Leading care provider hopes to win big in end of life and social care
The Good Care Group is proud to announce nominations for six awards, including as a finalist in the ‘Care at Home Provider’ category in the Palliative and End-of-Life Care Awards 2024 . Other nominations recognise the incredible talent in the team. This includes: Palliative and End-of-Life Care Awards 2024 · Care Manager, Lynn Rogers and Professional Carer, Angie Polley have both been shortlisted as finalists in the category ‘Care Manager – Community.’ (see attached pics) The Stars of Social Care 2024 Awards Award winning and CQC rated ‘Outstanding’ live-in care provider, The Good Care Group, has been nominated for six awards recognising its expertise and best-in-class service in end-of-life and social care. In the Palliative and End-of-Life Care Awards 2024, The Good Care Group has been shortlisted as a finalist in the category ‘Care at Home Provider.’ During 2023, The Good Care Group supported 83% of clients who were receiving end-of-life care to fulfil their wish to die at home. The Group created a person-centred holistic care plan encompassing the client’s social, spiritual and clinical choices, right through to their wishes around after-death care. Care Manager, Lynn Rogers, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the category ‘Care Manager – Community.’ Lynn has devoted the last 38 years to the pursuit of excellence in end-of-life care. She recently facilitated a client’s return home, to spend his last moments with family. Professional Carer, Angie Polley, has also been shortlisted as a finalist in this category. Angie worked for many years with a client living with dementia, who later developed cancer. Angie supported the client to live well and fulfil her final wishes. This included accompanying her to visit her family home, going back to the place where she used to go ballroom dancing as well visiting friends and different seaside towns. The Good Care Group Head Office is also a finalist in The Stars of Social Care 2024 Awards in the ‘The Best Head Office Award’ category, while The Good Care Group Learning & Development Team has been shortlisted as a finalist in the category ‘The Learning and Development Award.’ Consultant Admiral Nurse, Jane Pritchard, is a finalist in the category ‘The Exceptional Home Care Nurse Award.’ During her seven years at The Good Care Group, Jane has played a pivotal role in transforming dementia care within the organisation. Most recently, this has involved planning and launching The Good Care Group’s new model of dementia care, EVER, standing for ‘Engagement, Validation, Enrichment and Relationships.’ This focuses on providing a person-centred approach which focuses on an individual’s needs, while helping carers better support family members to enhance their relationships with loved ones. Darren Kennedy, Managing Director at The Good Care Group, said: “Our clients afford us a great privilege in allowing us the opportunity to care for them at the end of their life. We take full responsibility to ensure we are doing all we can to provide the best possible care and support to them. “We’re therefore honoured to have been recognised in categories across the Palliative and End of Life Care Awards 2024, a testament to the fantastic efforts of our team and individuals to ensure the wellbeing of people approaching end of life. “We’re incredibly proud to be also recognised as finalists in The Stars of Social Care 2024 Awards, for offering outstanding at-home care to individuals and families. We achieve this through continually developing our care offering while providing a supportive learning environment for our carers to develop the necessary skills to provide the best care to our clients.”
