knew her could goand remember her.

She added: “We originallydiscussed raising money for Tina’schildren but, after a meeting withher daughter, it was decided that amemorial here would be the mostfitting tribute.

“It took us a few months to getthe money together throughvarious events, and she was sopopular that some of the relativesgave us money to put towards it.

“We hope that as the roses growthe residents will be able to go tothe memorial area and enjoy thesmells while remembering Tina atthe same time.”

Conferencefocuses ondepressionBRUNELCARE jointly hosted aconference with Age Concern Bristolwhich focused on the taboo subjectof depression in the elderly and theisolation it can cause.

The forum included presentationsand discussions by Mary Godfreyfrom the University of Leeds whospoke on wellbeing in later life andthe challenge of depression and JillManthorpe from Kings CollegeLondon, who discussed the mentalwellbeing of older people from blackand minority ethnic groups.

Alisoun Milne from the Universityof Kent concluded the event with alook at depression and older peoplein care homes.

Attendees also had the opportunityto openly discuss their experienceson the difficulties of the issue andhow to move forward.

A key theme to come from both thepresentations and subsequentdiscussions was the issue of isolation,citing it as being one of the mostprominent contributors to thecondition. A series of researchforums are planned for next year.,with topics including helping tocreate a sustainable social caresystem and improving mental healthcare for older people in a generalhospital ward.

Live job boardA CARE provider has updated itswebsite to include a live job boardwhich displays vacancies across thecompany’s 18 care homes and homecare services on the south coast.

Care South’s working in care sectionalso shows possible career pathwaysand staff case studies, and givesinformation about the skills anddevelopment opportunities availableto the company’s employees.

Michael Peden, director of HR andtraining, said: “Over 1,600 staff areemployed and consequently ourrecruitment needs are varied. As wellas care and support workers they alsoinclude managers and administrationand catering staff. We hope jobhunters will find the new featureinformative and easy to use.”

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5CARINGNEWS

A GLOUCESTERSHIRE care homehas launched a silver surfers’ club toteach residents how to use comput-ers and the internet.

The fortnightly club at CaringHomes Group’s Mill House inChipping Campden was set up withthe help of Campden Hub, a localnetwork that supports older peoplein the community.

Sessions are designed to help resi-dents feel more confident using tech-nology, and enable them to keep intouch with their friends and relativeswho send emails and messages via

the web. Manager Jodie Wright told Caring

UK the subject for each lesson isdecided by the residents, dependingon the skills they want to learn most.

She added: “Something that startedoff as a small project has really takenon a life of its own. It’s wonderfulhow Silver Surfers has helped every-one develop new skills and stay con-nected with their family and friends.

“Topics so far have included email-ing, creating new documents, down-loading and organising photos, talk-ing over the webcam and internet

shopping. “At least 20 attend on a regular

basis. The club uses a computer thatlinks to a main television screen, soall the silver surfers can learn togeth-er. There are also two laptops thatresidents can use to practice on andput their new skills into action.”

The sessions are also open to mem-bers of the local community, andJodie says it is a good way of showingpeople what the home has to offer.

She added: “Hosting the club is partof the broader goal of getting peopleto come into the home, and for us to

show them that nursing homes aren’tsmelly old places.

“We want the home to be at thecentre of the community, and chil-dren from the local schools regularlyvisit us to entertain and spend timewith the residents.”

The home regularly hosts physioclasses and discussion groups as partof a varied activities programme,while also welcoming entertainers. � Do you host a club at your carehome? Let Dominic Musgrave knowby ringing 01226 734407 or emaildm@whpl.net

Silversurfers’clubprovesa hit at home

Residents are shown how to work the computer

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CARINGNEWS6

By Dominic Musgrave

A FRUSTRATED care home ownerclaims he could be left thousands ofpounds out of pocket if he is forcedto pull out of the purchase of anotherexisting home.

And Adam Hutchison, director ofBelmont Sandbanks, which is madeup of two care homes and a daycentre in New Romney, Kent, says hisproblems, which he estimates couldcost him in the region of £35,000 if hewithdraws his offer, have beencaused by the CQC’s ‘fundamentallyflawed’ registration system.

He told Caring UK that he wasoffered no advice or instruction andjust referred to the website afterwriting a letter of complaint to theinspectorate’s Newcastle helpdesk.

Adam added: “I began the processof adding a new care home to mycurrent group in May. I am a currentcare home provider and the businessI am attempting to purchase is anexisting care home business.

“What this has shown is that thisprocess is flawed because betweeninspectors/compliance officers andthe helpdesk in Newcastle no one

really understands their own process. “You are consistently guided to the

website, which is ambiguous at best,and in my particular situation theydo not have a clean process.”

Adam says he has been advised toadd a location to the service providerand deregister then re-register theexisting manager, which he believesshows the CQC has a lack ofunderstanding of how businesses arerun, and how takeovers of an existingoperational business take place.

He added: “I have to do a new CRB,get new medical reports and newprofessional references all before Ican even sign to take over thebusiness. All of this information isalready with CQC as the manager isalready registered. I believe thiselement to be a waste of time on ourpart and resource for the inspector-ate. Under normal business practicesthis actually makes it impossible tocarry out a business purchase as thebusiness cannot be purchased untilthe CQC approve the new registra-tion. Yet I cannot really register a newmanager until I own the business andam able to gain the informationrequired to register the manager.”

Owner hits outat CQC over‘flawed process’

Kristel Gardner, Whickham Villa,Newcastle-upon-Tyne

I AM writing in response to yourarticle in the November issue ofCaring regarding the recruitment ofhome managers, and can confirm wehave had difficulty recruiting a onefor more than three years.

We offer a very competitive salarywith bonus and have an ‘excellent’CQC rating and resources available,and have tried numerous methods ofadvertising, including local andnational press, journals, andagencies, without success.

My personal opinion is the job hasbecome extremely difficult due to the

level of responsibility andaccountability above and beyondthat of a nurse’s professionalaccountability. The services are 24hours seven days a week, and themanager has the in hours and out ofhours responsibility.

The job appears to ‘suffocate’ and‘strangle’ managers over a period oftime, as most appear to be in a catch22 situation, between MDT bodies,commissioners and inspectorate.

There is also the financial elementto consider as most nurses(managers) are not sales/marketingfocused, and when put in thatposition often feel compromised as aprofessional.

Recruitment difficultiesReader’s letter

PCSO Kris Killelay-Chevous and PC Sally Loftus with residents Brian Head and AnthonyWard

ELDERLY residents of a SanctuaryCare home experienced a day in thelife of a police officer when theyvisited Suffolk Constabulary’sheadquarters.

Residents and staff from Shaftes-bury House enjoyed a guided tour ofthe Martlesham building, where theysaw demonstrations on the work of

police officers and had a look roundthe force’s museum. Activities leaderJulie Clifford organised the trip afterseeing how much the residentsenjoyed visits from her local PoliceCommunity Support Officer (PCSO)Paul Sermons, who advises theresidents about safety and also givestalks at the home’s gents’ club.

Residents cop for station tour

Embroidery service on contract linens for care homes

TOWELSDIRECT has been supplying the caresector for the last 20 years and providespremium Turkish quality towels that last up to150 washes.

Most towels that you see in a retailer willonly last 60 washes. We also provide minimumiron bedlinen that is constructed of easy carepolycotton, again designed to last longer thanyour average bedsheet and save your staff time.

Bespoke embroidery designs are availablealong with matching bedlinen and curtains.

Since Towelsdirect’s inception, we havealways tried to focus on our uniqueness.Customers are reminded that we offer freedelivery on orders over £150, operate a nominimum order policy and next day deliveryfrom stock.

We recognise that our customers’ needs areever changing and it is with this in mind that weare updating our website daily.

Enquiries: Telephone 0800 018 6935 orvisit www.towelsdirect.co.uk

If you would like to advertise inCaring UK please contact:

01226 734479

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7CARINGNEWS

By Louise Cordell

A CAMBRIDGE care home scoopedthe team of the year prize at theInternational Dementia ExcellenceAwards.

The Abbeyfield Society ownedBrowns Field House was recognisedafter demonstrating how they havedeveloped individual carer skills thatbenefit the team and enhance thecare provided for the 27 residents, 85per cent of whom have some form ofdementia.

Registered care manager MarshaTuffin told Caring UK her team haveemployed creative and innovativeways to support the residents.

She added: “ We very much focuson a person’s past and do a lot of lifehistory work with them before theybecome ill, and have also paid a lot ofattention to the aesthetic surround-ings of the home. This has involvedus creating a traditional sweet shop,old fashioned telephone box with aphone that still works, post office andkitchenette.

“The staff have done it all them-selves, and many of them roped theirhusbands in at weekends to help putit together voluntarily. We are lookingat getting an old car for the male resi-

dents to tinker with or give a wash.”

Marsha said the themed areas com-bined with the keeping of chickens,rabbit and guinea pigs has led to amassive reduction in the use of anti-psychotic drugs used within thehome after working closely with thecouncil’s mental health team.

She added: “Sometimes you have touse these drugs as a last resort whennothing else has worked, but we haveseen a major decrease in the amountwe now use here.

“One lady who lives here used to bea social worker and she now goesback to it and rounds up the staff andanswers the phone if there is no onearound to pick it up.

“Another lady was on the drugs formany years but, since we introducedthe themed areas, she is now offthem and we have seen a massiveimprovement.”

All of the 33 staff that work at thehome are trained in the same way,with some going on to OpenUniversity study or qualify in otherareas such as massages or manicuresfor the residents’ benefit.

Marsha, a former hairdresser, hasalso trained several members of staffto give the residents basic haircutsand styles.

Marsha Tuffin (third from the right) and Browns Field House staff with their award

Cambridgehome scoopsteam prize

Long-serving staff rewardedA BURY St Edmunds residentialcare home has rewarded its longserving staff who have achievedalmost 250 years of service.

Run by East Anglian independentcare provider Healthcare Homes,Fornham House in Fornham StMartin near has a team of 63 staff,25 of whom have worked at thehome for at least five years. Thehome itself is more than 270 years

old and has an ‘excellent’ ratingfrom the CQC.

Activities co-ordinator ValCrascall has been at the home forthe longest period, having just cel-ebrated 22 years. Donna Goodmanjoined the home 20 years ago, orig-inally as a night carer. She is nowsenior housekeeper responsible forpurchasing, maintenance andtraining.

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CARINGNEWS8

Warning over‘pockets ofpoor practice’By Louise Cordell

THE head of the inspectorate saysshe is ‘greatly encouraged’ by newfigures in a report that revealed animprovement in adult social careservices in the last two years.

But CQC chief executive CynthiaBower also has warned that theregulator has the power to get toughon those remaining ‘pockets of poorpractice’.

She added: “Where we haveconcerns about quality we will nothesitate to act swiftly, using ourtougher enforcement powers.

“The pressures of the currenteconomic climate mean it isparticularly important for providersand councils to work together todevelop local care markets andanticipate future long-term careneeds.

“Policy makers should also ensurefuture social care strategiesencourage capacity building forcommissioners to develop markets,which will require innovation in thelight of economic and budgetaryconstraints.”

