May 2011

no.180 • £4.75

In association with

By Dominic Musgrave

AN undercover pensioner lost half astone in weight in a week becausemeals were so infrequent and poor,an investigation by consumerwatchdog Which? has revealed.

In three of the four homes,residents sometimes had to wait 16or 17 hours between dinner andbreakfast without food but, in one,lunch was served at 11.30am despitebreakfast being served just 90minutes earlier.

Three actors posing as residentslived in four randomly chosen carehomes in England for a week for thestudy.

They recorded their experiences indiaries which were analysed by apanel which included an expert ininspection, one in daily living and adietician.

Which? senior health researcherJoanna Pearl, who led the study, said:“There was some good practicerecorded as well, but the experts wereshocked by some of the issues thatour actors found across the homes.

“The poor nutrition was a realconcern, particularly in one of thehomes where supplements wereserved just before a meal to allresidents.

“They should only be prescribed tothose residents who are

malnourished, and not be given toall. Guidelines also suggest that thereshouldn’t be more than 12 hoursbetween meals, and vulnerablepeople may not be able to ask whenthey are hungry.”

Other concerns the investigationfound surrounded a lack of activitiesfor residents in all four homes, andbasic health and safety in two. Theseincluded damp and dirty facilities toexposed wires and a blocked fireescape.

And in one extreme case theinspectorate had to suspendadmissions to a home after theresearcher witnessed a staff memberdragging a resident towards the toiletby one arm, while another wasrepeatedly pushed down into theirchair by the head and shoulder whentrying to stand up.

CQC chair Dame Jo Williams said:“The evidence Which? shared with usdescribes care that falls below whatpeople using social care services havea right to expect. In one case soseriously that we acted immediatelyto ensure admissions to the homewere suspended and are nowconsidering the best action forresidents currently living there.”

Which? plans to meet with Age UKto explore the possibility of workingtogether on a programme to improvecare in homes in future.

Investigationreveals carehome failures

The executive director of My Home Life Programme,a UK-wide initiative to promote quality of life forthose living, dying, visiting and working in carehomes, has been lined up to speak at MJM Events’forthcoming conference in association with CaringUK magazine in Reading.Professor Julienne Meyer will speak at the event atthe Madejski Stadium on June 20.For a full list of conferences, and to find out whoelse is speaking, turn to pages 42 and 43.

Illegalworkersfound athomeTHREE illegal workershave been caught in araid on a Torquay carehome by the UK BorderAgency.

A man and a womenfrom the Philippineswere found to beworking illegally atRenaissance Care Homeafter their visas hadexpired, while anotherwoman was working inbreach of the conditionsof her student visa.

Kenny Chapman, whoheads the UK BorderAgency's localimmigration team forthe South West, saidthey had been releasedon immigration bailwhile arrangements aremade to deport them.

He added: “It is vital forbusinesses taking onforeign staff to ensurethat they havepermission to work inthe UK.”

The home faces a civilpenalty of up to £10,000per illegal worker unlessevidence is providedthat the correct right-to-work checks werecarried out.

incorporating

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3CARINGNEWS

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Sue’s innovative approachearns top industry awardBy Dominic Musgrave

A MARLBOROUGH care home managerhas scooped a top industry award for herinnovative approach to caring for peoplewith dementia.

Sue Linsley, who runs the Orders of StJohn Care Trust owned Coombe EndCourt, won the British Journal ofNursing's Nursing Care prize for her pro-ject that saw her transform several roomsat the home.

The main development has resulted inan unused snoozelum becoming a sym-pathetically decorated 1950s reminis-cence room, complete with objects thathave either been donated or bought fromcar boot sales and antique shops includ-ing flying ducks on the wall, a workingFerranti valve radio, a Bakelite dial tele-phone and traditional furniture.

Sue, who has worked in care for almost40 years, told Caring UK the facilitieshave made a difference to life at thehome.

She added: “The room has had a majorimpact on both the residents and staff. Ifthe residents hear the Archers music onthe radio in the afternoon they will oftenstop off and have a listen.

“At night if a resident is feeling anxiousa member of staff can sit them down inthere and it calms them down as theyfeel they are in familiar territory.

“Three-quarters of the 60 residentswere on some form of anti-psychoticdrug before we created the room, andthat figure has since dropped to justthree since it opened.”

Other rooms have also been trans-formed, with a rarely used activities areanow a home from home lounge withflatscreen television and DVD player, andanother small lounge now an old-fash-ioned office.

Sue said she has also noticed a changein the staff since the project has been

running. “People tend to think you need a lot of

money and more staff when you dosomething like this, but that is not thecase because the residents are muchmore content,” she added. “It is anextension of our person-centred carebecause residents and staff build rela-tionships with one another.

“Staff know more about the times theresidents are talking about, and so itgives them a better understanding andthey can empathise with them.”

Coombe End Court manager Sue Linsley receives her award from Channel Four’s Dr ChristianJessen along with the home’s administrator Jean Clements.

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Resident Leslie Chapman sows and grows with the help of xl programme executive forThe Prince’s Trust Helen Thurston and Bupa’s community affairs assistant CarolineDavy.

Watering cans ready forfruit and veg projectRESIDENTS at Bupa care homesacross the UK have their wateringcans at the ready as they prepare fortheir Community Crops ‘sow andgrow’ events.

The initiative promotes the healthbenefits associated with gardeningand growing your own fruit and veg,and is being supported by youngpeople involved with The Prince’sTrust xl programme.

Residents have also been invitinglocal schools and community groupsto lend a hand with planting and starttheir own vegetable plots.

Caroline Davy, Bupa’s communityaffairs assistant, said: “For our

residents who were keen gardenersbefore they joined us, CommunityCrops offers a great opportunity toget back involved, but it also helpsminds as well as bodies.

“Particularly for our residents withdementia, sharing stories about ‘digfor victory’ and the tradition ofgrowing your own are excellentmemory triggers to aid connectionswith the past.

“Getting the local communityinvolved is important to us as well. Itpromotes healthy and activelifestyles, and lets everyone to seefirst-hand the benefits of growingyour own fruit and veg.”

By Dominic Musgrave

A LEADING care association says it isscandalous that local authorities arefailing to abide by their basicstatutory duties towards older people.

The Registered Nursing HomeAssociation says Counsel and Care’sCare Concerns 2010 report confirmsthat government cuts in expenditureare being used as a cloak behindwhich poorly performing councilsseek to hide their own deficiencies.

The study of more than 250,000calls to the charity’s advice servicefound that the main concerns forolder people were: Being givenincorrect and often illegal advice bytheir council; Unplanned hospitaldischarge, with social services notbeing involved in the process;Councils not declaring a standardrate for care, and imposing ‘across theboard’ requests for third party top-ups from families.

RNHA chief executive officer FrankUrsell said: “Of particular concern isthe way in which some localauthorities appear to be insisting ontop up payments from familiestowards nursing home costs, despitethe fact that their loved ones’financial circumstances mean theyqualify for full social services funding.

“You could reasonably concludefrom this that some councils aretrying to pull a fast one by makingpeople pay when, in fact, they shouldnot be paying anything at all.”

“A second major concern is thetendency for cash-strapped acutehospitals to try to eject older peopleinto the community with inadequatedischarge planning.

“Many badly managed dischargesresult in relatively quick re-admissions to hospital whencommunity care arrangements breakdown. This is not good for theindividuals involved, nor is it good for

the hospitals themselves. In effect, itis a situation where everyone is aloser.”

Frank also said the decision bysome councils to refuse to undertakean assessment of an older person’ssocial care needs on financialgrounds was further evidence that thesystem needed radical reform.

“Such policies are flouting the law,”he added. “They also fly in the face ofgood practice. Older people have abasic right to have their needsassessed, even if the council itselfdoes not subsequently fund the careprovided.”

The RNHA intends to write to theHealth Secretary and the CQC to askthem to remind local authorities oftheir statutory responsibilitiestowards older people and to takeaction against those which do notcomply with them.

Claim authorities are‘failing’ the elderly

A CHELMSFORD care homecelebrated its second birthday with aparty for friends, relatives and well-wishers.

Local MP and minister of state forhealth Simon Burns and DeputyLord Lieutenant of Essex, DaveMonk, joined residents at Care UK’sManor Lodge as they held an indoorstreet party with singers,entertainers and karaoke.

Home manager Bernard Mawoyosaid: “Care UK has developedactivity based care which focuses onkeeping residents active inmeaningful ways to maintain theirphysical health and mental well-being.

“We are committed to puttingresidents at the heart of everythingwe do. Residents now take part inour employment committee so theyhave an active role in selecting thepeople who work here.”

Residents have recently taken partin events including a visit from thecast of West Side Story and theatretrips to the Civic Centre. They havealso been entertained byperformances from local schools inthe home.

Facilities at Manor Lodge include ahairdresser’s, café, cinema and asensory room.

Street partyto celebratebirthday

Get your stories toeditor DominicMusgrave by emailingdm@whpl.net or ring01226 734407.

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By Dominic Musgrave

A ‘SHOCKING’ CQC report into aTelford care home has foundresidents left smelling of urine andfaeces and looking “unkempt anddishevelled”.

CQC inspectors visited StGeorge's Park Centre three timesbetween December 2010 andJanuary 2011 after concerns aboutthe safety of people in the hometriggered an unannounced review.

Inspectors told the owners theywere not meeting 15 of the 16essential standards, and had 13major concerns with the home,with visitors also reporting theirrelatives had been dressed in otherpeople’s clothes that had not beenironed. Some residents had alsobeen left unwashed and shaved forup to two months.

CQC regional director AndreaGordon said the owner was given athree-week deadline for acomplete turnaround in services,and warned that the home wouldbe closed if significant steps werenot taken immediately.

She added: “Given the breadthand severity of the concerns

identified at this home, weseriously considered movingstraight to this course of action,which always needs to be weighedup against the impact that closurewill have on a vulnerable group ofresidents.

“But before taking this step, wegave the provider three weeks todemonstrate dramatic andwholesale improvements.

“The provider has succeeded inimplementing very significantimprovements in services at thehome, although it is regrettablethat these were only achievedfollowing the threat of radicalaction.”

The report goes on to say thatbins were also found overflowingand the bathrooms and toiletswere all dirty, while residents werenot supported to eat and drink ina dignified, relaxed and friendlyatmosphere.

The home also did not havesystems in place to gain andreview consent from residents.Andrea added that the home willcontinue to be monitored closelyto ensure the improvements aresustained and built upon.

Shocking reportinto Telford home

A COLCHESTER residential andnursing home has picked up a hat-trick of awards including chef of theyear.

And The Oaks also was namedregional winner and national runner-up in the inaugural gardeningcompetition run by owners NewCentury Care Ltd.

The group has 27 homesnationwide, and the event was heldto encourage fresh ideas fromresidents, relatives, staff and thewider community.

Activities coordinator Lindsay

Ridley, who led the home’s entries,said: “For the garden competition weplanted raised beds, revamped ourshed and decking with help fromteenagers from a local college, andpainted bird tables in bright coloursto add a splash of colour.

“We also made wind chimes andmemory pots to create a sensory areaand a memory tree.

Chef Zoë Clough won a cook-off atThe Felbridge Hotel in East Grinsteadafter creating a menu that theresidents would enjoy that could becreated within the home.

Home wins three awardsResident Ivy Blake in the home’s new garden.

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CARINGNEWS8

The sector has slammed the inspectorate’splans to increase its fees to care homes, andthe amount of notice operators were given.Dominic Musgrave reports

THE new pricing range, which wasannounced on March 29 and cameinto effect on April 1 under theHealth and Social Care Act 2008, sawa small increase for larger homes anda phasing in of the price increase forsmaller homes over the next fewyears.

NCA chairman Nadra Ahmed OBEtold Caring UK described theannouncement as “extremelyinsensitive.”

She added: “I do not think the CQCwould consider it good practice if ourmembers gave our service users threedays notice of their intention to raisetheir fee levels.

“How can any care providerproperly plan their business strategywhen its own regulator fails to giveany adequate notice of a rise inregulatory fee levels, which for someproviders could be thousands ofpounds?

“We believe our members willconsider this announcementextremely insensitive coming as itdoes when almost every localauthority in England is askingproviders to take a reduction in fees.

“We believe that at this time thereshould be no increase in regulatorycosts, allowing funding to beconcentrated on service users.”

These opinions were echoed byECCA chief executive Martin Green,who said the price increase is “totallyunjustified given their poorperformance.”

He added: “It is taking a minimumof 120 days to register a care serviceand the star rating scheme has beenabolished. The replacementexcellence scheme is not due for along time, and when it does finally

arrive it will be an extra cost burdenon an already underfunded sector.

“CQC should be compensatingservice users and providers for thehuge loss of earnings and disruptedlives their incompetence is causing,instead of raising their fees .”

But Cynthia Bower, chief executiveof the inspectorate, defended thedecision, saying the changes havebeen based on the feedback theyreceived during a consultationperiod.

“Our approach to fees is based onfairness and on raising only as muchincome as we need to cover the costsof regulation,” she added. “We havelistened to what providers told usduring the consultation and havemade changes to address concerns.

“The new fees scheme standardisesthe way providers will be chargedfees. All providers will receive a singleannual invoice; provider andmanager registrations and variationsto registration will not be charged forseparately.”

� What do you think of the new pricesannounced by the CQC? Let DominicMusgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.netor ring him on 01226 734407.

