CoolCare Releases Major Software Update
Less than a year after its official launch in June 2018, care home software provider CoolCare has updated its CoolCare4 product with a major release. The CoolCare 4.2 release includes a redesigned staff calendar and the ability to export custom made reports into Excel, alongside a wide range of smaller improvements across the system. Commenting on this milestone in the software’s development, CoolCare Tech Director, Leigh Ellis, said: “Using the latest software development techniques means we are now able to make improvements and release them to our customers on a regular basis. Since our launch, we’ve made a series of smaller update releases but 4.2 is our biggest to date. It follows initial positive user feedback about our staff calendar and how it was helping them drive improvements in their home. We’ve therefore given it an even stronger focus on managing training compliance in an even more intuitive way. Direct access to data has also been a frequent request from customers. CoolCare has a suite of reports already so by making CoolCare4’s custom-built reports exportable to Excel as well as PDF, CoolCare customers will be able to tap further into that wealth of data they have acquired. It gives care providers the flexibility to be able to sort and analyse the data available exactly as their business requires.” CoolCare has as full roadmap of planned development which is automatically provided to CoolCare4 customers through the regular, often fortnightly, updates. The roadmap remains under constant review, listening to the needs of the sector and ensuring the highest priority features are developed first. Taking this approach gives CoolCare great flexibility in adjusting its plans in the face of the ever-changing realities of the social care sector. To find out more about CoolCare4 please visit: www.coolcare4.co.uk<http://www.coolcare4.co.uk/>
Go Green with these Eco-Conscious Alternatives
With more and more government bills being passed to urge businesses to become greener, you may be trying to find ways to make your care or nursing home more eco-conscious too. There are numerous ways you can achieve this which are as follows: Green Cleaning with InnuScience Due to the use of commercial chemicals, finding environmentally conscious ways to clean can be difficult. They are notorious for being harmful for the environment if spilled and any cleaning solutions which promote eco-credentials normally carry a higher cost. However, we at Alliance would promote the green cleaning power of the range offered by InnuScience. InnuScience were founded in 1992 with their vision and goal to be to harness nature and produce cleaning chemicals designed to be harmless to the environment with minimal waste production. The company is at the forefront of eco-cleaning and by way of their research and development team they utilise biotechnology in their products. Regarding their cleaning products the biotechnology comes in the form of microbes and enzymes which tackle dirt, grease and grime whilst also eliminating odours as well. Their range of products also boast their dragonfly hallmark which acts as a sign of their biotechnology and eco-credentials. The range of products helps users cut through dirt with ease without impacting the immediate ecosystem of the surrounding area. InnuScience pledge that their cleaning products are safe for the environment and through their research contribute towards a clean and sustainable future for all. Eco-Cloths from Chicopee Having green cleaning chemicals is a great start to pushing your care home towards a more environmentally positive future, but don’t stop there. If you are wiping down surfaces with an eco-solution it makes sense to also use an equally eco-friendly cloth too. Enter the J-Cloth 3000 by Chicopee. The cloths offer users a range of benefits including both biodegradability and a compostable structure. In addition, the manufacturer has gone one step further and made the packaging compostable too. The benefits are not just based on their environmentally friendly nature, they are also brilliant at cleaning. Its open weave structure is not just key to its environmental credentials, but also makes it a marvel when it comes to picking up dirt. The wavy nature of the material provides excellent food, dirt and dust pick up and the cloths also work brilliantly on all surfaces with a wide range of chemical solutions. Cheeky Panda’s Paper Range Paper hygiene is a huge part of running a residential or care establishment, so why not look to invest in a more environmentally friendly option? One of the most eco-conscious ranges of paper products on the market at present is Cheeky Panda’s. The range includes toilet roll and two tissue options with one being in a square box, the other rectangular. The toilet paper is a 3-ply product and is 100% hypoallergenic whilst also being free of pesticides, fertiliser and fragrance. Its packaging is also recyclable whilst the paper itself is completely biodegradable. The tissues follow the same mantra with them also being free of pesticides, fertiliser and fragrance offering your care institute a low carbon and sustainable solution to paper hygiene. At Alliance Online, we understand that running a care, nursing or residential home is challenging enough on its own. Equally, we appreciate budgets must be met whilst the costs of energy and inflation are increasing However, with the environment becoming a larger and more internationally discussed issue it is within most businesses interest to start sourcing some eco-products. The ranges mentioned in this article do not carry a huge increase in price compared with industry standard options meaning you can make changes now without too large an impact. We are proud to work alongside eco-suppliers and promote their environmental products to our customers to help them achieve their own green goals. To view our full range of environmental products click here. Equally, download our Environmentally Conscious Guide now to see how we can help you.