The national analysis of the adultsocial care market report found theoverall quality of social carecommissioned by councils inEngland increased, with 83 per centof care homes, home help services,

nursing agencies and other schemesrated ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ in 2010,compared to 69 per cent in 2008.

But it also found that more than20,000 adults are living in council-funded care homes rated no betterthan ‘adequate’, with nursing homesfor elderly residents among the worstfor quality of care, with nearly one infive rated ‘adequate’ or ‘poor’.

These homes failed to give patientstheir medicine, provided poor qualitymeals and fell short of basicstandards for hygiene.

Overall, 21,000 people were inresidential or nursing homes ratedno better than ‘adequate’, andanother 1,900 were receiving care athome from services graded less than‘good’.

The report also found:� More than a quarter of nursinghomes for elderly people – 28 percent of the total – were failing tomeet minimum acceptable standardsfor overseeing residents’ medication.� One in five nursing homes wasfailing to provide residents withenough social contact and activitiesduring the day, the same proportionas was criticised for the standard ofmeals and washing and lavatoryfacilities.� Thirteen per cent fell short ofnational minimum standards forhygiene and infection control.

A DOZEN residents at a Norfolk carehome enjoyed a horse and carriagetrip around their village.

The nostalgic trot was arranged forthe Hill Barn in Sparham residents bydeputy manager Sue Barnard, whosefriend uses them for a weddingcompany

She said: “We like to try and dosomething different for the residentseach week, and try to get them out

and about as much as we can in thesummer.

“I thought it would be nice for theresidents to take a ride around thevillage and, judging by theirreactions, they all really enjoyedthemselves.”

Previous activities arranged for the25 residents at the three-star homehave included a boat trip on theNorfolk Broads.

Residents Betty King-Deacon, Pearl Hobson-Davys, Irene Barrett and Roger Tessier enjoya trip on a horse and carriage.

Nostalgic trot for residents

RESIDENTS at a care home nearWalsall have been enjoying a spot ofexercise with a difference.

Waters Edge in Great Wyrley has been holding regular Tai Chisessions for its residents, which arebased around a series of slow,controlled movements to helpdevelop strength, balance, posture,

and calm.

Activities coordinator JennyCowley said: “The residents reallybenefitted from these sessions – theyfound them very enjoyable.

“They learned breathingtechniques and movements, which Iwill now incorporate into our ownexercise routines.”

Tai Chi teacher Jacqui Fisher with residents Iris Robson, Bessie Derby, Annie Moran andSylvia Buller.

Tai Chi proves a winner ...

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CARINGPEOPLE10

PAT Bacon and Tony Becker fromCarebase’s Ashbrook Court inSewardstone were named care homeworker and ancillary award winnersrespectively at the event at TheEmirates Stadium.

Pat has worked as a carer within thedementia unit at the 70-bed two-starhome for three years and, despitebeing 62 herself, is currently workingtowards an NVQ level two.

Manager Glenda Barker, whonominated them both, told CaringUK she is ‘one of life’s characters’.

She added: “Pat has a natural abilityto put a smile on everyone’s faces,and it isn’t uncommon for her toarrive at work wearing a grass skirt orbright red curly wig.

“She is always trying to raise moneyfor charity, and residents and staffrecently poured baked beans over herfor charity. On fancy dress day shealways makes sure all residents havean outfit to wear, most of which shehas put together and made herself.

“But it is the extra things that makesPat that bit special. A relative came tovisit her mum recently and herdementia had caused her to beparticularly restless. Pat called her

later that day, which she didn’t haveto do, to let her know that she hadsettled.”

Tony has worked at the home forjust over a year, but Glenda said he ismuch more than your averagemaintenance man.

“Tony is always extremelysupportive to both the staff andresidents,” she added. “He decoratestheir zimmer frames to make themlaugh and enjoys talking with themabout football or any other subject.

“He always invites them to sit withhim while he is working, giving thema small job such as unscrewing nutsor sanding down a bit of wood tomake them feel like they haveachieved something.

“Last Christmas when the weatherwas bad he spent hours picking upand dropping off staff to ensure thehome was always fully covered,which again isn’t part of his jobdescription.”� Do you have a member ormembers of staff that you feeldeserve to be featured in aforthcoming Caring UK issue? LetDominic Musgrave know by ringing01226 734407 or email dm@whpl.net

The manager of a care home has paid tribute to her staff after two of them were recognised atthe inaugural Great London Care Awards. Dominic Musgrave reports.

Tony Becker and Pat Bacon receive their awards from Holby City actor Mark Moraghanand category sponsor.

Double wincelebratedat Ashbrook

Sanctuary’s successprompts expansion planA NEW multi-faith sanctuary at aNorth East care home has proved sopopular that plans are in place toexpand it in future.

The new facility at Cleveland Park, a66-bed dementia specialist home inNorth Tyneside, was developed at therequest of the residents.

The former unused lounge nowboasts artefacts to represent all of themajor faiths, and even has its owntraditional church pews.

Manager Maggie Scott told CaringUK the room is a also used as a quietarea for residents and their relatives.

She added: “We talked with theresidents about what they wanted tosee in the home and the place ofworship was the most popularchoice.

“A lot of our residents used to go tochurch, but many of them are unableto get out any more so we decided tobring it to them, and it has been ahuge success.

“We have been in contact with thelocal churches and different religions

across Newcastle and NorthTyneside, and when the local bishopcame to bless the room it wasstanding room only.”

Maggie says the area, which hostsservices several times a week, is alsoused by the staff, who come from allover the world, as a place where theycan relax.

She added: “It is a very emotiveplace and, as part of theredevelopment plans we have for thehome, we are going to try and extendit so we can get more people in.

“We plan to split the home into four15-bed units to incorporate apalliative area so that we no longerhave to move people to other homeswhen they become too ill.

“We are going to take away sixbedrooms and in there place we willput in a kitchenette for residents tomaintain their independence and aguest bedroom for relatives.

“Buy splitting the home up we hopethat the care we offer will improveeven further.”

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CARINGNEWS12

‘Activity andexercise thebest medicine’By Christina Eccles

CARE homes should have anemployee who is trained in keepingresidents active, it has been claimed.

Dr John Searle, chief medical officerfor the Fitness Industry Association,says exercise can make a massivedifference to residents, reducing theneed for sedation and making themco-operate more.

Speaking at the annual Care Showin Birmingham, he said: “We are allgoing to die, but inactivity moves youup the queue and activity andexercise are the best medicine wehave.

“We are not talking to gyms, whereit is easy. I have done classes withpeople in their 80s so it can definitelybe done in a care home setting wherebags of sugar and tins of beans canbe used as weights.

“I do know of some homes that takea group of residents to gyms and itcan become a social gathering wherethey go for a coffee afterwards.”

John said there are numeroushealth and wellbeing benefits ofexercise for the elderly, as well ashelping with independence andencouraging social interaction.

He added: “Once you hit the age of 40 you lose 10 per cent of your strength every decade, but with exercise you can offset itsignificantly.

“Residents need to keep movingand not sit still and, if they aremobile enough, using the stairsinstead of a lift can be a great benefit.

“Another task they could do ifpossible is cleaning their teeth whilestanding on one leg to improvebalance.

“They can use one hand to hold onto the wash basing at first, but thengradually reduce the number offingers until they don’t need to useany.”

� Do your residents do regularexercise? Let Dominic Musgraveknow by emailing dm@whpl.net ortelephone 01226 734407.

12 DP Events 17/11/10 16:45 Page 1

CARINGNEWS12

‘Activity andexercise thebest medicine’By Christina Eccles

CARE homes should have anemployee who is trained in keepingresidents active, it has been claimed.

Dr John Searle, chief medical officerfor the Fitness Industry Association,says exercise can make a massivedifference to residents, reducing theneed for sedation and making themco-operate more.

Speaking at the annual Care Showin Birmingham, he said: “We are allgoing to die, but inactivity moves youup the queue and activity andexercise are the best medicine wehave.

“We are not talking to gyms, whereit is easy. I have done classes withpeople in their 80s so it can definitelybe done in a care home setting wherebags of sugar and tins of beans canbe used as weights.

“I do know of some homes that takea group of residents to gyms and itcan become a social gathering wherethey go for a coffee afterwards.”

John said there are numeroushealth and wellbeing benefits ofexercise for the elderly, as well ashelping with independence andencouraging social interaction.

He added: “Once you hit the age of 40 you lose 10 per cent of your strength every decade, but with exercise you can offset itsignificantly.

“Residents need to keep movingand not sit still and, if they aremobile enough, using the stairsinstead of a lift can be a great benefit.

“Another task they could do ifpossible is cleaning their teeth whilestanding on one leg to improvebalance.

“They can use one hand to hold onto the wash basing at first, but thengradually reduce the number offingers until they don’t need to useany.”

� Do your residents do regularexercise? Let Dominic Musgraveknow by emailing dm@whpl.net ortelephone 01226 734407.

12 DP Events 18/11/10 13:56 Page 1

13CARINGNEWS

Eileen climbs Mount Kilimanjaroto celebrate her 60th birthdayA MARLOW care home managerhas celebrated her 60th birthdayby climbing Mount Kilimanjaro fortwo charities.

When Eileen Spiers was asked byher daughter what she was goingto do for the landmark occasionthe last thing she expected to sayin response was scaling the world’shighest freestanding mountain,but that is what she did.

Eileen, who had never tackledanything like this before, toldCaring UK she was fed up of theusual parties so decided to dosomething different to raise £1,500for Alzheimer's research andCancer research.

She added: “I was fed up of hav-ing a party with flowers and cham-pagne, but I think my daughterthought I had gone mad when Isaid I was going to do the climb.

“I had a party at the home, butinstead of the staff and residentsbuying me presents I asked themto make a donation towards mycharity for the climb.

“A lot of my friends have lost rela-tives to either Alzheimer’s or can-

cer, which is why I opted for thetwo charities and, once I hadraised enough money for the trip, Idecided I had to do it.”

A trainer at Eileen’s gym that sheregularly attends devised a specialprogramme to help her prepare forthe seven-day expedition, and shealso did six-hour walks at week-ends.

She said the hardest part of thetrek was the altitude sickness.

“It is pure luck, and there is noth-ing you can do to prepare for thealtitude sickness,” she added. “Twopeople younger than me out of ourparty of 12 had to turn backbecause they were so ill, but itmainly made me feel breathlessrather than sick.

“Every step felt like I had got leadboots on and, because it hadn’trained there for a while, the onlywater we had was to drink so weweren’t able to have a wash, whichwasn’t very nice.

“I’m glad I did it because I wouldhave regretted it if I hadn’t, but Ihave said to my friends that if Iever say I am going to do this again

I want them to phone theAlzheimer’s Society and have mechecked out.”

Residents at the home created a

model of Kilimanjaro to keep up with her progress with daily updates from Eileen’s hus-band.

Eileen at the top of Kilimanjaro

13 16/11/10 16:43 Page 1

CARINGNEWS14

A RETIRING activities co-ordinatorhas been shortlisted in a nationalcompetition.

Annie Gillett, who has worked atThamesfield Retirement Village forthe past 25 years, 19 of which havebeen in her current role, has beennominated in the lifetimeachievement in care category of theNational Care Awards.

Now on the shortlist, she hasundergone an interview by thejudges who will choose the winner –to be announced at a glitteringceremony at a London hotel later thismonth.

