New Leadership at Midlands Care Group Strives for Excellence
A West Midlands care provider has appointed fresh leadership at its prestigious care home in Oldbury. Faye Gailey, a seasoned professional in the healthcare industry, has assumed the role of registered manager at Portway House Care Home – part of Superior Care (Midlands) Ltd. Her vision for Portway House is founded on her beliefs of being actively present, providing steadfast support, and upholding an open-door policy marked by transparency. Faye is a firm believer in leading by example, nurturing an enriching atmosphere where both residents and staff thrive in a warm and welcoming ‘home away from home’ environment. Faye brings a wealth of experience from her seven years in leadership roles within the care field, where her unwavering commitment led to her previous facility achieving an overall ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Driven in her pursuit of achieving an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the CQC for Portway House, Faye states, “My goal is to build on the amazing foundations that make Portway House feel like home. With our dedicated staff, we’ll continue creating a warm, caring environment that makes a significant difference in our residents’ lives. “In just a few weeks of joining Portway House, I felt the warmth and homeliness that surrounds our care home. It was like I had been part of the team for a long time. With this fantastic starting point, I’m excited to lead us towards achieving excellence.” CEO of Superior Care (Midlands) Ltd, Amrit Sumal, says: “We’re confident Faye embodies the qualities that will steer Portway House in the right direction. Her dedication to personalised care, unwavering commitment to both her team and our residents, and her friendly,welcoming approach make her the perfect manager for our home.” Portway House is part of Superior Care Midlands Ltd. To find out more about the home or to book a visit, contact 0121 740 0738 or admin@portwayhouse.co.uk. Alternatively, visit portwayhouse.co.uk
Care Chef of the Year 2023
Brian Preston of Lister House, Royal British Legion has been crowned National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Care Chef of the Year 2023. Brain’s success was announced and celebrated last night (Thursday 5th October) in front of NACC members and guests at the NACC gala awards dinner held at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, which is part of the NACC Training & Development Forum 2023. Nigel Cooke, Eastcote Park, Cinnamon Care Collection and Jessica Vreede, Guthrie House Edinburgh, Four Seasons Health Care took second and third places, respectively. The exciting national final unfolded on Wednesday 4th October at the Manor Cookery School, Grantham. In just 90 minutes, the line-up of talented finalists showcased their culinary skills and specialist knowledge to impress the panel of expert judges, led by Head Judge, Steve Munkley. The judges were looking for clear nutritional understanding of the foods being used and how they support the needs of their clientele, plus culinary flair through flavours, menu balance, execution, presentation, and hygiene and waste management best practice. Preston excelled across the board, impressing the judges with his mouth-watering menu of Breast of chicken with black pudding and apricots, Toffee apple pudding with cinnamon ice cream. Head judge, Steve Munkley said: “ Head judge, Steve Munkley said: “This has been my second year as the chair of judges and the new marking system looked at the nutritional content and sustainability as well as the taste and presentation of the food. All three played a large part in coming to the final verdict. “At the regional heats we gave every chef the opportunity of constructive feedback. Without exception, everyone stayed on to hear what the judges had to say. I am pleased to see that in many cases the dishes presented in the final had significantly improved. “It was good to see chefs coming back from previous years as they were all interested in improving their skills, which can only be a positive for their residents. Again, this year the chefs raised the bar for quality and standard of both the skills shown and food served to the judges.” Daniel Bree, Hartwood House, Cinnamon Care Collection He was also awarded Highly Commended Main for his Chalk stream trout, madras style sauce, nigella seed and leek bhaji and turmeric potatoes, wilted spinach and coriander oil, and Brian Preston scooped Highly Commended Dessert for his Toffee Apple Pudding. Hygiene and waste management best practice was also recognised Christopher Mitchley, St John’s House awarded the Hygiene Award Kasia Hab-Bialkowska, of Highmarket House Care Home Care UK presented with the Waste Management Award. Sue Cawthray, the NACC’s National Chair, said: “Each year the standard of this competition seems to get higher and higher. I am full of admiration for all the contestants, particularly those who have returned after attempts in previous years. It shows that they continually seek to improve their performance, which ultimately benefits those residents within their care. Care chefs play an important part in the wellbeing of our residents. The vital role of good food and nutrition as a fundamental part of quality care has never been more important. We are working our way through the current cost of living crisis. Once again, the standards of this year’s competition have been exceptional and is testament to the selfless dedication of care chefs. They driven to deliver excellence for their residents and clients no matter what pressures they face. We’re very proud of all the finalists and every care chef that use their talent and specialist knowledge. They help care for the elderly and vulnerable through the provision of delicious and nutritious food.” Once again, this year the NACC Care Chef of the Year 2023 The competition was supported by the main sponsor Unilever Food Solutions and long-standing event sponsor The Worshipful Company of Cooks. Focusing on the importance of food, nutrition and positive mealtime experiences as part of quality care. The entrants are challenged to create an appealing and delicious two-course menu (main and dessert) for a care setting. The combined food cost for both courses should be no more than £3.00 per head based on three portions and it must be nutritionally balanced. The menu must also feature a product from Unilever Food Solutions’ sector-relevant catering range.For more information on the NACC Care Chef of the Year 2023 competition visit http://www.thenacc.co.uk/