Lydney care home in the Luxury Care Home Guide 2024
Just one year after opening, Lydney care home, Nodens Manor has been featured as a new entry in the Luxury Care Home Guide 2024, which features the UK’s top 100 care homes. Nestled on the edge of the Forest of Dean, Nodens Manor offers residents a blend of restfulness and community. Residents enjoy the convenience of nearby shops and the vibrancy of a neighbouring school, keeping them connected to the surrounding community. The 66-bed care home offers luxurious ensuite rooms, a cinema, library, garden rooms, hair and beauty salon, landscaped gardens, and seasonal menus prepared by a culinary team using fresh, high-quality ingredients for residents to enjoy. “We are incredibly honoured to be recognised as a new entry in the Luxury Care Home Guide 2024,” says Bartosz Turewicz, Care Home Manager at Nodens Manor. “Our entire team has poured their hearts into creating an exceptional living experience for our residents, and this recognition by Knight Frank means the world to us.” The sentiment is echoed by Knight Frank, the organization behind the prestigious guide. They shared: “We’re delighted to launch the Knight Frank Luxury Care Home Guide 2024, the 8th edition of the publication which aims to showcase the UK’s top 100, best-in-class care homes that offer the highest quality in luxury settings, hospitality and design. “In the latest guide, we received a staggering c.£3.5bn of listing submissions – our largest yet! Some truly outstanding care homes were nominated which are a credit to the owners and unsurprisingly, the competition was fierce. Congratulations to all those featured.” https://elmfieldcare.co.uk/nodens-manor/
PRESTWICK CARE APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF CARE
ONE of the North East’s leading providers of nursing and residential care has appointed a new Director of Care to oversee the running of its 16 homes. Prestwick Care has recruited Scott Beat, who has held a number of senior positions in both regional and national care companies, along with providing legal advice to organisations in the care sector. Scott, who lives in Tynemouth, originally trained as a nurse and then as a solicitor before moving on to work in the care industry. Scott joined Prestwick Care last week (3 June) taking over from Eve Tierney has held the position for the past decade. She will now join the board of Prestwick Care in a newly created non-executive director position. He is now looking forward to using his years of experience to great effect in his new role. “ I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Malhotra Group as Director of Care for the Prestwick Care portfolio,” he said. “The philosophy of care at Prestwick mirrors my own values – residents come first. “Care at Prestwick is provided in a holistic, inclusive and compassionate manner by respecting and enabling each individual to partner in achieving their health and care objectives. “Staff are committed to make a difference to the quality of each resident’s lived experience in warm homely environments. “Eve has provided a wonderful foundation on which to build upon and with my breadth of experience in the healthcare sector, I hope I can complement the first-class team at Prestwick Care to exceed standards and better outcomes for all those we care for now and in the future.” Bunty Malhotra, CEO of Prestwick Care said that the company was “delighted to be able to recruit someone of Scott’s experience and calibre to work with us on the next stage of the growth journey of Prestwick Care.” Scott has a unique background and we can benefit from the fact he is both a clinician and a lawyer,” said Bunty. As a business and at a personal level, I am delighted also that Eve has agreed to join our board in a non-executive role. “Eve’s reputation and knowledge in the sector is second to none, and it is fantastic that she is staying with us, so we may continue to benefit from her experience, values and friendship.”
‘Dancing through the decades’
HC-One care homes across the United Kingdom are delighted to be welcoming their local communities to join them for Care Home Open Week 2024, taking place from 24th – 30th June 2024, with HC-One’s main celebration events taking place during Care Home Open Weekend (28th – 30th June). HC-One’s chosen theme for this year’s Care Home Open Week celebrations will be honoured by ‘dancing together through the decades’. Throughout the week, the homes will enjoy a variety of fun-filled activities. Care Home Open Week is a national event hosted by Championing Social Care, designed to connect care homes with their local communities. The week provides care homes with the opportunity to showcase their range of services, provide tours of their facilities, and highlight the activities that are offered to residents. The event is also a reminder to the homes’ neighbours that they are there if they need support. HC-One is delighted to be working closely with Championing Social Care for Care Home Open Week and, this year, Acorn Meadow Care Home in Northwich, Cheshire, will be taking part in Championing Social Care’s Great British Care Cycle Relay on Monday 24th June, where participants will be cycling 300-miles and visiting care homes across the country – north to south – from 24th – 28th June. A travelling ‘baton’ will pass between care homes throughout the week before it reaches its final landmark destination in London on the 28th June. Residents and colleagues across all 259 HC-One’s care homes are looking forward to opening their doors to celebrate the week together with friends, family, community groups, local authority representatives, local dignitaries, and members of the community. HC-One homes have worked tirelessly on their plans for the celebratory week, ranging from arranging dance off challenges, silent discos, kindness chain challenges, and arts and crafts sessions. There will also be competitions, money raising for local charities, music and entertainment, refreshments, and a variety of other activities, with residents taking a central role in the preparations and celebrations. Visitors will enjoy learning from colleagues in the homes about what a rewarding career in care looks like. They will also find out about opportunities for community engagement and about the volunteering roles on offer designed to support their local care community. If you are interested in getting involved or would like to attend one of our care homes’ Care Home Open Week celebrations, please contact our Careline Team on 0333 999 8699 for further information. James Tugendhat, HC-One’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring everyone together to celebrate Care Home Open Week 2024. HC-One’s ‘dancing together through the decades’ theme for Care Home Open Week is all about bringing the community together. “Our homes are looking forward to welcoming members of the local community to join in with their celebrations. The week provides a great opportunity to reinforce the great connection between our residents and homes, and their communities. “Our homes can also showcase their extensive facilities, activities, and services they have to offer, as well as help people to understand more about what a rewarding career in care looks like, which will help support our mission to be the first-choice care provider in each of the communities that we serve.” email press@hc-one.co.uk https://www.hc-one.co.uk/carehomes.aspx
Better financial and data management can improve resilience.