Annie, who retires from herposition in December, wasnominated by village manager RhonaPrice, said: “I originally workednights when I started here, but whenthe job came up as a new role Iapplied for it and was lucky to get it.

“It has been a challenge over theyears because we have a mixture ofresidents and all enjoy differentthings. Some enjoy the group workwe do, whereas others won’t join ineven though I know they would enjoyit if they did.

“Those that won’t or cannot join inthe group events I tend to spend one-to-one time with and doreminiscence work with them.”

Quizzes, crosswords, discussions onthe news and games of scrabble are

some of the things Annie organises,as well as visits from entertainers,music groups and trips shopping orto the cinema.

Annie, who was treated for cancerlast year, says the job has notchanged much over the years.

She added: “All residents need thesame thing – conversation andcompany – and moving into a carehome is not easy for resident, manyof whom find it difficult to makenew friends.

“I see my job as getting peopletogether to try and create new

friendships. It can be frustratingwhen residents decide they don’twant to come to the activities I puton. When a resident tells me theyhave enjoyed a particular activity it iswhat my job is all about.”

Once retired, Annie says she plansto travel with her new husband.

She added: “I would happily carryon working here forever, but myhusband and I really want to travelwhile we still can. Being shortlistedfor the award was fantastic, but towin it would be amazing, though Idoubt I will.”

Annie Gillett does a crossword with resident Barbara Meyer.

Retiring Annie shortlistedfor achievement award

Homes showappreciationfor staffA NATIONWIDE group of care homeshas celebrated Staff RecognitionWeek to acknowledge and appreciatestaff in each home for their hardwork.

From awards ceremonies tokaraoke, each Hallmark Healthcarehome honoured the event in theirown individual way. In addition tocertificates and awards, goodieshanded out to staff included bottlesof wine, chocolates and beautytreatments.

Each was visited by a staff memberfrom head office, who was there toshare their appreciation of theteams. Head office staff were also onhand to dish out prizes to thewinners of Hallmark in Bloom, acompany-wide gardeningcompetition, while managingdirector Avnish Goyal crowned BrynCelyn care home in Maesteg theoverall winner.

The “thank you” initiative provedenjoyable for residents too, as theywere encouraged to join in thecelebrations. Residents at Ashgroveand Ashleigh care homes inWrexham enjoyed live music and abuffet in the gardens.

Six members of staff at GoodwinsHall King’s Lynn were presented withgift vouchers and certificates tocelebrate 10 years’ service atHallmark Healthcare.

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CARINGNEWS16

LIFE stories of older people living ina Wimbledon care home have beencollected to help foreign care workersbetter understand the residents andtheir cultural heritage.

The older people’s life stories arebeing gathered as part of the‘Collected Short Stories’ project atQueen’s Court, where 38 of the 55staff come from outside the EU from as far afield as the Philippines, South Africa, India andSri Lanka.

It was created by Many HappyReturns founder Sarah Reed, whofound that her Chatterbox flashcardsof British life in the 1940s and 1950sprompted older people’s memoriesand help carers understand moreabout their lives.

The home’s manager, ShaaronCaratella, said: “The project has hada number of benefits for the carehome, with the main one being thebuilding of relationships between the staff, residents and their families.

“It has helped the staff to learnmore about the residents’ lives, andthey can use the books to triggerconversations and are much moreconfident to ask questions withoutbeing too intrusive. Relatives also askthe staff about their lives andcultures. It has been a whole teamapproach and, because they areworks in progress, they are alwaysbeing added to.”

In the project, care home staff spent time speaking with residentsand their families, collecting their stories and old photographsinto an autobiographical album.

As well as getting the basicbackground to a person, the booksallowed the residents to focus onperiods in their life that meant themost to them.

Shaaron added: “Some of theresidents enjoyed speaking abouttheir school days most, whereasothers talked about their family orwhen they went travelling to othercountries once their children hadgrown up.

“The residents really enjoyedtalking about themselves, not only with the staff but also with theother residents, and it has been

very interesting to see howrelationships have built in thehome.

“The books are also a central part ofthe memorial tea parties we have forthe residents who have passed away,and are passed around amongrelatives.”

Results of the project have alsobeen filmed and the videos put onYouTube.

Life stories help foreign workers

Carer Charles Veloria looks through a book with resident Marjorie Davies.

Elderly and vulnerable need to be protectedamid spending cutsLOCAL authorities should rememberelderly and vulnerable people whenthey have to make spending cuts, ithas been claimed.

The Independent Care Group (Yorkand North Yorkshire) says it will bethose who suffer most if councils cutspending on social care.

The group’s chair Mike Padghamsaid: “During the recent spendingannouncement the Governmentrevealed an extra £2bn for social carein this country, a very welcome cashinjection.

“But the Local GovernmentAssociation is saying that even withthat extra £2bn there will still be a£4bn shortfall in budgets for adultsocial care by 2014.

“The government is cutting itssupport for councils in England by 27per cent and the very real fear is thatcouncils will then cut back on theamount of social care that they areprepared to pay for.

“The obvious knock-on effect will be more older and vulnerablepeople in hospital because there isno council-funded care to look after them and that block beds forpeople needing treatment inhospital.”

Nigel Edwards, head of the NHS

Confederation, recently warned that“bed blocking” was a real threat as aresult of the current spending cuts.

He added: “Less support fromcouncil services will quickly lead toincreased pressure on emergencyservices and hospitals.

“Hospital beds will be blocked forthose who badly need care becausethe support services the elderlyrequire after discharge will not beavailable.”

Mike has called on the Governmentto ring-fence social care funding as itdoes health spending.

He said local authorities, NHS trustsand independent care providerswould have to work more closelytogether to overcome the problemsthat lay ahead.

He added: “We all appreciate thatspending cuts are happening, but itis vital that people who commissionsocial care remember that it is someof our older and most vulnerableresidents whose well-being could beput at stake.”

“The independent sector has manysolutions to the current situation andit is vital that commissioners workclosely with us to protect the peoplewho need care most.”

16 CCP FURNITURE 17/11/10 15:04 Page 1

17CARINGNEWS

By Louise Cordell

RESIDENTS at a Worcestershire carehome can now enjoy pampering ses-sions after the transformation of oneof its rooms.

The hair salon and pamper room atTutnall Hall, which comes completewith foot spas, manicure equipmentand a massage cushion, has beentransformed thanks to the efforts oftwo members of staff from the home.

Senior care assistant and dignitylead Jo Scriven, and care assistantand dignity champion Hilary Leeraised £460 through a 10-mile spon-sored walk in June to raise money toequip the room.

Jo said: “As dignity champions weensure that our residents are treatedwith the dignity and respect that theydeserve and they have earned. Wemake sure they feel individual.

“Everyone needs a bit of a treat intheir life, so we thought the pamperroom would be a good idea. We canjust take them in and let them have a

bit of pampering whenever they feelthey need it.

“Hilary is even doing a course atcollege so she will be able to do resi-dents’ nails. It is just our way of giv-ing something special back to them.”

Jo said that if the massage cushionproved a hit, they were planning toget a massage chair to help relax resi-dents even more.

The pamper room’s officially open-ing also coincided with a Halloweenfancy dress party.

Jo added: “We brought out theHalloween decorations and invitedeveryone to dress up. We also gaveprizes for the best costume and liveentertainment was provided by JohnDale. People also got to try out thenew facilities. We made a real day ofit and our residents loved everyminute.”

� Have you or are you planning totransform one of the rooms at youcare home? Let Dominic Musgraveknow by ringing 01226 6734407 oremail dm@whpl.net

Jo Scriven and Hilary Lee in the new pamper room.

Staff raise cashto pamperresidents

Success for director MelissaA LEICESTER social enterprise direc-tor has been selected as a regionalwinner for a highly acclaimed vin-spired award for her work withLearning for the Fourth Age (L4A).

The charity provides one-to-oneeducation and learning activities tocare home residents in the area and,as the executive director, MelissaMarch has recruited, trained andsupported more than 200 volunteerssince January 2008 when she startedthe organisation along with anotherdirector. The national awards recog-nise and reward individuals whohave made a difference to other peo-ple or the environment.

Melissa said: “I started L4A almost

three years ago to give somethingback to my community. I am proudto support our volunteers to providemental stimulus to care home resi-dents and to help them to make sucha fantastic impact each week.

“The residents really do enjoy thetime spent with them and the activi-ties not only help them to have a bitof fun, but they help to boost theirself esteem, and uplift their spirits.”

Kevin Lloyd-Evans, developmentmanager at UnLtd, nominatedMelissa in the energy category for theamount of time and effort she putsinto providing innovative and differ-ent volunteering opportunities forpeople in the city and the county.

17 16/11/10 17:18 Page 1

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19

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

In this issue:

� Award-winningsolicitor helpedreclaim £10m feesPage 20

� New dementiafacility opensPage 22

� Nesting birdsdelay work onexpansionPage 23

Actors Alan Halsall andLucy-Jo Hudson visited twoof a care group’s North Westhomes.Alan, best known for his roleas Tyrone Dobbs inCoronation Street, visitedIdeal Care Homes’ WidnesHall for a residents and fami-lies ‘afternoon tea’ with real-life wife and ‘Wild At Heart’star Lucy.The couple then helped near-by Hatton Grange in Hydecelebrate its first birthday bycutting a cake.Widnes Hall is home to 66residents – 36 for thoserequiring dementia care,while the 70-bed HattonGrange has 30 dementiabeds.� The couple are picturedwith Hatton Grange residentMarian Lomas, who won asigned photo of theCoronation Street cast in araffle.

All change as carehome makesdementia decisionBy Dominic Musgrave

A LOWESTOFT care home hasundergone a major refurbishmentand had a change of name to coincide with a move towardsbecoming a specialist dementia ser-vice.

The new name was chosen from alist put forward by staff and residentsat the Kingsley Healthcare ownedhome, with Kirkley Manor replacingKensington House.

Director of operations (nursing)Debbie McGovern told Caring UKthat, despite the group owning thehome since 2003, it still has a reputa-tion locally of being county councilrun.

She added: “We are moving awayfrom being a nursing home becausethat is the way the market is takingus, and part of that has included us changing the name to reflect this.

“A new extension was added to thehome five years ago, but extensiverefurbishment work is now going oninternally to make it more dementia

friendly.“We have worked with David

Sheard on this, and are part of theDementia Care Matters ‘ButterflyService’, which looks at improvingthe staff’s time with the residents,and moving away from their jobsbeing task orientated to being moreabout looking after their emotionalwell-being.”

Diane Walker, who has a primary

care background and personal expe-rience of dementia, joined the homeas manager in July, and she is instill-ing some of what she has learnedinto the home.

She added: “We have set up an action team that will speak with the residents and gather asmuch information about their pasts, such as occupations and inter-ests.

“It is in its very early stages, but aspart of the refurbishment we are alsogoing to create areas to make the res-idents’ days feeling fulfilling and toensure they are not just sat staringinto space.

“One lady was a keen seamstress sowe have installed an old sewingmachine and got some fabrics andbobbins for her.”

For those residents with the latterstages of the condition a sensory areawith a variety of materials is to becreated.

Diane said the feedback to the newway of thinking has been mostly pos-itive from the staff.