Industry hitsback at feerise decision

CARE providers have been hit byanother increased cost at a timewhen they can least afford it, aregional care associationassociation has warned.

The Independent Care Group(York and North Yorkshire) saidthe cost was another blow toproviders, who are alreadysuffering.

“Providers have no choice but toregister their business and thiscomes at a significant cost,” saidthe group’s chair Mike Padgham.“Providers are already suffering

because local authorities arespending less on commissioningcare and other costs are rising.

“Fuel costs are hitting the caresector hard and providers havejust had to take an increase inNational Insurance payments. Atthe same time, businesses havealso had to absorb an increase inVAT which, because they have tobe zero rated, they are unable toclaim back. The CQC’s additionalfee is an unwanted burden at atime when care businesses aregoing to the wall.”

Increase timing slammed

Martin Green

COMEDIAN Bobby Davro was amongthe special guests at a Scottish caregroup’s annual ball that raised almost£39,000 for charity.

Proceeds from the Balhousie CareGroup event in Dundee, which had aPeter Pan theme to mark the 150thanniversary of author J. M. Barrie’sbirth in nearby Kirriemuir, will go tothe Children’s Hospice AssociationScotland.

In keeping with the theme,youngsters at Rachel House -Scotland’s first children’s hospice –were asked to decorate giant banners

featuring the Disney characters,which were displayed at the ball.

X Factor singer Gamu Nhengu wasalso on the bill, with a film scriptsigned by Hollywood actor EwanMcGregor and a guitar signed anddonated by singer Amy Macdonaldamong the lots up for grabs in anauction.

Other lots included a trip toMarrakesh, a week in the Algarve, atrip in a hot air balloon, a theatreweekend in London and a VIPpackage to watch Scotland play theCzech Republic at Hampden Park.

Bobby entertains guestsat group’s charity ball

Bobby Davro

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CARINGNEWS10

By Louise Cordell

RESIDENTS at a Paddington carehome will be able to regularly enjoycomplementary therapies after fourstaff completed a six-week massagetherapy course.

Forrester Court staff Gisella Louis,Esther Aiyeobasanmi, Susan Bairdand Sandra Seaton will be able tooffer the treatments after taking partin the Westminster council runsessions.

Last year the home opened a multi-sensory room and two members ofstaff gave their own time to train inmassage therapy.

Home manager Jemma CraigDressike said their colleagues were soimpressed by the benefits to residentsthat they decided to train as well.

She added: ”Everyone living in ourhome is either frail or has dementia.The team’s hard work and dedicationhas meant many of them have a newlease of life. They usually massageresidents in groups of three and itgives them a chance to relax andchat, which is good for their physicaland mental health.

“At Care UK we believe peopleshould be able to carry on living thelife they want to lead, and with the

spa, social club coffee shop, cinemaand hair salon on site here they cando just that.

“There is a wide programme oforganised activity at the home, whichis designed to cover a range ofinterests - from table tennis andcooking to sing-a-longs andreminiscence sessions. We also takesmall groups on shopping trips andon outings to the cinema.”

Julius Adesanya, who was one ofthose who qualified last year, saidthey have recently been allowed tostart offering massage therapy by the

head nurse.He added: “It has so many benefits.

Residents with dementia becomemore relaxed and aware, andresidents with circulation and jointstiffness benefit from the massage.

“One lady was bed-bound when shecame to the home but, with supportfrom the team and lots of massage,we were able to get her out of bed,then into a chair and eventually intoa wheelchair, which meant she wasable to go back to her home. Thatlady’s story offers us the mostamazing job satisfaction.”

Home’s staff qualifyto offer massages

Resident ReneHarris enjoysthe benefits ofmassage withnewly qualifiedvolunteertherapistSusan Baird.

LOCAL newspapers, family photosand coins currently in circulationare among the items buried in a timecapsule at a £20m extra caredevelopment in Dudley.

Over 80 guests attended theceremony at Broad Meadow, with thecapsule also including a trowel fromthe sod-cutting event, pictures ofendangered species of fish andchildren’s toys.

The 132-bed extra care scheme isbeing developed by Midland Heart inpartnership with Dudley Council,the Homes and CommunitiesAgency, who invested £6.4m, andcontractors William Davis. It willprovide a mix of one and twobedroom apartments for sale, sharedownership or rent for the area’s over55s.

Residents will have access toextensive communal facilitiesincluding a restaurant, shop, gym,craft and activity suite, as well as theopportunity to learn new skills suchas painting, choir singing and tai-chi.

Broad Meadow is one of two extracare developments due to open thisyear, and forms part of Dudleycouncil’s extra care housing strategywhich highlights the need for highquality, safe accommodation.

Items buriedin capsule at£20m facility

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11CARINGNEWS

Apprentice Zoe Arnold with resident Muriel Smith.

Group reapsbenefits ofapprenticesBy Dominic Musgrave

A CARE group’s homes inOxfordshire have appointed threeyoung people into permanent jobsafter successful apprenticeships.

The Orders of St John Care Trustare are benefitting from youthfulpersonalities in many of the homesacross the county after working inpartnership with the county coun-cil on its OXCARE scheme.

Valerie Jarvis, manager atTownsend House, told Caring UKthe youngsters have new and excit-ing ideas.

She added: “The benefits are twoway; we have a valuable extra pairof hands, and a person who maywell become a permanent memberof staff, while the apprentice has apositive on the job learning experi-ence that progresses at their pace.

“Everyone has their own talentsto bring into the home, which isvery beneficial for our residents.We welcome the fresh ideasbrought by our young apprenticesand encourage them to share thesewith all of us.”

The apprenticeship involves twodifferent placements with twotypes of care provider. It is expect-ed to take between a year and 18months to complete through regu-lar college attendance and practicalskills in the work placement.

Sharon Wheeler, the home’s activ-

ities and volunteers co-ordinator,said each apprentice has a linemanager to monitor and assessprogress which is tailored to theindividual.

She added: “It’s like having ablank canvas as apprentices havegenerally never worked anywhereelse before.

“This means we can enable themto develop their skills and experi-ence from scratch, and gain a valu-able qualification in care.

“Any young person who comesinto our care homes, whether asvolunteer, apprentice or perma-nent employee, has a hearteningaffect on our residents.

“We write a life history for each ofour residents; our apprentices aregreat for assisting with such valu-able projects and our residents lovetelling them their stories.”

Zoe Arnold is a former apprenticewho now works as a carer at IsisCourt.

“Being an apprentice has changedmy life and future for the better,”she said. “With all the experienceand training I have gained I nowhave a full time job at Isis Courtand love working with older peo-ple.”

� Do you have apprentices work-ing at your care home? LetDominic Musgrave know by email-ing dm@whpl.net or telephone01226 734407.

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Activities play a vital roleBy Brinda Bungaroo

SOCIAL activities are veryimportant for all ages, more so forthe elderly as it is a means ofstimulation.

Whenever you get visitors orpotential service users looking for ahome, one of the main questionsasked is about the sort of activitiesthat take place. They have becomeone of the main focuses whenchoosing and selecting the righthome for your loved one.

In my experience I have foundpre-planned social activities veryrarely tend to happen, due to manyreasons such as residents notwilling to take part or staff too busy.

As the home manager Iquestioned why we had listed pre-planned social activities that veryrarely takes place.

For that reason we have given amore personalised approach tothem at our home. It seems thatpre-planned social activities weremore of a task orientated choreboth for staff and service users.Daily social activities should beplanned daily, spontaneous and attimes on the spur of the moment.

As carers we need to help create arelaxing mood that makes them funand enjoyable for both our serviceusers and staff.

In the last few months we haveadopted new ways of organising

social activities in the home. Indoing so, we now focus more onwhat is suited to accommodate theindividual person. The wholeconcept of structured activityprogramme for a group of people isunlikely to satisfy everyone.

Since we have started our newapproach, activity programmes atthe home have gone from strengthto strength. They have become oneof the highlights of the day becauseresidents find it enjoyable andstimulating.

As a result we have noticed anincreased motivation, confidenceand willingness to participate inthem from both service users andstaff. The whole concept haschanged staff’s attitude toparticipating and encouraginginteractive activities. Staff have abetter understanding and recognisethe importance of one-to-oneactivities.

We are more enthusiastic aboutorganising more outdoor activitiessuch as weekly shopping trips.Some service users who in the pasthad lost the confidence to go outnow look forward to it. Others goout regularly for lunches or meettheir friends at their social clubs.

The anticipation and enthusiasmin planning for their following dayouting starts from the night beforeas they all chat about what to wear.The hairdresser comes the evening

before to do their hair, and thewhole change in the way serviceusers look forward to everyday isfantastic.

They also love having their phototaken, and these are displayedaround the home for all to admireand enjoy. Social activities for olderpeople do not have to becomplicated, just simple andenjoyable.

� Brinda is the home manager ofNeva Manor care home in Weston-Super-Mare.

Brinda Bungaroo

SOUTHEND Care Ltd has beaten bidsfrom three other providers to runnine of Leicestershire countycouncil’s care homes.

Last June, the county council agreedto transfer the homes, plus theirexisting residents and staff, to theindependent sector. The councilalready commissioned 85 per cent ofits long-stay care placements fromthe independent sector.

The homes are: Hadrian House,Thurmaston; Huntingdon Court,Loughborough; Harvey House,Barwell; Kirby House, Kirby Muxloe;Woodmarket House, Lutterworth;Lenthall House, Market Harborough;Curtis Weston House, Wigston; TheLimes, Hinckley; Tillson House,Coalville.

David Sprason, cabinet member foradults and communities, said: “Thecompany wants to investconsiderable sums to ensure highquality care and it has pledged tomaintain employment.

“This is the best result for residents,for staff and for council taxpayers, asit will ensure a quality service, whileachieving value for money, with thecouncil saving £1m per year.”

Catherine Dalley House in MeltonMowbray is proposed forredevelopment as an extra carescheme.

Company torun council’snine homes

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CARINGNEWS14

More care homes are holding regular fitness classes to improve both the physical and mentalstate of their residents. Dominic Musgrave spoke to two care home managers who haveincorporated weekly sessions into their activities timetable.

THE manager of a Somersetindependent living scheme says shehas noticed a massive improvementin the mobility of residents who havestarted attending exercise classes.

Elva Dennihy, who runs GatchellOaks in Taunton, completed the half-day ‘Flexercise’ workshop run bysocial enterprise and leisure trustTone at the end of last year, and herMonday morning classes are regularlyattended by a dozen lady residents.

She told Caring UK the 30-minutechair-based exercises are changingthe lives both mentally and physicallyof those who attend.

“The ladies really feel good at theend of the classes,” Elva added. “Theyare energetic and are a moving a lotbetter than they were before westarted holding the weekly sessions.

“They really look forward to it, andwe try to make it as fun as we can.They forget their aches and pains andhave a smile and a laugh.

“There is also a social aspect to theclasses. They talk among themselvesbefore we start and often go for adrink together to talk about what theyhave just done.”

Classes begin with warming upexercises to music, and objects

including scarves, balls, parachutesand balloons are all used in anaverage session. A sing-a-long toDame Vera Lynn’s Wartime classic‘We’ll meet again’ then rounds offproceedings.

Gatchell Oaks is one of 14 sites inSomerset to have a member of staffqualified in the ‘Flexercise’ scheme.

Louise Bulmer, active lifestyles

officer for Tone, added: “The classeswe have devised are designed to helppeople with mobility, flexibility,general health and energy because wefound that a lot of people who live inthis type of environment are not themost physically active.

“They can be adapted to suit allabilities, and from the feedback wehave heard there are some real

success stories among the homes inthe county.

“It isn’t just about the physicalactivities though. Every effort is madeto make sure the residents are happyand have a laugh while taking part.”

� Do you run exercise classes at yourcare home? Let Dominic Musgrave knowby emailing dm@whpl.net or ring him on01226 734407.

The benefits of exercise

Residents in the class.

THE hula hoop has made a return toan Edinburgh care home to help keepresidents fit.

Night shift worker Ann Ritchie, whois also a fitness instructor in her sparetime, runs the hour-long classes atClovenstone House, which regularlyattract almost half of the 35 residents.

Manager Pam Colston said theWednesday sessions were a huge hit,with the hula hoops introduced as anextra tool to keep participantsstimulated.

She added: “The class creates a realbuzz around the place, althoughthere was a little bit of reluctance atfirst. A couple of the residents whoprefer to be in their rooms all of thetime have even come out to join inafter hearing the hilarity.

“As well as the residents beingstimulated much more both mentally

and physically, there is also a lot morelaughter around the home and therehas been an improvement incommunication as well.”

Ann sits the residents in a largecircle and warms them up with somebasic exercises with soft equipmentbefore distributing the hula hoops.

Although no-one is able to whirl thedevice round their waist like theyonce could, a series of exercisesinvolving the hoop can still takeplace.

The hour-long session is alsoaccompanied by the sound of classicwar-time songs such as We’ll MeetAgain and Roll Out the Barrel.

“When Ann comes in at 10pm tostart her night shift she often hasresidents asking her if she is here todo the exercises. They look forward toit so much.”

Hula hoop sessions provea hit at Edinburgh home

RESIDENTS at a Kent care homewere shown how rope was madewhen they were paid a visit byChatham Historic Dockyard Trust.

Education Officer Sandra Delahoybrought along exhibits from themuseum to Greensted residentialhome, part of The Abbeyfield KentSociety, and encouraged residentsto join in and make their own rope

using a technique from the time ofNelson.

