July 2009

no.158 • £4.75

In association with

By Dominic Musgrave

FIGURES showing that the number ofinjuries reported in Suffolk’s residentialhomes have almost trebled in the lastthree years have been defended.

The number of reported injuries inthe County Council’s 16 residential carehomes was 349 last year – up from 121in 2006, but director for adults andcommunity service Graham Gatehousetold Caring UK that it has clampeddown on the reporting of incidents.

He added: “We are encouraging staffto report all incidents, however smallthey are, and it is very rare for there tobe anything major. We think it is goodpractice to report every incident, whichcan include things like scratches orresidents shouting at the carer.

“This new approach to reportingdemands that everyone involved in anincident must report it, which meansthat a single incident can be reportedtwo, three or more times by differentpeople.”

Sidegate Lane in Ipswich – whichmainly deals with dementia sufferers –had the most number of reportedinjuries totalling 123 from 2006 to Aprilthis year.

Ixworth Court – which provides care

for 22 frail elderly residents near Bury StEdmunds – has also seen a largeincrease with no injuries reported in2006, two the following year and 53 lastyear. Of these, 29 were as a result ofassaults. The total number of injuries asa result of assaults and violence rosefrom 33 in 2006 to 107 last year, whichGraham put down to the type ofresident living in the home.

He added: “There is a far greaterconcentration in our care homes nowof people with special care needs. Theyare people most likely to be prone toslips or falls, or, in the case of dementiasufferers, often present challengingbehaviour which can result inaggression towards staff.

“The increase in reporting is a positivesign that the new culture is working.Members of staff are now highlightingthe areas where they have encounteredproblems. Managers are now able totarget resources on appropriatetraining, for instance in helping staff tocalm down residents with challengingbehaviour.”� Are you reporting more cases ofabuse in your care home? Let DominicMusgrave know by ringing 01226734407 or by emailing dm@whpl.net

‘Injury rise’is defendedby council

Actress Joanna Lumley has given her support toa new cookbook aimed at carers. The book ‘TheCarers Cookbook’ by Angela Hamlin fromDraycott Nursing and Care, is a collaboration of28 day recipes, with three different recipes foreach day. Joanna, star of Absolutely Fabulous,who has been in the spotlight recently over theGurkhas’ settlement rights, has written theforeword for the new publication.

Caring UKcontinuesmeetingcall to CQCCARING UK hascontinued to pressthe Care QualityCommission for ameeting with homeoperators who arefrustrated with theservice they receive.

But sadly, despiteseveral requests,nobody from theregulator has agreedto explain some oftheir practices andlisten to some of theconcerns of ownersand managers.

Editor DominicMusgrave said: “Weare continuing toreceive calls andemails fromoperators telling usof their experiencesand frustrationswhen dealing withCQC.

“We think that it isvital that a seniorrepresentative of theregulator agrees to ameeting and listensto some of theconcerns they have.Sadly nobody hasagreed to this so far,despite us asking thequestion on behalf ofthe operators onnumerousoccasions.”Special report, Page 16

incorporating

The Number One magazine for the care sector

3CARINGNEWS

AdvertisingSales and Marketing Director:Tony Barry

Sales Manager:Jackie Brook

National Sales Executive:Mandy EdwardsRachel CollinsTel: 01226 734333 Fax: 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

Reporters:Christina EcclesMary FergusonLouise Cordell

Group Deputy Editor:Judith HalkerstonTel: 01226 734458

Database enquiries to Tel: 01226734695E-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.ukPods could be the wayfor homes of the futureBy Dominic Musgrave

THE care home of the future could bebuilt in half of the time and at a fractionof the costs of more traditional methods.

Dominic M’Benga, director of HawkOffsite Solutions, a sister companylaunched by established Yorkshire firmHawk Care, says they can build a newhome out of ‘pods’ a lot quicker andcheaper than they are currently.

Dominic told Caring UK that the com-pany, which officially launches later thisyear, is now marketing the Roompods tothe industry after they have been a suc-cess in the hotel and student accommo-dation sectors.

He added: “The pods are built in ourfactory and are delivered on to the sitecomplete – even the bed is made andthe pictures are attached to the wall.

“The two main advantages of this kindof build are that they around a thirdcheaper to build, and operators can getresidents living in them a lot quicker asthey take up to half of the time to buildthan traditional methods.

“Hotels have been doing this for a longtime, and from a health and safety per-spective they are a lot safer because theyare built in a controlled environment.They also take a lot less workmen to puttogether than you would find on a nor-mal site, and there is no need for a skip

because all of the wet trades havealready been done in the factory.”

The pods, which have already beenused to build two care homes in Essex,come complete with fixtures and fittingsand include bathroom, kitchen and liv-ing facilities which are craned into placeand stacked side by side or one on top ofthe other, up to four storeys high. Theyare then bolted together and, becausethey are made of recycled steel, aremuch stronger than when they were firstlaunched and made from timber.

Dominic added: “We have spoken to a

few architects, who were very scepticalat first, but once they saw what we aretrying to do they were taken aback.

“We have also taken the idea to a fewbanks, who are very excited becausethey can see several plans that they havehad to put on hold because of financialissues back to life because it is a lotcheaper method. We hope that the newway of building will open a lot of doorsto a number of developers.” � Would you like to work in a care homelike this? Let us know by ringing 01226734407 or email dm@whpl.net

A care home built from pods in Chelmsford

C G S

Warning fromowner afterfirst court caseBBBByyyy DDDDoooommmmiiiinnnniiiicccc MMMMuuuussssggggrrrraaaavvvveeee

A CARE home owner found guilty inthe first court case brought by theCare Quality Commission (CQC) haswarned others that the new regulatoris ‘more persistent’ than itspredecessor

Lloyd Tredell, director of GreentreeEnterprises, made the commentsafter his firm was found guilty offailing to make arrangements for therecording, handling, safekeeping,safe administration and disposal ofmedicines at its Clarendon Househome in Coventry.

The company was fined £1,666 andordered to pay court costs of £600 atthe city’s magistrates court, after theCQC took action after Greentreefailed to correct problems firstidentified by CSCI in July 2008.

He said: “We hold our hands up andadmit that we did not react quickenough to their deadlines, but somethings were not brought to ourattention as quickly as they shouldhave been by the home’s managers.

“In the past, CSCI were happy to seethat you were working towards theirrecommendations, but with the CQCthere seems to be a change ofattitude which is much more formal.

“We didn’t expect the case to go tocourt given that we were puttingthings right. I can only assume thatthey were wanting to make anexample of us.”

The problems were first highlightedby CSCI in July last year, and stafffound there were still issues on visitsto the home in October 2008 andJanuary and March 2009.

However, two days before thehearing, CQC inspectors carried outan unannounced inspection at thehome, and found the previousproblems had been rectified.

Lloyd added: “The positive to comeout of this is that we now have a strictauditing system in place which iscarried out by the senior carers on

shift. Once this has finished thedeputy manager will audit themedication straight afterwards, and ifsomething has been overlooked thenwe are still within the medicationwindow and are still able toadminister the medication.

“The CQC are 100 per cent happywith the new procedures we have putin place at all of our homes, and thecity council has said that it is one ofthe best in the area.”

Andrea Gordon, regional director forCQC in the West Midlands, said: "The result of this case sends out aclear message to those providingcare services, that if regulations arenot followed and the correctstandards are not maintained wewill take robust action."CQC inspected this home two daysbefore the court hearing and wassatisfied that the home responsiblehad put systems in place to guardagainst this happening again."But making sure people receive thebest care is CQC's priority andservice providers and people whouse services alike should beassured that we will act when wefind this is not happening.”

Operator is invited to take part in focus groupCARING Homes has been invitedby the Department of Health totake part in the government’sfocus group to define the NationalDementia Strategy.

Rose Magowan, the group’snewly appointed head ofdementia care, and ShaunMorrissy, manager of thepurpose-built home Ferfoot CareHome in Wiltshire, will representthe company at the meetingswhich aim to improve thestandard, provision and quality ofdementia care services in UK care

homes. Rose said: “We feel very

privileged to be asked to attend.We were invited following theCare Quality Commission’s (CQC)‘Excellent’ inspection report ofFerfoot, where we scored highlyfor our attention to sustained andhigh quality dementia services.”

Caring Homes has implementeda complete dementia programmedesigned to deliver high-qualitystaff training and optimum carefor dementia residentsinappropriate, dedicated settings.

5CARINGNEWS

Home’s hopingfor sun afterinstallationA LINCOLNSHIRE care home hasmore reasons than most to hopefor a good summer after recentlyinstalling solar panels.

The Kensington Care Home inImmingham has become the firstin the region to have theminstalled, which work by storingenergy from the sun in power cellsthat can then be used to powerelectrical equipment or heat water.

And marketing manager SandraHill told Caring UK that the panelswill save the home thousands ofpounds on their energy bills.

She added: “The home’s propri-etors are heavily into saving theenvironment, and the first part ofthis is to have the solar panelsinstalled.