Kirkley Manor

£6m homerevampcompletedA CHARITY’S £6m redevelopment ofa Whitstable care home has beencompleted.

MHA took over the 1920s mockTudor property (formerly GranaryHouse) in 2005, which had been a 17-bed residential home for more than30 years.

Work at the now 50-bed BradburyGrange home has seen the listedbuilding restored and extended inconjunction with the local planningdepartment and heritage experts. Anew two-storey wing has been addedto increase the number of beds, andthe home was closed temporarily tobe purposely re-built.

The home replaces the nearby CliffDene care home, which MHA openedin 1946. All residents have moved toBradbury Grange.

JONES Lang LaSalle has completedthe sale of five care homes in theNorth West for an undisclosed priceon behalf of Watson GroupHealthcare.

Located in Greater Manchester and Cheshire, the portfolio consistsof 255 beds ranging from residential,dementia and longer term care for adults with neurological illnesses.

Five homes sold

19 17/11/10 10:35 Page 1

CARINGCOMMERCE20

By Paul Wheatley

AS THE social care sector assessesthe fallout from the Government’srecent Comprehensive SpendingReview, the need for tighter costmanagement could not be higheron the agenda for care homesacross the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

Regardless of the extent to whichthey are reliant on state funding,organisations throughout the careindustry can identify – andeliminate – significant cost savingsby following the Government’s leadand conducting their ownComprehensive Spending Review.

However, based on ourexperience of helpingorganisations reduce their costs,there is a need to focus on allexpenditure areas, big and small,in order to achieve this. Carehomes of all sizes must drill downdeep into their organisations toidentify and, where possible,reduce their cost base. Nothing

should be left unaccounted for.The following 10 tips offer simple

ways of making a real difference tothe health of your bottom linewithout compromising servicelevels:

Create a ‘cost-aware’ culture,where senior staff lead by exampleand all colleagues are encouragedto balance value for money againstthe operational requirements ofthe items they purchase.

Manage your major contractscarefully, highlighting end datesand notice period. Always tenderyour contract before the roll-overto ensure you are getting the bestdeal from your suppliers.

Challenge all mid-contract pricerises and ask the supplier to justifythem before they are accepted.

Only use first-class post whenabsolutely necessary. For example,second-class mail posted on aFriday afternoon will arrive at thesame time as first-class mailposted on a Monday.

While a franking machine

undoubtedly offers a flexible wayof sending mail, beware of hiddencosts such as topping-up charges,tariff rate chips and ink cartridgeswhich may detract from theirvalue.

The rateable value of yourproperty is based on a five-yearrevaluation by the Valuation OfficeAgency. If you feel your businessrates may be too high, you canappeal against it.

Avoid calling directory enquirynumbers as this information isusually available online for free. Ifthe call is necessary, never acceptthe offer to be connected by theoperator as you could pay 50 timesmore per minute for the call than ifyou dialled the number yourself.

Instigate a proactive energymanagement system. Avoid simplyreviewing incumbent suppliersand instead investigate the marketand benchmark against your peers.

Separate out recycled and non-recycled waste. Sending waste tolandfill is expensive and should be

minimised.Finally, remember to continue

looking for new cost saving ideas –even when you need them theleast.� Paul is a consultant with ExpenseReduction Analysts, a global leader incost, purchase and suppliermanagement.

Make a differenceto your bottom line

Paul Wheatley

A CARDIFF solicitor who helped toreclaim £10m in wrongly paid carehome fees has won a top industryaward.

Lisa Morgan, a senior associate atlaw firm Hugh James, who heads a21-strong team representing 2,000clients, was named the Law Society'sjunior lawyer of the year after beingselected from a shortlist of lawyersfrom Wales and England.

She told Caring UK the companyhas helped to reclaim the money inwrongly paid care home fees over thelast three years for those whoqualified for free care but had paidfor it out of their own pockets.

Lisa added: “I am thrilled andhonored to be recognised by mypeers for the work I and the nursing

care department have done. “The calibre of the finalists was

extremely high and I am delighted tohave won.

“It was costing an elderly personabout £600 a week to stay in a home,and many of those who were wronglypaying for care had been forced tosell their homes to pay the bill.”

Lisa was presented with her awardat the ceremony at Old Billingsgate inLondon by the society's presidentLinda Lee, who said she was“extremely impressed” by the highstandard of entries.

“Winning an award is more thanrecognition from their professionalcolleagues, it is also a symbol ofquality for members of the public,”Linda added.

Award-winning solicitorhelped reclaim £10m fees

MP helps celebrate ‘topping out’ milestone at new developmentWIRRAL South MP Alison McGovernplaced the last tile on the roof of anew £5.1m development inBromborough.

She visited Mendell Court extra carescheme for older people to join theproject’s partners in a celebration tomark the ‘topping out’ milestone inthe development.

The facility has been built through apartnership between Housing 21,Wirral Council, NHS Wirral, OlderPeoples’ Parliament and theDepartment of Health and, whencomplete, will provide 49 one andtwo bedroom apartments.

Support for people with a range ofneeds will be provided by an on-sitecare team which will be available 24hours a day.

Mendell Court, which includesoptions for rent and for purchase ona shared ownership basis, willprovide facilities which can be usedby older people within the localcommunity, including a hairdressingsalon and restaurant.

It is the second of two new extracare schemes being provided byHousing 21 in Wirral. The other,Willow Bank, opened last month.

MP Alison McGovern places the last tile on the roof with members of the projectpartners.

20 17/11/10 15:26 Page 1

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CARINGCOMMERCE22

A CARE group that previouslyspecialised in developing andrunning independent livingretirement facilities has opened anew dementia facility in Dorset.

Archstone Lifestyle Care’sWaypoints in Verwood will house40 residents in four different unitsspecialising in different types ofdementia which need differentstyles of care.

Each will have its own communalfacilities – a kitchen, lounge andnurse’s corner, but every residentwill have the freedom to walkaround the whole of the building,inside and out, whenever theywant.

Home director Lesley-AnneClements said: “People sufferingfrom dementia can still live full andactive lives and the provision of thetype of resident-centred care onoffer here is crucial to this.

“Residents will be able to eat a

meal at any time, be it day or night,do what they want when they wantand be given as muchindependence as they wish.

“Friends and relations can visitfreely and there is a wi-fi systemthroughout the building, sograndchildren or busy sons anddaughters can access the webshould they need to while visiting.”

Communal facilities include tworestaurants, library and terrace withgreenhouse, large activities room,hairdressing salon and small shop.

Chess, sewing, cooking andgardening clubs will be on offer,and residents can do wine tastingor woodwork if they fancy.

In the grounds there are fruit treesand flowers to help residents knowwhat the time of year is, a pets’corner, bird feeders and nestingboxes, plus potting shed andvegetable patch, which residentswill be encouraged to use.

New dementia facility opens

Archstone chief executive Martin Young with home director Lesley-Anne Clementsat Waypoints.

MAKING staff and businessmanagement processes efficient andaccessible in the care sector is Fusion, auser friendly software innovation, fromZest Care Systems.

Reported at the NEC Care Show as areal working solution for the care homeindustry Fusion is fresh to the marketrelieving the ever increasing pressuresand demands on owners and managersas they battle to manage quality ofcare, compliance and making a profit.

Fusion specifically aids the sector inimproving best practice and personalcentred care by allowing mangers tocontrol rotas, staffing budgets,recruitment, training and reporting andlegal compliance at the touch of abutton.

Fusion is a web based software technology with an easy to operate modular software system. With live updates and system back-up and on-site training it really is a case of just switching to a simple

system to gain greater efficiencies and profits.For more information call: 0844 504 4883.

The foundation stone for a new care home at The Moat House in Leicestershire wasofficially unveiled by local MP Sir Alan Haselhurst.Once complete, the care home on the Retirement Villages site will include 60 en-suitebedrooms grouped around four separate lounges and dining rooms. One suite willspecialise in dementia care.The new building also incorporates a clubhouse for the prospective residents of theextra care apartments being created in the second phase of redevelopment.The facility will be completed next summer, with the first residents moving in shortlyafterwards.

A new care home being developed on the site of a former Dorset creamery is set tocreate 60 jobs once it is fully opened. Colten Care, which owns 17 facilities throughoutDorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, are building the state-of-the-art 60 bedded care homein Sturminster Newton. Due to open in late 2011, it is being built in conjunction withsister company Colten Developments.

Appointmentsat care groupA WEST Yorkshire care group hasappointed Gillian Sangster itsoperations manager and BarbaraWalker nursing consultant.

The Czajka care group originallyadvertised for an operations managerbut, having received applicationsfrom two individuals who had beeninterviewed by managing directorKonrad Czajka and given individualpresentations to the managementand administrative teams, the overallconclusion was reached that bothcandidates could fulfil key roles inthe company.

Konrad said: “To have not just onebut two outstanding candidatesapply with the dedication and abilitythat both Gillian and Barbara have inabundance is a great reflection of thework we are doing both in our homesand the community.

“Both Barbara and Gillian have theexperience and knowledge to help usbuild upon our 100 per cent‘excellent’ CQC ratings in nursing

and residential care and our CQC‘good’ ratings in the community andnavigating us through regulatorychanges.”

Gill joins the group from herprevious role of local area managerfor the CQC in Leeds.

She was a regulator for 14 years,and previously managed the 98bedded Greenslades Nursing Homein Exeter.

Barbara was the regional managerand operations manager forEldercare, where she was responsiblefor the running of 16 care homes.

Previously she worked for BUPAand Regency care group in anoperations director role.

The Czajka Care Group runs fivecare homes in the Bradford andAiredale area – three in NabwoodShipley and one in Steeton and CrossHills.

Czajka Community Care Services isa home/domciliary care provider inthe Leeds and Bradford area.

Innovation from Zest Care Systems

22 Zest C/S 17/11/10 15:16 Page 1

23CARINGCOMMERCE

Completed phase one, with work on phase two to the left

Nesting birdsdelay workon expansionBy Dominic Musgrave

PHASE one of a Brighton care home’sexpansion plans have been complet-ed despite nesting birds delaying thework for more than a month.

Valerie Manor owner/manager ZoeBates had hoped to have the devel-opment, which includes a new diningroom, kitchen and two bedrooms,completed by August.

But work was delayed due to jack-daws nesting in a chimney that wasto be demolished at the 17th centuryformer manor house.

Zoe said: “We had to wait until thebirds had fledged, but now the workhas been completed it is definitelyworth it.

“The workmen are ahead of time onphase two, which will include 11 newbedrooms, a conservatory, staffroom, laundry and two new commu-nal bathrooms.

“We have also received a grant of£13,600 through SCIE’s GetConnected scheme and are purchas-

ing four touchscreen computers forresidents to keep in touch with rela-tives, and for staff training. They willalso be on portable trolleys so nurs-ing clients can use them.”

The work is set to be completed byFebruary and, once complete, willalmost double the home’s registra-tion to 23. Zoe has started theprocess of recruiting for new staff.

She added: “It was very difficult toget the funding in place for the work,and probably took us around half ayear to get it.

“The bank manager has regularlyvisited the home to make sure all wasgoing to plan, but has also been verysupportive as well.”