Manager Sue Imms said: “We’vehad a few visits in the past fromChatham Historic Dockyard, butthis was the first time we’ve had therope making demonstrations andthe residents seemed to reallyenjoy it.”

Museum visits Kent home

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By Christina Eccles

A NATIONWIDE care provider hasintroduced a series of care pro-grammes across its homes to ensureits top hotel-standard accommoda-tion is matched in the professionalcaring fields.

The strategies and systems havebeen developed by Avery Healthcareover the past 18 months under thesupervision of director of nursingSandra Stark, and are in line with newregulations and the EssentialStandards being introduced by theCQC.

The three are known as Connect (aframework for dementia care),Optimise (quality assurance) andARIES (Avery Resident Involvementand Experience Strategy) making surethe wishes and requirements of resi-dents and their relatives are fullyacknowledged and acted upon.

Sandra said Connect is built aroundevidence-based care, a positiveapproach to dementia care and there-enablement of residents.

She added: “We have built this pro-gramme upon practices which havebeen demonstrated to have animpact on the promotion of high-quality care and quality of life forpeople with dementia.

“The manual and the programme

aim to bring together research andexperiential evidence which demon-strates how older people with demen-tia and their relatives can be support-ed to have a voice and make a contri-bution to the home in which theylive.”

The programme presents currenttheory and best practice for the areaalong with an audit tool to support itsimplementation.

Optimise covers care, hotel services,operations and training, all aspects ofthe management of the homes, medi-cine dispensing, health and safety,person centred care and planning.

As part of this, Avery has also intro-duced a confidential free phone linkfor all staff to make managementaware of any concerns and sugges-tions.

The ARIES programme starts fromthe position that gaining the viewsand experiences of residents, theirfriends and relatives is vital in orderto obtain a thorough understandingof their needs and wishes to con-stantly improve care and services.

“This is a deliberate move toempower all our residents, enhancetheir individual choices and ability tocontrol their lives,” added Sandra.“The three programmes together areunique in the British care system.”

Provider unveilsnew programme

A care group’s residents and staff raised more than £2,000 for the Alzheimer’s Societythrough a series of fundraising activities.Hartford Care adopted the charity last year, and events held at the seven homes includ-ed summer fetes, cream teas, themed dinners and residents’ parties.Alzheimer’s Society community fundraiser for Hampshire, Natalie Bettinson, receives acheque from Hartford Care managing director Sean Gavin and operations director JoGavin.

Resident Elsie’s queen for aday wish comes trueTHERE was plenty of bowing andcurtseying at a Bournemouth carehome when a resident’s wish to betreated like a queen for the day wasgranted.

Elsie Agent, aged 89, had taken partin Templeman House’s balloonrelease to mark Dignity in Action Day.Residents attached a wish to eachballoon, and the Care South ownedhome has undertaken to fulfil eachwish in the coming months with the

help of local businesses and the com-munity.

Her day included being the guest ofhonour at the home’s pancake tossingcompetition, and then she joinedeveryone for lunch before gettingchanged for her tour of the local areain a limousine, which was providedfree of charge by a local company

A book of photographs has beenmade for Elsie as a keepsake of herday.

15 19/4/11 16:30 Page 1

CARINGNEWS16

New home to meet demandTHE 32-bed extension to the existinghome will also include a new diningroom, staff station and ground floorbathroom, and existing residentshave been invited to declare theirinterest in the eight new rooms to becompleted.

It was originally established 55 yearsago by the Free Churches of Coventryand District, and originally operatedunder the name of Coventry andDistrict Free Church Homes for theElderly.

Services are still held at the homefor people of all denominations twicea week for residents who wish toattend

Trustee and chairman KennethHolmes told Caring UK the homeneeded updating, but also extendingto meet demand.

He added: “The current bedroomsare very small and aren’t en-suite sowhen we changed the name a coupleof years ago we decided somethinghad to be done.

“We looked at converting threerooms into two with the middle roombeing the bathroom, but it still meantthe rooms weren’t very big, which iswhy we then decided to look atbuilding a new extension to the sideof the existing building.

“We have taken out a mortgage of

£750,000 from NatWest, and havemanaged to raise £580,000 ourselvesthrough various means includingtrusts, legacies and corporatedonations. The plan is to build theshell of the building and complete asmuch as we can.”

The trust is also appealing for 750businesses in the city to donate£1,000 each so they can pay off themortgage. He estimates it will costaround £600,000 to fully complete thehome, with each room around£25,000 to fully equip.

He added: “We have asked theexisting residents to declare theirinterest in the new rooms, whichsome may not be able to affordbecause they are slightly moreexpensive than the old ones.

“If we have more than eight peopleI’m not quite sure how we are goingto work it.

“We will also recruit three extrapeople initially, and then we will haveto work out what we are going to dowith the existing building.

“We may well pull it down becausethe spaces are not big enough. Longterm we would like to create someindependent living units withsupport services. We have planningconsent to build six flats so we willsee how we get on in future.”

The first phase of a new building at a Coventry care home is set to open next month. DominicMusgrave visited St Andrew’s House to find out more.

St Andrew’s House trustee and chairman Kenneth Holmes with NatWest CommercialBanking representatives Bob Walker and Sukhjeevan Nat.

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17CARINGNEWS

An increasing number of care homes are allowing residents to bring theirpets with them. Editor Dominic Musgrave spoke to two managers thatsay having animals around has had a positive affect on their residents.

Peggy’s plight leadsto change at homeRESIDENTS at Applegarth care homein Maidenhead can bring theirfavourite chair, bone china cup andnow their pet when they move in withthem.

Manager Jenny Poole allowed ani-mals to live at the home followingconsultations with both staff and resi-dents after receiving a call from thedaughter of Peggy Ridgers, an 84-year-old blind woman.

She lived 200 miles away and des-perately needed to be in care closerto her family, but could not bear to beparted from her cat Amber.

Jenny said she put together a policy,risk assessment and contingency planbefore accepting the pair.

She added: “There are many peopleout there like Peggy who cannot bearto be parted from their pets, and aswell as the cat we now have a cock-atiel, tropical fish and a Yorkshire ter-rier called Dan.

“The lady moved in without the dogat first and was depressed and hadgiven up. We took the dog in on a trialbasis because we weren’t too sure

how the cat would react, but they arenow a part of the family.

“Last year we also had a pets day forthe residents, with both the staff andrelatives bringing in their animals.Hamsters, rabbits and tortoises were

passed around the residents.”A rota has been put together for the

residents to take it in turn to ensurethe animals have been fed, and it hasbeen agreed with the families thatthey will continue to remain at thehome if the resident dies.

Jenny added: “Relatives pay for theinsurance and vet’s bills and we payfor all the food - it is a pretty goodsystem we have put together.

“Pets do have an impact on olderpeoples well being. We have seen somany positive changes with residentswho suffer from depression or arevery ill or have a dementia.

“This generation of people wereprobably all owners of pets at sometime in their life, and a lot of peoplewho visit the home say having themaround makes it more homely ratherthan institutionalised.”

Applegarth is one of 30 pet-friendlyhomes nationwide that have beenapproved by the Cinnamon Trust - acharity for elderly people and theirpets.

Resident Hylda Holdaway and Dan.

Fishy goings on as residentsare given new room matesRESIDENTS at a Kidderminstercare home have been given theopportunity to keep goldfish intheir rooms as part of a new pro-ject.

The idea was the brainchild ofHerons Park activities co-ordinatorAbby Campbell, who thought theresidents may like something oftheir own to look after rather thanjust look at them in the lounges.

She told Caring UK the goldfishare also used as a talking point,with residents reminiscing aboutwhen they used to keep them inthe past.

“We have a large tank of fish inthe lounge, and also have an incu-bator for hand-rearing and hatch-ing chicks each year, but the resi-dents don’t have anything in theirrooms,” Abby added. “After thehome’s manager Sandra Packwoodagreed that it was something Icould do I asked the residents ifthey would like one and half adozen of them said they would.

“I bought the tanks and the grav-el and we arranged for the resi-dents to go and choose which fishthey wanted, and they have giventhem a name.

“We have put together a feedingchart, which the residents tick offwhen they have been fed. If theyforget to feed them they tend toremember once they have seenme.”

Abby said that if the project con-tinues to be successful it will beoffered to the other residents.

She added: “The residents haveresponded really well to them, andthose with the fish in their roomssay how they look forward to see-ing and feeding them.

“The project was relatively cheapto set up so we will look at extend-ing the offer to the other residentsin the near future.”

Resident Maureen Johnston with her fish Albert.

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CARINGNEWS18

By Dominic Musgrave

RESIDENTS of a care home grouphave said the most important servicethey receive is the personal attentionfrom staff.

Against a backdrop of increasingguidance and legislation, Springhill,surveyed its residents with its ownquestionnaire to ask what they valuethe most.

More than half (58 per cent) of the200-plus residents across the group’sthree homes in Accrington,Skelmersdale and Bristol putpersonal care as the most importantfeature of life.

Chairman Ken Nolan said the studylooked at key features of care homeservices to rank those elements fromthe residents’ perspective.

He added: “Our commitment topersonalising our services gives eachperson a say in how they want theirservice delivered.

“We wanted to do somethingdifferent with this survey, by askingthem to rank the elements of theservice they receive in the order thatthey consider most important tothem as individuals.

“We will be following up this surveywith a further questionnaire to seehow far we are delivering whatresidents see as important to them.

These results will be used to furtherdevelop our services and ensure wecontinue to put people at the centreof everything we do.”

Nutritious, healthy meals wereranked second on the list of residentspriorities, with cleanliness of thehome third, the opportunity to takepart in a range of activities fourth andindependence to organise their owntime within the care setting fifth.

Other features of the care homeservice which attracted votes andcomments in the survey were: accessto information on financial issues;well maintained grounds; and theopportunity to purchase furtherservices.

Personal touchmost important

Ken Nolan

A NORTH East care home’s charitycook book which has taken a year tocompile has gone on sale.

Linda Steele, manager atGrovewood House near Alnwick hadthe idea to create a book – calledDon’t Be Slow Have A Go – made upentirely of submitted recipes fromresidents and staff at the home, aswell as their friends and family. Thereis also a recipe from the Duchess ofNorthumberland.

Linda said: “It has really been quitea challenge. It has taken nearly a year.It’s one of those things, you thinkabout doing something you start itand then think, what have I done that

for?“One of our families live in Sweden

so we have a recipe from there,another was from Germany so theirdaughter has given us Germanrecipes and we also have some fromthe Middle East.

“The only sad thing is that becauseit has taken so long some of therecipes were given by residents whohave now passed away. But we haveincluded them, with permission, inmemory of them.”

The cook book, which costs £8, is onsale at the home. All proceeds will goto the residents’ fund.

Home’s recipe book hasan international flavour

Residents Susan Davison, Louise Stafford, Betty Milburn and Dorothy Skipper with thehome’s chef Mary Manners.

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19CARINGNEWS

By Dominic Musgrave

RESIDENTS at a Lancashire carehome will be able to keep in touchwith relatives and friends around theglobe after it was awarded a £6,000grant.

Hedges House in Lytham hasreceived the money from the SocialCare Institute for Excellence to spendon new technology for the residentsincluding laptops, a projector screenand a freeview player.

Manager Michelle Neville said thelaptops will replace an old computerthat the 32 residents used to use.

She added: “The new laptops willallow the residents to receive photos,Skype and keep in touch with peopleliving in New Zealand, America andAustralia.

“Previously we had one computerand I printed off all the emails tohand around the residents. Theywould then tell me what to write backand I would type that in and send itback.

“Having laptops also means we cantake them to those residents whohave to stay in their rooms. We willalso make great use of the screen andFreeview player for events such as theRoyal wedding.”

Michelle has also had a vibrationplate installed at the home for use byboth residents and staff.

She added: “We have a lady comesin each week to hold chair aerobicsclasses with the residents, and theyare really popular with the residents.It also improves mobility.

“The staff also put forward the ideaof us getting a vibration platemachine to the owner for the use ofthem and the residents as part oftheir activities.

“Staff use it in their lunch times asthey work long hours and don’t reallyhave the time to go the gym.Residents enjoy watching them on itand having a laugh at their expense.”

DVD and knitting clubs also formpart of activities at the home.

Grant helpsresidents tostay in touch

A Canterbury care home celebrated the career of one of its senior carer’s who hasretired after 25 years.Gail Robinson joined The Abbeyfield Kent Society owned Connors House as a carerbefore moving up to a senior role, and was also responsible for organising theChristmas celebrations. Current and former colleagues, friends and residents gatheredin the home’s newly developed activity room to honour Gail (pictured above) was pre-sented with gifts, flowers and cards to mark her service and dedication.

A BRADFORD care provider hasopened a new training centre on thesite of a former services club.

The Czajka Training Centre inShipley will provide the communitycare services and care group’s 550employees with the necessary skillsand training to help raise the quality

of care provided. The facility cost £250,000 and was

opened by local MP Philip Davies atan opening ceremony attended bymembers of social services and pri-mary care trusts, as well as contrac-tors and suppliers who have beeninvolved in the project.

MP opens provider’s training centre

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CARINGNEWS20

By Dominic Musgrave

THE artwork of residents from anAbergavenny care home is provingso popular at the Cardiff museumwhere it hangs that it is going tostay there for a few months longer.

The ‘Treasures that Travel- Birds2010 project’ brought together the25 residents at Penpergwm houseand 30 pupils from local primaryschools, with work includingpaintings, screen prints, claymodels and instruments to mimicbird song.

