Country Cousins Launches National Radio Campaign

Country Cousins Launches National Radio Campaign on Classic FM to Reach More Families in Need of Trusted Live-In Care London, UK – Country Cousins, the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, is launching a national radio campaign on Classic FM from 10th February 2025. Running for 12 weeks, the campaign aims to reach over 3.62 million listeners, introducing more families to the benefits of live-in care and offering support to those who may not yet know where to turn. With a total of 1,661 ad spots airing across Classic FM London, Classic FM South, Classic FM Digital, Classic FM Calm, and Classic FM Movies, the campaign will ensure that Country Cousins’ message is heard by a highly relevant audience, each listener encountering the ad an average of 6.6 times. A Legacy of Trusted Live-In Care Since 1959 Founded in 1959 by Josephine McGregor, a Royal Navy Nursing Sister who served during World War II, Country Cousins has provided families across the UK with trusted live-in carers for over 60 years. Originally launched as ‘Country Cousins and Emergency Mothers’ from Josephine’s home in West Sussex, the agency has since grown into one of the country’s leading introductory live-in care providers, helping thousands of families find the right support for their loved ones. Making Live-In Care More Accessible As part of this campaign, Country Cousins is offering 50% off its Lifetime Membership fee—a move designed to make high-quality, one-to-one care more accessible to families at a time when home care is more important than ever. George Neel, Group Commercial Director at Trinity Homecare Group, said: “This campaign is an exciting milestone for Country Cousins. Many families aren’t aware that live-in care is an option, or they don’t know where to turn when a loved one needs support. The benefits of staying at home with the right care in place are significant—over 97% of older adults say they would prefer to remain in their own home rather than move into residential care , and studies show that home care can lead to better health outcomes, greater independence, and improved quality of life compared to moving into a care home. By launching this campaign on Classic FM, we’re ensuring that more people hear about the benefits of live-in care and the compassionate service that Country Cousins has been providing for over six decades. We’re confident this will help many families find the care solution they need.” Listen Out for the Campaign The campaign will run from 10th February 2025 for 12 weeks, with an initial A/B test of two creative variations before selecting the most effective ad to continue for the remainder of the campaign. https://www.classicfm.com
Legionella Companies – who/what are they?

Every company has the legal requirement to ensure that their water systems are managed to ensure that Legionella bacteria are controlled in a way that achieves a safe environment. Legionella Companies – who/what are they? They are companies that support those identified in Health and Safety Law as being responsible for the control of Legionella bacteria in all water systems subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH). The reference to Duty Holder and Responsible Person in ACoP L8 can be quite narrow but it can be much further reaching to those involved in this subject matter. The Duty Holder must ensure that competent persons, who have sufficient authority, competence and knowledge, are appointed to fulfil the required duties. These maybe from outside of their organisation and can include: – The HSE Approved Code of Practice L8 (ACoP L8) is the recognised approach to achieving compliance in controlling Legionella bacteria in water systems. Legionella companies can support you with your responsibility as they can provide one or more of the following services: – Why use Legionella Companies and what to be mindful of? Industry continues to learn that compliance is not just limited to the role of facilities management / maintenance teams and Legionella companies can help identify the wider requirement. Compliance includes all aspects from governance, through design phases of projects leading to the operational phases. Caution should be taken if appointing a single company to fulfil multiple requirements as independent reviews help to avoid teams ‘marking their own homework’ or generating work that is not required. Differences for large or small Client organisations / companies Your legionella risk assessment will advise what is required to be done and will vary depending on the complexity of your water systems. Large organisations with multiple facilities that could include water features, leisure, manufacturing, residential, or hospitality will need multiple robust Legionella written schemes of control, whereas a retail outlet with only a staff room and toilet facilities will need a less onerous management regime due to the level of risk. However, the regulations still apply, and Legionella companies can support with specialist knowledge and resources. Accreditations and Competency. Accreditation / affiliation to or membership of an industry organisation is a good benchmark for demonstrating competency, but organisations can differ somewhat on entry requirements. Some only require a Company to apply and pay a fee whereas others focus on the individual, offering different levels of membership based on qualifications and experience. It is still a requirement for the individual’s specific competency to be checked because there are many types and variations to water systems and roles to be fulfilled. Membership needs to be supported by individuals having sound knowledge of their area of work gained through experience and a wealth of supporting industry technical standards. Some recognised organisations are: – Demonstration your Legionella Company and individuals are competent in the work that they are appointed to complete will give assurance that you are fulfilling your legal responsibility as a Client, Duty Holder or Responsible Person. https://www.waterhygienecentre.com