Zoe was one of five people whoshortlisted for the Worthing businessperson of the year awards after beingnominated by her financial adviser.� Have you or are you planning anyexpansion or redevelopment work atyour care home? Let DominicMusgrave know by ringing 01226734407 or email dm@whpl.net

THE inspectorate has launched aconsultation on the fees it proposesto charge providers of health andadult social care.

These cover CQC’s work in register-ing providers and monitoring theircompliance with essential levels ofsafety and quality.

The consultation sets out proposalsto simplify fees and put in place asingle long-term scheme that willcover all providers registered nowand those who will be registered fromApril 2011. It proposes a frameworkfor how fees will be charged based onprinciples such as fairness, simplicityand proportionality.

Chief executive Cynthia Bower said:

“We do not underestimate theimpact on providers of paying fees,especially in the current economicclimate. We have looked carefully atour costs and will continue to do so.

“We have a responsibility to collectfees from those we regulate and todemonstrate we are an efficient andeffective regulator.”

The consultation document out-lines three main proposals for:� Categories and bandings for fees,including fee amounts� A single annual fee that incorpo-rates registration and variation fees� Streamlining the payment date forannual fees.

The consultation runs until January.

Fee consultation documentoutlines main proposals

23 17/11/10 15:27 Page 1

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25CARINGNEWS

By Dr Sarah Hean

USER voice and patient involve-ment is a key element of the mod-ern health and social care agenda.

One of the most empoweringthings for any individual is to begiven a voice and to know that theirthoughts and opinions are countedand valued.

For older people this is especiallytrue and effective communicationcan form a significant part of sup-porting well-being and quality oflife for older people. Quality of lifeof older people is achieved throughmaximising factors that make peo-ple happy with their current, pastand future lives.

People working with older peoplein a caring setting should place asmuch emphasis on communica-tion and social well-being as theydo addressing physical health.

At Bournemouth University'sCentre for Wellbeing and Quality ofLife we have established the OlderPerson's Programme (OPP) whichaims to work in partnership witholder service users and service

providers to improve the wellbeingand quality of life of older people.

There are three core approachesthat we are using that practitionerscan adopt to improve communica-tion when working with older peo-ple: interprofessional working andeducation; generation of socialcapital; and humanisation.

Interprofessional working notonly refers to communicationbetween two or more care profes-sionals aimed at improving conti-nuity of care, it also refers to howthe service user can be seen as akey and active member of the careteam. In a care setting an older per-son should be considered as part ofthe interprofessional team ratherthan simply the recipient of theactions of this team. This givesthem a real opportunity to havetheir voice heard and to influencethe nature of their care.

Simply being involved in part of ateam also provides significant well-being benefits. This is referred to associal capital, which is the sustain-able advantage gained by individu-als through membership of a social

network or group. For older people this includes the

health and social care team work-ing with them. Building a strongsocial network within your care set-ting can have a lasting benefit onresident's wellbeing.

This benefit touches on the finalapproach – a humanistic approach– which puts emphasis on the livedexperience and personal history ofthe older service user.

Everyone is unique as an individ-ual and a system of care needs toreflect this. Rather than a purelyprofessional focused definition ofproblem based care, care practi-tioners should also look at the lifegoals and values of the individualand address these in their care pol-icy.

Taking the time during the work-ing day to consider communica-tion and its impact on the qualityof life of older people can make ahuge difference to their social well-being.

The three approaches outlinedabove should give all practitionersworking with older people a start-

ing point to improve communica-tions in their working life and cre-ate a stronger social environmentin the care setting.

� Sarah is associate professor andassociate director for the Centre forWellbeing and Quality of Life atBournemouth University.

Three approaches toimproving communication

By Dr Sarah Hean

25 16/11/10 16:37 Page 1

CARINGDEMENTIA CARE26

Report looks atdementia careprogrammeONE of the country’s largestproviders has launched the firstreport of its kind about dementiacare in care homes.

The PEARL specialised dementiacare programme developed by FourSeasons has achieved bothsignificant reductions in therequirement for anti-psychoticmedication and improved patientwell-being.

It records the highlights of thejourney from concept to programmeimplementation, and covers thethinking behind the approach, staffselection and training, the criteriaand the inspection process for ahome to achieve PEARL accreditationand both statistical and anecdotalevidence of the positive outcomes ofthe programme.

Dr. Pete Calveley, chief executive ofFour Seasons Healthcare, whoinitiated the programme, said thereport also includes insights fromstaff members specialising indementia care and feedback fromfamilies.

He added: “A fundamental part ofthe challenge facing us was to

redefine what we mean by gooddementia care, before we could knowif we are providing it.

“Then to find ways to help thoseliving with the symptoms ofdementia to let us know when we aremaking a positive difference for them– and when we are not.

“Healthcare professionals andwider society have made a lot ofprogress in the understanding andpractice of dementia care in the pastfew years – but perhaps that onlyserves to indicate how much morethere is to learn.”

Four Seasons has invested heavilyin developing the new PEARL service,and spent the last two years puttingthe theory to practice byimplementing the engaging specialistapproach to dementia care.

The team of seven, led by dementiaservices director Caroline Baker, has won numerous industry awards,and the PEARL service wasrecognised for its market-leadingexcellence by being awarded theprestigious 2009 Guy RotherhamCare Home Award by TheImprovement Foundation.

DEMENTIA UK honorary presidentJohn Suchet has received an honorary master of arts degree from the University ofWorcester.

The honour is in recognition of hissuccessful career in broadcastjournalism, his scholarly work inclassic music, and his recentpersonal contribution to raising

awareness of dementia and the needto improve care.

At the same ceremony theUniversity honoured Peter Ashley,who has lived with the diagnosis ofLewy Body dementia andcampaigned tirelessly for the directvoice of people with dementia to beheard.

Honour for honorary president

WHEN Harlow-born Jenny Twigg wasapproached to work in a local carehome as ‘the hairdresser’ in 2001,little did she know that nine yearslater she would be sharing a stagewith one of the most feared ‘Dragons’from the TV series ‘Dragon’s Den’.

Jenny originally qualified as ahairdresser as a mature student in1992 and eventually began a mobilebusiness working with the elderly inthe community.

She said: “When I startedhairdressing at Elmhurst ResidentialHome in 2001, I was asked to train asa carer – so I underwent dementiatraining.

“I had never experienced such jobsatisfaction and was then determinedto fulfil my dream by combining mytwo passions, working with this clientgroup and hairdressing.”

Having two such complementaryskill sets soon led to a demand forJenny’s services in other care homeslocally and she decided to start herown dedicated business,‘Care 4 Hair’.

She added: “I soon took on anassistant – a fellow carer andqualified hairdresser – as I grewbusier and my reputation grew.

“My extensive research into the careindustry revealed that beingdementia trained is not arequirement of outside serviceproviders such as hairdressers,beauticians and the like.

“My mission is that all residentialand care homes will have the choice to have their own personalhairdressing and beauty service provided to them by fullytrained, qualified staff who not onlycare how their clients look but alsohow they feel.”

2009 saw Jenny re-brand and

launch her company Lily Pins Ltd. She added: “It was a very exciting

year all round for us. “I entered ‘The Pitch 2009’ and was

shortlisted from over 100 applicantsfor the London Regional Final,eventually winning the ‘wildcard’place to the national final inLondon.”

This £50,000 pitching competitioninvolved Jenny presenting to, andbeing grilled by, a panel of top classbusiness talent, including former TVDragon Doug Richard whosubsequently invited her to share herexperience on stage with him at thelaunch of his own ‘Perfect Your Pitch’event.

Dual training makesJenny a cut above

Jenny Twigg

Pioneering new cabinet furniture supports dementia patients

NEW from Knightsbridge Furniture is apioneering range of cabinet furnituredeveloped to help support the specific needsof dementia patients within nursing homesand residential schemes.

The Caspia collection forms part of thefirm’s extensive healthcare portfolio ofseating, tables and bedroom furniture andincludes wardrobes in various configurations,together with drawer cabinets, a dressingtable and a ‘memory box’.

Created exclusively for KnightsbridgeFurniture by designer Catherine Hawcroft, the collection is manufactured in the UK using timber fromrenewable sources.

Advocating the positive role which furniture can play in supporting the confidence and orientation ofdementia patients, Catherine trained alongside carers and clinicians to progress her own ideas in line withthe latest research into person-centred dementia care.

Features of the new collection include the use of colour and contrast to aid those with visual andsensory impairments, and domestic styling to convey a feeling of security for residents in often confusingand unfamiliar settings.

Enquiries: Telephone 01274 731442 or e-mail enquiries@knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk

26 Knightsbridge C/S 17/11/10 10:36 Page 1

27CARINGDEMENTIA CARE

FOR too long the valuable contribution of the independentsector to dementia services hadbeen at best overlooked and atworst ignored.

In my new role I have an oppor-tunity to see some of the best ser-vices that our sector is delivering,and a structural role to feed thisback into policymakers so that thevital contribution that our sectormakes to improving the lives ofpeople with dementia is betterunderstood.

A third of people with dementialive in care homes and more thanthree-quarters of all those olderpeople in care settings have someform of dementia.

This is an enormous challengefor a system that is resource con-strained and the ‘Cinderella’ incomparison to the bigger health-care sector.

I have been delighted to see at first hand some of the tremen-dous services that our sector isdelivering and to watch as our colleagues deliver personalised,dignified care to some of the mostvulnerable and cognitivelyimpaired citizens.

The way in which care staff connect with their residents never ceases to amaze me, and the way in which care servicesstrive to connect with people who are often regarded as locked in their own world is truly hum-bling.

I recently heard of a case wherean older person was becomingvery agitated and trying to take thekeys out of doors and windows.The care staff did an in-depthexamination into this lady’s back-ground and discovered that duringthe war she had been an admin

officer in a prison.

Suddenly the staff understoodwhat was motivating this particu-lar resident and they produced fivelocks on a piece of wood in herbedroom and encouraged her tolock up every time she left herroom.

This sounds like such a littlething, but in reality it was thepiece of care that reduced thelady’s anxiety and relieved her agi-tation.

Examples like this are going on day in and day out in care set-tings.

I am so proud of the work thatour sector is doing to support peo-ple with dementia and their car-ers, and I am so honoured that Ihave been asked to champion it.

ECCA chief executive Martin Green discusses his new role as independent sector dementiachampion.

Proud of the services andhonoured to champion them

Martin Green

27 Lilly Pins 17/11/10 15:45 Page 1

CARINGNEWS28

Owner claims shehas been ‘starvedof residents’By Dominic Musgrave

THE Caring UK newsdesk has beeninundated with calls and emails fromfrustrated care home owners andmanagers regarding the story in theNovember issue on bed blocking.

All have agreed with Care Forum Wales’senior policy officer Barry Latham that,given the opportunity, independent careproviders could save the NHS money andprevent hospital bed blocking.

Kate Jackson, owner of Seaswift HouseRetirement Home, Seaton, said in thepast she has written to and telephonedher local hospitals to inform them whenshe has empty beds, but no one ever getsback to her.

She added: “I think there should besome scheme where care homes shouldbe able to register their empty beds withthe hospitals, but they are not on the ballat all. At the moment I have two beautifulrooms available ready to provide a lovelyhome to two elderly residents. Surely it ismuch better for elderly people to be inhere than a hospital bed?