Proactive financial management and strategic planning should be a priority for independent care providers amid a series of economic and societal challenges, according to a new industry report. The white paper by Kent Finance, in collaboration with The Social Care Foundation and UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson, argues that detailed financial modelling and strategic reviews can help businesses to achieve the delicate balance between providing high-quality care and maintaining financial sustainability. Titled The future of social care: Navigating financial and regulatory challenges, it features case studies of organisations that have transformed adversity into growth opportunities by investing in financial acumen and embracing digital innovation. It is the first white paper to be commissioned by The Social Care Foundation, a cross-party think-tank set up by Dr Robert Kilgour in 2023 to bring positive debate, ideas and suggestions on how to reform UK social care. Dr Kilgour, who also founded social care businesses Renaissance Care and Four Seasons Health Care, said: “Social care businesses have been confronted with a post-Covid ‘new normal’ characterised by high inflation, stagnant fee increases, higher interest rates and labour shortages. “Despite these complex financial challenges, there are important steps they can take to position themselves for long-term success in a digitally dominant horizon. “This white paper underscores how embracing innovation, leveraging data and adopting proactive financial management strategies can enable social care organisations to thrive amid uncertainty, and chart a course towards a resilient and sustainable future.” The white paper highlights recent research published by the Lancet Journal showing that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) closed 816 care facilities between 2011 and 2023, affecting 20,000 residents. It discusses how the causes have been the inability of care operators to keep up with increases in operational costs such as energy, food and labour, combined with income lagging behind. Other challenges it sets out as facing the sector include an increased demand for services resulting from an ageing population, complexity of care needs, a strain on social care funding, housing and infrastructure challenges, and workforce shortages. As a higher interest rate environment affects social care organisations’ ability to access funding, manage debt and maintain financial stability, the report provides advice on how to develop prudent financial management and contingency planning to navigate macroeconomic fluctuations and ensure service continuity. It also features takeaways on how social care organisations can improve data management to drive efficiencies, increase productivity and meet regulatory requirements. Successful turnaround case studies are highlighted in the report. We Change Lives, a not-for-profit social care provider, went from making a £1m loss to a £2m surplus within three years after a financial modelling exercise. Renaissance Care, a mid-sized care home operator, invested in financial and data management to manage slimmer cost margins effectively. Clare Auty, Head of Independent Health and Social Care at UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson, said: “Efficient data management is emerging as a cornerstone for driving operational excellence and maintaining financial integrity among social care businesses. “Leveraging data effectively can inform better decision making, improve service delivery and ensure continued regulatory compliance. “Care providers that do not embrace the opportunities created by better use of data risk falling behind the market. At the same time, the CQC’s new approach to regulation charts an irreversible course to greater digitisation, and expects providers to rapidly improve in line with the Government’s plan for digital health and social care.” Will Napier-Fenning, Director at Kent Finance, added: “Despite facing an unsettling confluence of macro factors outside of any individual’s control, it’s not all doom and gloom for the social care sector. “This report confronts these issues and lays the groundwork for not just adapting but thriving under the new normal.” A roundtable discussion on the report, featuring social care sector and banking leaders, was held at Browne Jacobson’s London office on Tuesday 21 May. Browne Jacobson is also planning to host a webinar to provide insights to social care providers to provide insights as part of Health and Care Connect, a free network for anyone involved in the independent health and care sector.