“Prior to them going up we did afew calculations and have workedout they will save us a great deal ofmoney, probably between 25 and30 per cent on our energy bills,which would work out between£7,000 and £8,000 annually.

“With the cost of energy alwaysincreasing that is a massive saving

and we think all care home ownersshould be going this way.”

The next stage of the home’s bidto go green is the planting of alarge vegetable patch in thegrounds for the chef to use in thekitchen.

Sandra added: “We have a lot offruit trees in the grounds so theresidents regularly are givenapples, pears and plums to eat, sowe thought we would take it a stepfurther and grow all our ownorganic vegetables.

“The aim is that within the nextthree years we would like to betotally self sufficient when itcomes to vegetables. This will notonly save the home money, butwill also ensure the residents arereceiving the best quality andorganic food.

“We will inviting and encourag-ing the residents to help with theplanting should they wish to. Wealready have a secure courtyardgarden for the residents to do theirbit, so this will be another alterna-tive to that.”

Residents at a Manchester care home werevisited by a donkey from a local sanctuary.The visit to Briarmead by ‘Molly’ from thelocal branch of the Elisabeth Svendsen Trustcoincided with National Donkey Week, andvisits are seen as a way of providing therapy.The home’s activities co-ordinator ShonaScott said: “The residents adored Molly whenshe came to visit. We took photographs of allof the residents with her so that they canremember her visit.”

Residentswelcomedonkey ...

CARINGNEWS6

A CARE group has been forced toclose two of its care homes due tofinancial pressures.

Brunelcare’s Beverley Cottage onBurnham-On-Sea's seafront willclose in July and Cowlin House in theClifton area of Bristol in September,forcing 26 residents to findalternative accommodation.

The charity’s chief executive HelenJoy told Caring UK the homes werebeing closed for several reasons,including problems attracting newresidents.

She added: "This is due to severalfactors that include the localcompetition in the Clifton andBurnham-on-Sea areas and nationaland local initiatives to enable olderpeople to remain living in their ownhome for longer.

“Both homes are experiencingdifficulty in securing the required feelevels from residents, needed tocover the costs of running the homes.Both of the buildings also require asignificant amount of expenditure tobring them up to modern daystandards.”

"Although, as a charity, Brunelcarehas the funds in place to supportareas of the organisation which fail tocover their costs for a limited period– as has been the case with CowlinHouse and Beverley Cottage for someyears – it is of the upmost

importance that we use ourresources wisely to ensure wecontinue to provide the higheststandards of care, housing andsupport to all the older people weserve across the South West.”

Helen said that the decision to closethe homes was taken by the board oftrustees after “extensive evaluationand consultation with staff, residentsand families”.

She added: “The well-being of theresidents is of paramountimportance and Brunelcare will workclosely with residents, their familiesand social workers to ensure themost suitable alternativeaccommodation is found.

“We will be working closely with the49 staff involved to ensure similarpositions are made available withinthe organisation, whereverappropriate.

“The closure of Cowlin House and Beverly Cottage has been adifficult decision to reach and onethat was not made easily or withoutregret.”

She added that all people living inthe homes could move to otherBrunelcare homes or to a newsheltered housing scheme, WaverleyGardens, which is due to open in theBishopsworth area of the city inSeptember.

Beverley Cottage at Burnham-On-Sea

Residents forced to findnew homes amid closures

Residentsrealise theirrugby dreamFOUR avid rugby fans from anAmmanford care home realised theirdream to see the Scarlets play liveafter their care home manager playedfairy godmother.

Selwyn Jones, Ogwyn Jones, IslwynBowen and Gerald Thomas fromCartref Annwyl Fan care homeenjoyed a day out to see the LlanelliScarlets play the Glasgow Warriorsthanks to a gift from home managerAdele Williams. She said: “Wherepossible we like to help our residentsfulfill dreams or ambitions so whenCastell Hwyll gave us some tickets tosee the Llanelli Scarlets at the newstadium we immediately thought ofSelwyn, Ogwyn, Iswlwyn and Gerald.”

Looking to loopsRETIREMENT village provider Audleyis to install hearing loops in all itsnew sites.

Permanent induction loops will beput in many new communal areasand club facilities and are to besupplemented with portable systems.Audley CEO Nick Sanderson said:“Deafness of any degree can beextremely isolating, irrespective ofage. We are keen to help any of ourowners overcome this issue as far aspossible so they can take advantageof all the facilities and socialopportunities.”

CARINGNEWS8

Cut in medication makesdramatic differenceA DERBYSHIRE dementia care homemanager says she has noticed adramatic difference in many of herresidents after reducing the use ofpsychotropic drugs by almost two-thirds.

When Ashcroft care home managerLinda Hodgkinson did an audit of herresidents' medication at thebeginning of last year she wasshocked to find that 92 per cent weretaking drugs to help their dementia.

But a little over a year later thatfigure has been reduced to just 24 percent of her 38 residents, thanks to thehard work of her staff and the co-operation of local GPS andpsychiatrists.

She told Caring UK that both thestaff and relatives have noticed majorimprovement in the residents at theChesterfield home, though it didcause a few problems at first.

She added: "A lot of the people thatare referred here come directly fromthe local hospital and are on a highdosage of the drugs.

"But after a lot of work we havemanaged to reduce that, and theresidents are a lot more alert andengaged, and some who did not wantto eat and drink before have nowstarted to do so and have put onweight.

"We have also found that residentshave become more mobile, which

has caused us to revisit other areasbecause of the risk of falls. Residentshave suddenly got out of their chairs,which has surprised staff at first, butnow we are aware of that we can dealwith it."

The home was recognised as anaccredited provider of specialistdementia care services as part of thePositively Enriching and EnhancingResidents' Lives (PEARL) scheme lastsummer, and Linda says she hopes to

reduce the number of residents using the drug even further in future.

She added that the home is nowusing doll therapy among otherthings as an alternative tomedication.

"We have increased the number ofsocial activities within the homesince doing this, and have increasedthe co-ordinator's number of hourshere.

THE home says it is now using dolltherapy for its residents as a way ofpromoting the feeling of well-beingfor some people who appearedagitated and unsettled.

Doll therapy involves residentsbeing given a doll to look after as if itwere a real baby. Research suggeststhat the doll brings back happymemories of when they wereparents.

Linda added: "A number of ourresidents are benefitting from dolltherapy, particularly one who hadsleeping difficulties, but after beingintroduced to the idea by chance sheis now totally engaged and hergeneral well-being has beenenhanced greatly.

"Some male residents also seem to

feel better when a doll is close by.One talks to it and washes her face,and we found out recently that heand his wife possibly had a childwho died at a young baby, and thishas brought about positive feelings."

Doll therapy soothes residents

Wrestling wishcomes true for MargaretA WREXHAM care home resident hadher dream of seeing a live wrestlingmatch come true after her homemanager arranged for her to go tomeet a local team.

Margaret Dunton, 79, fromHallmark Healthcare’s AshleighCourt, has always been an avid fan ofthe sport, but had never made it to alive match.

Her key worker, Christine Vernon,made the arrangements for Margaretto attend the local event at LlayBritish Legion which was organisedby local group Basix Wrestling.

Christine accompanied Margaretand even arranged for her to gobackstage to meet some of thewrestlers, where they presented herwith a large bouquet of flowers alongwith signed pictures andphotographs.

Home manager Sarah Morris said:“We endeavour to help all of ourresidents to fulfil their dreams andambitions so when the opportunitycropped up to take Margaret to seethe wrestling we jumped at it.”

WE have been asked to point out thata critical scrutiny report was madeinto some care homes that Mertoncouncil commissions care from andnot that it manages.

Merton council

CARINGNEWS10

AFTER retiring at the age of 65 theformer BT clerical assistant soonbecame bored and pursued acareer in the care sector.

And she hasn’t looked back since,working at various homes in thearea and even being appointed themanager of a small one at the ageof 69.

She now works permanently for12 hours a week as a care assistant,but can do anything between 30and 40 hours on a regular basis.

Gladys told Caring UK that shestill enjoys her job and has noplans to retire just yet.

She added: “I just don’t feel myage, and I am very lucky that I havenot been affected by my health inany way. I live right opposite thehome and love working here, bothduring the days and at nights. I doeverything that the other carers doincluding bathing the residentsand generally looking after them.

“I still like learning things as wellas part of the mandatory training.

It keeps my brain active, and someof the residents tell me that I dothings better than some of theyounger ones do.

“I get on well with all of the staffand residents. Some of them like tochat with me about the old daysand what they did when they wereyounger. Once I start talking tosome of them I cannot get away.”

The home’s manager ChristineBrent said all homes shouldconsider employing person ofGladys’ age as they have a lot incommon with the residents.

She added: “Gladys is veryreliable, very thorough and is wellliked by everybody at the home.She is always willing to help outand can do some things better thanthe other staff because she isimmaculate.