“My current charges are £550 per week,much better than £350 per day, but still itgoes on and on.

I would be very happy to contribute to

a scheme that helps sort out bedblocking in hospitals, but I have to sayand, with some experience, that somerelatives look on it as freeaccommodation.”

And Irene Steele, owner of Oakdene in Birkenhead, believes it would securethe future of care homes and makehospital beds available for emergencyadmissions.

She added: “We have been starved ofclients due to the local councils usingcare agencies to keep elderly people intheir own homes.

“While this may work for some people,the majority are being given inadequatecare packages solely due to costs and, inmany cases, there are people who are notsuitable for homecare.

“I have had two clients admitted to myhome via hospital due to homecare beingtotally unsuitable for these people.

“I would like to have a contract with mylocal hospital whereby people come inand are looked after while suitablearrangements are made for their future.”� What do you think? Let DominicMusgrave know by emailingdm@whpl.net or telephone 01226734407.

ACTOR Michael Le Vell officiallyopened Avery Healthcare’s new Acacia Lodge care home in the Moston area ofManchester.

Best known for his roles asCoronation Street’s KevinWebster, he unveiled a plaqueand toured the 60-bed home,

seeing its dementia facilities anden-suite rooms before enjoying abuffet lunch with residents,relatives and staff.

Michael also presented abouquet to the first three womento move into the home: VeraMellor, Meg Kaye and MarieKyriakoulis.

Michael Le Vell with 100-year-old resident Mrs Millie Stringer

Coronation Street actor opens home

28 16/11/10 17:14 Page 1

29CARINGNEWS

Home dementiachat eveningintroducedBy Christina Eccles

A SURREY care home has launched adementia chat evening to give resi-dents’ families and local people anopportunity to find out more aboutthe condition.

Moorlands Care Home, which pro-vides nursing and residential care inSurrey, held the event to not onlyprovide people with a source of infor-mation but also to give relatives ofpeople suffering from the condition aspace where they can share theirexperiences and offer each othersupport.

Hillary Dyce from the localAlzheimer’s Society branch gave atalk on the condition at the CaringHomes Group owned home’s inau-gural event, with those attendingable to ask questions afterwards.

Olivia Pritchard, the groups’ mar-keting account manager, has beeninstrumental in setting up the pro-gramme.

She said: “Relatives of the home’sresidents mentioned that they wereconcerned that they didn’t under-stand enough about dementia at oneof their monthly meetings, so wedecided to put on an informativeevent where they could learn more.

“It was opened up to the local com-munity, and some of the topics dis-cussed included what signs can be

looked out for, and what can be doneto help people who have the condi-tion.

“Guests were given the opportunityto ask questions at the end ofHillary’s presentation about the con-dition, and talk through how theyhad been affected by it.”

The home’s manager, LydiaMakuyana, added: “Dementia is acomplex and life-altering conditionthat touches many people’s lives.

“Although there is informationaround already we’ve found that peo-ple really value being able to talkthrough not only the details of thecondition, but also how it’s affectedthem and their relatives.”

Plans are in place to make the infor-mative evenings regular eventsthroughout the year, covering topicsto be decided by the relatives at theirmeetings.

Olivia added: “We are open to theirsuggestions, but it could be in futurethat one will have nutrition as a topicand another could be designingrooms to benefit elderly people orthose with dementia.”

� Do you host similar events for rela-tives and the local community atyour care home? Let DominicMusgrave know by emailingdm@whpl.net or ring him on 01226734407.

Family team raises £700A CAMBRIDGE care home workerand her 12-year-old daughter raised more than £700 when they competed in a half marathonwalk.

Nicola Munns, who works atAbbeyfield Society’s Browns FieldHouse, and her daughter Katie, par-ticipated in the inaugural RoyalParks Foundation Hearts andHeritage half marathon walk inLondon.

It took them more than four hoursto complete and included a three-mile impromptu diversion whenthey took a wrong turn on thecourse.

Katie’s feet were so sore at the endthey had to be treated by St John’sAmbulance crew on the finishingline.

The money will be used to makeChristmas extra special for thehome’s residents.

Nan Thomas plays tiddlywinks at the toy event.

RESIDENTS of a Wrexham care homehave been transported back in timeto their childhoods thanks to thetown’s museum.

Learning and access officer KarenTeasdale took along some toys of yes-teryear that she looks after at themuseum and told residents ofPendine Park’s Highfield Unit allabout them.

The event was organised by activi-ties manager Gerry Humphreys.

She added: “Some of our older resi-dents were talking about the sort oftoys they played with when they

themselves were small children, so Iinvited Karen along to give a talk andto show some of the toys and gamesheld as exhibits by the museum.

“It has certainly brought some fondmemories flooding back for someresidents who were enthralled byKaren’s talk as well as being allowedto handle and even play with thetoys. Children today play with com-puters and electronic games so it wasgreat to see old spinning tops, tiddlywinks and puppets, toys andgames that were really common backthen.”

Playtime remembered ...

29 17/11/10 09:31 Page 1

CARINGCARE AWARDS30

CUMBRIA Care and CLS CareServices scooped two awards eachat the annual Great North West careAwards at Old Trafford.

Cumbria Care’s Catherine Wattersand Karen Dalton won the carehome registered manager and carenutrition and hydration awardsrespectively, while CLS’ BelindaJones from Nantwich and JulieAngus from Knutsford were nameddementia carer and ancillaryworker of the year respectively.

Seventeen awards were up forgrabs on the evening, with AlfredHales from Bolton winning theinaugural unpaid carer’s prize. The89-year-old, who was awarded anMBE earlier this year, cares for hiswife Eunice who suffered a strokein 2002. He has also raised almost£50,000 for charity in the past eightyears.

The awards, which support TheMaggie’s Centre charity, werepresented by leading compereSteve Walls, while the SingingWaiters also entertained guests.

Other winners: Care employer (lessthan 250) – Lynne Griffin andNicola Tooke (Richmond Village,Nantwich); Care employer (morethan 250) – Ken Nolan (SpringhillCare, Accrington); Care homeworker – Alison Bevan (Hazeldene,Blackburn); Homecare worker –Sally Morgan (Mears Care Ltd,

Workington); Care newcomer – Jon-Paul Grimes (Allied HealthcareGroup, Salford); Homecareregistered manager – Darren Guy(Domus Healthcare Group,Oldham); Dignity in care – Carole

Wardle (Care UK, Crewe); Careteam – Lancashire Care Trustliaison team; Care activity organiser– Orla Adamson (MeridianHealthcare, Hyde); Care trainer –Nursing care home liaison team,

Lancashire Care Foundation Trust;Care innovator – Martin Clark (CareConcepts Group, Manchester);Outstanding contribution to socialcare – Gillian McGuirk (supportworker, Cumbria county council).

The Great North West Care Awards at Old Trafford

Unpaid carer Alfred, 89, hailed a winner

THE Imperial War Museum inDuxford was the backdrop for thefinals of the inaugural Great East ofEngland Care Awards.

Fifteen award winners from allcorners of the sector wereannounced at the event, which waspresented by Holby City actor MarkMoraghan.

Sector support included theAssociation of Directors of AdultSocial Services (ADASS), the SocialCare Institute for Excellence (SCIE),Skills for Care, Ceretas and ECCA.Caring UK magazine is the mediapartner.

Award winners will be invited toattend the national finals for eitherthe home care or care home sector,which will take place next May andJune at the prestigious Royal Courtsof Justice in London.

Winners: Care employer –Peterborough Care Ltd(Peterborough); Care home worker –Susan Cox, Southern Cross(Oakington); Homecare worker –

Sharon Dixon, Anglia CaseManagement (Bury St Edmunds);Care newcomer – Zara Hardwick,Housing 21 (Kesgrave); Care homeregistered manager – Jackie Wright,Raveedha Care Ltd (Linton);Homecare registered manager –Nicola Rowland, Ultimate Care UKLtd (Stutton); Care nutrition andhydration – Jason Parker, Care HomeService (Norwich); Dignity in care –Nelson Sibanda, Sure Care (Southendon Sea); Dementia carer – MaureenHudson, Bramley Court care home(Histon); Care team – Serviceplacement team, Essex countycouncil (Colchester);

Activity co-ordinator – Peter Turner,Housing 21 (Kesgrave); Care trainer –Helen Arney, Kingswood careservices (Burnt Mills); Care innovator– Steve Knight, Essex County Council(Chelmsford); Putting people first/personalisation – Kirk Wells, PALS Ltd(Witham); Outstanding contributionto social care – Maggie Hawley, GreatYarmouth.

The Great East of England Care Awards at the Imperial War Museum

Holby City actorrecognises careaward winners

30 16/11/10 16:46 Page 1

31CARINGCARE AWARDS

DORSET-based Tovic Care were thebig winners at the inaugural Great South West Care Awards heldat the Old Passenger Shed inBristol.

Becky Johnson won the carehome worker prize, while her bossNatalie Adams won the registeredmanager award.

Sixteen awards were handed outon the night, which represent allareas of the care sector, whether itbe older people or specialist services and from frontline staff such as care workers and caremanagers to people who havemade an impact in other ways such as training, specialist care inareas such as dementia and inno-vation.

Former EastEnders and Extrasactor Shaun Williamson presentedthe awards.

Winners: Care employer – IanSalter and Sharon Workman,Aspirations Care Ltd (Weymouth);Homecare worker – Jessica Scott,Platinum Plus Healthcare Ltd(Torquay); Care newcomer – KaiseiEvans, Brandon Care Ltd(Exmouth); Homecare registeredmanager – Jasmine Broome,Medico Nursing and Homecare(Paignton); Care home nutritionand hydration – Amanda Elliot and

Karen Place, Avon View(Christchurch); Dignity in care –Julie Hughes, Park View NursingHome (Swindon); Dementia carer –Tina Marsh, Barchester Healthcare(Stroud); Care team – The Swapsteam, Newton Abbot; Care home

activity organiser – WayneThompson, Craegmoor(Llantristant); Ancillary worker –Kathleen Stacey, BarchesterHealthcare (Yeovil); Putting PeopleFirst/ Personalisation – First CityNursing Services (Swindon); Care

trainer – Ann Dando, The GrangeCare Centre (Stonehouse); Careinnovator – Jane Raeside, SwindonBorough Council; Outstanding con-tribution to social care – BrianWestlake, Altogether Care(Weymouth)

The Great South West Care Awards at the Old Passenger Shed

Tovic Care take the honours

The Great Yorkshire and Humberside Care Awards at the National Railway Museum

Double success for AlliedHealthcare in YorkALLIED Healthcare scooped two prizes at the third annual Great Yorkshire and HumbersideCare Awards held at the National Railway Museum in York.

Rebecca Brooke took the care new-comer award, while Theresa Constivewon the homecare registered manag-er category at the event, for whichCaring UK magazine was the mediapartner.

The ceremony, which saw 18awards handed out covering everyaspect of the care sector, was pre-sented by comedian Helen Ledererand local BBC news presenter HarryGration.