Yorkshire care group has raised over £1,200
A leading social care group headquartered in Yorkshire has raised over £1,200 for care home residents by taking part in a sponsored walk. Employees at HICA Group, which provides care services across Yorkshire, Lancashire and Lincolnshire, completed a challenging 10-mile walk to raise money for those people it cares for. Staff from care homes Elm Tree Court, Wilton Lodge and Isacc Robinson Court in Hull and Kirkgate House in Bridlington were joined by members of the HICA management team. They managed to complete the walk in approximately 3 hours. HICA’s CEO Terry Peel said: “Every penny raised from our walk is going straight back into enhancing the quality of life for our residents. “That’s an extra £1,200 towards activities, facilities, and little extras that truly make a difference. “Our mission has always been centred on providing the best of care to our residents and fundraising activities like this enable us to go that extra mile. Thanks to everyone who got involved – it was a great afternoon.” The walk started in Hesslewood Country Office Park and continued through Humber Bridge Country Park, across the Humber Bridge, around Far Ings Nature Reserve, and back over the bridge to Hesslewood. Claire Gillies, an activity coordinator at Elm Tree Court who took part in the walk, said: “It was an amazing day, not just because of the £1,200 we raised, but also because of the spirit and determination we showed to finish the walk. I enjoy being involved in these kind of initiatives as it means we can all do our bit to contribute to improving the lives of those we care for.”
World’s First Fully Robotic Liver Transplant
In a historic achievement, the Organ Transplant Center of Excellence (OTCoE) team at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) has successfully performed the world’s first fully robotic liver transplant in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—a move that solidifies KFSH&RC’s position as a global leader in minimally invasive transplant surgery. The recipient of this groundbreaking surgery is a 66-year-old Saudi male who underwent a fully robotic liver transplant. He was discharged on 6 September, following his procedure. The patient suffered from non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis (NASH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). KFSH&RC’s pioneering approach employed state-of-the-art robotic technology to conduct both donor and recipient surgeries with precision and minimal invasiveness, eliminating the need for a hybrid approach. While other centers offer minimally invasive liver transplants using hybrid techniques, KFSH&RC stands alone as the only center to offer a fully robotic liver transplant surgery. The approach adopted by the OTCoE offers a transformative solution, providing patients with smaller incisions, reduced recovery times, and significantly lower rates of complications, including infections and surgical issues. Dr. Dieter Broering, Executive Director of the Organ Transplant Center of Excellence at KFSH&RC, said: “With this remarkable feat, we at KFSH&RC reaffirm our commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical innovation and enhancing the quality of healthcare services offered to patients worldwide. The successful implementation of fully robotic liver transplants marks a pivotal moment in the history of organ transplantation and firmly positions KFSH&RC as a world-leading center in this field.” Traditional liver transplantation, while life-saving, often involves major incisions and carries a high risk of complications. These surgeries can result in complications in up to 50% of cases and require extensive incisions, leading to prolonged hospital stays and increased patient discomfort. KFSH&RC is now recognized as a designated Training Center for robotic transplant surgery. The institution actively collaborates with other medical institutions, fostering knowledge exchange and advancing the global understanding of minimally invasive transplant procedures.
Visit apetito at the Care Show
It’s official! apetito is going to be at the Care Show at the NEC on 11th and 12th October. If you’re a care home group, apetito would like to invite you to its VIP Lounge to learn more about how its meals service goes beyond providing great tasting food and can transform your care home catering. As a leading meals provider, apetito builds genuine partnerships with care homes across the country; reducing costs, waste, and labour requirements, whilst still delivering high-quality meals residents always look forward to. At the core of apetito’s service is the belief that food should be enjoyed by everyone. Packed with quality ingredients, its meals are delicious, nutritious and cater to all residents’ dietary needs. Enjoy sampling popular dishes developed by apetito’s team of in-house chefs and dietitians. You’ll also be able to find out more its award-winning range of IDDSI compliant texture-modified meals and revolutionary Finger Food Bites, which bring back dignity to dining for residents with dementia. General Manager of apetito’s care home division, Richard Woodward, explains why you should visit its stand: “Our service goes beyond providing delicious food. We know every care home is different and we want to build a genuine partnership with teams: supporting them every step of the way to ensure residents always look forward to mealtimes. “We’re proud that our service not only ensures homes can deliver a diverse range of delicious meals but also crucially saves them time and money in the kitchen. “My team and I are keen to talk to about how we can support care homes, deliver efficiencies and ensure quality mealtimes.” Book your space at apetito’s VIP Lounge now at apetito.link/careshow
Rennie Grove Peace announces conference line up
Are you truly prepared if a fire occurs?
