Care Roadshows are back!
Care Roadshows are a series of free regional care events throughout the UK that inform and inspire care home owners, care managers and all those within the healthcare sector. Coming to five locations across the UK, they are the only UK care events reaching the entire sector – meaning they are accessible to many and produce more connections and quality networking than you can find anywhere else. Join like-minded care professionals for an inspirational day with free CPD seminars, an exhibition showcasing the sectors best suppliers and products and the chance to meet and gain support from sector associations. New for 2022 are free panel discussions made up of some of the leading names in the sector. Update your knowledge on recent events and changes within the sector and generate new, inspirational ideas for your care company. Visitors can also take advantage of exclusive show deals and special offers and be entered into the free £100 cash prize draw. Location and dates for 2022: To register for your free place at the show – click here
Healthcare Ireland acquires Priory Adult Care’s seven Northern Ireland homes
Healthcare Ireland (HCI), the Holywood, County Down headquartered care home operator, has completed the purchase of Priory Adult Care’s portfolio of seven Northern Ireland facilities. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, accelerates the group’s ambitious expansion plans and makes Healthcare Ireland the largest privately-owned care home group in Northern Ireland with some 24 sites and over 2,000 staff. The new additions include seven homes across Northern Ireland: Carlingford Lodge Care Home in Warrenpoint, Bannview Care Home in Banbridge, Cairnmartin Care Home in Belfast, Bohill Residential Care Home in Coleraine, Ben Madigan Care Home in Newtownabbey, Blair House Care Home in Newtownards, and it has also purchased the learning disability facility at Bohill House Care Home in Coleraine which will be operated by Gold Healthcare, the specialist adult services division of HCI. All the homes are purpose built. One of these was constructed by HCI for Priory Adult Care in 2011 and the purchase follows negotiations over the last 2.5 years. Gilbert Yates, Chief Executive Officer of HCI, said: “At Healthcare Ireland, we are focused on providing the best possible care for each and every one of our residents and the seven new homes will allow us to bring our person-centred approach to more and more people. We are proud to acquire this portfolio of high-quality care facilities which will dovetail perfectly with our range of homes across Northern Ireland. “With the addition of these homes as well as a strong pipeline of new build sites across Northern Ireland, we are further enhancing the provision of top-quality living environments for our residents and we will continue to focus on building world class facilities going forward. We are deeply proud that with this latest purchase we are now one of the fastest-growing healthcare groups in the UK and can bring our person focused approach to more and more people, who deserve the very best care available.” HCI has a further six new-build care home sites planned across Northern Ireland, with the next project in East Belfast and a five-acre healthcare village also in the Greater Belfast area. The company has an excellent working relationship with the Healthcare Trusts across Northern Ireland, working in partnership to bring the highest quality of care possible to residents.
Spring Clean – Care Home Cleaning Options
Keeping any venue clean is a full-time job, especially for care and nursing homes. Staff in such environments are normally torn between caring for their patients / residents, preparing meals, keeping the building up to hygiene standards, admin duties and other responsibilities. Performing all these demanding tasks is time-consuming meaning when it comes to cleaning, having access to products which can make the job quicker and more efficient can be a huge help. So, when it comes to cleaning solutions for care homes there are a few different options available which can help speed up the process. Ultimately, the best way to reduce the time needed to keep areas clean is by utilising a simple and easy to follow plan which all employees can understand and manage. Cleanliness and hygiene are an essential in care homes to prevent the spread of diseases throughout a vulnerable demographic. At Alliance Online we have a wide variety of cleaning equipment designed for commercial cleaning such as care home cleaning. We only supply products from trusted suppliers with a long tenure of producing quality products which are thoroughly tested before entering any market. For more information regarding the products mentioned in our list, contact us on 0844 844 4300 www.allianceonline.co.uk/ or email us at response@alliancenational.co.uk
Care with Focus