Other winners: Care employer (morethan 250) – Paul Philips, SpringfieldHomecare (Garforth); Care employer(less than 250) – Westward Care Ltd(Leeds); Care home worker – JanCooper, Barchester (Knaresborough);Homecare worker – David Oxley,Autism Plus (Sheffield); Care homeregistered manager – Tracey Fullard,North Yorkshire council, Harrogate;Care home nutrition and hydration –Jane Williams, MHA (Hull); Dignity in

care – Val Sutton, City of York Council(York); Dementia carer – Jo Edmond,St Celia (Scarborough); Care team –Supported Living Team at Sun Health(Barnsley); Care home activity organiser – Christine Watson-Adams,

The Wilfward Family Trust (Leeds);Ancillary worker – Leslie Donno,Elizabeth Finn Homes (Harrogate);Putting people first – PersonalisationForum – Rebound (Doncaster); Caretrainer – Andrea Bayston, HICA

(Hull); Care innovator – TinaSanderson, Emerald Activities(Bradford); Outstanding contributionto social care – Ann Smyth, director, The Carer’s Resource(Harrogate).

31 17/11/10 10:37 Page 1

Inquiry intohuman rightprotectionBy Dominic Musgrave

THE Equality and Human RightsCommission has launched an inquiryinto the human rights of older peoplerequiring or receiving home-basedcare.

It will investigate whether the cur-rent legislative, regulatory and quali-ty control systems offer enoughhuman rights protection as well aspeople’s experiences of and confi-dence in the system to protect theirhuman rights.

The inquiry will also explore thelegal obligations of different players,including care providers, localauthorities, the CQC and central gov-ernment.

Commissioner Sally Greengrosssaid they will be looking at the casefor reform to ensure vulnerable olderpeople are comprehensively androbustly protected.

She added: “Against a backdrop ofbudget cuts and public sector reform,local authorities are playing an ever-decreasing role as direct providers orfunders of care and support, with themajority of older people receivingcare from private and voluntary sec-tor organisations or individuals.

“The complex web of provision hasleft older people and their familiesunclear whether and how theirhuman rights will be protected.Equally, we believe those providing,commissioning or regulating care areunclear of their legal responsibilitiesand how to discharge them.”

The inquiry aims to provide clarityand confidence for all who haverights and responsibilities thathuman recommendations will then

be used to inform the practices oflocal authorities, regulators andproviders of home based care, as wellas the Commission's own work.

It will also influence theIndependent Commission on socialcare reform and the independentCommission on a Bill of Rights.

Sally added: “By highlighting defi-ciencies in the present system, aswell as learning from examples ofgood practice, the Commission’sinquiry will ensure that the legal and regulatory framework in whichhome care providers operate protectsand promotes the human rights ofolder people, preventing abuses andtransforming the way that social careis delivered in England.”

Responses are being sought fromthe elderly, their relatives, care agen-cies and public authorities, and find-ings and recommendations will bepublished in December 2011.

Sally Greengross

HomeCall’s Tony Robinson and Joanna Caton show off the new dementia safetydevices.

HOMECALL, the telecare divi-sion of Coast and CountryHousing, has launched an inno-vative new service with Redcarand Cleveland Council support-ing those who live with demen-tia.

The new scheme will givealarmed safety devices to thosewho suffer from memory lossand who have been referred bydementia specialists at thecouncil, allowing them to liveindependent lives.

Using GPS software similar tothat used in car sat-nav systems,HomeCall’s 24-hour customercontact centre will be able tolocate people after an alarm istriggered using satellite posi-tioning on a computer screen.

The staff based in Redcar willeither call the alarm holder andguide them back to safety, orliaise with a family member to

coordinate finding and safelyreturning the individual.

Head of tenancy services JasonLowe said: “The new service willallow us to offer innovative sup-port to a number of residents inthe borough who have beenreferred by specialists to theprogramme.

“Using state-of-the-art tech-nology we will be able to locatethe device holders should theneed arise offering a safety netto those who may get in to dis-tressful situations or wanderunknowingly and put them-selves in danger.”

The device can be activated bythe customer as well as a familymember or carer who can raisethe alarm if they become con-cerned about their whereabouts.

It can also be triggered auto-matically if the person goes toofar away from their home.

New supportscheme launched

Coventry agency changes handsAUDLEY Care has acquired the Cove-ntry-based Loving Care Servicesagency.

Established in 2008, Loving CareServices has a range of private anddirect payment clients which willcontinue to be served under the newownership. Rebranded under AudleyCare, all staff will be retained and the

head office will stay in Bilton.Barbara Hobbs, Director of Care at

Audley Care, said: “We look forwardto expanding the business in thearea. Audley has just had planningpermission on the Binswood Hall sitein Leamington Spa, so having a wellrespected care operation already inplace is a huge asset for us.”

32 16/11/10 17:17 Page 1

33CARINGINDUSTRY NEWS

BOND Holidays provides over20,000 holidays per year welcomingguests with varying degrees of dis-abilities.

They offer specialist facilitiesthroughout all venues to make surethat every person is individuallycatered for, including the free hireof hoists, commodes and cot sidesas well as fully accessible ensuitewet rooms and full disabled access-es to all public areas.

Bond Holidays has three uniquevenues, Blackpool, St Annes andMarton Mere which all offer a greatservice, full accessibility and a fan-tastic holiday guaranteed that’sbespoke and personalised to everyindividual.

Throughout the year BondHolidays welcomes a variety of toptributes and famous faces for its

specialist breaks including themost recent visit of MichelleConnor (aka Kym Marsh) from hitsoap Coronation Street.

New for 2011, the King of Pop,Michael Jackson will have his veryown three night tribute weekendincluding a free trip to MaddameTussards Waxworks.

For your chance to join the trip forfree, simply answer the followingquestion.Michael Jackson has recentlyreleased a brand new single – is itcalled:� Hold My Hand?� Back For Good?� Knocking On Wood?E-mail your answer to: competi-tions@bondhotel.co.uk with thesubject ‘MJ Competition’.

20,000 specialist holidays a year

Kym Marsh

CareDocs:listening tosubscribersCAREDOCS keeps ahead of the curve, in touch with subscribers, listening to their needs and suggestions, and building these intothe system whenever and whereverpossible.

One thing that has been mentionedmore than a few times is that subscribers would love to be able touse CareDocs for everything withintheir homes, so, to meet this need, enter CareDocs 2011, complete with its new documenta-tion section.

Documentation will be the oneplace where all the paperwork youuse every day in your home can bestored, accessed, completed andprinted.

Not only will it hold templates forall the standard forms you use, it willautomatically produce these whentriggered by the addition of a relevantevent report or daily occurrence tothe system.

It will automatically filling in what-ever details are known by the system,update existing reports, takinginputted information and automati-cally adjusting reports to keep themup to date.

InteractivefacilitylaunchedONE of the world’s largest manufac-turers of corporate name badges andBritain’s market leader has launcheda new, user-friendly, fully interactiveonline design facility, enabling cus-tomers to design their own namebadges and create their own designsinstantly.

Badgemaster first introduced a spe-cialist, professional, free design ser-vice 18 years ago, and their designersregularly support many top design-ers, corporate clothing suppliers andleading companies across everyindustry.

Now this new and innovative website makes all the professionalskills, experience and resources used by top badge designers available to everyone with internetaccess.

Via a user-friendly, step-by-stepprogramme, it allows users to exploredifferent looks for their new badgeand to create their chosen optionswithout any of the delays or costsinvolved in the need to use a design-er.

Once happy with their chosendesign, users can send it electronical-ly straight to Badgemaster to receive a no-obligation quotation byreturn.

Couple set up care sectorbusiness agencyA HIGHLY EXPERIENCED husbandand wife team have set up a newnational business agency for the caresector.

Paul Burford, who has been sellingand acquiring care home businessesfor over 23 years, and has worked formany of the large specialist health-care agents in the UK, has launchedBurford Care Homes with wife Vicky.She has worked for some of thelargest commercial agents inLondon, and since having a familyhas flourished in a number of salesroles.

Paul said the company’s mission isto offer the highest quality service inthe industry.

He added: “Confidentiality andseamless handling of every detail iswhat makes the difference when sell-ing or buying a care home, and it isthis which will make us stand out

from the crowd.”Although we are in financially tur-

bulent times, it is still possible toachieve a very good price for a highquality home which offers accommo-dation that is future proof.”

“There are plenty of purchaserswho are able to access fundsalthough the constraints on their lev-els of borrowing remain a challenge.Much of our time is therefore spentvetting potential purchasers to ascer-tain their financial capabilities.”

Paul’s clients in the past haveranged from owners of single carehomes through to multi operatorsand large corporates.

Some of the UK’s largest care homeoperators have acquired and dis-posed of parts of their portfoliosthrough him.

John Strowbridge, managing direc-tor of Avery Healthcare, said: “I havealways found Paul to be attentive,professional and discreet in all mydealings with him and I would cer-tainly have no hesitation in recom-mending him to anybody thinking ofselling their home.”

Paul and Vicky Burford

Better serviceHAIGH has successfully rolled out acutting edge service system to sup-port their UK network of serviceengineers.

The Eagle Field Service system, pro-vided by EXEL Computer Systemsplc, allows engineers to plan,respond, diagnose and provide real-time parts ordering for Haigh cus-tomers through a PDA system

Customers are set to benefit fromthis through shortened responsetimes from the placement of an ini-tial call through to rectification andremoval of the associated administra-tion hassle, resulting in minimaldowntime of Sluicemaster andIncomaster disposal equipment.

There are many installationsaround the UK which date back up to20 years, even more in some cases, soproper maintenance to prevent un-necessary replacement is increasinglyimportant in an age where budgetsare being squeezed. This systemallows improved response and deliv-ery to allow healthcare providers tofocus on their customers.

Small in size, big on serviceL’AIDE Back may be a small familycompany but we are big on our levelof service.

How do we know? Our customerstell us so.

Established 12 years ago we builtour reputation on providing highquality products at the lowest price.

We provide a huge range of prod-ucts specialising in moving and han-

dling and pressure care.

With VAT rising in January now is a good time to make additionalsavings on items you may havethought about purchasing next year.

Our wheelchairs are currently onoffer at only £85 each ex Vat and,with new hoists from only £630 exVAT, considerable savings can bemade.

WITH Christmas approaching, manyof your residents will be receivingnew clothes as presents, so now isthe time to make sure you have arobust and effective identificationsystem in your laundry.

Labelling clothes is such a timeconsuming task that often garmentsare left inadequately named and con-sequently they can easily get mislaid.

Attach-a-Tag is a simple, cost effec-tive method of labelling clothing and

soft objects, and is an ideal way toquickly label short term and respiteresidents’ clothing as well as normallaundry.

Replicating a button, it attaches inseconds to the garment seam orlaundry label, making it discreet andcomfortable to the wearer.

Suitable for industrial laundry andiron proof, Attach-a-tag is reusable,making it even more cost effective foryour care home.

Identifying Christmas presents

33 17/11/10 10:38 Page 1

34

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

Pressalit installed at Morewood CentreSPECIALIST bathrooms from PressalitCare have been installed in theMorewood Centre, a newly builtcommunity respite home run byDerbyshire county council.

Providing short stay accommodationfor adults with learning difficulties anda wide range of special needs, the newcentre and its facilities have beendesigned to enhance resident’s selfconfidence and increase their skills forindependent living.