TO WOOF OR NOT TO WOOF, THAT IS THE QUESTION
The Old Vicarage Care Home To Host A Paws-itively Paw-Fect Dog And Agility Show At The Old Vicarage, the Wallingford-based residential and dementia care home run by charity, Friends of the Elderly, the care team and residents are getting their ‘dogs in a line’ preparing for the care home’s inaugural pooch parade dog show, affectionately named ‘The Woofies’. “We decided to arrange the Dog Show as the residents not only love animals, but frequently reminisce about pets they have loved during their lives,” said Carol Bourne, the Registered Manager at The Old Vicarage. “Whilst we’ve never hosted a dog show before, we do have an Annual Dog Agility Competition, which one of our team organises, so it seemed like a good idea to combine the two.” The Show Ring will be set-up in the care home’s beautiful garden area. “We thought this would be the ideal place for the event as it provides plenty of viewing space for the residents, their families and dog owners to watch the proceedings and not miss a thing, as that would be a ‘faux-paw’,” Carol continued. The Woofies will start at 2 p.m. on Saturday 29th June and will be a wide and varied range of award categories to enter, as well as the Doggie Agility Competition. “We wanted to open up the Woofies to as many dogs and their humans as possible,” added Carol. “We have a range of award classes planned including Most Handsome Dog, Prettiest Lady Dog, Cutest Rescue Dog, The Waggiest Tail and, of course, Best in Show. We’ll have around 10 to 12 awards – as well as the Agility Award.” The Dog Show and Dog Agility Competition is free to enter and there’s no pre-booking, humans can enter their doggie companions on the day. The Old Vicarage residents will act as Judges for the event and award handmade rosettes to the top three winners in each class. However, no pup will leave with empty paws, as each dog who enters will be given a doggie bag of tasty doggie treats. “We are not stopping there,” continued Carol. “After the pooches have ‘Raised the Woof’ and ‘Gone Mutts’, everyone will be treated to a delicious afternoon tea. In addition to all the canine fun, Carol will be on hand to give any visitors tours of The Old Vicarage. “From 2 p.m. on 29th June, I will also be able to take visitors on tours of our care home,” Carol added. “Hosting our canine capers afternoon will be the perfect opportunity for visitors to see The Old Vicarage – both inside and out – and see the dedicated care team in action as they deliver individualised, person-centred care to each resident and respite guest. “Knowing how much our residents adore animals, we thought that hosting The Woofies and Dog Agility Competition would be great thing to do for them to get involved with, and they are ‘def-fur-nately’ looking forward to it,” Carol concluded. https://www.fote.org.uk/
The Care Show celebrates its inaugural launch in London
The inaugural launch of Care Show London brought a bustling, vibrant atmosphere to the ExCeL London on 24-25 April 2024, and welcomed 3,395 delegates, 195 speakers, and 180 exhibitors through its doors. The event was rebranded as Care Show London following the final run of The Residential and Home Care Show in April 2023. The launch promised to bring all the passion and buzz of Care Show Birmingham to the country’s capital, and with visitors eager for the initial conference sessions, and exhibitors prepped and ready, Care Show London began. The exhibitors showcased a wide array of products and solutions, ranging from innovative technology and care equipment to HR systems, catering, and even therapy animals. Key exhibitors included MOA Benchmarking, Nourish, Sona, Wagada Digital, Christie Finance, 2 Pure Products, Pass, E&R Moffat Catering Equipment, and Birdie. Jake Rose, Healthcare Outcomes Manager at ARJO said: “The Care Show been really good for us. There has been a good range of different customers – from carers who are on the front line dealing with our products, also at a director level of the care homes that we’re interested in and the whole top level of detail.” The conference programme boasted a broad variety of topic areas following this year’s key themes of funding, future workforce, innovation and change management, and sustainability. By bringing together the key thought leaders and experts from across the adult social care sector, delegates received up-to-date research, advice, and best practice from each session. From expert individuals presenting on workforce strategy, diversity, and inclusion, to esteemed panel members discussing international recruitment and the new CQC framework, the conference theatres had it all. Providing both practical guidance and thought-provoking debates, Care Show London was the place to learn from the best. Jade Kent, Senior Associate at Stephens Scown LLP, and a speaker at Care Show London said: “The people within the room are interesting and influential, and the talks cover key topics with high calibre speakers.” Tailored to the needs of the attendees, the show proudly presented a new set of feature areas: Caring Conversations, led by Five on a Bike, sparked discussion and insight into some difficult topics and the Technology Concierge service, offered by Guided Innovation, provided assistance and information to direct individuals to the most suitable software suppliers. The Selfie & Media Zone provided the perfect opportunity for a cheeky team photoshoot with branded signage and a life-size magazine cover to step inside! Other feature areas included Meet the Inspector Hub with CQC, the Quiet Room for relaxation, and of course the Café and seating area. Show Manager, Matthew Moore, said: “I could not have expected the launch of Care Show London to go any better, the feedback we received from exhibitors, attendees, speakers and partners was amazing. Bringing the Care Show buzz to London is something we have only dreamed of before, and seeing it all come together was a dream come true.” Show organisers, CloserStill Media have announced the show will return in 2025, on 30 April to 1 May, at ExCeL London. Attendees can register their interest today at https://www.careshowlondon.co.uk/register-interest-attending-care-show-2025 If you can’t wait that long to relive the Care Show experience, join us for Care Show Birmingham, 9-10 October 2024, at NEC Birmingham. Registration opens 15 May 2024.
