Florence tackles the social care staffing crisis head on
Florence tackles the social care staffing crisis head on with the addition of carers to its recruitment marketplace London pilot expands on Florence’s promise – helping carers to find work and nursing homes to fill temporary shifts Florence, the recruitment marketplace where care and nursing homes can find qualified staff to fill temporary shifts, today announces it has expanded – adding carers to the pool of qualified healthcare professionals working through its innovative platform. By cutting out the costly fees associated with traditional recruitment agencies, Florence has been successful in helping care home providers to recruit nurses since its 2017 launch. With a focus on quality and continuity of care the platform now also features a pool of carers, available to work shifts in London as part of a pilot scheme in the area. There are plans to expand countrywide with its carers service within the next 12-months. Commenting on the introduction of carers to the platform, Charles Armitage, Co-founder and Managing Director at Florence said: “We’re a nation at crisis point in terms of the future of our social care system and we can no longer hide from the endemic problems around staffing and recruiting in the social care sector. With an aging population on the rise, we need to find real solutions to address the ever-widening workforce gap. The addition of carers to the Florence marketplace signifies our commitment to being part of that solution – offering healthcare professionals greater access to high-paying shifts across the UK, not to mention saving care and nursing homes money while boosting the quality and continuity of care throughout the sector.” Florence puts a pool of qualified nurses, and now carers at the fingertips of care and nursing home managers. The manager has the option to add a nurse or carer to a list of ‘favourites’, allowing them to easily select individuals for future shifts which helps to achieve continuity of care. The platform also includes a reviews section, where managers can leave feedback on the nurse or carer – a feature which has proven to foster a greater sense of accountability. From a nurse or carers’ perspective, Florence provides easy access to and true transparency over the temporary shifts on offer in their local area. Similar to the experience of the care home provider, a nurse or carer can read feedback about the home setting so they can decide if they feel it is a good fit. Florence also encourages homes using the platform to pay carers the national living wage. With Florence now being used by many care home operators, extending the marketplace to host carers was a natural next step. The platform has the potential to act as a one-stop shop for care providers to recruit both nurses and carers in one integrated solution. In some cases, eliminating the need for them to use recruitment agencies at all, thus saving on the fees which drain resources from the social care system. The onboarding process consists of two references from either a manager, nurse, midwife or agency representative, as well as a background check, DBS, and full spectrum of mandatory training certificates. The carer is also expected to have at least 1 years’ work history as a carer and to provide proof of indemnity insurance. On average, the compliance process for Florence takes around 20 days, versus three months through a traditional recruitment agency. Care and nursing homes, and carers, in the London area are now invited to join the pilot.
Light projection game makes all the difference to those living with dementia
Staff at MHA Langholme care home in Falmouth were left in awe after seeing first-hand the transformative effect that a motion-activated sensory projection had on residents living with dementia in the home. With the goal of stimulating, engaging and relaxing the mind, this projection technology, which is manufactured in the UK, comes equipped with quizzes, music and themes that have been designed to prompt conversation, spark nostalgia and maintain memory. Its use of therapeutic scenes and sounds which derive from nature have been known to instantly improve a dementia resident’s sense of calm. Through this OM Interactive motion-activated technology, residents can reach out to pop a bubble, grow a flower simply by touching it, and even dip their toes in the water as the tide rolls in – all without leaving the sense of security that their own room provides. This is made possible by the equipment’s portable and height-adjustable properties which are able to project coloured streams of light onto any table, bed or floor. For many mid-to-late stage dementia residents, the ability to speak or recognise loved ones can be a struggle. But with this new activity that all generations can enjoy, including children and their grandparents alike, staff at MHA Langholme care home have ensured that families can connect in a new way. It is one of the few care homes in the South West to offer this technology. Maria Brown, Home Manager at MHA Langholme care home said: “I first noticed the effect one of these projection games could have when a company came to demonstrate it at our Summer Fair last year, after seeing one of our dementia residents, who was visibly distressed at the number of people around her, immediately become immersed in the interactive game. “After that, I remember telling our team that we simply had to have one, whatever it takes.” Administration Manager, Kate Bateson adds “Here at MHA Langholme, we understand the benefits that social interaction has on the day-to-day lives of our residents. The effect this technology has isn’t like anything I have ever seen before – its ability to soothe and engage residents is enough to bring a tear to anyone’s eye.”