Social-Ability brings Happiness
London, 20 April 2022: Social-Ability, a social venture aimed at supporting the lives of people living with cognitive challenges such as dementia, has announced its partnership with Wolverhampton Council and Durham County Council to introduce its Happiness Programme to care homes and day services across the districts. The deals include the provision of Social-Ability’s Happiness Programme to 5 care homes in Wolverhampton, along with 10 care homes and day centres in Durham. Social-Ability’s Happiness Programme is a holistic therapy for people living with cognitive challenges such as dementia, aiming to improve care outcomes and individuals’ wellbeing. The programme uses interactive light technology, via a projector called the magic table 360, to project images onto a surface allowing those with care needs to play games, listen to music, and interact with pictures. This technology facilitates social, sensory, and cognitive activity, encouraging people to play games with each other, with the aim of improving their wellbeing through keeping them active and social. Each activity on the projector has a different purpose, with some, such as the Happy Memories feature, allowing family members to share pictures with their loved ones in care homes, stimulating reminiscence that is particularly beneficial for people living with dementia. The Happiness Programme has played a vital role throughout the pandemic, as care home residents and those living with care needs out in society have been some of the people most affected by lockdowns. For many, it’s been vital in providing meaningful and stimulating activity, sustaining the wellbeing of residents and easing the workload and pressure of care workers. Dementia is particularly prevalent in UK care homes, and the condition is expected to grow in the coming years, with the latest findings from the Lancet Public Health predicting a trebling of cases by 2050. With the NHS already facing a backlog of 50,000, it is crucial that councils are making the necessary investments to help mitigate the impact of dementia. John Ramsay, Managing Director of Social-Ability, said: “We welcome the investments from Wolverhampton and Durham councils to bring the Happiness Programme to local care homes and day centres. It is fantastic to be delivering positive, feel-good change all across the country and hear from care staff and residents about the substantial difference the technology has made. We look forward to continuing our relationships with these councils and hope to further expand the programme across the country.”
“I told Brunelcare they were the only family I had and they offered me a job at the charity”
“I told Brunelcare they were the only family I had and they offered me a job at the charity” Phil, 85, previously received home care visits from Brunelcare to assist him in caring for his poorly wife, Friedl. After her passing, and Phil’s declaration that Brunelcare were the only family he had, he now works at the charity as a Community Support Worker three times a week, helping Brunelcare customers across South Gloucestershire with their shopping and day-to-day tasks. Phil said: “After Friedl passed away, I felt like I was at a loose end, not only did I lose my wife of 47-years, but I also lost the magnificent carers that would come and visit Friedl and I. So I started volunteering at a day centre. The centre then closed due to Covid and the South Gloucestershire team didn’t want to lose me, so offered me a role at the charity I simply couldn’t turn down! Friedl was visited in her home by the South Gloucestershire Community Care team for eight years. Friedl’s primary carer, Cherry, was a massive support to both Phil and Friedl, and after her passing, Cherry knew Phil needed some additional support. Cherry said: “I could see that Phil was giving up hope but I knew he still had so much more to give. So I suggested he volunteer at Brunelcare, he started driving the buses and volunteering at some of our sites. Obviously, our customers loved him, and then Clare, the Operations at South Glos then offered him a role as a Community Support Worker.” Clare Hall, Operations Manager for South Gloucestershire, said: “Everyone absolutely loves Phil, he’s a breath of fresh air, and it’s a pleasure to have him work for us. We would truly be lost without him.” To learn more about Brunelcare, visit: www.brunelcare.org.uk
Care home provider’s actions caused vulnerable resident’s death after tragic fire in supported living accommodation, inquest finds
Ashlie Timms, aged 46, died in supported living accommodation in April 2018 after staff failed to call 999 promptly and evacuate her during a fire. The jury concluded that the actions of Sequence Care Group (SCG), Ramsay Safety Solutions and the London Fire Brigade all contributed to her death, following an inquest before Area Coroner Graeme Irvine at Walthamstow Coroners Court that concluded today. The inquest today found the death of Ashlie Timms was caused by the following: At the time of her death, Ashlie Timms was living at Connington Court in Waltham Forest, a residential care home run by Sequence Care Group (SCG). Timms suffered from a personality disorder as well as restricted mobility and had a care package and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) which required staff to approach her immediately and