“It is very beneficial havingsomeone of Gladys’ age in thehome because the residents cantalk to her about what they got upto in the 1940s and she can relate

back to the way things were then.” The home celebrated Gladys’ 85th

birthday at the beginning of theyear with a surprise party.

Gladys Clarke is older than many of the residents at Fairby Grange Residential Home in Hartley Kent, butsays that she plans to continue working until she is 90. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

Why care assistant Gladysis still such an asset at 85

Gladys has a laugh with a resident

CARINGNEWS12

BBBByyyy MMMMaaaarrrryyyy FFFFeeeerrrrgggguuuussssoooonnnn

A FAKE bus stop, an indoor garden and a pubform part of the transformation at oneMiddlesbrough care home's dementia unit.

Cleveland View Care Centre, which is ownedby Bond Care, is piloting a new programme tohelp to meet the needs of the 30 residents withthe condition.

Other facilities that have been installed at thehome include an old-style cinema which playsthe classic silver screen movies and has thetraditional velvet curtains, a hairdresser's and amusic room.

The home's manager Odette Crawford toldCaring UK that if the programme, which is amixture of schemes used in Europe, proves to bea success, the group plan to roll it out to itsother homes.

She added: “We have tried to personalise thecare and have looked at different themes for theunit. Some homes have tried bits of this, but Ithink we are the first in the North East at least tohave done it as a pilot

“So far it has proved popular with theresidents. We have put a bench by the fake busstop because people with dementia some timessay they want to get away or go home.

“Waiting for a bus seems to reduce theiranxiety, and after a few minutes they haveforgotten why they were there and move on tosomething else.

“The ‘Coach and Horses’ as we have called ittraditionally decorated and, thought it is notlicensed, residents and their families can have a

drink in there. Weare also hostingquiz nights andvarious differentgames evenings inthe bar area.”

The indoorsensory gardencomes completewith artificial turfand a variety ofpets includingrabbit andbudgerigar for theresidents to lookafter with the helpof the staff.

All of thebedrooms nowhave their ownindividually painted doors decorated withpictures and other artefacts to remind theresidents of they younger days.

Odette added: “They all have their ownknockers like doors used to have years ago.Painting the doors in bright colours helps the residents to recognise whose is whose home.

“The atmosphere on the unit has changedtotally and is a lot calmer than it was before.

“The feedback we have received from familiesand health professionals has all been excellent.We have regular meetings with the residents,and if parts of it doesn't work then we will lookto change it.”

Dementia unit draftsin bus stop and pub

A SWANSEA care homeresident fulfilled a long-held ambition when shetravelled to London fora trip on the LondonEye.

Alma Thomas, 88, aresident at the SouthernCross owned PenielGreen care home, wasaccompanied bydaughter Lillian andhome manager EileenCoyle-Jones for a VIPchampagne flight onthe famous landmark.

Other highlights of thetrip included anovernight hotel stay, anItalian supper and a tripto Harrods, where Almaindulged another of her

passions by purchasinga thimble from theworld-renowned store.

Eileen said: “Ourphilosophy is to helpour residents to leadfulfilling lives. Justbecause someone iselderly and living in acare setting does notmean that they do nothave dreams and wewere delighted to helpAlma achieve one ofhers. We all had awonderful trip and itwas heart-warming towitness Alma’sexcitement as wesoared above Londonand spotted all thefamous sights.”

Resident Alma Thomas with her daughter Lillian andhome manager Eileen Coyle-Jones.

Alma enjoys tripon London Eye

CARINGNEWS14

RESIDENTS at a Warrington carehome are keeping in touch withfriends and family all over the worldthanks to the introduction of a newcomputer in the activities room.

Activities co-ordinator Helen Littlerraised the money required topurchase the kit through a variety offundraising events after severalresidents at Meadowview Care Homesaid they would like to learn how touse one.

This means the residents can nowemail their friends and family as farafield as Australia, Canada andAmerica, with several also having

Facebook accounts and keepingonline blogs.

Home manager Jennie Blackledgesaid the new computer has changedthe atmosphere at the home, whichhas 41 elderly frail residents.

She added: “We didn’t expect theresidents to say they’d like to have ago at learning to work a computerwhen we asked them what sort ofnew activities they would like.

“They now do all sorts of differentthings on it, including designing theirown calendars and greeting cards forthe various fairs that we hold at thehome, as well as writing, designing

and printing a home newsletter andplaying with the web camera.

“The whole atmosphere at thehome has been changed by this.When prospective new residentscome and visit their home a lot ofthem used to ask if they were allowedto bring mobile phones in to ringtheir family and friends. Now we cantell them that they can email themand keep in touch with them thatway as well, even if they have neverused a computer before.”

The home now plans to raisemoney for a minibus to take theresidents on outings. A resident writes his blog at the computer

Computer provides link to family and friends

Esther judges cakecontest at open dayESTHER Rantzen was theguest of honour at an openday at Colten Care’s newKingfishers care home in NewMilton.

During her visit she touredthe new facility and judged acake competition, where fivein-house chefs prepared avariety of celebratory cakes. Itwas won by AmberwoodHouse’s Lorna Bryers’ fruitcake, and she was presentedwith a bottle of champagneand gift vouchers for herefforts.

Esther said: “As a cruisejunkie myself, I canconfidently say, this is like acruise on dry land. It hasluxury bedrooms andbathrooms, wonderful foodand lots of activities to keepeveryone occupied and happy.

“It is the jewel in the alreadybejewelled crown of ColtenCare and a wonderful adjunctto health provision in thiscountry.”Pictured: Esther Rantzen chats toa resident during the open day.

CARINGNEWS16

SINCE our report last issue, CaringUK has again been inundated withcalls and emails from frustratedowners demanding answers to avariety of issues from the CareQuality Commission.

As well as continuing complaintsabout inconsistencies andinaccuracies in inspection reportsand star ratings, managers have alsobeing telling us about long delays inreceiving reports, which can lead tolost income due to empty beds.

And owners have told our newsdeskof the poor attitudes of someinspectors, who they say shouldconcentrate on the care the residentsreceive rather than to the fabric ofthe buildings.

John Evans, who took over a homein London last August, said CQCmust “alter their approach and must

involve other visiting professionals,families and residents”.

He added: “How on earth do we getthrough to these people that if theybothered to ask families, residents,social workers, external professionswith whom we work, then theywould get a much clearer picture ofthe quality of care being delivered.

“What I cannot tolerate is theattitude – Saturday prior to therecent Bank Holiday the inspectorarrived at the home to be greeted bymy deputy manager. Her greeting tomy deputy was “I came at this timebecause I knew John would not bearound,” which begs the questionhow supportive and helpful areattitudes like this and comments likethis supposed to be? To visit homesonce every six months or less doesnot give anywhere near a true picture

of events, but only supplies a tick boxtype of report.”

And Derek Luckhurst, chairman ofdomiciliary care provider AgincareGroup Ltd and owner/partner in fourcare homes in Weymouth, said hisbusinesses have also encounteredproblems with the regulator.

He added: “I entirely share thefrustration other providers areexperiencing in the industry inregard to the inconsistency and, insome cases, downright prejudice andunfairness operated by the CQC.

“In my view it is about time that theindustry collaborated in standing upto what has evolved into a systemoperated by ‘bully boys’.

“If there is anything that I or myorganisation can do to help CaringUK stand up for our rights pleasedon’t hesitate to contact me.”

Care home operators are demanding more consistency from the Care QualityCommission and want to know how the service is going to change in future. Dominic Musgrave reports

Call for industry to standup against ‘bully boys’

Editor’scommentI COULD not help but spot the ironyin a press release that I receivedfrom the CQC regarding a newcharter it is launching called Voicesinto Action.

The commission says the charteraims to involve people in its work asthe regulatory body, and intends tomake sure that the providers andcommissioners of care ask for theviews of the people they are caringfor and respond to what they say.

While I could not agree more withthis, it seems a rather ironicstatement given the number ofphone calls the Caring UK newsdeskhas received from angry operatorsabout inspections.

The common grievance from all ofthe people we have spoken to, is thatthe inspectors seem to focus moreon the fabric of a building and if afile is up to date, rather thanwhether the residents and theirrelatives are happy with the carethey are receiving.

The residents are what makes acare home what it is, and while it isimportant whether the surroundingsthey live in are nicely decorated, thisshould never be forgotten.

BBBBEEEEVVVVWWWWAAAATTTTTTTTOOOONNNN,,,, ccccaaaarrrreeee hhhhoooommmmeeee mmmmaaaannnnaaaaggggeeeerrrr,,,, DDDDeeeevvvvoooonnnn

I felt compelled to write having just readan article in the June issue of Caring UK.

The article, “out of date” website couldbe costing owner business, certainly ringstrue for us.

We had our inspection on December 11and did not receive our draft report untilMay 21. That was a total of 23 weeks, oralmost six months.

Originally, we thought that with theChristmas break, and then new year,perhaps we shouldn’t be too impatient,but when we still hadn’t received ourreport by late February, I thought I wouldgive the inspector a ring, just to make surethere wasn’t a problem, or that it hadn’tgot lost in the post.