Driving into history with care home’s vintage motor show
VINTAGE cars from the 1920s to 1950s paraded around a Bakewell care home as part of National Care Home Open Day. The classic vehicles were on display at Burton Closes Hall Care Home, on Haddon Road, with an open invitation to visitors. The show involved almost 20 cars, all belonging to members of The Old Motor Club, including a 1929 Rolls Royce and a 1933 Austin Light 12-4 Harley. They also brought along an Austin 7, Ford Consul, Ford Prefect, Wolseley, Austin 10 and more. The care home’s maintenance man Keith Thomas also displayed his awarding winning 1953 Morris Z Van. He was awarded the Chairman’s Trophy for Best in Class at last year’s Cromford Steam Rally, at High Acres Farm, Brackenfield. Keith, along with many of The Old Motor Club members, lovingly restored their vehicles from wrecks. He said: “I was surprised to win Best in Class but immensely proud when I received the award.” Sam Stone, home manager at Burton Closes Hall Care Home, said: “Last year’s event was such a success we decided to run it again to mark National Care Home Open Day and National Drive It Day. “Burton Closes Hall is the perfect backdrop for such an amazing display of vintage cars, as one of Bakewell’s oldest buildings. We had a great turn out for the event this year. “We are planning on bringing the vintage motor show back again next year, so we hope even more visitors will come along.” Burton Closes Hall Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Horticultural therapy for the elderly
Horticultural therapy as a trend is rising, not only amongst the elderly, but across the nation, as mental health stigmas are reduced. In this context however, we will be looking at what this type of therapy is and how it can be beneficial for those looking to get a bit greener with their fingers. What is it? Plant therapy or horticultural therapy involves the use of nature, and gardening as an activity, to evoke feelings of serenity and calmness. In a setting with older people, this can be an excellent way to reflect, but also to rediscover days gone by where gardening would have previously been a key hobby. Whilst you can get those who work full time as plant therapists to come to your care home, there are also simple additions you can make to encourage similar feelings in your patients. Seasonal relevance Whilst, plants and gardening are renowned for their positive wellbeing effects, it’s also important to focus on the season at hand. For example, if it’s autumn, projects involving autumnal leaves, or plants that bloom in this season, like the Crocus, can be a good way to focus on time as a concept, which often helps with dementia patients. The power of reminiscing about seasons gone by should not be ignored and can be a good way for people to interact whilst focusing on this one temporal topic. Practicalities Practically, there needs to be consideration given to the type of products you can use, but also the health and safety of any activity. For example, utilising arthritis-friendly garden tools, or raised planters can allow those with movement difficulties the option to join in. Ensure the plants being used in any therapy sessions are safe, for this reason, those with thorns or nettles are best avoided. Organisation is key As some of those involving themselves in horticultural therapy may have trouble relating to their memory, simple things can make gardening much easier. Use old plant pots and a marker pen to put into the flower beds to indicate what exactly is growing beneath the soil. This can be a huge help when keeping track of plants and flowers, especially if gardeners may have forgotten where exactly certain things were planted and when. It’s simple, it makes use of old plant pots and it’s one of the most useful things for gardeners (of any age!) Ensure it is on view The rehabilitative and wellbeing effects of gardens and plants come from being able to see them. By this we mean, ensure there is ample opportunity to view the greenery as it grows. There could be a particular viewing spot for those who may not be able to get involved, which is why planters at different heights is crucial to provide a varied viewing experience. If the garden is out of view from many people, it’s full potential is being wasted and it’s affects not fairly dispersed across the populace of the home. However far you want to take horticultural therapy, it can be a powerful tool in allowing older people to destress and unwind, whilst also providing something to focus their efforts on. Andy Baxter, MD at outdoor furniture and gardening supplies store, Internet Gardener
Nurses past and present honoured on International Nurses Day