Tiny blankets for kittens and cats in need
Nimble-fingered ladies at a Dorset care home have knitted tiny woollen blankets to make life more comfortable for kittens and older cats waiting to be rehomed. A party from Colten Care’s Amberwood House in Ferndown visited the town’s Cats Protection rehoming centre to deliver their colourful handiwork. They brought along 30 gift-wrapped blankets each made from individual squares of wool carefully knitted and stitched together and sized to fit a cat’s travel basket. Blankets measuring 60cm by 40cm were aimed at kittens while those earmarked for older cats extended to 90cm by 60cm. Amberwood House resident Mary Whitehouse has been a cat lover since she was a girl when her postman dad used to bring unwanted moggies back to their home. Her daughters Christine Whitehouse and Elizabeth Doyle helped the blanket-making campaign by stitching together many of the squares Mary and other residents knitted. After her minibus trip to present the blankets to Cats Protection, Mary said: “It was so wonderful to see how much help they are giving to the cats in their care who are looking for a new home.” Fellow knitter Betsy Fisher said: “I felt proud to take the knitted blankets over to the cats. I have really enjoyed being part of this project. It’s all for such a great cause. I understand that we weren’t allowed to touch the cats but they were so cute I do just wish I could have cuddled them!” Companionship Team member Justine Thorpe, who accompanied the residents on their crosstown trip, said: “Many of our ladies love knitting and when we asked around local charities to see if the blankets we were making would be any use, Cats Protection got back and jumped at the chance. For each cat they rehome they like to do so with a blanket.” Colleague and Companionship Team leader Kirsty Richmond Cole said: “Back in lockdown we knitted a huge amount of squares which we stored in the home’s loft. “We got them out last year and decided to do something with them. As well as the blankets for Cats Protection, we made woollen bunnies, fingerless gloves and hats out of the squares. “We sold some of these items at our Christmas market last year in aid of Ferndown Rotary, raising more than £200. “It has been a really lovely initiative involving residents, their families and team members.” Cats Protection says there are many reasons why a cat or kitten may need to be rehomed including their owners moving house or experiencing a relationship breakdown. Rehoming centres also take in lost and found cats who are reunited with their owners wherever possible. Cats can arrive at the centre after they have been abandoned, often sick or injured with the team nursing them back to health so that they can be found new loving homes. Tanya Burnett, Deputy Manager at Ferndown Rehoming Centre, said: “We are so grateful for the blankets that the ladies from Amberwood House knitted with such care and attention to detail. “We were also pleased to be able to offer them a tour of the homing centre and although we aren’t able to offer one-to-one time with the cats during tours, we are glad the residents enjoyed being able to see each of the cats in their individual pens, hear their stories and details of the work we do for cats, both at the centre and in the wider community, as we work to help people see the world through cats’ eyes.” For more information on Cats Protection and to donate or volunteer for the organisation, visit www.cats.org.uk.
Care Homes with Innovative “Plastic Solution” Program