The inspector informed me that with thechange over from CSCI to CQC, they had anew IT system and there were lots ofproblems to iron out. Would they acceptthat from us if we didn't return our AQAAon time? I think not.

When we still hadn’t heard anything bythe beginning of April, I thought I would

give them a ring again, as by now, I wasbeginning to take it personally.

We had previously had a one star‘adequate’ (which we thought was unfair),and were looking forward to seeing all ourhard work rewarded with a better rating,so this felt like it was going on forever.

When I rang the inspector, she told me Ineeded to be patient and that shepromised that the report was in progress,not to worry, we had done well, and thatwe would definitely receive it by the end ofApril at the latest. She also asked me notto ring again, instead, she would ring mewhen she had posted it. That long awaitedphone call finally came on May 12, and wewere told it was on its way. At last.

According to tradition, CQC allow us 28days to respond to the decision, andfollowing that they will eventually updatethe website.

So, although we finally have it in writing,that we are at last a two-star ‘good’ home,we will not see the rating on the websitechange until seven months after this ratingwas given. If we cannot see it, then neithercan anybody else.

Report ‘rings true for us’GGGGLLLLEEEENNNNNNNN HHHHUUUURRRRDDDD,,,,NNNNoooorrrrAAAArrrrcccchhhh ssssppppooookkkkeeeessssmmmmaaaannnn

MANY of our members havesuffered similar experienceswith the regulators in theNorthamptonshire area. Someinspectors are deviating fromthe regulations and appear to betaking their own personal viewon what rating a care homeshould have.

One or two members have alsobeen downgraded from a goodstar rating to a poor due to anadmin error, regardless of thecare provision that has beengiven. Is this proportionate?

We have been lobbying ourlocal MPs for some time now onthis subject. We believe if theyhave to have a rating system itshould be similar to the Scottishone where a home is rated oversix categories.

Due to the nature of the

business it is very hard to reflectan accurate banding for a carehome as a whole, this is withoutthe added burden of Inspectorsdeviating from the guidance andregulations that they are given.

One begins to wonder what, ifany, training inspectors haveundertaken to carry out theirroles properly? Are inspectorsactually fit for purpose?

Phil Hope is one of ourregional MPs but so far we havebeen unable to get him tocomment personally on thissubject.

NorArch have been trying toset up a series of quarterlymeetings with our localregulation manager, to amongother things air our membersgrievances. But following thefirst one in January this year thenext meeting was cancelled andwe have been chasing ever sinceto arrange the next.

‘Some inspectors are deviatingfrom the regulations’

17CARINGNEWS

RESIDENTS and staff from a caregroup’s homes have launched a newcook book.

Cornwall Care’s ‘Recipes From MyLife by Beattie and Friends’ includes18 recipes, and all of the group’shomes held their own tea party tocelebrate the launch, complete withcakes baked from the recipes in thebook.

Three thousand copies of the bookhave been printed and will be soldfor £3.00 each, with all of the moneyraised from the sales going towardsthe homes’ amenities fund, whichsupports the Active Life Project, pro-viding activities, equipment andtreats for all clients.

The company’s chief executiveDouglas Webb said: “Some of myfondest memories are of my granbaking cakes. I hope that this book

will rekindle those feelings amongstpeople as well as inspire them tobake some delicious cakes them-selves.

“People from across our network ofhomes have contributed towards thisbook and it is our intention that theywill benefit from the sales of thebook. All of the money from everysale will be reinvested into ourhomes’ amenities fund which willallow each home to offer more activi-ties to our clients.”

The book, which was designed inpartnership with Sarah Talbot fromDesignStudio in Truro, includesBeattie’s upside down toffee pudding,Kath’s boiled fruit cake, Joan’s black-currant pie and Joyce’s carrot cake.

The book is on sale in each of thehomes and from Cornwall Care’smain office in Truro.

Joyce baking her carrot cake

Homes’ cook book served up

19CARINGNEWS

Armchair sessionsrolled out afterproving a favouriteWEEKLY armchair exercisesessions have proved sopopular with residents at aSouth London shelteredhousing scheme that theyhave been extended.

Roshni House in Tooting,run by ASRA GreaterLondon HousingAssociation, has joined withthe Wandsworth PrimaryCare Trust to run the classeson Tuesday mornings.

And the original 10-weekcourse, which is run by itsfitness specialist FlorenceBanes Bennett, has been extended after becom-ing a favourite with the resi-dents.

Scheme manager RekhaTank said: “The classes haveproved really popular atRoshni House. We have upto 15 residents taking partevery week.

“The chair based exercises help theresidents to deal with medical condi-tions like arthritis and diabetes,improve circulation and mobility,and are easy enough for anyone tohave a go at.

“Residents have lots of fun and real-

ly look forward to the class.”The class is running in conjunction

with the home’s own healthy eatingsessions, which encourage residentsto try new recipes and swap sugary,salty and fatty foods for fresh fruitand vegetables.

CARINGLAUNDRY20

THE new Huebsch 55 tumble dryer isan important extension to the rangeof energy efficient Axial flow dryers.

It has a drum volume of 491 litres(55 lb), yet at 902 mm (35.5”) it isnarrower than the 528 litre (50 lb)model. This makes it possible formany organisations to have theservices of a bigger dryer despitespace restrictions and, in particular,narrow doorways.

Axial airflow means the drying air isforced through the load from theback of the machine which hassealed cylinder rims so that the airdoes not escape through the door.

This is much more efficient thanthe vertical airflow pattern that verysubstantial energy savings are made

– as much as50 per cent incomparisonwith earliermodels.

This canmake thereplacementof oldermachines aneconomicalpropositioneven whenthey are stillworking.

Enquiries: 01635 263410 or emailenquiries@armstrong-laundry.co.uk

New addition to dryer range

Acquisition allows company toexpand range in North WestWILSON Electrics has acquired aManchester commercial laundryservice business which will givethe company the opportunity toexpand its range in the NorthWest.

The company, which has tradedas an independent supplier ofcommercial laundry andDishwashing equipment since1987, believe in supplying market-leading products, which not onlyoffer the best quality and longterm value for money, but alsoefficiency savings for water andenergy consumption.

As an independent supplier andpartner dealer for all of the majormanufacturers including Miele,Electrolux, Huebsch and Girbau,they are able to offer a fullportfolio of machines, which, afteran initial consultation with thecustomer, they can tailor theequipment supplied to thespecific requirements of thebusiness to ensure that thecustomer gets the most out oftheir investment.

The entire range of products isavailable to purchase, or on an allinclusive maintenance package.

21

COMMERCIAL laundry equipment,chemicals and services supplier JTMService Ltd celebrates 25 years inbusiness this year.

The company is focused on supply-ing environmentally responsibleproducts and services which provideenergy savings for its customers, andits professional, reliable and costeffective approach makes it a popularchoice for many organisations in thecare sector.

Always looking to provide new andinnovative products to its customers,JTM has recently been appointed thesole UK distributor of the award-win-ning Aquados Pro laundry and dish-wash range.

Aquados is the first UK manufac-

tured laundry detergent to be award-ed the European Eco Label, assuringusers that the product is the greenest,most environmentally responsible onthe market.

The product is also approved by the Vegan Society, dermatological-ly tested and has just been awarded aGreen Living Award by GoodHousekeeping magazine.

As well as being a leading partner ofthe renowned Miele Professionalrange, JTM Service has recently taken on the Girbau range of commercial washing machineswhich have the ‘Energy Star’ accredi-tation and are WRAS (WaterRegulations Advisory Scheme)approved.

Supplier is appointed sole UKdistributor for award-winning range

CARINGRETIREMENT VILLAGES22

GIVEN that future care villages will betargeted at the ‘Baby Boomers’ I thought Iwould use an analogy that everyone wouldunderstand.

In my time a Hoover was the generic namegiven to any kind of vacuum cleaner. Thisall changed when the Dyson came along.The Dyson was bag-less and a funky design,it quickly established itself as a replacementfor the generic Hoover, at the same time thisprompted other manufactures to reinforcetheir own brand and the merits of theirdesign.

We are in the same dilemma with carevillages. We need to describe the differentproducts and establish strong well knownbrands that become known for what theyare.

In America, Australia and New Zealand theterminology is a ‘Continuing CareRetirement Community’ which does notexactly roll off the tongue, but has comeabout because the Americans have a love ofwordy descriptions.

In England we use ‘Care Village’ to describeany development that has some form of careprovision. Even a large care home with asmall number of flats or bungalowsalongside will be called this.

Over the next few years brands will emergelike the Dyson which will be understood bythe market place for what they deliver, butin the meanwhile the generic name doesnothing to describe what is on offer.

The break-point in the concept comeswhen the operator also provides an onsiteregistered care home, a principle which hasdivided emerging operators.

The only consistent, well known operatorthat provides a registered care home isRichmond Villages, but another well-knownbrand name Retirement Villages is nowincorporating one within their newdevelopments.

