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
Half of care staff cutting corners at work
INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY 2024
At Bernard Sunley, the Woking-based residential, nursing and dementia care home run by charity, Friends of the Elderly, Ester Manlubatan, the care home’s Deputy Manager and Clinical Lead, has been honouring this month’s International Nurses Day 2024 by sharing her own Nursing journey. Ester has been with Friends of the Elderly and at Bernard Sunley since January 2003. When Ester first joined the Charity, she started as an Adaptation Nurse to meet UK’s nursing standards, regulations and FotE’s care practices. Ester then progressed and became a Qualified Nurse and was promoted to a Team Leader. Ester then advanced further to become a Clinical Lead alongside her current role as Deputy Manager. “I was born and raised in The Philippines and, actually, Nursing was not my first career choice,” said Ester. “I originally wanted to be a Teacher, but my late parents really wanted me to pursue a career in Nursing, so that’s the route I took. When I started my student training, I was exposed to, and dealt with, many sick and unwell people of all ages. It was at that point that I felt I could do so much more for others as a Nurse. To be able to care, support and look after people, became my calling – I totally fell in love with Nursing and caring for others.” Ester studied at the first university exclusively for women in the Philippines – The Philippine Women’s University (PWU). The PWU was formed in 1919 and officially recognised in 1932. Its core values are fostered through a curriculum centered on holistic character formation, cultural and national heritage preservation, family solidarity, ethical professionalism, and service to the country “During my nursing career, I worked for 17 years as a Surgical Nurse at two hospitals, one of which was The Northwest Armed Forces Hospital in Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. I also nursed Prisoners of War who were caught on the border of Saudi Arabia in The Gulf War,” Ester added. “My day-to-day role at Bernard Sunley is extremely varied and full of multi-tasking,” Ester continued. “I attend handover meetings and hold briefing sessions with our Nurses and Carers of the day, where we discuss pertinent issues and our residents’ wellbeing. I then make sure I spend time with any families who have questions or need help with anything. As our Clinical Lead, I am also on hand whenever I’m needed. Most importantly, at Bernard Sunley, every day we work as a team to make each day a good day for each resident.” To ensure she keeps up-to-date with any changes, updates or advancements within the nursing profession, Ester is in constant communication with her co-nurses and gets regular updates from The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Ester also attends internal and external training courses to add to her already wide range of skills. Friends of the Elderly has 12 Registered Nurses working throughout its care home and day care services, who all have an unwavering commitment to make a difference to older people’s daily lives, supporting them to live well in later life. “I love being a part of such a caring team that devotes each hour of every day to keeping our residents motivated, engaged and safe. Bernard Sunley is their home and, as such, I work in their home. My role gives me 100% fulfilment every day, so I can’t ask for more than that,” concluded Ester. www.fote.org.uk
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Long-Lost Friends
Two long-lost friends who first met at a ladies’ club have been reunited after 30 years in a care home in Macclesfield. Anna Jeffrey and Mary Braddock became close friends at the Inner Wheel Macclesfield club, spending lots of time fundraising together, but lost touch around 30 years ago. However, the pair become reacquainted when they ‘bumped’ into each other at Prestbury House Care Home. Mary, aged 95, moved into the home owned by Porthaven Care Homes seven years ago following her dementia diagnosis. Her 92-year-old best friend Anna made Prestbury House her home in November 2023.Anna said: “I was coming through some double doors at the home and just as the care worker pushed the door there was a lady at the other side who I recognised. It was Mary. Our two faces literally almost touched each other.“I said to her ‘you’re Mary’ and she just said, ‘yes, my name is Mary’. I knew she recognised me but my name didn’t come to her lips. It was incredible. I was very, very happy. She looks exactly the same.”Darcie Howard, client services manager at Prestbury House, spends a lot of time with both Anna and Mary. Since the pair have reconnected they regularly enjoy dinner and afternoon tea together, as well as flower arranging, which they both used to love.She said: “The reunion was lovely. So very heartwarming. We have seen them come together and reminisce about their history. I don’t think any of us at Prestbury House have ever had a situation where friends have reconnected after so many years – to then be back together under the same roof.“I supported Anna hugely with her move, and this really has sparked a new sense of identity for her. Life had taken them in different directions, but they have found each other again!”According to Age UK, 1.4 million older people in the UK are often lonely. The National Institute for Health and Care Research found that older people who experience loneliness are at a higher risk of developing mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Porthaven believes that wellness should be a priority in their residents’ lives and in the lifestyle choices they make and strive to provide engaging activities and communities for their residents.Darcie added: “It’s easy for people to feel like they can lose their identity when they move into a care home, so we strive to ensure our residents feel like this is their home and they feel independent. We want our residents to hold onto their memories and to keep their history alive.“This friendship is so lovely, and we have spent lots of time discussing Anna and Mary’s past. Reuniting people and reigniting those memories is a huge part of what we do – and this story was such a lovely surprise!”Prestbury House, part of Porthaven Care Homes, provides 24-hour residential, nursing, dementia and respite care in an elegant and spacious home. For more information about Prestbury House, visit www.porthaven.co.uk or call 01625 506100.