Adult social care and delegated healthcare activities

Delegated healthcare activities are activities, usually but not exclusively of a clinical nature, that a regulated healthcare professional delegates to a care worker or personal assistant. The Government has stated its intention to promote more use of delegation. ADASS was one of the organisations funded to produce resources to support of a voluntary framework (‘Guiding Principles’) for delegated healthcare activity, which was published by Skills for Care (SfC) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in May 2023 and revised in 2024. The ADASS products were: Charity reg: 299154 Association of Directors of Adult Social Services 18 Smith Square London SW1P 3HZ team@adass.org.uk “Will everyone receiving health interventions feel as safe in the hands of people who aren’t nurses?” Insufficient attention to the specific conditions under which local authorities may meet needs which are normally the responsibility of the NHS. Section 22 of the Care Act allows for health care delegation to local authorities where the intervention is an incidental or ancillary part of an individual’s social care support (the ‘quantity’ test); and where the delegated task is of a nature that a local authority could be expected to provide it (the ‘quality’ test). “Without an understanding of the legal context, the front line tends just to be rolled into agreement.” “Things have evolved organically. I suspect some councils have been sailing close to the wind.” Key Opportunities There is evidence that people receiving delegated health care tasks often like the arrangements, on grounds including flexibility and familiarity. SfC’s Guiding Principles document focusses primarily on the benefits of personalised care. Some health and social care systems have agreed arrangements for decision making, training and ongoing support/review, along with any necessary re-charging arrangements. Emerging evaluation evidence suggests that these can provide benefits for people receiving care and support, while delivering system efficiencies. David Williams is involved in the academic evaluation of a work in Tameside. Leeds and Bradford Councils (and their respective Community NHS Trusts) are collaborating on co-commissioning new domiciliary care contracts which include the provision of delegated health activity. ADASS trustees Iain MacBeath and Caroline Baria presented on this work at Spring Seminar 2024. There is some evidence that social care workers feel valued, respected and motivated when supported to take on delegated health care tasks in collaboration with health colleagues. This may help with recruitment and retention. ADASS top tips urge engagement with staff and unions at the earliest possible stage. ADASS also notes that it is untenable to expect staff to take on additional tasks without some form of financial recognition in the longer term. This development is also likely to expose the disadvantageous position of most social care staff, in comparison to NHS staff. Speak to an expert If you have any questions or wish to discuss any of the above further, please contact Vicky Smith, ADASS Communications and Public Affairs Officer, in the first instance: Vicky.smith@adass.org.uk
Protecting Employees in High-Risk Environments

For any business, ensuring its protecting employees should be the number one priority – what is more, it’s a legal requirement. This is especially true when a company has employees that need to work alone. Whether it be in construction, healthcare or the public sector, lone workers face unique risks and challenges that those working in a team often don’t experience. Therefore, proactive steps must be taken to address them. By implementing clear safety protocols and through using modern alarm systems, companies can greatly enhance the security and well-being of their lone workers. This not only safeguards the employees but also helps reduce potential liabilities for the company. However, ensuring that lone workers have the right equipment and processes in place – such as a handset or device, protecting employes, that is capable of triggering an alarm in the first place – is important to deploy to protect employees. Chris Potts, Marketing Director, ANT Telecom explains. Triggering the alarm Lone worker alarms offer a way of notifying people within an organisation that an incident to a lone worker has occurred and that support is required. However, to set off an alarm in the first place, workers must carry some form of handset or device that is capable of triggering alarms. There are many handsets that come in different sizes for employees to use: including wearable, dual-purpose, man-down, WiFi and those that don’t rely on 2G, 4G mobile networks. These options must all be considered when deploying an effective solution – additionally, organisations must consider how response teams will manage each alarm too. Light and Sounder Alarms Light and Sounder Alarm alarms are great for anyone working in noisy or remote environments, and protecting employees , where visual or audible alarms are the best way to capture attention. They are commonly used on manufacturing sites alongside lone worker handsets or devices. When an incident takes place, a worker either presses their SOS button or their man-down feature on their lone worker handset. Typically, this activates and triggers the light and sounder alarm. However, while