The exhibition was planned to endat the end of last month but, due toits popularity, will stay there for afew months longer before moving toa museum in Abergavenny later inthe year.

The home’s artist-in-residenceVicky Wilson was the brainchild forthe scheme, and is currentlyworking with the residents on a newArt Trail boxes project.

She added: “The idea of the boxesis to improve their lives - tomotivate the older person to feel

good about themselves -recognising their strengths andweaknesses and who they are now.

“The first box involved creativewriting, and out of the residentsworking together we have puttogether a 40-page book of poemsthat we are going to print and sell toraise money for the funds.

“The next box that we arecurrently working on looks at theface, and encourages the residentsto look at themselves physically inthe mirror and do a self-portrait.”

Vicky now plans to take the boxproject out into the widercommunity, and is working withCaerphilly county borough councilon a similar scheme called Blox Upthe Wall.

She added: “I see the benefits thatarts therapy has on the residents atthe home each time I visit, andcannot see why this cannot beextended to the wider community.

“These sessions build uprelationships between the residentsand care staff, and also give theresidents a sense of achievementand something to talk about during

the rest of the day.“I never help the residents, and

ask the carers not to do it for them.Some residents say they cannot doit at first but, once they realise theycan they get a real sense of

satisfaction at the end.”� Are you involved with a new

project at your care home? LetDominic Musgrave know byemailing dm@whpl.net or ring himon 01226 734407.

Residents’ bird artwork toremain in city’s museum

Vicky Wilson with 87-year-old Ena Young during the bird project.

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23

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

In this issue:

� Spend now tobeat tax reliefreduction Page 24

� Have a contractin place, homeowners warnedPage 25

� Ensure youcomply with newimmigration regimePage 28

� Time to extendyour home or buildanother?Page 29

New £5m home boastsspecialist Asian floorBByy DDoommiinniicc MMuussggrraavvee

A CARE group’s latest state-of-the art£5m care home also boasts specialisedcare for Asian residents on a dedicatedfloor.

Neem Tree in Middlesex is the first inthe South of England for SunflowerHealthcare, who already own and man-age three homes in Yorkshire and one inStaffordshire.

The company was founded in 2004 byMeera Shah and Rupane Patel with thepurchase of Rose Farm near Doncaster,and they have slowly built up the busi-ness since.

Rupane said: “Most of my family aredoctors, and my dad was in the carebusiness for many years. I’m a charteredaccountant by profession, but Meera hasa lot of care experience and looks afterthat side of the business.

“Rose Farm was perfect as soon as we

went to see it, and we have thought thatabout all of the homes we have pur-chased since. A home from homeatmosphere is the essence of what weare all about - nothing institutionalised.

“The acquisitions we have made havebeen based on our areas of expertise,and we are hoping that Neem Tree willbecome a centre of excellence - a blue-print for the future.”

Facilities at the 49-bed developmentinclude a bespoke vegetarian kitchenand a multi-faith prayer room as well asAsian language-speaking staff.

Activities will play a key part in day-to-day life at the home, which also boastsits own cinema room and sensory gar-den.

Rupane added: “When my family werelooking for care that we hope to provideat Neem Tree for my grandmother theyreally struggled, so this project is veryclose to all of us.

“We bought a disused pub where itnow stands back in 2007, and it took acouple of years to get the planning inplace.

“We hope it will meet the needs of thelarge Asian community where it standsand also of those people who havedementia, and worked closely withStirling University on how it should bebuilt.

“For the Asian market the prayer roomis essential because some elders pray atleast twice a day so need somewhere togo that is quiet. Food is also important,and because many Asian people arestrict vegetarians it was necessary toinclude a separate kitchen for them inthe building.”

� Are you building a new facility orplanning a development at an existingcare home? Let Dominic Musgrave knowby emailing dm@whpl.net or telephone01226 734407.

SIR Michael Parkinson was the guestpresenter of the annual PindersHealthcare Design Awards held atLord’s Cricket Ground in London.

The former talk show host gave histime for free, helping to raise morethan £10,000 for The Lord’s Tavernerscharity from an auction and ‘GuessWho?’ game featuring some of thefamous faces who have appearedwith him.

The awards, now in their 12th year,

aim to promote and recognise thebest developments in the long termcare sector.

Winners: Restoration/extension -Halsey House, Cromer; Specialist care- Purbeck Care, East Stoke; Dementia- The Russets, Winscombe; Elderlycare (traditional design) - AlexandraGrange, Wokingham; Independentliving - Richmond Letcombe Regis;Elderly Care (contemporary design) -Broadway Halls.

Parky helps raise £10,000 for charity Sir Michael Parkinson

FEE growth in care homes weak-ened last year despite averageweekly fees increasing steadily overthe last two, a report has claimed.

Colliers International’s annualCare Homes Review, which mea-sures occupancy rates, averageweekly fees, payroll costs, non-payroll costs and profit margins,says salary and national insurancecosts as a proportion of total rev-enue remained at the same level asthe first half of 2010 - around 57per cent for nursing and around 54per cent care homes.

In the second half of last yearnon-payroll costs as a proportionof total revenue remained stable at16 per cent for both nursing homesand care homes.

Head of healthcare Jeremy Taskerblamed the decline in weekly feeson local authority and governmentspending cuts.

He added: “Care home fees grewnominally by six per cent over thesame period, although real growthonly registered two per cent.

“Fee growth has begun to show

signs of weakening over the latestreporting periods, especially overthe last year of high inflation.

“Annual average weekly feegrowth fell in real terms by threeper cent for nursing homes andincreased by a marginal two percent for care homes.

“Worryingly, these real decreaseshave been accompanied by overalloperating cost increases in linewith inflation; even the most effi-cient operators are coming underincreasing pressure.”

The average level of occupancyacross different sizes of care homesremained stable and, in line withoverall occupancy rates recordedfor both nursing and care homes at91 per cent.

Occupancy rates were slightlyhigher for both nursing homes andcare homes with more than 61beds. Homes in Scotland and theWest Midlands registered the high-est average levels of occupancy at94 per cent, while those in GreaterLondon registered the lowest at 88per cent in the second half of 2010.

Fees growth weakenedclaims annual report

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CARINGCOMMERCE24

By Dominic Musgrave

CARE home operators consideringmaking any major capitalexpenditure should do it before April2012.

That is because the annualinvestment allowance, which allowsmost businesses to gain tax relief forsuch costs is being slashed from£100,000 annually to £25,000 afterthis date.

Jeremy Syree, accountant at BallardDale Syree Watson, who is also vicechairman of the healthcare group ofthe Institute of CharteredAccountants in England and Wales,told Caring UK a £100,000 budget cansoon be used up when purchasingitems.

He added: “This allowance meansthat effectively you receive tax reliefnow rather than later. If you spent

£50,000 on equipment pre April 2012and are a 40 per cent tax payer youwill save £20,000 in tax relief. “If youleave it until after April 2012 youwould receive tax relief of £10,000 inthe first year, £2,500 in the secondyear, £1,875 in the third year anddecreasing savings over subsequentyears.

“It would take over 10 years toachieve a similar tax saving achievedin one year under the current 100 percent annual investment allowance.”

“It makes sense for care homeowners, who are used to managingtight budgets, to take full advantageof the £100,000 relief before the April2012 reduction.

Jeremy advises that a good startingpoint for operators would be toreview the care home’s assets todecide if there are items that needreplacing or updating.

Spend now tobeat tax reliefreduction

Taylor National has completed the sale of the purpose built Greencroft care home inDeeside, Clwyd, which is registered for 36.The facility, which stands in its own gardens and grounds, offers 34 bedrooms, 15having en-suite facilities.The vendor Tony Drew (pictured above with Grayson Taylor) has owned and operatedthe home since 1982.

CHRISTIES has sold the WillowcroftHall turn-of-key development nearDerby to the MHA Care Group.

The sale was made on behalf of LNTConstruction, and gives the companya flagship presence near to itsheadquarters.

Willowcroft Hall is built over twofloors and designed with two wings,comprising 30 residential places and

the same for dementia care. Every room has a mini fridge and

plasma television, and lead to asecure garden specially landscapedfor use by individuals living withdementia.

All come with attractive fittedfurniture, and some ground floorrooms are available with doorsleading out on to a private patio.

Christies sell Derby development

A TURF cutting ceremony marked thestart of the construction of a £4.8mdevelopment in Winchester.

The event at St Cross Grange wasattended by staff from the LeadbitterGroup, as well as the currentresidents of the home and theirfamilies.

David Ballard, chairman of thetrustees of Greensleeves Homes Trust,which owns St Cross Grange,

performed the cutting with a spadeespecially engraved for the occasion.

Leadbitter will be constructing anextension to the historic building toprovide two new residential blocks, aswell as undertaking alterations andrefurbishment to all existing facilities.

The new development will morethan double the home’s registrationfrom 29 to 64.

Matthew James (Leadbitter Group), Martin Habelle and Ian Mortimer (MaybourneProjects Limited), David Ballard chairman of the trustees of Greensleeves Homes Trustand David Cook and Ben Alford (Leadbitter Group) at the ceremony.

Ceremony marks start of£4.8m home’s construction

Have you got a story for the Commerce sectionof Caring UK? Let Dominic Musgrave know byemailing dm@whpl.net or ring 01226 734407.

24 21/4/11 12:00 Page 1

25CARINGCOMMERCE

Have a contractin place, homeowners warnedBy Dominic Musgrave

CARE home owners must ensure theyhave a contract in place wheninstructing contractors to carry outbuilding and refurbishment work, ithas been claimed.

David Platt, partner at Adams &Remers LLP belives operators risk anescalation of costs and serious pro-ject delays that could affect the ser-vices they provide for residents if theyfail to do so.

He told Caring UK: “I am increas-ingly coming across cases of carehomes where substantial works aretaking place and the owner hasn’tappointed anyone to oversee thework.

“Many owners are then findingthere are significant cost overrunsand delays when deadlines are notmet or that there are problemsobtaining the necessary CQC registra-tion for the newly constructed areas.

“In the worst case scenario buildersmay just walk off site due to unfore-seen problems or disagreements.”

He believes this is partly due toowners not having the foresight topredict problems and assuming thejob is straightforward, or trying tokeep costs down by ‘project manag-ing’ the work themselves.

“Care home owners approachingany refurbishment work shouldensure they have in place a properlydrafted contract (there are standardform contracts which can be adapt-ed),” David added. “These detail thescope of the work, materials to beused, standards of workmanship,

time frame, payment staging, respon-sibilities such as what happens ifthere are unforeseen ground condi-tions which require extra work or ifthe building is less structurally soundthan thought.

“In theory you can save costs bydoing the project management your-self, but only if you thrive on stressand are used to running a buildingproject on top of your day to daywork load.

“Once a builder starts work, theclient can be very vulnerable andsorting out a dispute at a later datecan be very costly and time consum-ing.”

He advises operators to ensure asolicitor covers specific points in thecontract such as a financial penaltyfor breaching deadlines, staged pay-ments to withhold monies back untilwork is complete and a six to 12month period at the end of the pro-ject to cover the correction of defects.

David Platt

A CARE home operator has openedits second care home on the site ofthe former St Ivel factory in theWiltshire town of Wootton Bassett.

AMS Care’s Bassett House is a 63-bed care home, and its opening hasalready created 25 jobs. There is thepotential for this to rise to 65 oncethe three-storey home is at capacity.

The home has treatment rooms,landscaped gardens and a cinemaroom. The bathrooms also include

projectors so that images can bescreened onto the walls to help createa calm atmosphere for the residentswho will receive general, dementiaand nursing care.

AMS Care director Manish Chotaisaid: “We have learned through ourexperience that is it the attention todetail that makes the difference. Weexpect to see a tripling of our currentstaff numbers once all the rooms areoccupied.”

Operator opens second homeBassett House

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CARINGCOMMERCE28

By Amy Richardson

MANY care homes rely onemploying non-UK/EEC workersand the majority of these workerscome to the UK as a general skilledworker under Tier 2 of the UKBorder Agency’s regime.

Anyone that wishes to employ aTier 2 worker must obtain asponsorship licence and issue acertificate to each worker.

The Government has pledged torestrict the numbers of workers inthis category and is currentlydebating what level the cap shouldbe. Until that is decided, interimmeasures have been put in placefor new sponsorship applications.

The UK Boarder Agency iscurrently being stricter witheligibility requirements whenassessing new applications. If youare given a licence then they arelimiting the number of certificatesthat each licence will be allowed toissue, and possibly giving a zeroallowance for the next few months.

Current sponsors will be givenfirst priority in applying for newcertificates, so new sponsors willonly get allocation if there is

anything left.The UKBA are carrying out

unannounced spot checks onsponsors to assess whether therules are being complied with. Forexample, they may ask you toprovide evidence that you carriedout a thorough search for localworkers before looking to overseasworkers.

Or they may check whether theemployees are working in the samerole as the one that had beenagreed in the sponsorshipcertificate. If any flaws areidentified, the UKBA will suspendthe licence and ask for informationand representations from thesponsor as to why the licenceshould be reinstated. The sponsorhas one opportunity to provide asatisfactory explanation for anyflaws, and if the UKBA are notsatisfied then they revoke yourlicence with immediate effect.

Once your sponsorship licence isrevoked, your migrant workersmust find an alternative sponsorwithin 60 days or return to theircountry. From the date of therevocation, it is illegal for the(former) sponsor to continue to

employ those workers and youcould be subject to a fine if UKBAdiscover this.