At Willow we are working to save caregivers time and stress. We aim to do that with our sensor textile mats that can detect bed exits and body fluids such as urine, blood, vomit or faeces. When a vulnerable person is leaving their bed or body fluids come into contact with the mat the sensor sends a signal to either a call system or our app (search TEXIBLE Wisbi on either google play or the app store). The mat initially connects to the smart device you have the app on via Wi-Fi, however once you have connected once you will automatically reconnect as soon as the mat is activated. These prompt signals support the caregivers in their daily work while also improving the vulnerable persons safety and well-being. As long as you have either data signal or Wi-Fi connection you will receive the signals not matter how far you are from the mat. We also provide a range of high-quality Incontinence Disposables that includes Diapers, Pull-Ups, Under Pads, Wearable Pads and more. Interested? Get in touch:dylan.napier@willowdesign.uk.com 07384 528046willowdesign.uk.com
Technological innovations are the key to saving the dementia care system
With dementia cases predicted to triple to 150 million by 2050, it is imperative that funding for the dementia care system is increased. The current system is woefully inadequate to support any further increase in cases, and a survey for World Alzheimer’s Month from Social-Ability has found that 82% of respondents feel that the care sector will be unable to cope with the rise in demand for dementia care services. As it is, something needs to change, and technological innovations may be the solution to saving the dementia care system. Staying independent Technology and data science play a big role in predicting and identifying risks. Artificial intelligence across the world is being created to diagnose dementia early. AI developed at the University of Exeter, for example, can predict if a person will develop dementia within two years with 92% accuracy, while researchers at the University of Cambridge are working with AI that is able to identify patterns of dementia before symptoms even occur. By diagnosing dementia early, people will be able to access treatment and care that they urgently need. With the aid of AI, people with dementia will also be able to lead a more independent life. While the care of artificial intelligence is no substitute for a person, AI sensors are being developed to monitor a person’s behaviour. Placed around the house, these sensors can pick up any unexpected changes in behaviour, such as changes in temperature or walking patterns, that may be a sign of deteriorating health. People with dementia will therefore be able to live with a degree of independence, with AI intervening only to alert carers of warning signs. Preventing loneliness Chronic loneliness is one of the most significant issues for people living with dementia. Before the pandemic, a third of people with dementia experienced loneliness, with loneliness twice as common with people in long-term care settings. The pandemic has only made people with dementia feel more isolated, with care home residents not having access to family and friends. No technology is a substitute for in-person contact, but the rise of video communication has a part in reducing feelings of loneliness. Though video communication has been present throughout the 21st century, it has only become a key part of people’s daily lives since the onset of the pandemic. Since Covid restrictions have been lifted, care home residents have been allowed more freedom. However, Covid outbreaks in care homes and family members living abroad remain obstacles in care home residents seeing their loved ones. With the use of video communication, care home residents and others with dementia who lack in-person contact will be able to see and speak to their loved ones, and allow for more frequent communication than would usually be possible in person. Happiness hour One technology that has already been rolled out in care settings across the UK is interactive light technology. The technology has been used to great success across thousands of UK care venues. Social-Ability, a leading developer of this technology, has gone a step further by pairing the tech with a host of services, providing training and support to care staff to improve care outcomes and increase usage. The Happiness Programme uses interactive light technology to host games that care home residents can participate in. Each game varies, with differing goals, from training cognitive or motor skills to encouraging players to socialise with each other. The result is a holistic improvement in health and wellbeing, with other features such as the Happy Memories Programme allowing family members to share pictures with their loved ones in care homes. The diverse applications of interactive light technology will support care workers by reducing their workload, and tackle some of the pressing issues in the care sector today, such as the overreliance on medication and the loneliness faced by residents. By being innovative, there is no limit on the applications of technology to support the growing number of people living with dementia. As our health and social care system grapples with the aftershocks of the pandemic, it is vital that diagnosis and support for people living with dementia are not left behind. Technology has the power to equip us for that challenge and we must seize that opportunity now. Author: John Ramsay, Managing Director of Social-Ability
The Duplex Steam floor cleaning machine!