these alarms are great at making people aware of an incident, they do have their limitations. One of the biggest draw backs is the lack of information provided by the alarm. This is a problem if you have multiple lone workers on a site, as it doesn’t reveal who triggered the alarm or where the person is located. But, it does provide a general alarm for all to hear, see and respond to. Therefore, to overcome this challenge, separate ‘sounders’ could be installed for each lone worker with them clearly labelled. But, even with 10 or more lone workers the management of this could start to become more complicated and cluttered. Furthermore, if an incident occurred, it would mean that responders would have to walk to the sounder first to discover who triggered it, which is far from ideal. When using this solution, its recommended that organisations implement a lone worker procedure and that they train workers on how to respond and manage this type of alarm in protecting employees – you certainly don’t want staff to stand and just watch when the alarm goes off. PC Desktop Alarms PC Desktop Alarms are an effective piece of kit for any business where safety, real-time communication, and rapid response to incidents are crucial. These alarms suit healthcare facilities where they have large teams of lone workers working in different sections of a hospital, or workers placed in large open plan offices. When triggered, PC Desktop Alarms provide important information to responders: including the lone worker’s name, telephone number and location, to help the responder deal with the incident. Receiving the responses to these alarms typically takes place via control rooms and security areas, or in external Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) as these areas tend to be manned. However, this doesn’t always have to be the case. Large screens can be set up in other areas that workers operate in, such as open planned offices or in production areas where other people can receive and respond to alarms. In addition to this, alarm triggers can also be set up to be distributed to a group of Desktop Alarm responders as well as Handset Alarm responders to ensure alarms aren’t missed. This way all bases are covered. Mobile Handsets Alarms Mobile Handsets present another way for businesses to ensure they’re protecting employees. When using this technology, recipients of a triggered alarm receive the alarm in the form of an SMS message or via an application on their smartphone (radios with screens can also receive alarms as can DECT handsets too). Typically the alarm message details the name of the person that triggered the alert, location and telephone/handset number. For many businesses, especially security firms or construction businesses, distributing alarm alerts directly to mobile handsets is a good way to deal with incidents, as mobile responders often also tend to be local to incidents and can manage each event from start to finish. Responders also generally keep their mobile handsets with them at all times and therefore alerted instantly. However, since mobile responders often don’t work alongside one another, it’s wise to train staff on the protocol for managing an alert. Once an alert comes in, if they acknowledge it, they are the ones with the responsibility of dealing with the incident. This helps to avoid situations where either the whole group gets involved or no one does. Multi-Alarm Combinations Many organisations also make use of multi-alarm combinations to protect their lone workers. For instance, a light and sounder can warn responders within a production area of an incident. Responders can find further details by logging on and acknowledging the alarm on a nearby PC Workstation. Similarly, alarms presented on desktop screens as well as mobile handsets works well too. A member of the response team simply acknowledges the alert to take ownership of the event, which updates the rest of his/her colleagues. Managing Alarms and Audit Trails
Prevent illness in your care home

Working to prevent illness and infection within a care home is no simple task. It takes a keen eye to identify when risks may develop, and then take effective action. Even more important is the ability to take pre-emptive measures when infection is not yet present. To understand just how pivotal these actions are, professionals should realise the speed at which common infections can spread through the care home. It is then possible to plan for actions to be taken when an infection risk is identified. Understanding transmission The speed at which viral infections can overwhelm care services was seen first-hand with the Coronavirus pandemic. The main factors for this included missed opportunities for diagnosis, care services being generally under pressure, delays in outbreak control measures, and the location and proximity of residents. Whilst Coronavirus is not as big an issue as it once was, the pandemic made clear the prominent concerns for potential future outbreaks. Transmission can occur in many different ways – physical contact, contamination of bodily fluids, contamination of everyday objects, and airborne infection, amongst others – depending on the type of infection. Each will require unique actions to protect all residents and staff. In many cases, preventative measures such as good ventilation and regular surface cleaning will be preferred, but just as important is the ability to react carefully once an illness or risk of it is identified in an area of the care home. To minimise infection spread, it’s imperative to identify and isolate the source quickly. The earlier an outbreak is acknowledged, reported and acted upon, the fewer residents and staff will become ill. In the earliest stages of an infection