The employment contracts of allmigrant workers must beterminated immediately. You arenot required to give (or pay) anynotice to them; their employmentcontracts become invalid themoment that they become anillegal worker.

The obligation is on the sponsorto inform their staff that the licencehas been revoked, and theconsequence on the worker’s abilityto stay in the country if theyhaven't made other plans within 60days.

The consequence to a care homeof losing a licence is potentiallycatastrophic. As it is not possible toformally appeal against thedecision to revoke a licence, thetwo options available to ex-sponsors are to:

(1) Employ only UK/EECnationals; or

(2) Reapply for a new licence. If you apply for a new licence

then, in addition to facing thehurdles explained above with theimpending cap on numbers, the

UKBA will also take past conductinto account when considering newapplications. Therefore not onlywill you need to demonstrate thatyou took immediate action whenyou realised you were employingillegal workers, but you will alsoneed to demonstrate that you haverectified the flaws that UKBAhighlighted during their spot check.

� Amy Richardson is a solicitor in theemployment team at Adams & Remers

Ensure you comply withnew immigration regime

Amy Richardson

Leicestershire based Redruth Care has acquired its third home, Cedarwood inNorthampton, through nationally represented specialist agents Taylor National.The home had been in prior ownership for more than 25 years, and the sale represented100 per cent of the share capital of Cedarwood Nursing Home Ltd. Cedarwood iscurrently registered for 32, but planning permission is in place to increase to 42.Taylor National’s June Willoughby is pictured with purchaser Manoj Mapara.

BANK of Ireland UK has provided funding to construct and operate the 60-bedHolmesview care home in Broxburn, Scotland.The facility was developed by Randolph Hill Care Homes Ltd, whose offices are based inEdinburgh.

A NORTH of England based groupmade up of care home owner-mangers and professionals suchas investment consultants, ITexperts and land acquisitionspecialists has appointed Clarionas its legal adviser.

Associated Care Facilities aimsto help new investors and carehome operators tap into the£10bn private care home sector,and is already in talks over anumber of developments. It willwork with existing small tomedium sized operators as well asthose new to the market.

“With estimates that a further55,000 care home beds will beneeded over coming years to copewith our aging population, it is

likely that private sectordevelopers will be called on to fillthe gap in services,” said MartinGrange, partner in Clarion’sproperty team. “Already, manyhigh street lenders see carehomes as a safer investment andare, therefore, willing to providelending.

“We aim to help investors totake advantage of this growingmarket by providing the specialistskills they need, drawing on ourfirst hand experience and in-depth knowledge of working withcare home operators. As legaladviser we will initially befocussing on the North East, butplan to extend our services toother regions.”

Clarion appointed legaladviser by owner group

Tax reclaims forcommercial property

ownersCAPITAL allowances are among the most valuable andleast exploited methods of reducing property owners’income tax or corporation tax liabilities.

Capital allowances arise from capital expenditure onpurchasing or constructing a new property along withextensions and refurbishments.

We carry out retrospective, current year, and new buildcapital allowance claims, both for individuals andcompanies in relation to commercial properties rightacross the commercial sector.

Most retrospective capital allowance claims that wehandle lead to a significant tax refund for the client. Wewill quickly identify the validity of a claim withoutobligation. If a claim does not proceed, there will be nofee.

We comprehensively survey the property which allowsus to identify any qualifying items that, for numerousreasons, have previously not been claimed.

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

28 19/4/11 16:46 Page 1

29CARINGCOMMERCE

By Jeremy Huband

OVER the past few months wehave been inundated by bad newsoccupancy levels are falling, feerates frozen or reduced.

All doom and gloom, yet therewill be care home owners outthere keeping a low profile whoare trading full and receivinghealthy fee rates. You may be theminority, feel you have missedsomething and expect the worst,but your business is still going likea train and will in all likelhoodcontinue to do so.

You lucky few will spend yourtime worrying about other thingssuch as CQC, staffing or fuel costs.If this is not enough stress youmay turn to looking at your homeand how you can develop it fur-ther. This could be a refurbish-ment, adding en-suites, extendingthe home or building one on anew site. All banks like to dealwith proven, successful operatorsso you should get a good hearing.

If you are trading effectively full,turning away potential residentsand getting good fee rates it isprobably worth extending.Typically you will try and usewhat you have got and build onyour existing site.

To do this you will need toemploy an architect who under-stands the now defunct nationalminimum standards (NMS) andwhat your competitors will bedoing. We have seen some realshockers where a cousin drew upthe plans, another built the homeand the resulting unit had 80 percent en-suite as they misread theNMS, they also had some base-ment bedrooms.

While your plans are being draft-ed you should be checking on thecost of the development so youshould be talking to a quantitysurveyor. Your budget shouldreflect the fee income you willreceive, so if you are catering forprivate payers in a wealthy areayour budget will be more gener-ous than if you rely on social ser-vices. We have seen numerousschemes which have been grantedplanning permission but make no

financial sense.The planning process will take

longer than you think. You will sitdown with an architect who willdraw and redraw the scheme untilyou are satisfied, and these willthen be submitted for planning. Ifyou plan for this to take sixmonths you’ll probably be aboutright.

Once you have planning thevalue of your unit will almost cer-tainly improve, and as banks lendagainst multiples of profit andpercentages of value this is goodnews. You will then need thearchitect to provide more detaileddrawings prior to going out totender.

For large schemes you will needsomeone to liaise on your behalfto ensure you get what you areasking for, this is the employersagent and will pull the wholething together. Your agent willthen take you through design andbuild or traditional contracts andall the technicalities they havespent a life time dealing with.

There is no trick to develop-ments or short cuts. You need toemploy people who know whatthey are doing, this is why you willbe asked for details of your buildteam. If your team consists of anunknown builder and an architectwho normally designs oil rigs itcould be a fun meeting with yourbanker.

� Jeremy Huband is director ofhealthcare London for the Royal Bankof Scotland plc

Jeremy Huband

Time to extendyour home orbuild another?

AN Enfield care home has had aname change after its owner’s appli-cation was successful.

Clay Hill House, which wasacquired by Scimitar Care last year,will now be known as Woodbury - thename it was originally given when itwas built as a gentleman’s residencein 1853.

Name changeSANCTUARY Group has purchasedthree care homes from housingprovider Orbit.

The 23-bed Lammas House inCoventry and the 24-bedMontague Road in Felixstowe andSidegate Lane in Ipswich join 42other homes managed bySanctuary.

New purchases

29 19/4/11 16:33 Page 1

CARINGAPPOINTMENTS30

A SCOTTISH care provider hasstrengthened its senior managementteam with three new appointments,including two highly experiencedspecialists recruited from the caresector.

Sandra Ross has moved fromSouthern Cross Healthcare to joinBalhousie Care Group as director ofoperations, while Stuart Storrie hasbeen appointed to the newly createdposition of director of specialist care,bringing more than 30 years ofexperience in the NHS and local

authorities.Jennifer Gardner has also joined as

group human resources managerfrom NCR, where she was the HRconsultant for European services forthe past four years.

Last year the group announced amajor investment programme thatwill help to increase its number ofbeds by 1,000 over the next fouryears, extend and upgrade facilities atseven existing homes and build 14additional new homes.

Stuart Storrie, Sandra Ross and Jennifer Gardner.

Balhousie adds to itssenior management team

Care home provider Colten Care and property developer, Colten Developments haveappointed Mark Aitchison as group finance director.He is currently the managing and corporate finance partner of Princecroft Willis, theDorset and New Forest based firm of independent chartered accountants and businessadvisors. Andy Keeble, the company accountant, has also been promoted to groupfinancial controller. He joined Colten in 1998, and is now responsible for all groupaccounting matters including information technology.

A WREXHAM careorganisation hasstrengthened itsmanagement teamwith the appointmentof Gill Hughes as itsresponsibleindividual.

Gill previouslyworked as the teammanager for thenorth of the Care andSocial ServicesInspectorate Wales,and registered all ofthe group’s homesapart from oneduring that time.

SIGNATURE Senior Lifestyle hasmade a raft of appointments as thecompany proceeds with majorexpansion plans over the next fewyears.

Penny West is the new operationsdirector for the south of England,having joined from the privatehospital sector, while CreenaghWilliamson and Tina Thomas havejoined as the general managers of thesoon to open Moorlands Lodge inHindhead and The Miramar atBeltinge respectively.

And Sadie Barker has also joined as

corporate human resources manager. The firm, which is developing a new

concept in care homes by creatingcommunities where residents havetheir own individual apartments,currently runs three homes withnursing, with another due to openlater this year.

A further three new developmentsat Bushey, Epsom and Brentwood areawaiting planning approval, withexpected construction starts withinthe next year. Several additionalprojects are in earlier stages ofdevelopment.

New faces part ofexpansion plan

30 19/4/11 16:34 Page 1

31 19/4/11 11:43 Page 1

32 19/4/11 11:44 Page 1

33CARINGDEMENTIA

By Dominic Musgrave

A NATIONAL community interestcompany has teamed up with twocare home providers for a new studyinto dementia.

Some of the questions Innovationsin Dementia, Care UK and MHA willexplore as part of the ‘Our House’project will include: How can we bestengage older residents with dementiain the life of their care home? Is itpossible for people with dementia tofeel a sense of ownership in the run-ning of their care home? and whatkind of methods and approaches canhelp care home staff to engage withpeople with dementia?

Rachael Litherland fromInnovations in Dementia said thevoices, thoughts and feelings of peo-ple with dementia in care homesoften go unheard

She added: “The “Our House” pro-ject came out of some previous workwith care home residents who havedementia. There was an incrediblystrong feeling from people about theimportance of “home” – that home isnot just a physical place, but some-

where that you feel you belong,where you have a role and a contri-bution to make.

“This might be making big deci-sions within the care home aboutbudgeting or menu planning orsmaller decisions that keep peopleengaged in day to day life such asdeciding how to spend time or beinginvolved in household activities.

“All too often in care homes,involvement of residents is centredon meetings and surveys. With thisproject we want to try out some moreinnovative ways of engaging withpeople with more advanced demen-tia.“

The project will run for two years inLennox House in London andCharnwood House in Coventry - twospecialist care homes for people withdementia.

Innovations in Dementia will pro-vide training, support and mentoringto staff around the best ways ofengaging with people with dementia.Residents with dementia will beasked to determine the kinds of activ-ities and approaches that they wouldlike to get involved in.

Providers andcompany joinfor new study

DEBORAH Sturdy has beenappointed head of dementia careby Southern Cross.

Her role will focus on the deliveryof the company’s DementiaStrategy, and she will also beinvolved with building the ongoingpartnerships with key national bod-ies such as the Dementia ActionAlliance and the Alzheimer’sSociety.

She will report to Irene Gray andwork as part of the care team.

Prior to her joining SouthernCross, Deborah was GovernmentNurse for Older People at theDepartment of Health, a role she

held for 10 years. Speaking of her new role, she said:

‘Dementia is a challenging area andrequires specialist knowledge andunderstanding.

“I am looking forward to workingwith the care team to help deviseand implement new strategies fordelivering excellence in dementiacare that can be applied both in ourhomes, but also to the broader caresector.”

Before working at theDepartment of Health, Deborahwas a clinician and manager in anumber of NHS posts includingdementia services.

Deborah appointed to role

One of a care group’s facilities is celebrating becoming a specialist dementia carehome. Carebase’s Honey Lane in Waltham Abbey has worked closely with DementiaCare Matters to improve the quality of the lived experience, not only of residents livingwith a dementia, but for all in its care. All of the group’s homes are audited every sixmonths to ascertain which level it has achieved according to the model it works to.Dementia Care Matters founder and chief executive David Sheard is pictured withSuzanne Mumford, Carebase’s head of dementia care, Honey Lane manager Karen Dean,coun Ricki Gadsby, mayor of Waltham Abbey and Carebase’s operations director AndrewMangion and business manager Carol Preston.

33 19/4/11 16:39 Page 1

CARINGDEMENTIA34

By Christina Eccles

NAMING residents’ rooms afterthe favourite place where theyused to live has had a positiveeffect at one Bradford care home.

Manager Sue Miller was lookingfor a solution to her residents,many of whom have dementia,wandering off during meetings,when she came up with the idea.

Sue, who has worked her way upfrom the cleaner to her currentrole during her 28 years at thehome, said: “Every time we sat theresidents down for a meeting wehad two or three that would getup and say they were going homewhen really what they meant wasthat they wanted to go back totheir rooms.

“We decided that we would put asign on their doors with theirhouse number from theirfavourite home on, whether it bewith parent or when they got theirfirst house with a spouse.

“Those residents that wereconfused now see the address ontheir door and say that this iswhere they want to be because it

is familiar to them.“One resident who is originally

from Ireland is taken back towhen she was six when she seesher door.”

Sue said it has also improved therelationship between theresidents, with the televisionremaining off after lunch so theycan chat among themselves.

She added: “The residents are alot more content and happy now,and they talk to each other andreminisce about life before theymoved here.

“Quite often they will repeatwhat they have said a couple ofdays later because of thedementia, but that doesn’t matter.The staff are happier as wellbecause they are finding out a lotmore about the individual.

“Our chef Robert, who is also myhusband, also gets involved withthe conversations, and this hasled to him cooking some of thefood they used to like such astripe and pigs trotters. The staffare almost sick with the smell, butthe residents enjoy it.”