Rose Lodge Care Home in Market Deeping epitomises the Country Court philosophy of ‘Our family, caring for yours’. The recently refurbished home offers luxury facilities in a calming, homely environment which coupled with a compassionate care team means that residents enjoy a safe and comfortable life with a varied programme of events and activities to ensure that everyone gets the most out of every day at Rose Lodge. With maintaining high standards of cleaning and hygiene in mind the group have already installed Duplex Steam floor cleaning machines into a number of their homes as part of a planned rollout to the remaining sites in the coming months. The Duplex Steam floor cleaning machine washes, mops, scrubs, dries, polishes and sanitises all floor surfaces from slip-resistant safety floors and tiles, to rubber, wood, vinyl, carpet and many more. It is available in both steam and standard models and with its contra-rotating cylindrical brushes, it produces an exceptionally thorough clean on all floor types. The steam models are unique in their class being the only steam-injected cylindrical brush floor cleaning machine on the market. On carpets steam is excellent for refreshing and revitalising fibres and removing stains.On hard floors, particularly profiled and safety flooring, which can be amongst the most challenging types of flooring to maintain, the Duplex delivers a thorough clean and leaves surfaces dry in seconds and is approved by Altro to clean their slip-resistant safety flooring. Benefits of Steam From bedrooms, bathrooms and dining rooms to kitchens, lounges and corridors, Duplex can supply a solution to most cleaning needs with a range of models to suit different sized areas. To demonstrate the efficacy of its products, Duplex have commissioned independent tests by the Hospital Infection Research Laboratory in Birmingham and have certified data that proves their machines kill the bacterium most common in the environment including Clostridium Difficile. The Duplex Steam floor cleaning machine is surprisingly light and easy to use and highly manoeuvrable around furniture and fixtures. A well received training and installation session was carried out at Rose Lodge recently where the Duplex 340 Steam made light work of the laminate flooring – reducing the need for chemicals which is not only great for the environment but also helped make the hard working housekeepers job easier to maintain a cleaner safer living space for clients and support staff alike.
Paperless systems, improving quality of care, because we care
Background CAREAudits apps and systems evolved via an associated company Kern Systems were Ken Newlove director and founding member had been developing and deploying paperless systems for EPoS and Finance in the private and public sectors since 1999. Back in 2014 the team had more than 50 years experience in IT and software development as well as having been heavily involved in the third sector, with a trustee of three charities, a director of a business directly involved in the care market and a consultant in a £10 million turnover charity and interim CEO and Chair at an adult hospice. Working in the Care Sector the team recognised in 2014 the sector was becoming overwhelmed with administration driven by ever increasing legislative compliance requirements and controls and pressurised by ever increasing costs. The CAREAudits apps evolved from their desire to give something back to the Care Sector; to develop systems that genuinely reduce costs and increase efficiency as well as improving accountability and quality. And above all a system that would be easy to install and use by everyone. The CAREAudits System The CAREAudits app and Web Portal Auditing Tool is now being used throughout the UK and Ireland in numerous Care Homes and Care Services. CAREAudits managers are checking everything from CQC Compliance and Safety, to Medication Audits, Training and Maintenance as well as residents and patients quality and wellbeing, and now helping manage Corona Virus, to name but a few. Steve Smith regional manager at Care Homes UK says “We were able to implement the system ourselves and are now benefitting from management having all the information we need at our fingertips in real time wherever we are”. The system allows care providers to audit or check via the app just about everything and manage areas requiring actions (or non-compliances) in it’s Web Portal. Encrypted date and time stamped evidence including photos is seamlessly auto attached and recorded in the system.Natalie Lawrence at Yorkare Homes says “It’s a paperless system that runs alongside our existing client records system helping to make our whole operation paperless.” CAREAudits ensures management and staff are aware at all times of what needs checking, that it’s been checked, actions required by whom, by when including full resolution management. Each CAREAudit also scores the answers so management can monitor improvement. The system has over 100 example audits to select from. CAREAudits is extremely easy to use and care providers can easily add or edit their own audits in minutes ensuring simple management of ever- changing requirements. App users can use CAREAudits with virtually no training, it’s that simple with help text and standard answers available to every question ensuring that the least skilled operative becomes the care provider’s expert. Users can download the app for a trial and be up and running with the full system in only a few days. CAREAudits the company is a part of the Care Plus Innovation Group and is based in new offices in the MWS building, Priory Park, Hull, HU4 7DY on the A63 near the Humber Bridge. Info:- visit https://www.careaudits.co.uk email apps@careaudits.co.uk Click here to view our YouTube Training Videos! https://www.careaudits.co.uk/training-and-help-videosor call Ken Newlove operations director on 01482 238887