outbreak, the source could be limited to one area, room or patient in a care home, which can then define the response measures employed. The lifespan of an infection The viability of airborne respiratory viruses has previously been under-recognised due to a lack of understanding about the production and movement of contaminated aerosols. It is now known that they can travel greater than six feet, remaining infectious in the air from minutes to hours at a time. Similarly, many types of airborne infection remain a threat once settling on inanimate surfaces, or abiotic surfaces, depending on the type of infection and the surface material. Bacteria can thrive and remain an active threat for hours, days, or even weeks on an abiotic surface. Influenza virus, for example, can present a risk for up to four weeks, but severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus (CoV) – the virus that was subject to an infamous outbreak between 2002-2004 – can remain infective for just nine days.6 This has several implications for the care home team and blurs the line between reactive and preventative infection control. Comprehensive cleaning of the care home, especially frequented areas, is paramount to minimise the risk of bacteria lying in wait to develop an infection. Once an infection is observed and the care home team takes appropriate action – whether supporting a resident with anti-viral pharmaceuticals or isolating an individual until they have recovered – the process of surface cleaning and air ventilation should be in full swing. Even once the infection is thought to no longer be a threat, optimal infection control practices should never cease. Ultimate protection Throughout the care home, best practices will include effective hand hygiene measures, even when gloves are used as PPE. Staff should also observe the safe disposal of sharps and general cleaning of the care home to the highest possible standards. This should be carried out regularly with appropriate surface cleansing adjuncts. The solutions chosen to meet each requirement to prevent illness, must be high-quality and reliable. Initial Medical provides a range of products to support care home staff. These include the High Level Surface Disinfectant Cleaners, VIRUSKILLER™ Air Purifiers and the UltraProtect™ Hand Sanitiser. The latter is an alcohol-free hand sanitiser that kills 99.99% of germs including Swine Flu, MRSA and Norovirus and is effective against Coronavirus.* It is dermatologically proven not to dry out or crack the skin, supporting care home staff and their residents when working to prevent and minimise the spread of infection. Care homes are especially susceptible to the spread of infection due to the close proximity of residents and staff, but to prevent illness, many steps can be taken to protect each individual. Staff should confidently implement cleaning policies that work to eliminate harmful threats even before they are identified. To find out more, get in touch at 0808 304 7411 or visit the website today www.initial.co.uk/medical
Rise in older people looking for a care home in January

Older people are nearly a third more likely to go into a care home after spending time with their family over the festive season, according to new data released by carehome.co.uk, the leading care home reviews site. Over the last three years, carehome.co.uk, which helps people search for a care home, has seen a dramatic increase in traffic in January, compared with figures in December. In January 2024, the number of visitors to their site surged by 32% with over 375,000 extra visitors to its website compared with the month before. In 2023, the number of visitors to their site rose by over 342,000 and in 2022, by just over 258,000. The festive season often acts as a turning point, as families come together for a longer period and notice a decline in the health, mobility and independence of their loved ones. The emotional and physical strain of caregiving, coupled with a rise in loneliness and illness during the winter months, drives many families to look for full-time residential care for their loved ones at the start of the new year. Data from carehome.co.uk shows the average fee for people paying for their own residential care in the UK is £1,160 a week. So it is not surprising that the complexities of funding residential care and uncertainty over how families will pay for it, also adds further challenges to those looking for care and making these difficult decisions in January. Additional data from carehome.co.uk also shows that out of over 38,441 care seekers who made care enquiries between 1 November 2023 and 31 October 2024, over a fifth (21%) of people seeking care did not know how their care would be funded. As few as 16% reported they were able to access local authority funding. These figures reveal the emotional and financial pressures families face after the holidays, as they seek to secure the best care for their loved ones in the face of rising costs and limited funding options. Sue Learner, editor of carehome.co.uk, the leading reviews site for care homes, said: “Spending time with family is a wonderful part of the festive season, but it can also bring to light the harsh realities of ageing. Over Christmas, relatives often spend extended time with their older family members and for many, this can be the first time they notice changes in mobility, memory, or overall well-being. These realisations can be difficult and emotional, prompting tough conversations about the best way forward. “The surge in traffic we experience every January reflects the challenges many families face and shows the huge value of having access to quality care home reviews and care information to help people navigate a complex social care system.”