Naming rooms hasa positive effectsays manager Sue

AUTHOR David Clegg joined mayorof Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock at theofficial opening of a new MemoryLane dementia unit at WestwoodHouse care home in Sydenham.

David has written a variety of booksabout the recollections of people withdementia including ‘Tell Miss Millsher husband is still dead’ and

‘Ancient Mysteries’. The latter isscheduled to be serialised on BBCRadio 4 Woman’s Hour next month.

As well as the 25 bedrooms in thenew facility at the Barchester ownedhome, there is also lounge areas anda life-skills kitchen designed topromote meaningful activitiesincluding baking and table-setting.

Westwood House staff Diosalina Sison and Kate Gibson join Jon Meech (Alzheimer’sSociety), Hayley Foad (Barchester), author David Clegg and mayor Sir Steve Bullock atthe opening.

Author joins mayor at opening

WORK has begun on a new 70-beddementia and residential facility inEast Grinstead that will boast thelatest innovations.

Care UK’s latest facility, which willinclude a shop, cinema, hairdressingsalon and café, all set around an

indoor village green, is set to opennext summer with the creation of 80jobs.

The East Grinstead home is one of30 the group plans to build over thenext five years.

Home to boast latest innovation

34 19/4/11 16:40 Page 1

35CARINGNEWS

Report claimshomes shouldlisten to advice By Dominic Musgrave

CARE homes need to take advantageof advice and education offered fromvarious bodies to ensure palliativeand end of life care in Scotland is thebest it can be.

The claim is made in a CareCommission report ‘Palliative andEnd of Life Care: Are we meeting thestandards in care homes for olderpeople?’ which provides a nationwidepicture of the work being undertakento support people and their familiesin this important service area.

It finds that while care homes aremaking progress, improvements canbe made to ensure standards consis-tently meet the needs of users.

The report recommends care ser-vices should continue to seek educa-tional support through various meanssuch as working with colleagues inthe NHS, local authorities and thethird sector.

Acting chief executive DavidWiseman said joint working betweencare providers and stakeholders out-side the care home sector is critical toensure good care is delivered.

He added: “It is now well recognisedthat care homes in Scotland are play-ing an increasingly important part incaring for people and their families

with palliative and end of life careneeds.

“Overall, our findings show thatwhile care homes are makingprogress in how they deliver goodpalliative and end of life care, theycan do much more to ensure peoplein Scotland’s care homes receive thestandard of care that meets theirneeds, expectations and wishes.

“We found that care homes are keento deliver a high standard of palliativeand end of life care, which is impor-tant as care users often have multiplelong term conditions.

“Staff, therefore, require the neces-sary skills, expertise and confidenceto meet the needs of people and theirfamilies.”

The report’s findings is based oninformation provided by care homesto the Care Commission in 2008/09and reviews the progress of recom-mendations made in its 2009 ‘BetterCare Every Step Of The Way report’.

The report makes several recom-mendations calling on all care homesin Scotland to:

� Encourage and enable their staffto access e learning

� Continue to work closely withGPs and members of primary healthcare teams

� Support staff to access NHS NESeducational support materials.

A Cheltenham residential home has been awarded a Visibly Better award by the RoyalNational Institute for the Blind.Astell provides accommodation and care to 36 residents, some of which are partiallysighted or blind. The award recognises the work home has done to help these residentsmaintain their independence including the use of bold colours to mark out window andstair edges, sloping ceilings and brightly coloured cutlery.Registered manager Barbara Wilson with Julia Barrand, older peoples impact officerfrom RNIB.

BIRDS of prey showed off theirtalons when they made a flyingvisit to Sanctuary Care’s CatonHouse Nursing Home for theelderly in Milton Keynes.

The display included a snowyowl similar to Harry Potter’s petHedwig, a Chilean blue eagle, akestrel and two Australian boo-book owls called Bruce and Sheilafrom the birds of prey centre inBedfordshire.

Residents at the care home wereallowed to get up close and evenhold the birds under the supervi-sion of trained staff from the cen-tre.

They were also given a talk byexpert falconers about the differ-ent species of birds of prey, andsome of feathered visitors wereallowed to fly around the activi-ties room.

Home treated to bird display

35 19/4/11 17:14 Page 1

CARINGPRODUCT NEWS36

COMMERCIAL dryers are generallypower hungry machines requiringconsiderable amounts of electricityto remove moisture from dampgarments in the laundries of carehomes and hospitals.

Miele Professional’s first heat-pumptechnology dryers efficiently bringdry air to the required temperaturelevel, which means it takes just ashort amount of time to perfectly drylarge quantities of laundry.

The PT 8257 WP with a drumvolume of 25l has a load capacity ofbetween 10 and 13kg of laundry,while the PT 8337 WP – at 325l – isable to cope with 13 to 16kg.

Both models excel in terms of shortcycle times: 10kg of laundry dryingtimes down to only 44 minutes(reduction in residual moisture levelfrom 50 per cent to nothing).

Thanks to their consistent use ofinnovative technology, MieleProfessional’s heat-pump dryers areno exception.

New dryermore efficient

WITH over 30 years’ experience, AidCall are the leading supplier ofwireless nurse call systems for carehomes.

With first class knowledge, aninnovative approach and reputationfor delivering reliable, safe solutions,Aid Call offer complete service andsupport to the industry.

The company understands no twocare homes are the same, and havecreated a range of different productsto suit every business. Whether youown a single small care home or achain of larger homes, Aid Call cancater for your requirements.

Wireless technology is flexible andquick to install with the minimum offuss or disruption. It is also a lotcheaper than you might havethought.

Aidcall offerstotal service CAREDOCS’ latest release might have

more new sections, assessmentquestions and useful features thanever, but it has lost none of thesimplicity and ease of use that hasmade it so wildly popular with the250 plus homes already using it.

One of several new features inCareDocs 2011 is the Forms andDocumentation section. Thisincludes an easily accessible and evergrowing selection of templates for theday-to-day paperwork most oftenused by homes as standard.

Subscribers are able to downloadfurther forms and documents fromCareDocs’ online library as these areadded. Subscribers can also requestfor specific forms to be included.

More sectionsnow on offer

Mealtimemarket leaderAPETITO is the market leader inproviding meals for the elderly andvulnerable.

Apetito knows that meal times areoften the highlight of a care homeresident’s day, but also that this is afrequent area of dissatisfaction – thesecond highest complaint category,and one that often distressesresidents and their relatives.

With more than 200 tasty,attractively served dishes, of aconsistently high quality and allmeeting NACC nutritional standards,Apetito can help you overcomecatering criticism.

It has a unique range of supportservices, which include a bespokenutritional database, menu planning,picture menus, dining experiencetraining and can even host tastingevening’s for relatives, which all addup to a higher quality, and bettervalue, food offering.

BVS Training has released two newDVDs: ‘Equality, Diversity andInclusion’ and ‘Dignity and Respect’.

These two DVDs cater for theCommon Induction Standards 2010Standard 4, reflecting an increasingdemand for equality, inclusion,dignity and respect in today’s diversesociety.

The government’s Dignity in Careinitiative highlights that ‘...highquality health and social care servicesshould be delivered in a person-centred way that respects the dignityof the individual receiving them’.

While this is a valid point, how canbusy carers put this into practicewhen they have so many daily tasksalready?

Attempting to shed light on thisquestion, these two new DVDsillustrate points by presentingpractical examples with a legalbackground to demonstrate how wecan promote equality, inclusion,dignity and respect in our everydaylife and work.

DVDs launched HCE Solutions has marked its entryas a supplier to the care and nursinghome sector with the introduction ofa range of high visibility signs to helpresidents with dementia maintaintheir independence.

Available in oblong and squareformats, the signs can be purchasedfrom the online shop, along withmore than 3,000 competitively pricedindependent living and mobilityproducts.

Chief executive Richard Maher said:“We are building a product rangewhich can help to achieve this andthe introduction of specialist signageis an important step in the process.”

Signs supplier

NATIONWIDE is giving a memory foamtopped seat cushion at no extracharge on all lounge chairs andsettees during May.An even better deal from Nationwidewho always keep their prices low,their quality high and their service thevery best.

Free cushion

Naidex launch for rangeGAINSBOROUGH Specialist Bathingunveiled its latest range of walk-inbaths at Naidex with the launch of adedicated trade sales division

Gainsborough Trade Direct isfocused on keeping costs levels tight,and was set up in direct response tochanging market conditions to offertrade professionals the opportunityto order products direct and online.

From placing the order online toreceiving the delivery, tradeprofessionals can expect the samehigh quality and service synonymous

with Gainsborough SpecialistBathing, and all orders are dispatchedwithin 48 hours.

Dennis Goodes, international salesand marketing director, said: “It’s amajor step forward and demonstratesour commitment to meetingcustomers’ requirements.

“We are finding that buyingbehaviour is changing, and a largeproportion of our customers want thesimplicity of just buying productsand don’t require an installationservice.”

DANFLOOR UK, leading suppliers ofimpervious carpets to the healthcaremarket, has launched a new rangeand colours into the market leadingEquinox Collection.

The Equinox and Equinox Tonesranges have been refreshed withexciting new colours including warmchocolates, vivid reds and mellowblues, which co-ordinate well withthe striking new Equinox Striperange.

The Stripe range consists of ninetonal shades pulled from the newEquinox and Tones collection, and is

produced in a slightly heavier weight,making Stripe suitable for a variety ofapplications from bedrooms tocorridors.

The new Stripe, Equinox andEquinox Tones colours also includemædical™ an antimicrobialtreatment which provides apermanent barrier against microbes.mædical™ is a coating on the carpetfibres which deactivatesmicroorganisms by physicallystabbing the membrane of themicrobe and electrocuting thebiochemicals within it.

New range and colours

The fastest way to label clothesRESIDENTS with dementia oftenexperience distress if they cannotfind the clothing they are familiarwith, and, as with all residents, it isimportant that an individual’sgarments are correctly returned tothem after washing.

Attach-a-Tag is a simple, costeffective method of labellingclothing and soft objects and is anideal way to quickly label shortterm and respite residents clothingas well as normal laundry.

Replicating a button, it attachesin seconds to the garment seam orlaundry label, making it discreetand comfortable to the wearer.

The patented design is easy toattach but difficult to remove, andcannot be taken off by accident orcome off during the laundryprocess.

Each tag has the owner’s nameetched onto it, which is guaranteednot to wear off in the wash.

This combined with the uniquefixing method of Attach-a-Tagmeans the owner is identifiedevery time.

Suitable for industrial laundryand iron proof, Attach-a-Tag isreusable, making it even more costeffective for your care home.

First for door badgesFOR award winning, top quality roomand residents’ door signs be sure tolook at the Badgemaster range.

It’s already the choice of thousandsof residential and nursing homes.

There are gold or silver door plateswith smart, replaceable engravedinserts - easy to read and alsoavailable with Braille, and Braille andtactile, if required.

Badgemaster provides a very fast,efficient service for replacement, low-

cost engraved inserts with nominimum order, as and whenchanges occur.

Choose from two sizes (1” x 8” –25mm x 200mm or 2” x 8” – 50mm x200mm), now with handy end-stopsthat make for secure, tamper-proofidentification of room use oroccupier.

If room use or details change, theservice for replacement inserts is justas quick and efficient.

FORUM Business has launched a newmagazine offering practical ideas forquality and safe care in adult socialcare.

The first issue of Quality andCompliance includes a specialfeature on Provider ComplianceAssessment forms as well as morethan 20 pages of ready-to-usechecklists and tools.

Other topics covered include

infection control, medication,inspections, wound care, consent andmedical capacity, safeguardingvulnerable adults from financialabuse and staff supervision andprofessional development.

The magazine also features aquestion and answer session, withindustry professionals offeringsolutions to common problems.

Magazine offers ideas and advice

36 19/4/11 16:49 Page 1

Innovative approach winsLondon group top awardBy Dominic Musgrave

A DOMICILIARY care group’s innova-tive approach to people living intheir homes with dementia hasscooped a top industry accolade

London based The Good CareGroup won the home care award atthe Laing and Buisson IndependentSpecialist Care Awards for its ser-vices, which has seen it adopt theSPECAL programme.

SPECAL, which stands for spe-cialised early care for Alzheimer’s,was developed by Penelope Garnerand is based at Burford inOxfordshire.

Head of care Zoe Elkins said themethod can reduce the need foremergency care, eliminate the neces-sity for anti-psychotic medicationand relieve the stress of carers.

She added: “When we formed thecompany we knew we had a goodcore offering in terms of the staff anda robust training programme, but wefelt we needed something extra whenit came to dementia because it is aunique condition that requires aunique response from staff.

“SPECAL is something that can beused for dementia 24 hours a day,and starts with understanding of the

condition from the point of view ofthe people living with it.

“A photo album is used to allowstaff to really walk in the shoes of theperson to see what is actually hap-pening, and looks at outcomesbecause feeling are more importantthan facts. A person with dementiaoften knows what they are feeling butnot always why they are missinginformation.”

Zoe added that two of the key mes-sages carers are taught as part of themethod are not to contradict clientsor ask direct questions.

She added: “Staff are encouraged tolook and listen and not just rightsomething off by saying that an indi-vidual has dementia.

“Rather than asking direct ques-tions where you are asking for infor-mation, staff are taught to present achoice.

“We would then look to create acare plan that sits above that andhelps us to work out how we can cre-ate well being for the individual.There are then three major buildingblocks: Explanations; Primary themeand Health.”