Government guidelines require care providers to evacuate a bedroom compartment containing up to 10 people within 2.5 minutes during normal operating hours. But the question is, are you confident that your evacuation procedures are truly effective without hands-on training? NPG Fire Safety: Your Preparedness Partner Our bespoke fire safety and evacuation courses include fully insured practical training to ensure your staff are equipped with the skills they need to deal with an incident effectively. Scan the QR code for more details. Essential Fire Alarms for Evacuation Care homes with more than 10 residents should have an L1 fully addressable fire alarm system. Without this, staff may have to search entire zones for the cause of alarm, resulting in less time to provide first aid fire fighting, and an increased risk to occupants and extended evacuation times. NPG Fire Safety have installed systems in 40 bedroom care homes within a week, minimal disruption, maximum safety Comprehensive Fire Safety and Security Solutions NPG Fire Safety is your trusted fire safety and security provider. Our team includes accredited fire risk assessors, all registered at a minimum Tier 2 competency level with the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM), dedicated trainers and fully qualified Level 3 EAL engineers, enabling us to offer a comprehensive end-to-end service. -Fire Risk Assessment -Fire Awareness, Fire Warden, and Evacuation Training -Fire Alarms -Emergency Lights -Fire Extinguishers -Nurse Call -CCTV -Intruder Alarms -Access Control Trusted Nationwide Service Based in the Lake District, NPG serves clients nationally and offers a 24-hour callout service. We prioritise expert advice and services delivered by competent fire professionals at fair prices. We are in the final stages of obtaining NSI Gold, NACOSS, ISO 9001, and BAFE accreditation for all our core services which further demonstrates our commitment to excellence. Choose NPG Fire Safety for Peace of Mind If you’re looking for a trusted partner for all your fire and security needs, contact us today at 0800 043 1203. Together, let’s prioritise fire and security to protect what matters most!
Daviot Care Home opens Men’s Shed
Daviot Care Home, run by leading care provider Meallmore Ltd, has opened its first Men’s Shed. Thought to be the first of these spaces in a care home in Scotland, a Men’s Shed is a place to practice skills and enjoy making and mending, whilst also facilitating social connections, friendship building, and sharing skills and knowledge. At Daviot, the shed offers a safe space for residents to come together to socialise and carry out a range of activities chosen by the shedders for themselves. It will bring lots of benefits to male residents’ health and wellbeing at the care home. The shed provides tools for training and skills development and residents have already begun building garden benches and candle holders. The shed was officially opened by actor Ron Emslie, who starred in the production of “Man Shed”, which was performed during the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival For the official opening, the care home hosted a party, where colleagues and residents were joined by friends, family and loved ones to celebrate with some delicious homemade canapes and fizz. Heather Cowan, manager of the care home comments: “Being part of the Men’s Shed movement in Scotland and the welfare of men’s health is something we’re very passionate about at Meallmore. We’ve created this new space to facilitate connection, conversation and creativity for our male residents. It encourages people to come together to build, fix and restore, not only physical projects, but themselves included! “It is of huge benefit our male residents and colleagues, and we’re already seeing the benefits of it. We’re really excited to see what objects they all make and continuing to see its impact on our little community in Inverness.” Daviot is registered with the UK Men’s Shed Association. Daviot Care Home (formally known as Meallmore Lodge) was Meallmore’s first care home, which opened in Inverness in 1987. Now, Meallmore has grown to become one of Scotland’s leading care providers. The company currently has a network of 26 care homes across Scotland, including offering care for the elderly and adults with mental health diagnosis. More information about Meallmore Ltd can be found at https://www.meallmore.co.uk/
Dymchurch care home residents carry out beach clean to mark International Coastal Cleanup Day
Residents from a Kent care home have carried out a beach clean to mark International Coastal Cleanup Day — as they look to help preserve the coastline for future generations. And with this week marking the Great British Beach Clean (15th-24th September), the home is urging others to follow their lead and get involved. Residents from The Old Rectory, a branch of ACI Care that specialises in residential, respite and dementia care, teamed up with members of the local community for an afternoon of beach cleaning in Dymchurch – which saw residents picking up litter and ocean debris that had been washed in by the tide. In recent years, the growing problem of beach litter and pollution has been a cause for concern – something that had been noted by residents of the New Hall Close home, and was the source of inspiration behind their effort Noting Saturday the 16th of September was International Coastal Cleanup Day, a global initiative dedicated to preserving the coastlines and protecting wildlife, the care home team, which included a mix of residents, carers and families headed down to the beach to try and make a difference. As part of the cleanup, the home provided participants with litter pickers, gloves, rubbish bags, and high-vis jackets, which saw a range of people of all ages join in – from a nine-year-old to a ninety-nine-year-old. Locals who were passing by offered a helping hand and voiced their support, while Dorothy Latham, 89, an Old Rectory resident who participated on the day, said: “I hope the people who’ve been leaving the litter start to realise what they are doing!” These sentiments were echoed by Kelly Parker, Care Home Manager at the Old Rectory, who said: “We hope we’re inspiring others in the care community and the community in general to get involved to help keep their beaches clean. And for all those that throw their litter: pick it up and put it in the bin!” Watch a video of The Old Rectory team’s beach clean, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOjfvYt-vwk&ab_channel=ACICare For further information on The Old Rectory and ACI Care, please visit https://aci.care/our-homes/the-old-rectory/