Yorkshire-based Care 24-7

Yorkshire-based Care 24-7 is driving towards a greener future with the launch of its new hybrid car fleet. This innovative move ensures its dedicated teams can reach clients across Yorkshire and the North East quickly and efficiently while minimising their environmental impact. Care 24-7 is revolutionising dementia care with a groundbreaking approach. As the first UK company affiliated with The Contented Dementia Trust, they’re pioneering the use of the SPECAL method, which treats dementia as a disability and works positively with it. “We’re not just providing care; we’re transforming lives,” says Karen Thornton, co-founder and Director of Care 24-7. “Our partnership with The Contented Dementia Trust and the launch of our specialised dementia care service, Flourish, demonstrate our unwavering commitment to providing a sustainable, dementia specific and fully personalised dementia care. By investing in hybrid cars, we’re ensuring we can deliver this exceptional care in an environmentally responsible way.” Rooted in the Community, focused on the Future Care 24-7 has been a cornerstone of homecare in the community since 2001, providing compassionate and reliable home care services. This deep-rooted local experience, combined with their forward-thinking approach to dementia care and sustainability, makes them a truly unique provider in the region. What Makes Care 24-7 Different? · Flourish Respite Care at Home for People Living with Dementia: A specialised service designed to support individuals with dementia to live fulfilling lives in the comfort of their own homes. It provides respite care for families and caregivers, offering much-needed breaks while ensuring that their loved ones receive the highest quality care. · The Comfort Plan: Personalised Home Care for All Personalised in-person care and support packages tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. This includes assistance with daily living activities, medication management, companionship, and specialised dementia care, including assistive technology from Isaac Care. · Isaac Care Technology: Integration of cutting-edge assistive technology to enhance safety and well-being, including GPS tracking, geo-fencing, and two-way communication. Why This Matters to Yorkshire and the North East:With dementia rates soaring in these regions, Care 24-7’s innovative approach offers a beacon of hope. By combining cutting-edge technology with compassionate, person-centred care, they’re empowering individuals with dementia to live fulfilling lives and providing much-needed support for families. This is particularly crucial in areas like Yorkshire and the North East, which are experiencing a growing aging population. Rory O’Gara, Chief Operating Officer at Servisource, the parent company of Care 24-7, adds, “Care 24-7 continues to set new standards in the home care sector. Their dedication to innovation and client-focused services, particularly their pioneering work in dementia care with the SPECAL method and assistive technology is truly inspiring. The investment in a hybrid fleet further solidifies their position as a leader in sustainable and responsible care.” About Care 24-7:Care 24-7 is a leading provider of personalised home care services, dedicated to helping individuals maintain their independence and quality of life. With a focus on compassion, innovation, and community, Care 24-7 offers a wide range of services, including dementia care, respite care, and palliative. Based in Bradford, Leeds, Redcar, and Middlesbrough. About Servisource:Servisource is a global leader in workforce solutions, providing recruitment, staffing, and managed services across various sectors. With a strong commitment to quality and compliance, Servisource helps organisations find the right people, with the right skills and knowledge, in the right place and achieve their business objectives. https://care247.ltd.uk
Eckington care home residents enjoy ‘heartwarming’ puppy visit

HC-One’s April Park Care Home, in Eckington, Derbyshire, has been filled with joy and smiles after a special visit from a delightful puppy. Archie, a young playful and affectionate puppy, has recently brought a burst of energy and warmth to residents after visiting the care home which provides residential and residential dementia care. Residents thoroughly enjoyed the company of their furry friend Archie. Archie has offered a source of comfort and happiness for residents, who eagerly await his visits. Whether playing fetch, wagging his tail, or simply curling up in laps for a snuggle, Archie’s presence has provided an opportunity for residents to engage in gentle, therapeutic interaction with an adorable companion. Anne Frith, HC-One’s April Park resident, said: “We’ve loved having Archie here at April Park, he is just adorable. It is always heartwarming to see him, and he provides a burst of energy.” Sharna Wall, HC-One’s April Park Wellbeing Coordinator, stated: “Archie’s visits have been brightened up our daily routine, and it’s so nice to see how much the residents enjoy his company. It’s amazing to see the connection that has been formed between the residents and Archie – it truly shows the power of animal therapy.” For more information on HC-One homes in your area visit www.hc-one.co.uk/carehomes.