instruct her regarding evacuation in the event of a fire. The fire alarm sounded at a time between 1:30 am and 2 am on 20th April 2018, but staff did not immediately evacuate Timms due to ignorance of the fire procedures as well as the fire alarm being mislabelled which led some staff to check the wrong side of the building first. By the time staff reached the correct side of the building, they claim they were unable to enter Ashlie’s flat from the corridor due to being overwhelmed by smoke. The fire brigade were not called until 2:13 am, up to 45 minutes after the fire alarm sounded. The jury heard that a staff member knocked at a neighbour’s door to inquire about the number to call for the emergency services. The jury also heard from support workers on shift that night who said that they had never seen Ashlie’s PEEP. Ashlie’s family, led by her niece Bryony Timms, and represented at the inquest hearing by barrister, Patrick Roche of Garden Court Chambers, are particularly concerned about the shocking failures of SCG employees on the night of the fire, as well as fire procedures being completely unfit for purpose, having been copied from fire procedures for commercial premises. In a report conducted by the London Fire Brigade (LFB), Watch Manager Drummond concluded that if a staff member had implemented the PEEP properly, “it is likely that in the initial stages of the fire, the staff member would have been able to assist Ms Timms away from danger into an area of safety”. This is consistent with his conclusion that at the time the alarm first went off, the fire was still quite small, readily survivable and that the conditions were tenable for evacuation. Fire safety expert Colin Todd also described the delay in staff calling the LFB as ‘totally unacceptable’. Robert Dalrymple, acting CEO of SCG told the Coroner that if staff had called 999 and evacuated Ms Timms immediately, in line with her PEEP and national guidance for supported living accommodation, then Ashlie would have been rescued and taken to safety. The manager of Connington Court at the time agreed that Ashlie’s death was avoidable. Mr Dalrymple told the jury that he was also alarmed that one of the staff members, who still works at SCG, still does not know the correct fire procedure, four years after Ashlie’s death. Despite the accepted failings, SCG have yet to apologise to the family. Furthermore in recent changes made to the premises, SCG had installed a combination lock on the inside of Ashlie’s flat door that required her to enter a four digit number to exit the flat. Without having a form of manual override, this was described by Colin Todd as ‘dangerous’ and a practice that he had never seen before. During the fire, Ashlie was able to exit her bedroom and reach this flat door unassisted but she did not manage to escape from the flat. Mr Todd also points towards the failures of Ramsay Safety Solutions (RSS), who were responsible for advising SCG about their fire procedures and conducting fire risk assessments. The representative of RSS accepted in the inquest that they were not qualified to conduct these risk assessments and draft these procedures for supported living accommodation. Todd described the last risk assessment in 2017 as ‘absurd’ and deficient in a number of respects, including the failure to highlight the absence of automatic transmission of alarm signals. The same fire risk assessment, as well as an audit carried out by London Fire Brigade (LFB) in October 2017, also failed to identify the fact that the fire safety procedures were not fit for purpose. The LFB audit in October 2017 was described by LFB Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stephen Norman as ‘flawed’. The inquest also exposed that after the incident, the LFB discovered that 45% of care homes sampled had unsuitable fire risk assessments and 21% had missing/defective/lack of fire detectors. This is despite the fact that care homes and supported living accommodation are considered amongst the most at risk premises from fire. DAC Stephen Norman accepted at the inquest that at the time of the the fire, there had been ‘significant failures’ in the LFB audit process. The LFB report indicates that it is likely that the fire started in Ashlie’s bedroom between the bed and the table. Jury stated the fire was likely caused by the ingition of fabric materials by a fan heater. Bryony Timms, Ashlie’s niece, said: “Given the number of serious failures that all contributed to Ashlie’s death, this was a very difficult hearing to sit through for us but we welcome today’s conclusion. I will never get back the many years of friendship that I had to look forward to with my Aunt, Ashlie, and while no verdict can bring Ashlie back to us, we hope desperately that lessons will be learnt, and the competency of care staff improve, to stop other families from suffering similar tragedy in the future.” Aston Luff, Solicitor at Hodge Jones & Allen, representing the family of Ashlie Timms, added: “The circumstances of Ashlie Timms’ death are shocking. Her family were entitled to trust that she
Hand Health Solutions with System Hygiene