Allowing the 43 regular residents tobenefit from the very latest advances inflexible bathrooms, Pressalit Care hasinstalled height adjustable, ergonomicwashbasins, toilets, hand rails and grabrails in 11 bathrooms and shower roomsin the centre.

Two of the assisted bathrooms alsobenefit from the innovative track system, which allows for items such as the washbasin to be horizontallyadjusted, providing space and ease of movement for wheelchair users and their carers.

For more information, visit www.pressalitcare.co.uk or email uk@pressalitcare.com

Woodlands by MosaicTHE woodlands scattered across the UK stimulate all oursenses – the vivid fresh green scents of spring, balmyblue/green hues of summer flowers, the glory of abundantgold in autumn or the mysterious, still calm of winter.

Woodlands, the new healthcare collection from Mosaic,captures these senses with remarkable resonance, in adramatic depiction of our woodlands at their best.

Elegant alliums Grandiflora, playful tumbling branchesArbour, endless rows of trees Aspen and Sylvana - selectleaves pressed forever in our memories.

With a colour palette specifically selected to aid thehealing process this outstanding collection is printed oninherently FR furnishing fabric, suitable for curtains orbedding and washable to NHS disinfection temperatures.Bioprotex antimicrobial treatment can be applied to thisproduct.

Mosaic by Skopos is an ISO9001 accredited companyand, as the healthcare division of Skopos Design Ltd,Mosaic has over 30 years’ specialist experience in thedesign and manufacture of high performance FR contractfabrics for the healthcare sector.

Enquiries: Telephone 01924 436666 or visit www.skoposdesignltd.com

Knightsbridge rewarded for commitment tosustainability

THE whole-company commitment ofKnightsbridge Furniture to environmentalissues has been recognised with thepresentation of the FIRA Furniture IndustrySustainability Programme (FISP) certificate atthe House of Lords.

The certificate was presented to companychairman Margaret Miller, by Lord Hoyle, hostof the annual FIRA event during which theaward was made.

Knightsbridge Furniture has been designingand manufacturing contract furniture for over70 years, balancing traditional craftsmanshipwith advanced technology and materials to create some of the finest British-made furniture available forhealthcare, residential and hospitality environments.

Production continues to take place at Knightsbridge headquarters in Yorkshire using timber sourcedfrom renewable sources: in addition to FISP certification, the company holds ISO 14001:2004 for itsenvironmental management system, BS EN ISO 9001:2008 quality management accreditation andFSC/PEFC certification.

Enquiries: Telephone 01274 731442, e-mail enquiries@knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk or visitwww.knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk

Impey makes a huge advancement in level-access showering

IMPEY UK are no strangers to innovation – in fact when theyreleased the Level-Dec floor former for level-access showersover 10 years ago it sparked a revolution in the healthcareshowering industry.

Now this leading level-access shower specialist has done itagain with their latest product Level-Dec Advance.

Ground breaking advancementLevel-Dec Advance boasts a weight saving advantage of at

least 28 per cent over the original Level-Dec design whileretaining the same thickness of 22mm. It is perfectly suitedfor suspended timber floor applications as well being suitablefor concrete screeds.

By using a new moulding process Impey have been able toproduce a solid-core product that is not only finished to a high standard but it is also extremely strong.

Installation is easyLevel-Dec Advance has a unique feature that allows the installer to position it in almost any location

whilst avoiding under-floor obstructions such as joists, pipe-work and electrical cables.This impressive time saving feature is made possible by a separate centre plate section which features

an offset drainage outlet for the trap. The installer simply positions the ‘Dec and then rotates the plate tothe required position before securing it into place.

Enquiries: Visit www.impey-uk.com, email info@impey-uk.com or telephone 01460 256080.

Gerflor’s healthcare solutions now in onenew exciting brochure

GERFLOR has launched the new SPM International brochure. The brochure showcases SPM’s well respected and reliable range

of products including protective panels, wall protection, ergonomichandrails, as well as door and corner protection.

It is user-friendly and easy to navigate, with tabs for each part ofthe brochure making it easy to go straight to the relevant section.

The brochure reinforces how widely applicable SPM products arein the healthcare industry; from hospitals to care and retirementhomes. Lifestyle photography demonstrates examples of theprotective and decorative elements of the product portfolio.

As well as showing the extensive range of versatile product SPMhas to offer, it provides critical information about the ranges interms of their safety, easy maintenance and optimum hygieneproperties.

Gerflor’s extensive portfolio of vinyl floorcoverings is alsorecognised and installed in the marketplace for extreme durability,high design options, ease of maintenance and high performance slipresistance.Enquiries: Telephone 01926 622600, visit www.gerflor.co.uk

or email contractuk@gerflor.com

RUG Doctor Pro continues to be a favourite choice for carpet and upholstery cleaning amongst the caresector.

The secret to its success is the outstanding performance of its machines and cleaning solutions coupledwith the minimal time and effort required in using them.

In recent years, Rug Doctor has delivered a number of key initiatives designed to make carpet andupholstery cleaning even easier for operators, and the latest additions to the Pro range of cleaningsolutions will be launched at the NEC Care Show in November.

The new Rug Doctor Pro Spot and Stain Remover and the Rug Doctor Pro Urine Eliminator have bothbeen specifically formulated to perform well on their own or as a pre-treatment to Rug Doctor Pro machinecleaning.

Rather than having two separate solutions, the new Rug Doctor Pro Spot and Stain Remover has beenspecially developed to remove both stubborn spots and stains from carpets and upholstery.

For more information contact: Commercial Sales Executive Helen Sacre: on 01903 285853,email: helen.sacre@rugdoctor.co.uk or visit: www.rugdoctor.co.uk.

Company reveals record sales figuresBEAUCARE Medical Ltd has achievedrecord sales of its Beaucare ElectricProfiling Beds, Beaulifts (hoists) andslings, proving that its customerscontinue to trust in the company’s lowcost, high quality products.

Beaucare has been supplying beds tothe healthcare sector for more than 10years, with the majority of customerpurchases still being in good workingcondition after seven years of use.

The Beaucare Electronic Profiling bedsare designed with end user comfort andsafety in mind; are easy to operate forhealthcare professionals; meet EN 12530standards (casters); include an MRSAresistant coating on the headboard andare purchased with free assembly by fullytrained Beaucare service engineers.

The ‘Beaulift’ hoist range has also proved to be a top seller this year, with increased sales in the mini,maxi, stand up and bath hoist, as the companies range keep providing customers’ with a wide range ofproducts for numerous healthcare needs.

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

Rug Doctor remains firm favourite

34 C/S page 17/11/10 15:18 Page 1

Caring UK A-Z Directory

Transport

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twitter@CaringUK Gardiners Lane North, Crays Hill, Billericay, Essex CM11 2XE

Tel: 01268 521033 • Mobile: 07860 894331 • Fax: 01268 284951 • sales@hwpickrell.co.ukVisit our website for photos of current stock www.hwpickrell.co.uk

No.1 in used Wheelchair Accessible Transport

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• We specialise in the sale and purchase of quality usedwheelchair accessible and ambulance vehicles.

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• All buses fitted with seatbelts and comply to seatbeltlegislation.

Art Print andFramingEasy ArtUnit 1-4Tylers Business ParkLewis RoadBlackboysUckfieldPN22 5LFTel 0845 1662 732customercare@easyart.comwww.easyart.com

Bathrooms/HygieneCistermiserUnit 1 Woodley Park Estate59-69 ReadingRG5 3ANpr@wardturner.co.ukwww.cistermiser.co.uk0118 9691611

Business ServicesNetwork Care15-16 Queen SquareLeedsLS2 8AJTel:0113 281 6772info@networkcareuk.comwww.networkcare.com

Care MonitoringSystemsCM20004 Oakhouse160 Lychfield roadSuttonCoalfieldB74 2TZTel: 0121 3083010www.cm2000.co.uk

CateringFowler UKUnit 9 Link 59 Business ParkDeanfield DriveClitheroeBB7 1QJ0800 6199337david@fowleruk.comwww.fowleruk.com

CateringEquipmentAlfamax ltd.Watchmoor Trade CentreWatchmoor RoadCamberleySurreyGU15 3AJTel: 0844 357 4030Fax 01276 62696www.alfamax.info

ClothingBoyd Cooper3 Long AcreWillow Farm business parkCastle DoningtonDE74 2UGTel: 01332856566catalogue@boydcooper.comwww.dimensions.co.uk/Boyd_Cooper

ConstructionJab Enterprises1 Bickenhall MansionsBickenhall StreetLondonW1U 6BPTel: 0800 0141 366jon@jabenterprises.comwww.jabenterprises.co.uk

FurnitureSpecialistsCare ChairEnterprise HouseCranswick Industrial EstateDriffieldYO25 9PFTel 01377 271700sales@carechair.uk.comwww.carechair.uk.com

Health Care productsBeaucare Medical LtdCrimple Court,Hornbeam Square North,Hornbeam Park,HarrogateNorth YorkshireHG2 8PBTel: 01423 873666 Fax: 01423 873444sales@beaucare.com www.beaucare.com

Holidays/ExcursionsThe Bond Hotel120 Bond StreetBlackpool01253 341218karen-dixon@bondhotel.co.ukwww.bondhotel.co.uk

Home CareProvidersCaremark Domiciliary Care ProvidersUnit 4 The Colonnades17 London RoadPulboroughWest SussexRH20 1ASTel 01798 873770info@caremarkuk.comwww.caremarkuk.com

Infection ControlEnvironmental Hygiene Solutions65 Riverside 3Medway city estateRochesterKentME2 4BHTel: 08000 434270www.enhys.com

InsuranceTowergate PatrickBritannic House230 Burlington RoadNew MaldenSurreyKT3 4NWTel 020 8336 0099www.carehome-insurance.co.ukcarehomes@towergate.co.uk

LaundryElectrolux Laundry Systems99 Oakley RoadLutonBedfordshireLU4 9GETel: 08444 631 260info.elsuk@electrolux.co.ukwww.laundrysystems.electrolux.co.uk

MieleFairacresMarcham RdAbingdonOX14 1TW0845 3650555slawrenson@themediashop.co.ukwww.miele.co.uk

Nurse call/PatientSafety SystemsSafety Systems Distribution LtdUnit 11B Hobson Industrial EstateNewcastle, NE16 6EAneilrobson@safetysystemsdistribution.co.ukwww.safetysystemsdistribution.co.uk0800 3282951

Sensorcare SystemsTP HousePrince Of Wales Business ParkVulcan StreetOldham, OL1 4ER0870 4214288Paula.matsikidze@tpgroup.co.ukwww.sensorcare.co.uk

Safety & SecurityUniversal Hardware Direct UK LtdUnit 202 Kingspark Business Centre152 178 Kingston RdNew MaldenSurrey, KT3 3ST

Fireco31-32 High StreetBrighton, BN2 1RP01273 696007Alan.buckle@b3partnership.co.ukwww.firecoltd.com

Solicitors/LegalServicesBates Wells & Braithwaite2-6 Cannon St, London, EC4M 6YH020 7551 7652020 7551 7741s.marchant@bwbllp.comd.tuck@bwbllp.comwww.bwbllp.com

TrainingHealthcare Training College7200 the QuorumOxford Business Park NorthOxford, 6X4 2JZ0844 8006801info@healthcaretrainingcollege.com

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