Legionella Control in Care Homes – A Vital Commitment to Safety

Effective legionella control is essential in care homes, where vulnerable residents, often elderly and with underlying health conditions, face heightened risks from Legionnaires’ disease. This severe form of pneumonia, caused by inhaling water droplets containing Legionella pneumophila, underscores the importance of stringent water management protocols. Care homes must not only comply with legal regulations but also align with Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards to ensure a safe environment for residents. The Role of the CQC The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection framework, aligned with Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, requires care homes to mitigate risks, including those from water systems. Poor legionella management can lead to adverse CQC ratings, reputational damage, and legal consequences. Legionella control is integral to infection prevention, which the CQC prioritizes in assessing care home safety and quality. An outbreak would severely undermine a care home’s ability to meet these standards, endangering residents and jeopardizing its reputation. Challenges in Legionella Control Care homes face unique challenges in legionella management: Aging Infrastructure: Older plumbing systems with dead legs and corroded pipes often harbour bacteria. Complex Water Systems: Facilities like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms require extensive piping, increasing management complexity. Limited Resources: Tight budgets and staff shortages can hinder effective water hygiene practices. Inadequate Training: Without proper training, staff may fail to recognize and address legionella risks. These challenges necessitate a focused approach to ensure compliance and resident safety. Best Practices for Care Homes 1. Risk Assessments A comprehensive legionella risk assessment is the foundation of control measures. It should identify high-risk areas, evaluate existing maintenance protocols, and be regularly reviewed, especially after system changes. 2. Routine Monitoring and Maintenance Maintaining water at safe temperatures is crucial: hot water above 60°C and cold water below 20°C. Regular flushing of infrequently used outlets and inspecting systems for biofilm or stagnation are essential tasks. Movement of water is one of the most important tasks to help prevent bacteria proliferating in stagnant water. Annual Servicing of Thermostatic Mixing Valves are essential not only for Legionella control but to check they are operational but also to help prevent scold risk. Expansion Vessel Flushing and inspections are key as these create dead legs but are essential on some heating systems. 3. Cleaning and Disinfection Regular cleaning of tanks and disinfection of systems using effective biocides, such as Endosan, help eliminate bacteria and biofilm. 4. Staff Training Training ensures staff understand the risks, perform monitoring tasks effectively, and respond promptly to irregularities. Competent staff are key to meeting CQC expectations. 5. Record Keeping Comprehensive records of water hygiene activities are vital for demonstrating compliance during CQC inspections. Conclusion Legionella control in care homes is not just a regulatory obligation but an ethical responsibility. By implementing robust Legionella Control Systems with risk assessments, effective monitoring, and ongoing staff training, care homes can safeguard their residents and meet CQC standards. At Irrigonics our Proactive water management ensures safety, supports high CQC ratings, and reinforces public trust in the care home’s commitment to excellence. https://www.careandnursing-magazine.co.uk/3dissue/cne-water-hygiene-insights