Audley do not provide one within theirretirement concept, relying upon theprovision of domiciliary care delivered bytheir own registered agency instead.

To have or not to have a registered carehome within a care village illustrates thegreat divide between operators. Theoperator trying to manage the differentbusiness activities can end up with being aJack of all trades and master of none.

Richmond Villages founder Keith Cockell, who now runs his own consultancy firm EnglishCare Villages, looks at the different models of care village being built in the UK, and thedifferent terminology being used to describe them.

Different terminologyleads to dilemma ...

THE marketing and managementof a registered care home providingnursing care requires a focusedand dedicated management teamthat is not distracted by theglamour and marketing activitiesin connection with the wider carevillage.

As with any business that is to besuccessful, every single componentmust be well designed and well

delivered. The care village puts anumber of demands on itsmanagement, from the provisionof hotel services including leisurefacilities to the marketing of theproperties for sale or rent.

It is not the diversity ofmanagement resources thatdefines the decision to provide aregistered care home or not, it issimply the emotional perception of

future purchasers and thesometimes deeply held views ofsenior management.

I remember discussing theconcept with a leading figure in theindustry some years back when heoffered me a piece of advice. Hisadvice was to choose a goodquality location and build a carevillage on one side of the townthen find another site on the far

side of town for a nursing home. I think this told me more about

the person, the quality of care hewas providing and hisconsideration of older people morethan anything else. Having saidthis, this sentiment remains strongin many organisations and onlyprivately will they admit that theybelieve an onsite registered carehome blights the sale of properties.

‘Every single component must be well designed and well delivered’

OVER the next few years each operatorwill establish with the public what theyhave on offer and just like Dyson, abrand which is known for its benefits. At the present time in this country youcould categorise the industry intoretirement properties which provide asetting for older people to live in butmay not provide any care services; carevillages where you would find acommitment to provide domiciliary

care which may also include theprovision of nursing care to highdependency residents living in theirown homes and continuing careretirement communities which willprovide not only domiciliary caredelivered into people’s own homes butthe additional choice of an onsite carehome which complements the needs ofthe villagers themselves and thecommunity at large. Keith Cockell

Branding needs to be established

25

Further purchases aheadTHE new owners of a Lancashire carehome says that it plans further pur-chases in the North West.

John Kershaw will head the organi-sation that will run Carr Hall inNelson, while his parents Andy andMaureen will take on maintenanceand consultancy roles respectively.

He told Caring UK that the familyhave spent the last three years look-ing for a suitable site before finallysettling on Carr Hall.

He added: “We looked at numeroushomes across the North West beforesettling on this one last year. It is in abeautiful setting, and has really goodstaff and room for improvement.

“Unlike a lot of other industries, thecare sector will not really be affectedby the credit crunch. There willalways be elderly people, so a carehome shouldn’t really fail if it is runproperly.

“The credit crunch didn’t bother usone little bit. The only problem wefound was when we were trying toborrow the money from the banks,because a lot of them didn’t want tolend. We hoped to be in by lastSeptember, but the whole processwas slowed down by various prob-lems.”

The Kershaws, who have ownedcare facilities in the region before,now plan an extensive refurbishmentof the home, which is registered for23 elderly and dementia residentsand currently has one spare bed.

John added: “It was in a bit of a badstate when we bought it, so we are

planning to redecorate, replace allcarpets and get the gardens up andrunning so the residents can get out-side more.

“We also want to put a 10-bedextension on the home in the nearfuture, and would estimate that all ofthis work will cost in the region of£450,000.

“Once the extension is complete wewill then start looking to buy anotherhome in the area.”

The home was sold by Christie +Co, whose sister company ChristieFinance also provided the funding topurchase the business.

The Kershaws with Mark Moody from Christie Finance, and Neil Thomson from Christie and Co

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

In this issue:

� £11m home tobecome flagship- page 26

� Homes becomeluxury living spaces- page 29

� Regulatorlaunchesconsultation- page 30

� Agreement set todrive up standards incaring professions- page 31

Property, finance, insurance, training & recruitment

A NEW company specialising insales, acquisitions, research and valu-ations has been set up, despite thecurrent economic crisis.

Ian Wilkie and Nigel Newton Taylor,who have worked together for thepast 10 years, believe that the times isright to launch Healthcare PropertyConsultants Limited, which focusessolely on the care sector and takes anindividual approach to its clients’requirements. Ian said that the chal-lenging times call for a differentapproach appropriate to the new

economic climate, geared towards achanging landscape in the sector.

He added: “The world has changed.Instead of a headlong rush to buyand sell, our clients understand thebenefits of a more considered,thoughtful approach, and that ittakes experience to deliver that.There is so much more at stake thanjust money when dealing with busi-nesses in the care sector, and it isapparent to us that the approach ofadvisors should take that intoaccount.”

Ian Wilkieand Nigel

NewtonTaylor

Pair believe the time is right

CARINGCOMMERCE26

AAAAddddvvvveeeerrrrttttiiiisssseeeerrrr’’’’ssss aaaannnnnnnnoooouuuunnnncccceeeemmmmeeeennnntttt

AXIS has been at the heart ofconfidential business-to-businesssales within the healthcare sector for14 years, with 82 business appraisalscarried out so far this year alone, ofwhich offers received were in excessof £12million.

With more than 300 qualifiedinterests being registered, this is anoutstanding 58% increase from thistime last year.

With that comes a knowledge and

experience, managing and assistingthat level of interest, putting AxisBrokers firmly into the healthcarespecialist category. A number ofsales over the years have defined Axisin the market, with recent onesincluding a multi-branch agencybased in Kent and a two branchdomiciliary care agency coveringBedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Axis will sell your business to apurchaser who is either in the sameindustry or often investor backed.They will source a purchaser for you

through various means of marketingand set up a number of meetingswith potential qualified buyers.

The purpose of this is very much togain an element of trust, should adeal come to fruition. Often this issomething not expressed enough byan agent, but must be seen as thebackbone of a deal. Once an offer isreceived Axis will negotiate the termsand overall consideration to achievethe best possible amount and dealstructure on your behalf.

They will also liaise with you all the

way to ensure when you agree a dealit is exactly what you are happy towalk away with. Axis will provide apersonalised service throughout theduration through to completion, andthe relationship of client and brokercan sometimes last some months.Emotional and professional supportis offered from the offset, and yourinitial enquiry will be dealt with inthe most sensitive and confidentialmanner, with full understanding thatyou may have spent years buildingup your care business.

Dealing with confidential healthcare sector sales for 14 years

A NEW £11m care home beingbuilt in the south east will becomethe flagship of the group behind it,it has been claimed.

Kew House in Wimbledon will beHallmark Healthcare's first ventureinto the region, and will combinethree types of care – personalisedresidential and nursing, anddementia care.

The company's commissioningmanager Bashir Jamal told CaringUK that it will createapproximately 80 jobs when itopens in August.

He added: “Catering for all typesof care means that once a residentmoves in here they will never haveto move to another if theircondition deteriorates, which isknown to increase the risk ofmortality.

“The home is superior toanything the group has built in thepast, and will offer three differenttypes of accommodation includingsuites which will have hotel-typefacilities including a mini barshould the resident wish.

“Some will have their own patiogarden areas, while other roomson the second floor will havebalconies.”

Other recreational facilities onsite will include a complementarytherapy and treatment room,cinema, hair and beauty salon withcafe, family events room and amusic room.

Bashir added: “The only reasonmany elderly people can not get tothe cinema is because they are toofrail, or they do not havesomebody to take them.

“The residents will be able torequest what films they would liketo watch, while we see the musicrooms as somewhere whereresidents can go if they want tolisten to a particular type of musicor play an instrument should theywish.

“All of the bedrooms will havetheir own cable network andinternet points, and there will alsobe an assisted kitchen area wherepeople can come and recuperateand gain the confidence to moveback to their own home after a staywith us.”

Bashir added that there are no plans to build a furtherhome in the area at the moment, but that he does expectfurther developments in thefuture.

£11m home to become flagship

Mayor of Wimbledon Martin Wheldon, with Hallmark managing director Avnish Goyal and business development director

THE dementia care unit at KewHouse has been designed basedon the Visual Cliffing theory.

Bashir said he has spent twoyears studying the research,which aims to reduce the risk ofany accidents such as falls.

He added: “There will be nopatterns or colours that cancause confusion for people withdementia in the unit.

“Patterned walls and carpetscan be mistaken for objects bypeople with the condition, ascan the shadows that can becreated with the use of blinds, sowe won't be using any of those

either.”Bedroom doors will be painted

in bright colours to help theresidents recognise which istheirs, and memory boxes willbe used to jog people’s memory.

Bashir added: “If a relative tellsus that a person was in the RAFin the war and really recognisesspitfires then we will put aphoto in there to help.

“Inside the bedrooms we aregoing to place the beds oppositethe en suite and the door will bea different colour to help theresident recognise where it is.”