Maintaining independence without compromising on style …
At evekare, we are passionate about helping people with mobility issues maintaining independence, without compromising on style. This is the mainstay of our company ethos. We offer a range of innovative and affordable products designed to assist people to go about their daily lives safely and independently. evekare products are constructed using the highest quality materials and are subjected to comprehensive quality and safety testing, with product warranty of up to 15 years. Our extensive range of durable and practical solutions for the bathroom include bath and shower aids, such as stools and chairs, bathroom accessories such as bath shelves and corner shelves which are also grab rails, and toilet aids, such as raised toilet seats and toilet frames. We also have an extensive range of grab rails in a variety of high quality finishes and colours including: matte black, white, stainless steel, gunmetal, rose gold, gold and polished chrome. We have a finish suitable for every home. Our range of grab rails also come in the following sizes: 300mm, 450mm, 600mm, 900mm – giving a size option for every user and every setting. You can also match your grab rails to our bathroom accessories so you have a seamless colour finish and theme throughout your bathroom. Our range also includes the innovative LED night light grab rails, these are a unique range of grab rails with a smart contemporary design, which add a touch of class to any room. Our LED night light grab rails are suitable for use in bathrooms or other household rooms, battery-operated (meaning no wires), automatically activated by sound in low light and support up to 250kg.
Introducing the world’s first movable bedpan disposer PANAWAY® M1
A game-changing evolutionary step towards transforming waste management in elderly care, hospices and hospitals. Haigh, a respected leader in waste disposal technology, is launching Panaway® M1 – the first-of-its-kind movable bedpan disposer helping hospitals and care homes safeguard their patients, offering a mobile, cost effective, energy efficient and environmentally friendly solution to medical waste disposal. Originally developed to deal with issues relating to sluice room flexibility, site access and maintenance response caused by COVID-19 restrictions, the innovative design has been a game changer helping healthcare organisations rethink their infection prevention strategies. An estimated 95%* of the UK NHS sites now use disposable medical pulp products for managing patient waste, with disposable (single-use) systems rapidly becoming established worldwide as best practice to prevent infections and crosscontamination within the healthcare environment. Panaway® M1 gives care organisations all the convenience, accessibility and benefits of a modern sluice room where and when it’s most needed – without compromising on safety. Easy to set up and relocate, Panaway® M1 is supplied with all fixtures and fittings required to use in a wide range of locations. Leading the way in performance, versatility and ease of use, the Panaway® M1 is economical and energy efficient, using less energy and water than other washing systems. With no hot water required, it is good for the environment – and the paper pulp is eco-friendly, hygienic and highly cost effective. Quiet, quick and easy to use, the Panaway® M1 disposes of pulp product and contents in less than a minute. It aims to make the life of the user as straightforward as possible, freeing up time for patient care. Panaway® M1 is an invaluable addition as an emergency stand-in when a bedpan machine or washer is unavailable or as a cost-effective temporary solution whilst migrating a site to a disposable system. Jacob Shepherd, Managing Director at Haigh, said “We have been bowled over by the overwhelmingly positive feedback from Panaway® M1 trials. This is the tool site operators wished they always had when it comes to patient waste and the associated infection prevention procedures. Even sites that do not currently use disposable pulp can see benefits without having to switch from washing systems all in one go. We’ve already seen some neat ways Panaway® M1 has been used that were completely new to us and we are genuinely excited to see how this further develops over time.” Find out more:For more information about renting, purchasing or a trial of Panaway® M1 contact Michelle Marriot on +44 (0)7500 626463 or email info@haighmed.com