Handwashing remains one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of infection in care homes. Hand decontamination plays a dual role in helping to protect both residents and staff from acquiring micro-organisms that can cause harm. Hands may look clean, but micro-organisms are always present — some harmful, some not. Removing micro-organisms remains the most important factor in preventing germs and bacteria from being transferred to other people or the environment. System Hygiene supports care homes and social care facilities in breaking the chain of infection by providing a range of products that are effective when nearby handwashing facilities are not available. Our clients carry hand sanitiser on clips while on duty and in strategically placed wall dispensers for other locations. Portable touchless dispensing stations are ideal for when hand sanitiser or soap needs to be deployed quickly between high-traffic hotspots. Pump bottles and alcohol wipes close the circle for on-the-go hand hygiene. We also stock a comprehensive range of PPE including disposable gloves, aprons and masks. System Hygiene has supplied hygiene products to the health sector for over 38 years. Specialist virucidal disinfectants — effective against viruses, bacteria, fungi & spores including MRSA, GAS, C. diff, Norovirus and Coronavirus — are stocked for next-day delivery. For sales and service, please call System Hygiene’s friendly customer services team on 01282 777999. All major brands are stocked. CHSA member. ISO quality certified.
FSB sets out social care recommendations as £12bn ‘health and social care levy’ takes effect
FSB sets out social care recommendations as £12bn ‘health and social care levy’ takes effect The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has set out a plan of reforms to tackle issues which are making life harder for small firms in the adult social care sector in England. Its recommendations come as the Government’s 1.25 percentage point increase to national insurance and dividend taxation takes effect, a move set to have a big impact on care homes which are already up against high energy costs, labour shortages and widespread workplace absences due to Covid. The latest Office for National Statistics figures show that more than one in ten (13%) health and social care firms are not currently fully trading. The group is calling on the Government to set up a cross-department task force on social care, to give the sector the attention it deserves, take action to ameliorate the long-running recruitment crisis in the sector, and help social care workers with transport costs. With an ageing population already increasing the demand for carers and support services, getting more people to consider a career in adult social care will be crucial, as will boosting retention levels. The UK’s largest business group is also encouraging those within the care sector to check their eligibility to access the newly uprated Employment Allowance, which benefits around 60,000 health and social care businesses annually. It is also flagging unspent Covid support grants at the local level for hard pressed small firms. FSB is calling for: Melanie Ulyatt, FSB’s National Vice-Chair, who runs a care business, said: “There are many challenges facing the adult social care sector, while demands on care providers are only intensifying with another increase in employment costs from today. “The Government can show it is serious about helping the sector thrive by setting up a task force to consider social care issues from every angle, ensuring that the direction of travel is similar across departments and agencies. “Putting in place measures to raise the profile of social care and tackle labour shortages is a necessary step. Failure to act will exacerbate the acute crisis in social care recruitment, making it harder for vulnerable people to get the levels of care they need. “The adult social care sector plays a vital role in caring for elderly and vulnerable people, and ensuring that the sector has a sufficient pool of staff will be ever-more important as the UK population’s age profile gradually increases. Making social care a more attractive career choice, through apprenticeship and T Level incentives, is definitely smart policy. “We were pleased to see the Government followed our recommend to expand the Health and Care visa to include social care workers, a change which came into effect in mid-February and which will last for 12 months. “Many care workers rely on their cars to get them to clients’ homes and care settings, so we think allowing them to claim the higher rate of tax relief for their full mileage would be a good move to help offset their transport costs, especially as fuel prices have risen sharply over the last year, while in many areas public transport does not represent a viable alternative. “Like all small businesses, social care providers are vulnerable to cashflow problems caused by late payment. There’s no reason why local government bodies should not be required to prove that their payment practices are swift and fair, as large businesses have to. Removing this disparity will help encourage prompt payment and ease cash pressures in small business supply chains, including among social care providers. “The Government rightly took forward our proposal to increase the Employment Allowance at the Spring Statement and we’re urging all small businesses to make use of that vital relief. As well as speaking with us, firms which are struggling should also reach out to their local authorities – in many locations covid support grants are still yet to be allocated.”