Design based on theory

Mary Andrews has been appointedthe new manager of Brendoncare’sPark Road residential and nursinghome for older people inWinchester.Mary is a registered nurse whobrings a wealth of experience atsenior management level, havingworked within the NHS, privatesector hospitals and care homes inScotland and England.She said: “I was attracted toBrendoncare largely because of itscommitment to person-centredcare and its strong reputation.“Park Road is a respected carecentre with excellent resourcesand the quality of care beingdelivered by the staff is very high. Iam delighted to have inheritedsuch an impressive and dedicatedteam.”

Bridgnorth home extensionwill create thirty new jobsTHIRTY jobs will be created with thebuilding of a 31-bed extension on acare home in Bridgnorth.

Coverage Care has agreed withShropshire Council to buy InnageGrange, and a planning applicationhas been approved to build theextension to the home, whichcurrently provides care for 52 elderlypeople.

Chief executive of Coverage Care,David Coull said: “We hope tocomplete the purchase of InnageGrange this month, with a planningapplication already approved toextend the home to provide 31

additional beds which will beavailable for new residents byNovember 2010.

“By working closely with ShropshireCouncil and the Bridgnorth OlderPeople’s Welfare Association, we arekeen to create a sustainableresidential care home with 83 bedswhich, when complete, will provide awider range of care services for thelocal community.”

The company has operated thehome, which was opened by theDuchess of York in 1991, for the past12 years.

29CARINGCOMMERCE

A CARE group has completed anextensive refurbishment of its twoSurrey homes, transferring them intoluxury 'hotel' type living spaces.

Husband and wife Nick and SarahBruce, who have run NightingaleRetirement Care Ltd since 1986, havespent the last year modernisingNettlestead in Bromley and Prior'sMead in Reigate.

The homes, which between themcater for 42 residents, now featureconservatories and modernised com-munal areas, with bedrooms howhaving up-to-date bathroomsinstalled as well direct dial tele-phones, internet access and satellitetelevision access.

Nick told Caring UK that the aim ofthe extensive refurbishment was tocreate up-market facilities that werenothing like the 'institutionalised'feel of some care homes.

He added: "We are very pleasedwith the results, and everybody thathas visited the home has commentedon how much they feel like countryhouses.

"We are both very much against theinstitution type of homes, which is atrap that a lot of places fall into.

"We want our homes to be placeswhere people want to be rather thansomewhere that people have to be."

The new kitchens and laundry

rooms have also been modernisedthanks to the funding package fromthe Royal Bank of Scotland, but Nicksaid there are no plans at themoment to extend the group beyondthe two homes and domiciliary carebusiness.

He added: “We fell into the industrymany years ago and went into part-nership through a friend and hismother, who we split from and wentand did our own thing.

“We have no plans to expand at themoment because we want to besmall enough to offer personal care,unlike some larger PLC care groupswhere you are just another numberin a 70 or more bed home.

“By staying small we try to createthe family atmosphere – we knowwhat people like and we give themwhat they want – rather than themfitting around us.”

The homes has also revamped itsactivities programme, as well asupdating the food on offer to resi-dents.

Nick added: “Mealtimes are animportant part of the day for all resi-dents, and we have looked at how wedo things.

“We want to make it a special eventso offer the residents a glass of sherrybefore lunch and wine with meals,should the residents want it.”

Nightingales owners Nick and Sarah Bruce with David Osborne, senior healthcare manager of RBS and Margaret Wilson, a resident at Nettlestead retirement home.

A married couple who livetogether at Nettlestead

celebrated their 60th weddinganniversary with a party atthe home. Jim Williams, 90,and his wife Irene, 84, have

been living at Nettlesteadsince last year, and put the

success of their marriagedown to “good old fashioned

give and take”.

Couple transform homesinto luxury living spaces

CARE home managers should adviseclients to have a Lasting Power ofAttorney in place to properly protecttheir future, a legal expert haswarned.

Charlotte Cooper, of Lancashire-based solicitors Napthens, toldCaring UK that she is aware of occa-sions where contracts have beensigned by relatives of individualsentering a care home, who have littlelegal authority to do so as they arenot next of kin.

She said: “Changes to the UK’s pop-ulation statistics mean that morepeople are living longer, but sufferingfrom debilitating conditions likedementia which come with old age.

“LPAs are a key way for dealing withproperty, personal affairs and welfarein the event a person is no longerable to make decisions for them-selves, and an ideal way to ensure aperson’s affairs are properly managedshould something happen to them.

“Care homes have very good meth-ods in place to prevent any legalcomplications in the future, but it is agood idea to recommend a LastingPower of Attorney where suitable, atan early stage.”

Charlotte says that she always rec-ommends that the best way to securethe comfortable future of those goinginto care is to have a Lasting Power of

Attorney drawn up at an early stageas a safeguard.

These are documents which allow aperson to appoint someone theytrust to make decisions on theirbehalf, regarding a number of topicsincluding personal welfare.

An LPA also allow a next of kin togive a care home instructions in rela-tion to any health decisions on behalfof the resident.

Clients should be advisedon Lasting Power ofAttorney says legal expert

Charlotte Cooper

CARINGCOMMERCE30

BBBByyyy DDDDoooommmmiiiinnnniiiicccc MMMMuuuussssggggrrrraaaavvvveeee

THE care regulator has launched aconsultation on guidance outliningwhat health and adult social careservices will need to do to meetnew legally enforceableregistration standards.

From April 2010, the Care QualityCommission will begin to put inplace the first registration systemcovering all health and adult socialcare services in England, whetherthey are public or independent.

And it has released guidance onwhat services must do to meet the29 registration requirements set bythe government.

These set essential commonquality standards across the caresector and will replace the currentstandards in place for health andadult social care services.

Chief executive Cynthia Bowersaid the introduction ofregistration for all providers ofhealth and social care was a“fundamental change” to the wayquality of care would besafeguarded.

She added: “This is a big changeto the way health and adult socialcare services are regulated andhow we drive improvement inservices. People have a right toexpect a certain standard of care,

regardless of whether they arereceiving health or adult socialservices and regardless of whetherit is in the public or independentsector.

“Registration will make sure thathealth and adult social careproviders across the country are

meeting essential common qualitystandards. It will make the systemfairer, more transparent, and makeit easier for people to compareproviders.

“The registration standards andour guidance on what providersneed to do to meet them are legallyenforceable.”

The guidance focuses on whatconstitutes a positive outcome fora person receiving care and whatservices should be doing to achievethat outcome. It will be used todecide whether a service should beregistered, whether it shouldmaintain registration and whetherfurther action is needed.

The commission is asking forfeedback on whether the guidanceappropriately reflects theregistration requirements and if itreflects what should rightly beexpected of a safe, quality health oradult social care service.

It has tough new powers to dealwith providers that do not meetthe new standards and theguidance, including imposingconditions on registration, finesand in extreme cases, cancellationof registration. Services have toregister to be legally allowed tooperate.

Consultation on the Guidance forRegistration closes on 24 August.

Cynthia Bower

Regulator launches consultationahead of new legal standards

Jobs savedin WakefieldacquisitionSOUTHERN Cross has saved thefuture of 60 jobs with the acquisitionof Carr Gate Care Centre inWakefield.

The home provides nursing care forolder adults and also specialises incaring for people with dementiarelated illness. Carr Gate is the firstof six homes which Southern Crosswill be acquiring from the BritanniaGroup over the next few weeks, andthe company plans a full refurb-ishment programme. Group develop-ment manager Richard Smith said:“We’re pleased to be strengtheningthe portfolio once again with theaddition of the Britannia homes. Ourpriority now is to improve the exist-ing accommodation and facilities toensure we can provide the bestpossible service for our residents.”

Residents move inA NEW extra care scheme in Mertonhas welcomed its first residents.

Housing 21’s Pantiles House, whichhas a mix of 33 one and two-bed-room flats, will combine independentliving with 24-hour care service ifrequired. The majority will be avail-able for rent, with 10 for people whowish to buy a share in the leasehold.

The apartments have a secure doorentry system with individual inter-com and an emergency call system.

31CARINGCOMMERCE

A GROUND breaking agreementbetween a care organisation and auniversity has been reached to driveup standards in the health and caringprofessions.

According to Glyndwr University,they were particularly keen to hookup with Wrexham-based PendinePark because they have a track recordfor innovation and excellence.

The two organisations signed aMemorandum of Understanding tobuild on the informal links that havedeveloped between them in recentyears.

It will enable health and social carestudents to go on placements to thehome, with staff from the care organ-isation going in the opposite direc-tion to study.

Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreftsaid it was an important and memo-rable day.

He added: “The Memorandum ofUnderstanding is the culmination ofmany discussions and I am delightedwe have a formal structure to moveforward and we are looking forwardto working closely with GlyndwrUniversity in future.

“We strive for high standards andthis arrangement will help to sustain

and improve our practice in future.“It gives us an opportunity for us to

share our resources to the best effectfor people who are learning, whetherit’s in social care or nursing.