NURSES past and present were honoured at a North East care home for International Nurses Day. Staff and former nurses who now live at The Oaks Care Home, on Durban Street, Blyth, Northumberland, were recognised for their hard work throughout their careers. Resident Elsie Scattergood was a mental health nurse in Aberdeen. She said: “I loved being a nurse and worked really hard.” Pat Whyatt was a paediatric nurse who worked in South Africa in her early twenties as well as the UK. She said: “I am very proud of this time in my life. I loved working with the little children. They were really beautiful. “It’s lovely to honour all the nurses at The Oaks on Nurses Day as they all work so hard and care a lot about others.” Residents handmade cards and gave boxes of chocolates to their carers, including management staff. Clare Robson, deputy manager at The Oaks Care Home, said: “I have never received a gift for Nurses Day, so it was lovely to be recognised for my job. “Being a nurse is important to me as I love to help people. I am passionate about ensuring that everyone is cared for with dignity in a person centred way, especially those at end of life.” Among the other staff members to receive gifts were nurse Desiree Sampson and visiting community matron Yvonne Harrison also received chocolates. Desiree said: “I especially loved the chocolates. It was lovely to get cards from the residents.” Yvonne said: “I’m over the moon to be thought of. I have never had anything before for Nurses Day. It was very kind of everyone to think of me.” Staff also surprised the home manager, Ann Mielnik, with a gift. She said: “I was surprised to receive my gift as to me it was all about the residents who were nurses and the staff and visiting professionals. “It’s the little things that mean a lot and the staff remembering me as the nurse I am was humbling.” International Nurses Day was also celebrated at The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, where district nurses and community matrons who visit the home were recognised. The afternoon tea, held in the home’s bistro, included sandwiches, cakes, lattes and cappuccinos, as a thank you for the nurses hard work. Residents also gave their carers gift bags containing chocolates and mini bottles of wine. Jessica Brown, home manager at The Beeches Care Home, said: “We wanted to show our thanks to all the hard working nurses, including staff and visiting professionals, who care for our residents at The Beeches.” The Oaks Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Relieving The Pressure
Relieving The Pressure – a novel and cost effective option for pressure ulcer prevention Pressure ulcer (PU) prevention in the care home setting can be challenging. Every setting where care is delivered, whether home, hospital or care home, faces challenges in delivering PU prevention(1). Defined as localised damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by unrelieved pressure or a combination of pressure and sheer(2,3) PU’s incur a significant cost to the NHS 4,5,6varying from £1,214 (category 1) to £14,108 (category 4)3. Costs increase with ulcer severity (3,6) not to mention the impact on the individual such as pain, the need for additional nursing interventions, damage to a persons’ sense of self leading to depression, social isolation due to wound symptoms such as odour (1,6)as well as increased risk of infection. The incidence of PU’s is the most common reporting category of serious incidents nationally (7,8). Therefore, the need to protect vulnerable areas of the skin from breakdown is a key focus for clinicians and care givers working in all areas of healthcare (7,8). Despite extensive prevention programmes, evidence suggests about 1,700 to 2,000 patients a month develop pressure ulcers(10,11,12). Offloading devices such as the Heel Up®heel protection boot and All Up®cushions have proven to reduce the impact of pressure damage. The use of off-loading devices aligns with pressure ulcer prevention pathways(10) by providing a safe and supportive surface for preventing and treating pressure ulcers. The devices are ergonomically designed ensuring stability without hindering the patient’s movements and provide support to at risk areas of the body (7,8,10). For example, the All Up®head is designed to fit the shape of the head taking into consideration the natural curve of the spine in the recumbent position, while the Heel Up®short is shaped to fit the Achilles tendon whilst providing comfortable support for the foot. The range is designed with patient comfort and concordance in mind and is made from a polyethylene and polypropylene non-woven material that is soft to the touch with a felt like feel. Unlike similar products, the material used is moisture and heat absorbent which means these offloading devices are skin friendly and manufactured in accordance with ISO 10993-1012 skin irritation and sensitisation standards therefore they can be used with confidence on delicate skin. Single patient use ensures that optimum hygiene levels are maintained. The Heel Up®and All Up®cushions can be wiped clean with alcohol wipes, chlorhexidine or can be machine washed at 60°C, making them highly suitable to the care setting. Available in a range of sizes ensure you can fit the right product to the individual person. The Heel Up®range is most suitable for bedbound patients however the short can be used by wheel chair users as well. The All Up®cushions come in a range of sizes and can be used interchangeably in differing seated and laying positions. They can be used to prevent pressure ulcer development but can also be used as part