Barbara celebrates her 101st Birthday !
Resident at New Copford Place Celebrates Her Landmark Birthday Saying The Secret To A Long And Happy Life Is ‘Men’. At Friends of the Elderly’s New Copford Place care home in Colchester, Essex, the care team has been celebrating Barbara Purves’ milestone 101’st Birthday with gifts, cards and a special birthday afternoon tea treat complete with music and singing with her care home friends. Barbara, who has been a resident at New Copford Place since September 2019, grew up in Surrey and has many happy memories of attending school, where Sports was her favourite subject as “I was quite good at it,” Barbara recalls. Talking about her move to New Copford Place, Barbara said: “I decided to come to New Copford Place as I was so taken with the home’s beautiful gardens. I love gardening, it’s always been a hobby of mine and it’s lovely to be able to enjoy the delightful, picturesque grounds.” Daniel Sabau, the Care Home Manager at New Copford Place said: “Barbara is an amazing woman; always smiling, cheerful and a very proud lady. Even when she had problems with her legs that caused her massive pain every time she had her dressings changed, she’d squeeze my hand, but then joke and laugh about it. She is also quite a character.” “Everyone here at New Copford Place wanted to make sure Barbara had a wonderful, unforgettable 101st Birthday,” said Camilla Korgba, the care home’s Activities Coordinator. “Barbara is a fun, lovely lady who likes to get involved with our activities, she’s particularly keen on Balloon Tennis. Barbara is a real personality and a well-loved and caring member of our New Copford Place family. Barbara continued: “I had a really lovely 101st birthday, it was a very special day. I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday tea, not only the delicious birthday cake, but all the music, singing, laughter and chatter, it really made my day.” Daniel added: “Barbara is always “shooting” us with her walking stick or “chasing” us throughout the home, making us all laugh. I met Barbara on my first day at New Copford Place and I can’t imagine this place without her. We’re all so glad Barbara enjoyed her landmark day, we wanted it to be special, just like her.” “The other day I was asked what was my secret to a long and happy life? I’d have to say men!” concluded Barbara.
Care settings with touch screen technology
With an extremely challenging last 24 months in the care sector, 100s of residential and nursing homes across the UK have opted for the highly engaging option of Inspired Inspirations giant touch screen activity tables, enhancing the well-being of all service users. With external activities and entertainers visiting limited, 1,000s of residents have been kept physically, mentally and emotionally active through touch screen technology. Often described as an “activity coordinator on wheels”, you can keep residents stimulated either in groups or individually, with 100s of activities to choose from at the touch of a screen. This being particularly important for those who can’t or won’t leave their rooms, allowing you to take a huge array of activities to your service users. When Inspired Inspirations initially brought their Tiny Tablets to market, they listened to the care sector, who quite firmly told the team that they wanted a one price solution. Because of this, Inspired Inspirations have no on-going service fees. Their price lists include delivery, 3 year warranty and unlimited training & support for your nominated member of staff. Using an app based system, rather than Windows, Inspired Inspirations = can supply access to the Google Play store. This allows you the opportunity to download 1,000s of free and engaging apps, so you have the most cost effective and person centred care, mobile, all-in-one activity solution. Inspired Inspirations directors have spent the last 5 years working closely with the care sector to perfect their offering, not just as a product, but to include free and continuous training after you have purchased your table. With an online learning hub, they have amassed a training portfolio to ensure your service users enjoy maximum engagement with your touch screen devices. There is no danger of your table collecting dust after a few weeks of use, as Inspired Inspirations are always on hand to help you and your residents maximise the enjoyment through the use of touch screen technology. They have even collated a list of 160 tried and tested apps to download, allowing you to keep the daily engagement with your service users fresh and exciting. With staff availability and enthusiasm being even more important now than it ever has been, using their time wisely is key! Time taken to set up and clear away usual activities is decreased. We can even supply a 7 day a week activity plan, to ensure you get maximum fun with your residents. At the touch of a screen you can access 1,000s of quizzes, rather than making your own. Enjoy bingo, create song & dance playlists on a streaming service, complete arts and crafts without the mess and so many more activities to enjoy. To find out more, visit www.inspired-inspirations.com email info@inspired-inspirations.com or call the team on 01746866715