“This initiative is very much aboutbuilding quality into the system forthe future, it’s about trying to raisethe awareness about how importantthe caring professions are and I hopethis is going to be a very importantstep in that journey.”

The memorandum is believed to bethe first formal agreement of its typein Wales.

Professor Kate Sullivan, a pro vicechancellor at the university, added:“For us at the university, it is impor-tant to work with partners in practice– the real world of practice isextremely important for our stu-dents.

“We also know of the value ofPendine Park and the excellence thatis there – and how important it is forus to be linked into an organisationwith such a reputation.”

“Pendine Park are very keen oninnovation and they strive for excel-lence in everything they do and thathas been recognised nationally in theawards that they have won.”

Professor Michael Scott, vice chancellorof Glyndwr University and Pendine Parkproprietor Mario Kreft sign theMemorandum of Understanding.

University agreement set to drive up standardsin caring professions

Discount offerfor elderly who havehelped othersELDERLY people who are strugglingto cover the cost of their retirementafter devoting their lives to goodcauses are being offered a 25 percent discount by a retirement homeprovider.

Nightingales Retirement Care,which runs two boutique homes inReigate and Bromley, has announcedthe scheme as a way of giving some-thing back to the community.

The company’s co-owner NickBruce said: “Nightingales cares for clients on a private basis and we don’t ordinarily offer discounts.

“But there are some people whodedicate their lives to helping others– maybe they raised thousands ofpounds for charity, or spent manyhours caring for a loved one.Sometimes those people sacrifice their own needs in theprocess.”

There are two bursaries on offer –one at Nettlestead in Bromley andone at Priors Mead in Reigate.

Non-subsidised places at thehomes start from £625 per week.With the bursary, this would drop to £468.75 – a saving of £8,125per year.

By Dominic Musgrave

A NEW Yorkshire homecare companyhas made its second purchase in itsfirst year with the acquisition of anOldham-based firm.

Leeds-based Domus HealthcareGroup has bought Helpful Hands, thesecond largest provider of homecarein the town and the surroundingareas.

Employing over 70 people anddelivering in excess of 2,000 hours ofcare per week, the acquisition ofHelpful Hands will double the size ofthe Domus Group and chief execu-tive Noel Baden-Thomas told CaringUK that further purchases areexpected within the next six months.

He added: “Our priority is toimprove the levels of investment inpeople and training and to ensureconsistently high standards of carefor all our customers.

“Helpful Hands has got a great rep-utation for delivering good qualitycare in the Oldham area and employssome fantastic people. We will beretaining all of the existing staff andwant to continue to improve uponthe high standards that the companyalready holds.”

The purchase, for an undisclosedsum, was funded through existingshareholders and follows Domus’spurchase of Hessle-based Advanced

Care (East Yorkshire) last summer.Both businesses specialise in pro-

viding a range of personal anddomestic care services, helping peo-ple in such areas as washing, eating,dressing, meal preparation andhousehold chores.

Increased levels of investment inkey areas such as IT and care workertraining have already seen DomusHealthcare East Riding (formerlyAdvanced Care) improve from an“adequate” to “good” rating in lessthan six months under Domus own-

Noel Baden-Thomas, AndreaJetton – chief executive andoperationsdirector ofDomusHealthcarerespectively, withSusan and IanTurner, owners ofHelpful Hands,the secondlargest providerof homecare inOldham and the surroundingareas.

ership, according to the Care QualityCommission.

As the former commercial directorat Careforce, Noel helped transformthe business into one of the country’slargest homecare companies.

He established Domus last July witha view to creating a regional health-care company renowned for its highquality standards and entrepreneur-ial approach.

Noel added: “The homecare mar-ket is going through similar changesto what the care home sector did a

few years ago. It is currently veryfragmented with some excellentproviders who do a fantastic job.“However, there are also many small,local organisations who, for a varietyof reasons, are struggling to meet thehigh new standards and levels ofinvestment required today.

“I want to keep the companyregional rather than national,because I believe that that is the bestway to maintain the high standardsof care. If you get to big you can losethat focus.”

Second buy for homecare firm

A NURSING home is celebrating after it became the sixth in a group’s portfolio to be awarded athree-star ‘excellent’ rating by inspectors.

Somerset Care’s Popham Court inWellington was awarded the highestrating, and has been given a certifi-

cate to display to mark their achieve-ment.

Manager Hazel Jones said: “Thisachievement is a reflection of thehard work and dedication of theexcellent staff team who continuallystrive to provide the very best qualityof care for residents.”

NEWLY-elected mayor of FarehamRuth Godrich officially openedBluebird Care’s new branch whichwill create up to 50 jobs when fullyfunctional.

Ten posts, both office and caring,have already been created, with anadditional 40 expected over thecoming months.

Managing director Paul Tarseysaid: “We were repeatedly receivingrequests for care from the Farehamarea but it was just too far to travelfrom Petersfield, so it was a naturalprogression to open an office cover-ing not only Fareham and Gosport,but also north of that towardsWinchester.”

Mayor opens Bluebird Care branchHome celebrates being sixth of the best

HOMECARENEWS34A domiciliary care agency has teamed up with aHigh Street pharmacist to offer practical help to cus-tomers requiring prescription drugs at home.Care managers from Bluebird Care are working withBoots to ensure their clients are safely using theirmedication at home using specially designed blisterpacks and pill dispensers.Extra devices are also available to help the partiallysighted and visually impaired, including a creditcard-style design with pre-recorded information.Bluebird managing director Paul Tarsey said: “It isoften confusing and difficult for people to get thehelp they need and the support in place to enablethem to stay at home.“We are working alongside Boots to help peoplethrough that maze, whether that is organising careat home or help with their medication.”

Award success for DebbieDEBBIE Thacker was named home-care worker of the year at the annualCeretas awards which aim to pro-mote best practice and raise the pro-file of the sector.

Television presenter Ruby Wax host-ed the event, at which SomersetCare’s Debbie scooped the homecareworker for the south west and overallprizes.

Sponsored by The Royal Bank ofScotland, the event at the MarriottHotel in Grosvenor Square, London,is backed by the Department ofHealth, and received nominationsand support from all corners of thesector.

Other winners: Homecare workerNorth East – Margaret Hughes(Gateshead Council); North West –Vanessa Lowe (Home Instead SeniorCare); London – Mohammed Mirzaei(Sevacare); South East – Gwen

Sharpin (Meritum IndependentLiving); Midlands – Maureen Evans(Radis Group); Wales – SonyaO’Connell (Bridgend CountyCouncil); Newcomer – BeckyCrayston (Housing 21); Coordinator –Donna Stacey (Careforce Group);Specialist service – Allan Salles(Sweet Tree); Registered manager –Kim Philpot Brighton and Hove CityCouncil; Trainer – Amanda Pettitt(Active Assistance); Innovator –Suzanne Chapman (Goldsborough);Manager – Mary Fardon (Housing21); IT Innovator – London Boroughof Havering; Business of the Year –Beech Tree Total Care; UKHCADignity in Care - Somerset Care atHome’s initial response team; Social Care Personality of the Year – Julie Jones (chief executive of Social Care Institute forExcellence).

Council makes home care changesA SCOTTISH council has introducednew contracts and work patterns forhome carers.

The changes by the Borders Councilare designed to improve the consis-tency and quality of care for anincreasing number of older peoplewho need support to remain at home.

The changes include a contract for aregular weekly payment for an agreednumber of hours. Staff are now onshift patterns, enabling the service tobe delivered over seven days a week,from 7am to 11pm to meet the grow-ing demand for more complex care.

Director of social work AndrewLowe told Caring UK that the homecarers have also been split into localteams, which means the need for

relief cover is reduced as holidays andsick leave are covered by other mem-bers. He added: “Before the changestook effect, we contacted everyoneusing the home care service toexplain the new arrangements andoffered an opportunity to meet anynew carers. We have asked peopleusing the service to bear with us overthe next few weeks while the changestake place. The new service aims toprovide improved consistency of car-ers and meet the increasing demandsof tomorrow.”

The majority of care will be provid-ed by the core team, which the coun-cil hopes will improve the consistencyof care.

CARINGPRODUCT NEWS36

SINCE 1982, Colne (Lancs) based, Richards Residential Supplies have concentrated upon supplying simplesolutions to common nursing home problems.

The new WACMAT® adheresstrongly to this tradition.

With its ultra absorbentcotton pile and 100 per centwaterproof backing, theremarkable WACMAT® is anideal accessory where spills mayoccur.

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

The WACMAT® will then beclean and odour-free, ready toperform time and time again.Alternatively the flat-layingWACMAT® can be used as anentrance mat, saving youhundreds of pounds in rentalcosts alone.