The award was chosen by a team of29 care professionals, and were pre-sented at a ceremony in London.

Zoe Elkins (centre) receives her award from television presenter John Sergeant andAnne Williams, national director for learning disabilities at the Department of Health.

Provider raises money for Essex hospicePATIENTS of an Essex hospice willbenefit from more than £1,000raised through the efforts of staffmembers of Manorcourt Homecare.

The team, from the Thurrockbranch, has been fundraisingthroughout the year for St Luke’sHospice, which provides specialistcare for those with an advanced dis-ease who require end of life care,either in the hospice or in thepatient’s own home.

Manager Lavena Kenyon said herteam is passionate about support-ing the hospice, as many of themhave cared for people who havebenefited from its services.

She added: We really do careabout the people we look after, sowe wanted to give something backto the hospice, which does suchamazing work with them.

“Over the year we’ve had various

events at our office such as ‘opendays’, where we’ve sold tea andcakes, as well as holding raffles andtombolas.

“We had a fundraiser atHalloween, where children fromnurseries visited us in fancy dressand we judged their costumes, andwe also welcomed Santa atChristmas. Supporting the hospiceis very important to us, so we willcontinue to raise money in thefuture.”

Manorcourt Homecare providescare services for people in Essex,Norfolk and Suffolk who wish toremain in their own homes for aslong as possible.

It is managed by East Anglian careprovider, Healthcare Homes, and itsteams spend more than 15,000hours in the community each week.

Manorcourt Homecare’s head of recruitment and personnel Dawn O'Neale, volunteerValerie Walton, senior reviewing officer Sandra Dale, trainer Sue Cotton and regis-tered manager Lavena Kenyon with their fundraising tins.

37 20/4/11 11:03 Page 1

By Louise Cordell

THE owners of a Flintshire carehome that celebrates its 15thanniversary this year are branchingout into homecare.

Brian and Jacqui Jones purchasedHollybank in Shotton from Jacqui’sgrandparents in 1996, and haveincreased its registration from 19 to24 by converting former livingquarters into extra beds.

Their daughter Natalie, who looksafter the HR side of the business,told Caring UK the time was right toexpand the business to offerdomiciliary care to the surroundingareas.

She added: “As well as thepermanent residents here we alsohave a couple of people from thecommunity who come here eachday for day care, so moving intohomecare seemed like a naturalprogression for us.

“It is something we have spokenabout doing for a few years now,and we are now in the process ofregistering for it because the

council has told us it is looking touse it more and more.

“We have several staff who havebeen here longer than my parentshave run the home so they are morethan capable of doing a bit of bothshould they wish to, and I am surethey will welcome the freshchallenge.

“We are going to start small at firstand stick to a two-mile radius toensure what we are offering is goodquality care, and then graduallybuild it up over the next sixmonths.”

The home, which has an excellentinspection report from CSSIW, alsoprovides respite care and is an'approved provider' for Flintshiresocial services.

The anniversary was celebratedwith a party attended by residents,relatives and staff past and present,as well as representatives fromother local organisations.

Natalie added: “My mum looksafter the care side of things andprior to purchasing Hollybank usedto manage much larger care homes

than this.“Dad looks after the accounts side

of things and I do all the otherpaperwork. We have looked intopurchasing another care home inthe past, and last year we did makeenquiries about another home inthe area that we had heard was

going to be put up for sale, but itwas taken off the market.

“We are going to focus all ourattention on the homecare side ofthings for the forseeable future, aswell as ensuring our staff are asqualified as possible.”

CARINGHOMECARE38

Care home owners lookto expand into homecare

Hollybank care home will be the base for homecare in the near future.

The owner of a Harlow and Epping homecare provider will walk 26 miles in a bra toraise money for charity.Lee Taylor, who runs Caremark’s franchise in the London boroughs, is part of a grouptaking part in the annual London Moonwalk after a close friend’s sister lost her life tobreast cancer aged 35.He said: “I decided to get involved with the walk as I wanted to do something to raiseawareness and funds for such a good cause and hopefully contribute to beating thishorrible disease.”

NVQ successes for staffat support serviceSTAFF at an Accrington communitysupport service are celebrating aftercompleting a number of specialistNVQs.

The five staff at Affinity SupportingPeople, part of the Springhill CareGroup, all completed either an NVQlevel four in leadership andmanagement in a social care settingor a level two in health and socialcare.

The successful group, whocompleted the qualifications throughBurnley College, are: Stephen

Penketh, manager, VictoriaBeardsworth, operations manager(level four); Peter Swain, supportworker, Royce Shaw, staff member,and Chris Nolan, support worker(level two).

Stephen said: “This extra level oftraining will mean our team is evenmore confident in providing person-centred support to enable the peoplewe support to enjoy a great quality oflife, fully participating in theircommunities and ‘living life to thefull’, which is one of our mottos.”

A SOUTH of England domiciliarycare provider has appointed AndyDun as its new group CEO.

Enara was established three yearsago, and since then has completed23 bolt-on acquisitions to make itthe largest provider to the elderly inthe region.

Stephen Booty, who founded thebusiness, has been promoted todeputy chairman.

The company has been shortlistedin the domiciliary care provider ofthe year category at theHealthInvestor Awards.

Winners will be announced at aceremony in June.

Care providerappoints Andy

STAFFORDSHIRE based AlliedHealthcare has acquiredScotHomecare for £2.5m in a dealthat sees it become the largestprovider of domiciliary care inScotland.

Allied Healthcare’s chieffinancial officer Paul Weston said:“The ScotHomecare acquisition isin line with our strategy ofexpanding Allied’s geographicfootprint. The transaction willprovide Allied with a marketleading position in Scotland.”

The deal was advised byBirmingham-based law firm Millsand Reeve.

Acquisition

A NEW close care development hasbeen launched in the grounds of awest Sussex care home with theopening of a show flat.

The Strome Park 11 two-bedapartments at Sussexdown care homeprovide close care for people whowant to re-locate or downsize tomaintenance free accommodation intheir later years, with the comfort ofknowing that extra care and support

is nearby if needed.Felicity Irwin, chairman of

developer Care South, said: “Closecare provides an ideal environment if,in your retirement years, you want tomove to accommodation where youare entirely free to enjoy the life youwant, but with the peace of mind thatprofessional staff and excellentfacilities which ‘Sussexdown’provides, are next door.”

Show flat opens at site

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41CARINGEVENTS

CARE Show Birmingham will boastone of the largest displays of carehome products and services in thecountry, with more than 1,800 visitorsalso expected through the doors.

Catering for owners and managersof care homes in the Midlands andNorth of England, the free eventgives an insight into the latestindustry developments and providesvisitors with the opportunity to net-work with leading care home profes-sionals.

Visitors will also be able to gain anunderstanding into the latest devel-opments in the care sector, includinga seminar series, free training, prod-uct showcases and expert advice.

The dementia seminar programme,in association with the Alzheimer’sSociety, will address issues such asrecognising and understanding thecondition and training your staff toassist those living with it.

At the MyBusiness seminar theatrevisitors will benefit from educationalsessions from some of the industry’sleading professionals on care sectorgrowth opportunities, funding issues,legislation and much more.

Another highlight will be theKeynote seminar theatre designed tohelp attendees meet current legalrequirements. The full programme isyet to be finalised, but visitors canlook forward to a collection of inspir-

ing and innovative sessions whichhave become synonymous with theCare Show brand.

A diverse array of products and ser-vices from more than 160 leading sec-tor suppliers will also be on display,adding to the vibrant showcase forthe UK’s care industry.

For further information on theevent, which takes place at the NECon June 22 and 23, and to register forfree entry, visit:www.careshow.co.uk/birmingham

In addition to Care ShowBirmingham, other Care Show eventstake place across the UK.

Care Show Bournemouth was heldat the end of March, while Care ShowLondon takes place at Olympia onOctober 11 and 12.

Large display ofproducts on show

‘QUALITY. What’s it worth?’ is the titleof ECCA’s annual conference andexhibition this November.

Government plans for the reform ofhealth service funding may now beon hold while a listening exercisetakes place, but the status quo willnot remain.

By the autumn the way forward willbe clearer, and the timing will beideal for a line-up of leading figuresto set out their views on how socialcare providers can survive and flour-ish in a time of financial uncertainty.

Chief executive Martin Green said:“Cutbacks in funding are already pro-viding an enormous challenge for the

whole care sector. Older people, those with learning

disabilities and long term conditionswill all continue to require servicesand support, so providers must thinkcarefully about how they managetheir budgets. This event will offer aroad map for minimising the impactof reduced resources while still pro-viding quality care.”

The programme will also feature anextensive seminar programme and anexhibition of products and servicesfrom a variety of specialist sectorsuppliers.

The event takes place at the HolidayInn Bloomsbury on November 16.

Quality the focus of event

THE National Association for Safetyand Health in Care Services(NASHiCS) is an association whosemembership is open to all in thesocial care sector.

NASHiCS strive to promote excel-lence of safety and health in care ser-vices, and their annual conference ‘Achanging scene... be a part of it’ takesplace at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel

on June 29 and 30.Social Care across the whole sector

is changing, that is not disputed. New ways of delivering care are

being explored, organisations arecoming together and innovativemeans of provision researched.

Day delegate prices start at £235plus VAT.

Title of conference unveiled

A SOUTH London care home is host-ing a free half-day seminar lookingat the future of care for older people.

Peter Watt, chief executive ofCounsel and Care, and Paul Edwards,head of training and practice devel-

opment for the Bradford DementiaGroup at the University of Bradford,are among the speakers for the‘Older People and the CareConundrum’ event at Nightingale onMay 26.

Dementia head among seminar’s speakers

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43CARINGNEWS

Tania Mackenzie from Owen Mumford Ltdwill look at ‘Tackling sharps injuries inthe home - delivering safe outcomes forstaff and residents’ in her seminar.

‘The new world of medicines manage-ment - delivering outcome 9’ is the sub-ject of the talk of Opus PharmacyServices’ Judith Manners.

Department of Health’s deputy regionaldirector of social care in the South WestLynne Dean will deliver the ‘Lookingahead...the challenges and opportunites’keynote speech at the Weston Super Mareevent.

BCD Associates’ Les Bright, chair of all ofMJM’s conferences.

BCD Associates’ Gillian Dalley’s seminarsare entitled ‘Essential New Standards anupdate on compliance - have you had agood outcome?’

‘Assisting your business through difficulttimes - helping you to achieve a positiveoutcome’ - Mark Ellis ACIB: Head ofhealth and social care banking, LloydsTSB

ElderCare Solutions director Nicky Cave’sseminar is entitled ‘Care Funding - findingthe best outcome for your residents andfamilies’.

The Quality Solicitors Burroughs Day Legal team made up of Hazel Phillips, James Sage and Rhiannon Thomas will look at ‘The ForestCare Home case - outcome for fees. Hiring and Firing: New rights for parents at work: 10 top tips on contracts and policies’ in their

Tom Owen will deliver the ‘My Home Life -leadership outcomes - promoting voice,choice and control’ seminar at theTorquay conference.

Exciting programmeof speakers lined upAN exciting programme of speakershave been lined up for the first twocare provider conferences in WestonSuper Mare and Torquay in Mayorganised by MJM Events in associa-tion with Caring UK magazine.

The keynote address for the Westonevent will be delivered by LynneDean, deputy regional director for theDepartment of Health, South West,Social Care, Local Government andCare Partnerships.

And for Torquay it is Richard Gleavefrom the South West Region StrategicHealth Authority. Both seminars areentitled ‘Looking ahead – the chal-lenges and opportunities’.

They will be accompanied by a widerange of speakers including MarkEllis, head of health and social carebanking at Lloyds TSB, who will talkabout ‘Assisting your businessthrough difficult times - helping youto achieve a positive outcome’. The Quality Solicitors Burroughs Daylegal team made up of Hazel Phillips,

Rhiannon Thomas and Sage will lookat the ‘Forest Care Home case - out-come for fees. Hiring and firing: Newrights for parents at work’.

And Dr Gillian Dalley, an indepen-dent consultant with BCD Associatesbased in London, will speak about ‘Essential New Standards - an updateon compliance - have you had a goodoutcome’.

With other sessions will cover topicsas diverse as dementia signage, pay-ing for care, tackling the new EU‘sharps’ directive and the My HomeLife programme promoting ‘voice,choice and control’ there really issomething for everyone.

No conference for care providerswould be complete without a presen-tation from the inspectorate, and theday will finish with a CQC representa-tive giving an account of how the newsystem is bedding down, and forattendees to offer them a view on thistopic too.

THERE are so many issues competing for a manager’s attention that it may be diffi-cult to know where to start, and what to prioritise.So, taking a ‘pause’, as the Prime Minister, his deputy and the health secretary aredoing at present – to listen, learn and reflect has a message for us all.You may think you are too busy running your home or services to allow your selftime to attend conferences, and sometimes that may be right.But MJM’s programme of regional care conferences in association with Caring UK –‘closer to home’ –means you will spend less time travelling and more time learning,reflecting and meeting colleagues from around the region.The winning combination of speakers with national reputations, talking about topicsthat affect your service, alongside a trade exhibition featuring so many of the sec-tor’s dedicated suppliers ensures that these events really do have something foreveryone.The series – Focusing on outcomes: promoting and providing good care - kicks offin the south west with events near Weston Super Mare and Torquay on May 24 and25, and moves on to the Madejski football stadium in Reading on June 20 for theHome Counties.