of the treatment pathway for existing pressure ulcers (Grad 1-4). They offer a cost-effective preventative method when comparing the cost of a Heel up medium at £13.95 compared with the estimated cost of treating a Grade 1 pressure ulcer at around £12143, to cite some examples. The range is now available through NHS Supply Chain and can also be purchased directly from Algeos. Algeos is a leading global medical distribution company which designs and develops many products under its own brands and distributes world-leading product solutions within the physiotherapy, podiatry, orthotic and prosthetic markets. In the UK, Algeos offers the widest range of podiatry and physio products available for these markets and is the largest podiatry supplier to the NHS. The family-owned business, based in Liverpool, dates back to 1881. The company also has offices in the Middle East and Australia and today has around 80 employees worldwide. Algeos sells into 60 countries and has over 45 distributors outside of the UK. For further information and prices go to www.algeos.com or email info@algeos.com Ellis M (2017) Pressure ulcer prevention in care home settings. Nursing Older People. 29, 3, 29-35. European pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (2009) Pressure Ulcer Prevention: A Quick Reference Guide. www.epuap.org Dealey C, Posnett J, Walker (2012) A The cost of pressure ulcers in the United Kingdom. Journal of Wound Care. 21(6):261-266. Guest J, Ayoub N, McIlwraith T, Uchegbu I, Gerrish A et al (2016) Health economic burden that different wound types impose on the UK’s National Health Service. International Wound Journal ISSN 1742-4801 Guest J, Fuller G, Vowden P, Vowden K (2018) Cohort study evaluating pressure ulcer management in clinical practice in the UK following initial presentation in the community: costs and outcomes. British Medical Journal Beldon P (2006) Pressure ulcers: prevention and management. Wound Essentials.1: 68-81. NICE (2015) Pressure Ulcers. www.nice.org.uk Best practice statement: care of the older persons skin (2nd edition). Wounds UK. London. 2012. www.wounds-uk.com Voegeli D (2008) The effect of washing and drying practices on skin barrier function. Journal of Wound Ostomy and Continence Nursing. 35(1): 84–90. www.nhs.stopthepressure.co.uk/ www.safetythermometer.nhs.uk/ May R (2018) Pressure ulcers: revised definition and measurement – summary and measurement. www.improvement.nhs.uk Levabo data on file
Spearhead Healthcare – The Platinum Plan
The Platinum Plan is a complete cleaning program for the care industry. It has been designed to help Care Homes save money whilst improving efficiency and hygiene throughout the Care Home. Everything within the Plan has been meticulously researched in order to allow Care Homes to keep on top of Infection Control procedures; the entire Platinum range is colour-coded to make adhering to the guidelines easy. Thus, the Platinum Plan offers a complete holistic approach to Care Home cleaning that cuts through the confusion and fragmentation commonly found in industry cleaning plans. The Platinum range includes 25 high quality cleaning chemicals that have been specially developed to provide a solution for every Care Home cleaning situation. Complying with all necessary British standards, many of these chemicals are multi-purpose, minimizing the number of bottles to be stored and thus assisting with adherence to COSHH regulations. A significant number of these chemicals are available as concentrates; we provide dosing pumps to ensure correct dilution. This prevents wastage and provides an easy, economical solution to spiraling cleaning costs. Platinum is, however, so much more than product range. The aim of the Plan is to make cleaning easier. When you sign up for Platinum you also receive the binder, an essential piece of time-saving kit. The binder includes: Comprehensive documentation Safety data sheets Risk assessments Cleaning guides Logbooks for cleaners With the binder, you have one place for everything – reordering codes, safety data sheets, schedules – everything you need is in one place. Most importantly, we have done the leg-work for you! Care Home staff will no longer need to spend time searching for safety data or gathering loose sheets of paper. With Platinum Plan, you will have more time to focus on the most important thing, your residents. Should you require a replacement sheet, new copies can be obtained quickly from our website. Many are designed for you to print out instantaneously! When you sign up to the Platinum Plan, we will provide in-house training on COSHH regulations with training and display materials. We will also include a list of our Platinum compatible cleaning equipment, all of which is colour coded to assist with adherence to Infection Control guidelines. All product codes for chemicals and equipment are listed clearly in the binder, allowing you to reorder without having to go searching through catalogues and brochures. The Platinum Plan is provided by Spearhead Healthcare, who are based in Irvine, Scotland. It is available throughout the UK, and we provide a Next Day shipping service where possible.