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Durability and design appeal crucial toMuckamore Abbey

THE latest version of Fireco’s highly successful System X wireless fire safety system uses a Wi-Fi transmitterunit (TX), with a 1000m site specific range.This is wired into the fire alarm panel or loopusing fire rated cable to monitor the fire alarmpanel as well as any linked devices. In the event of a fire alarm or fault the SystemX Wi-Fi transmitter unit (TX) sends a radio signalto all linked fire safety devices to activate.The System X range offers exceptional flexibilitywhen managing a building's fire safety as it canbe linked with up to 255 devices sited withinrange of a transmitter unit. With the addition of this latest version ofSystem X, Fireco are now the only manufacturerof fire door retainers that complies to all threecategories of BS7273-4 Actuation of releasemechanisms for doors.

Enquiries: Telephone 0845 241 7474.

NOTTINGHAM Rehab Supplies supports the theorythat music therapy can help calm and stimulatesome sufferers with dementia, and has introduceda range of products with that in mind.

The Percussion Music Pack features enoughinstruments for a group of 30 people, rangingfrom finger castanets and cymbals to chime barswith beaters. There are also individual items suchas large plastic maracas and school hand bells.

The Ocean Drums product is also very soothingand relaxing, recreating the sounds of the seawhile being visually stimulating at the same time,with beautifully illustrated full colour oceanscenes.

They are supplied with a soft headed mallet foruse as a drum, but for those who have disabilitiesor severe dementia, a simple rotation movementwill create the sound of the sea.

Music therapy resources are just some of theinnovative new products featured in the latestissue of the company’s catalogue.

Enquiries: Telephone 0845 121 8111.

NRS claims music is the medicine of the mind SEATING and tables to enhance a newfacility for older and vulnerable people arecentral to a contract awarded toKnightsbridge by the WestDunbartonshire-based Cordale HousingAssociation.Designers Campbell and Morris Associateshad two priorities when consideringfurniture for the Renton extra care facility– quality and durability – and worked withCordale’s maintenance officer Colin Smithin selecting and specifying seating andtables from the Knightsbridge Careportfolio.For the conservatory, chairs and twinsettees from the Hawaii range werespecified.In the communal lounge areas, the sleek curves of Melrose chairs in high back and wing-styleconfigurations are complemented by Malham coffee tables, with Melrose club chairs and Balerno coffeetables in the reception. Further examples from the portfolio feature in the dining room, where Balerno tables team with Kilbrideupright armchairs fitted with skids for maximum strength and manoeuvrability.

Enquiries: Telephone 01274 731900 or email enquiries@knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk

Knightsbridge Furniture in demand at extracare facility

CELEBRATING her 94th birthday has not stopped DorisLong from leading an active life – in fact she is a shiningexample of not letting older age hinder her ambitions. And yet, as she plans to abseil for the 14th time in aid ofcharity, Doris of Hayling Island, Hampshire, says she stillrelies on her Aid Call alarm system, despite heradventurous nature.Doris said: “Age is definitely no barrier to trying somethingnew. I only got into abseiling at the age of 87 and I amhaving a tremendous amount of fun trying out differentbuildings and heights, but I do appreciate that I needsupport if I have an accident while at home.” Doris invested in an Aid Call alarm when one of her friendsreceived one. A touch of the button connects to aresponse centre, which is staffed by professionally trainedoperators 24 hours a day.

Enquiries: Telephone 0800 121 4920 or visitwww.aidcall.co.uk/personalcare

Abseiling Doris still relies on Aid Call

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Care home bloomingdelighted with floral giftCOUNCILLORS gave a care home a donation of £200 towardsraised flower beds for the gardens.

Councillors Peter Robinson andPhilip Fitzpatrick visited TheSycamores Care Centre in Newton,Hyde to present the cheque tobudding gardener and residentJames McGoldrick from the Newton Ward Fund at TamesideCouncil.

The donation came after after the home’s manager Lynn Davidson

mentioned to Peter on a previousvisit that she would like some raised flower beds to encourageresidents to assist with gardening.

Lynn said: “It is very kind of thecouncil. The addition of these flower beds will allow clients to maintain the gardensindependently.

“Despite the rain lately a fewresidents have already been outsidetrimming back the flowers.”

Councillors Peter Robinson and Philip Fitzpatrick present the cheque to JamesMcGoldrick and manager Lynn Davidson.

MP openscare villageNORTH Warwickshire MP MikeO’Brien cut the ribbon to officially reopen a care villagewhich was damaged by fire lastsummer.

As part of the rebuildprogramme, Richmond Coventryhas developed a facility for adults living with a disability, inaddition to the existing nursinghome.

The site features a wide range ofaccommodation, includingindependent and assisted living apartments, convalescentcare and facilities such as arestaurant, hairdressing salon,bowling green and guest suites forvisitors.

CARINGPRODUCT NEWS38

LOTUS Care technology offers a widevariety of products includingnursecall systems, door access, CCTV,fire alarm systems and intruderalarm systems and maintenance andservicing contracts to clientsthroughout the whole of the UK.

With many years of experience todraw on, they can help find the right

system for any environment. Everyhome or business is different; mostrequirements differ from one to thenext, so it is impossible to suggestthat one type of monitoring system isbest for all of those homes.

Lotus Care is not tied in to any onemanufacturer, making them perfectlyplaced to find the best fit.

Helping to find the right system for any environment

Beauty ofsystemis itssimplicityCAREDOCS’ uniqueability toautomatically writecare plans is ananswer to prayers for anyone having tospend hours writingthem either manually or using a templatesystem.

And automaticallywriting care plans is only a small part ofwhat this cleversoftware can do.

There’s a lot more,and the beauty of thesystem is that it isridiculously simple touse, helpedenormously by theclear graphics and theabsence of anycomputer typeinstructions.

CareDocs is ideal for staff who have always avoidedcomputers becauseyou seldom need touse the keyboard at all– just the mouse.

BADGEMASTER is inviting buyers toachieve the seemingly impossible:cut costs while improving qualityand service.

By taking the company’s pricechallenge any name badge buyercan challenge Badgemaster to beatthe current price they are paying.

It takes less than a minute to dothe challenge and obtain a fixedprice per badge quotation.

It is completely free, confidentialand without obligation.

John Bancroft said: “Lower costfor a better product is what our PriceChallenge is all about.

“We’re so confident that we offerunbeatable prices, product qualityand delivery time, that customerstransferring their supply to us willhave nothing to pay if they don’tagree.”

Cutting costs while stillimproving quality and service

Firm teams upwith pharmacyto promotehome eye testsA COMPANY which offers elderlypeople living in their own home eyetests is hoping to raise awareness of itsservice with the help of a leadingpharmacy.

Outside Clinic has teamed up with Lloyds, who will signpost itscustomers to the optometry services it provides, which will beavailable free of charge for people who cannot attend a High Streetpractice unaccompanied for a sighttest.

The company’s group head of HR,marketing and media Lynda Oliver said that it was crucial thatelderly people living in their ownhomes regularly have their eyestested.

She added: “Marketing is key to us atthe moment, which is why we havejoined forces with Outside Clinic toshowcase our services.

“Worrying research unveiled at therecent UK Vision conference said thatbetween 2010 and 2020, the numberof people in the UK adult populationof sight loss due to AMD will have risen by 31 per cent, cataracts by20 per cent, diabetic retinopathy by 16 per cent and glaucoma by 25 percent.

“There are also four million peopleover the age of 60 in this country whoare not having their eyes tested andwe want to make these people awarethat we are here to test them in theirown homes.”

SKILLS for Care have created ‘KnowledgeSets’ to help employers, staff and trainers tobe clear about what underpinningknowledge is necessary for care staff.

The medication one is designed to be usedalongside the Common Induction Standards to provide specific, standardisedknowledge and understanding to help care workers undertake their role andevidence continuous professionalcompetence.

CIS-Assessment.co.uk has developed anassessment based on its successful onlinesystem and linked to the Set. The site is usedby many local authorities andprivate/voluntary organisations to evidenceworkers’ knowledge, measure theeffectiveness of training and help ensure thatworkers are competent, which has a directimpact on the quality of care.

The medication assessment covers:� Legislation and medication.� Roles, responsibilities and boundaries. � Types of medicine and routes.� Safe practice in the administration ofmedicine.

‘Knowledge Sets’are created tohelp employers

STEPS and stairs are a major problemfor residents and management inmany care homes.

Lift maintenance and ageing,unreliable problem lifts are causingbig headaches for already busymanagers and owners.

Baronmead, a UK manufacturer,offer a product called the StairmaticMobile Stair Climber – the powerfulbattery powered solution toovercome stairs and steps aroundyour home.

The Stairmatic, which is attendant

controlled, can lift people of up to 20stone up and down stairs and alsowheel them around the home justlike a wheelchair.

One of the big advantages of it is inits flexibility. When not in use it canbe stored away from the stairs so itdoes not block any part of thestaircase.

It also works similar to a wheelchairon flat surfaces so you can transporta resident from downstairs to theirbedside without any furthertransfers.

UK manufacturer helps solveproblems with steps and stairs

If you’ve got a story for Caring UKcontact our healthcare editorDominic Musgrave on 01226

734407 or email dm@whpl.net