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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 solutionsAlfamax looks after all your catering needsIF you are looking for any new catering equipment, whether it is a new dishwasher, refrigeration or cookingequipment, you can rely on Alfamax.

We are able to supply standard or thermal disinfection dishwashers, and provide a full installation serviceand ongoing service contracts on your new or existing equipment.

Alfamax can supply standard refrigeration or BioLine medical refrigeration units, with three-year partsand labour warranties.

Whatever your requirements, Alfamax can supply the ideal products for your operation.

Enquiries: Telephone 0844 357 4030, email info@alfamax.info or fax 01276 62696.

Unique hospital opts for Tarkett Flooring Solutions

TARKETT was selected to provide all the vinyland safety flooring to the new £230mMaidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’sPembury Hospital.

The majority of circulation areas, inpatientrooms and main departments at the onlymajor general hospital in the UK with a fullyadmitting A&E to offer all inpatientaccommodation in single en suite roomshave been fitted with Tarkett iQ Granitflooring.

Tarkett Safetred Dimension has been usedin the en suite facilities and staff and visitortoilets, while Safetred Aqua also features inwetroom facilities where its exceptional wetarea slip resistance provides added protectionfor patients.

A major requirement on the project was the reduction of waste and recycling including all packaging,vinyl off-cuts and wrapping. Tarkett organised regular collections of all vinyl waste, off-cuts and roll ends,which were taken for reprocessing into new flooring. Roll cores, bung ends and packaging were alsoremoved from site.

Enquiries: Telephone 01622 854040 or visit www.tarkett-commercial.com

AKW raises the standard with electric care shower

AKW Medicare is celebrating the six-month anniversary ofthe launch of its LUDA electric care shower with soaring salesfigures.

The market leader in the provision of elderly and disabledbathroom products reports that sales for January exceededhalf of the total sales for 2010.

Uptake by the trade and extremely positive feedback fromend users is confirming that the company has raised thestandard for electric care showers with this product.

In designing the LUDA, AKW has taken the industry-established standard and added three key criteria identifiedspecifically for the needs of the care market. With a range offeatures designed to offer safe, hygienic showering, the LUDAis an industry-first with a fully-waterproof IP45 rating. Otherkey features include an integrated double check valve toprevent backflow and a riser rail that doubles as a weight-bearing grab rail.

Enquiries: Visit www.akw-medicare.co.uk

Care home gets new hair salonEVERYONE loves companionship and a chat, andwhere better to get it than at the hairdresser’s. Thisdoesn’t change as we get older.

The staff at this care home realised this and theimportance of creating a nice, welcomingenvironment, for their residents to go to have theirhair done and enjoy coffee and a chat while beingpampered at the same time.

Skand has been working closely with themanagement team and the hairdresser to achieve anenvironment to fulfil those needs, and we are surethat you will agree the end result is amazing.

The general response has been excellent, andeveryone is really happy with it, and really lookforward to going to the salon each week.

Have you considered how your salon looks? Haveyou even got one?

Enquiries: Call 01892 544744 or visit www.skanduk.co.uk to discuss your options.

Dementia Life DRTS helps with CQC rating DEMENTIA Life’s digitalreminiscence therapy softwarehelped a Liverpool care homewhen the CQC inspectors arrived.

The DRTS system has a fulladministration function, enablingmanagers and carers to create afull record of usage andpersonalising content for eachpatient.

The care home’s manager said:“In our recent CQC inspectionusing the graphs we were able toeasily demonstrate the activitiesthat we had completed with theresidents and the duration of theactivities.

We also use this function forour regular reporting to supportand enhance the delivery of our activities each month.”

DRTS is a communication tool designed by carers for carers, containing carefully chosen digital mediacontent from an extensive library of archive photographs, videos and music.

Enquiries: Call 0800 083 4533 to arrange a free demonstration or visit www.dementialife.com

Impey goes for growth with changes to itsstaff products and branding

IMPEY UK, the leading authority on wetroom and specialist showering products is undergoing a period ofchange and investment with major changes to its biggest assets – staff, products and branding.

Leading the way is new managing director Martin Carroll, who has a wealth of experience in thebathroom industry with a career encompassing famous bathroom companies such as Armitage Shanks,Ideal Standard and Ideal Bathrooms.

Responsible for the growth and development of the Impey product brands, he has realigned andstrengthened the team to give more focus to each market sector.

Martin said: “We have a clear focus of where we want to be and have increased the marketing teamfrom one person to a new and energetic team of four. Impey has a very good reputation for qualityproducts and we want to capitalise on this, reinforcing our team and product offering in order to achievethe growth we are looking for.”

The new marketing team includes Steve Trigg, who has been with Impey for five years and is appointedas head of healthcare marketing. He will be announcing major new product introductions in theforthcoming weeks, which will be just the beginning of a new focus on Impey Healthcare products in 2011.

A new face joining as head of retail marketing is Gemma Rickard, who has experience in the homes andDIY sectors, and has expertise in internet marketing.

Responsible for marketing services including exhibitions and brochures is Debbie Smith, who has beenwith Impey for 18 months and, embracing new media, Neil Whitehead has been appointed as social mediaexecutive. He is responsible for building a media personality for Impey within online communities.

Enquiries: For further information visit www.impey-uk.com

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New Alert Thermapen now availableTHE Alert Thermapen features all the benefitsof the tried and tested Thermapenthermometer, with the added benefit ofindicating when a critical temperature isreached.

This is achieved by the digital displayflashing ‘COLD’ between 0 to 5°C, ‘HOT’ at75°C or above or ‘ICE’ at -18°C or below.

The reduced tip, stainless steel, foodpenetration probe means the Thermapenthermometer reaches temperature in just fourseconds, making it over 50 per cent fasterthan traditional thermometers.

The probe folds back conveniently andsafely through 180 degrees into the side ofthe instrument. The Thermapen indicatestemperature over the range of -49.9 to299.9°C with a 0.1°C resolution.

The Alert Thermapen is available in four colours; white, yellow, red or blue, and is ideal for use as partof HACCP and health and safety procedures. The thermometer costs £50 plus carriage and VAT.

Enquiries: Visit www.etiltd.com or contact 01903 202151.

YTM Furniture brings care home ideas tolife at the Care Show Bournemouth

YTM Furniture presented an exhibit asinnovative and comprehensive as theiroffering at The Care Show Bournemouth,demonstrating the unique products andservices they deliver to turn your care homeideas into a reality.

YTM pride themselves on the principles ofdesign, manufacture and innovation; withall elements clearly illustrated at the show.Their leading display formed a design studio,sampling the organisation’s creativeexpertise including spatial planning and 3Ddrawings.

The remaining areas showcased theirlatest developments, including a luxuriouslystyled chair family, a contemporary range of fitted bedroom furniture and a more traditionally styledcollection of bedroom furniture with features suitable for dementia care.

YTM are the leading experts in the design and manufacture of furniture for dementia, with these newdevelopments expressing their continued commitment to this area.

They have produced furniture for care homes for over 25 years, and are the market leaders in creatinginspirational solutions that anyone would want to call home.

Enquiries: Telephone 01977 703271 or visit sales@ytmgroup.com

Personalised linen for care homesTOWELSDIRECT has been supplying the care sector forthe last 20 years, and are providing premium Turkishquality towels that last up to 150 washes.

Most towels that you see in a retailer will only last60 washes. We also provide minimum iron bedlinenthat is constructed of easy care polycotton, againdesigned to last longer than your average bedsheetand save your staff time.

Bespoke embroidery designs are available, alongwith matching bedlinen and curtains. Please call freefor a no obligation discussion.

Since Towelsdirect’s inception, we have always triedto focus on our uniqueness. Customers are remindedthat we offer free

delivery on orders over £150, operate a no minimumorder policy and next day delivery from stock. We

recognise that our customers’ needs are everchanging, and it is with this in mind that we areupdating our website daily.

Enquiries: Telephone 0800 018 6935 or visitwww.towelsdirect.co.uk for our online catalogue.

Improving standards, best practice and profitability

ZEST Care Systems has released a full caremanagement software package to help relieve thepressures and demands of compliance andadministration within care home management.

Called Fusion, the software manages staff andresident reporting to ease day-to-day managementprocesses and provides valuable business planningand income management data.

The secure and instantly accessible software boastsmany time saving attributes. From recording andanalysing staff time and attendance and budgets tomulti-contract invoicing and home and roomoccupancy levels, the software is flexible enough toreport within a single home to a whole group.

Enquiries: Telephone 0844 504 4883, email info@zestcare.com or visit www.zestcare.com

Housing association tenants welcome styleand comfort

STYLISH club seating, comfortable armchairs,versatile stacking chairs and matching tablesfrom Knightsbridge Furniture’s Housingportfolio have been supplied to the new-lookBarringers Court in Irchester, one of severalsheltered housing schemes in the areamanaged by Wellingborough Homes.

In common with all of WellingboroughHomes’ schemes, Barringers Court offerstenants a range of shared facilities, includingthe communal lounge, where a relaxed butstylish atmosphere is enhanced by furniturefrom the Knightsbridge Housing collection.

Rossetti club chairs combine the comfortof supportive upholstery with the appeal ofcontemporary styling, and have been teamed with Selkirk armchairs, where shaped arms allow easyindependent rising and sprung seats ensure a comfortable sitting position, even after extended periods.

Palma tables and versatile Radley stacking chairs in both armed and armless configurations complete theKnightsbridge order, and enable residents to make the most of available space.

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

Beaucare launches new eCommerce websiteBEAUCARE Medical Ltd, the UK’s premier supplierof hygiene, medical supplies and equipment toprivate care homes, hospitals and individuals, haslaunched a new eCommerce website.

It follows significant growth in online sales forthe company, and reflects an increasing demandfor online features and benefits from bothBeaucare’s business and private customers.

The site, which was originally launched in2002, now benefits from easier and fasternavigation through product categories; better insite search functions; more online special offers;links to social networking tools includingFacebook and Twitter.

Managing director Jonathan Brown said: “As acompany, we are constantly striving to improveand expand on the products and services we offer and, having consolidated our range of both medical andhygiene products, we are now concentrating our efforts on improving the way we showcase them to ourcustomer base.”

All online payments will continue to run safely and securely.

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

Reed Medical adds diabetic/healthy socks to range

AS a major orthopaedic footwear manufacturer, Reedunderstands the importance of supporting the feetduring daily activity.

We are also aware of the importance of socks forsupport and prevention of injury, particularly to thediabetic foot.

Reed Medical now offer specially designeddiabetic/healthy socks which provide:

An even fit which is not susceptible to creasing.No elastic cuff which can hinder blood circulation in

the calf.A smooth closure by hand linked toes.Sizes 35 to 46 available in a range of colours. Socks manufactured using a combination of

materials: cotton, amicor (cotton/acrylic), silver fibreand wool ensure comfortable fit while helping to limitfoot problems.

Enquiries: Telephone 01254 503333, email:info@reedmedical.co.uk or visit

www.reedmedical.co.uk

Protect rooms stats, prevent tampering,reduce bills

CW TECHNOLOGIES’ unique thermostatprotection covers are designed to restrict whocan adjust the heating controls.

This is particularly relevant to nursing andcare homes as thermostat heating controllersare frequently positioned in public or multi-occupancy areas.

Starting from just £13.86 and availablefrom the company’s websitewww.SecuritySafetyProducts.co.uk, theselockable, tamper-proof Thermostat Protectorsare made from tough, transparentpolycarbonate so the dial can easily be readwithout removing the lid.

Importantly, each Thermostat Protectorfeatures a robust lock. Supplied with two keys, additional keys are also available should more than two carehome managers or members of staff need to gain access - perhaps during an active night-shift.

Supplied with standard fixings, the Thermostat Protector is easy to fit and available in five different sizesto cater for all thermostat controller types. Each protector also features ventilation holes to ensure thethermostat continues to operate normally, even if it is a wireless device.

Enquiries: Visit www.securitysafetyproducts.co.uk or telephone 0161 7970176.

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CARINGNEWS

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Alarm Systems

Fitness equipment

Consultants

Occupancy specialist

Signs

THE achievements of 200 staff across 26 care homes were recognised by a North Westcare provider at an awards ceremony.The Mere Golf Resort & Spa was the venue for CLS Care Services’ event, which cele-brated a range of professional accomplishments including NVQs in health and socialcare, catering, cleaning building interiors, customer service, business administrationand team leadership, as well as specialist qualifications in medication and provision ofactivities.

DECISIONS about the use of a per-son’s income and savings are oftenbest made by their relatives or closefriends, but what happens whenthere are no willing or suitable rela-tives or friends, or those alreadyinvolved in a person’s finances are nolonger able to formally assist?

Over several years Essex Guardianshas developed its expertise tobecome one of the leading corporatedeputy services in the country. Itprovides a dedicated team of profes-

sionals to expertly handle financialaffairs for people when they nolonger have the mental capacity to doso on their own.

The service includes claiming, col-lecting, maximising and administer-ing any state benefits, paying billsand ensuring that the individual hasaccess to money for activities such asshopping and socialising. It can alsosafeguard savings and investmentsand oversee property and personalitems.

Financial advice given

USING pharmacists to manage med-ication could cut mistakes in elderlycare homes by 91 per cent, accordingto research.

Yakub Chemist in Leicester offerscare and nursing homes an annual

audit programme that includes adetailed feedback report on how careproviders can improve on medicationstorage, administration and recordkeeping.

Firm offers annual medication audit

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