Does your diabetes care meet national standards and best practice?
How confident are your workforce in understanding diabetic footcare or spotting and treating a hypoglycaemic event? “Access to good quality diabetes education and training for care home staff” is one of the elements of good diabetes care as laid out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Diabetes affects around 25% of residents in care homes (residential and nursing) and 15% or more in mental health care facilities. Last year a review was published in ‘Diabetic Medicine’ where the authors had reviewed multiple studies carried out over 25 years involving care home residents with diabetes. It resulted in leading experts concluding that diabetes care in care homes still remains “fragmented” and that steps need to be taken to ensure the “health and dignity” of older people. They also commented that care homes “often do not meet national standards” of diabetes care and staff training is “patchy”. The lead author, Professor Alan Sinclair of the Foundation for Diabetes Research in Older People and University Aston said: “Our findings show the level of diabetes care remains fragmented which is quite worrying because figures suggest up to a third of care home residents are believed to have the condition. Without proper management, it can lead to frailty, dependency, disability and reduced life expectancy. There is also the added strain on the NHS as frequent hospital admissions to treat diabetes-related complications are costly, not to mention unsettling for the patient.” The researchers have made a series of recommendations which includes ensuring a ‘policy of diabetes care’, investment in training for staff, dissemination and implementation of CQC guidance, introducing better interventions and more. All to help to improve the outcomes for residents living with diabetes. ‘DUET diabetes’ helps care and health providers across East Anglia to upskill and increase the confidence of their staff regarding the diabetes management of adults under their care. We do this by offering a range of small interactive, discussion based workshops led by an experienced diabetes specialist nursewho also works within the NHS. We are passionate about what we do – our ultimate aim being to improve the quality of life for people living with diabetes, regardless of what stage of life they are at. Feedback collated from our training sessions indicates a strong learning preference by attendees for “small groups that are interactive and led by a professional”. DUET diabetes – dedicated to delivering understanding, education and training to empower nurses, carers and healthcare support workers; enabling them to make a positive difference to those living with diabetes. For more information or an informal chat about your diabetes training needs contact Lynne Reedman: T: 01799 584178 E: info@duetdiabetes.co.uk W: www.duetdiabetes.co.uk F: facebook.com/duetdiabetes
Why pay more for high-quality medical supplies?
Here at MediSupplies, we have always believed that essential high-quality medical supplies should be easily available at low prices. Our team of buyers search the globe to find reliable suppliers of the most popular products from top brands and then build long-standing relationships with them to ensure the best possible prices. We purchase in bulk which allows us to pass cost savings on to you! The MediSupplies website has been designed to be comprehensive and easy to use with clear labelling of product categories. You can even shop by profession, allowing you to view only the items right for your area of expertise. Offering an extensive range of over 4,200 medical products for the caring industry and home environment, our portfolio includes: Unlike some of our competitors, there is no minimum order quantity and delivery to UK mainland addresses is offered free of charge on orders over £65.00. We even offer a next working day delivery service on orders placed before 4.30pm (see website for restrictions). We have thousands of happy MediSupplies customers, but don’t just take our word for it! See our independent eKomi reviews and read for yourself what our customers like about us. No longer do you have to search around for the best deal. See how much time and money you can save by purchasing your medical supplies through us at www.MediSupplies.co.uk. If you can’t find what you are looking for, call our friendly team on 0800 160 1621 and we will do our best to source it for you at the lowest possible price.
