Inadequate Training is Causing Critical Delays to Life-Saving Care
Twenty-eight percent of nurses and care workers in the UK report that inadequate training has led to delays in life-saving treatment for patients. In addition, 36% acknowledge that training shortfalls have put patient lives at risk. These findings have emerged in research conducted by healthcare education startup FuturU, underscoring a growing need for more innovative approaches to healthcare training. FuturU’s research report, “Prescription for Change – why nursing and social care training needs an injection of innovation”, polled 500 nurses and care workers on their current learning and development opportunities and their impact on job performance and satisfaction. Nursing and care work stand among the few professions where the lives of individuals are directly entrusted to the hands of practitioners. Inadequate or subpar training in these fields can have major consequences – and unfortunately these already occur on a regular basis. According to the research, four in ten (40%) nurses and carers said that in the past six months, poor training had frequently had a negative impact on patient outcomes. Unfortunately, inadequate workplace training is also impacting staff wellbeing too, with 33% of respondents saying that staff morale has been low as a result. Meanwhile collaboration between staff members has also been affected, according to 34% of those surveyed. These findings point to a need for more consistent, flexible and high-quality training experiences that are easily accessible to everyone across the sector. FuturU, which launched in 2023, is aiming to tackle the endemic of subpar training by creating technology-led learning experiences that mimic real-life scenarios and build the user’s practical skills. It is also democratising access to this training, by offering it for free to nurses and care professionals via its app. So far, more than 70,000 healthcare professionals have downloaded the app and completed courses in everything from moving and handling to dementia awareness. Michael Manuccia, CEO at FuturU, commented: “It’s disappointing to hear that nurses and care workers are regularly experiencing workplace situations where they feel unprepared to support patients or care recipients. This only emphasises the importance of investing in high-quality training experiences that prepare them for the reality of their role. We know that on the job training is one of the best ways for people to learn, but it can be hard to access and is not very scalable. New advancements in technology are making it possible to recreate this training in virtual environments, directly from the devices people use everyday, and at a fraction of the cost.”
Expert in Older Care Shares Important Advice on Preventing a Fall
The Care Show Birmingham Wins ‘Best Use of Creative/Brand’
The Care Show Birmingham’s 2023 creative transformation of line illustrations wins the ‘Best Use of Creative/Brand’ award at the Exhibition News Marketing Awards on 15 February 2024, at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Produced in partnership with t&s creative communications, a fully integrated, creative, content marketing agency based in Bristol and Soho. The award-winning creative concept was designed to maintain the fun, outside-the-box thinking of the Care Show team and include a story-telling element that would maximise visitor engagement and differentiate the communications and immersive elements from those of its competitors. The chosen concept included illustrated hands forming a heart shape with a green centre. The pen lines of the illustration became a central theme of the visual identity of the show, and the green heart imagery perfectly aligned with the green heart emoji used widely by care professionals on social media to identify themselves as part of the care sector community. The new creative presented a visually appealing narrative, and the continuation of lines was adapted into different shapes and drawings across the whole show, including replacing the conventional floorplan with an illustrated map – offering more cohesion and brand consistency across all marketing channels and onsite. Shannon Campbell, Group Marketing Manager of the Care Show Birmingham said: “The Care Show marketing team showcased a strategic and thoughtful evolution of its creative in 2023. The collaboration with t&s creative communications was instrumental in bringing the innovative concept to life. The meticulous execution of the creative used across various touchpoints in the campaign and at the show contributed to a compelling narrative in utilising the creative to its fullest potential.” The Care Show will return to the ExCeL London on 24-25 April and the Birmingham NEC on 9-10 October 2024. Tickets are available for the London event at: https://www.careshowlondon.co.uk
New care facility, funding by Cynergy Bank
Family-owned care home business Castlemeadow Care is expanding its operations in East Anglia thanks to £18m in funding from Cynergy Bank. The loan will be used to refinance existing sites in Kings Lynn and Long Stratton, as well as fund a new 60+ bed care home care home. Castlemeadow Care offers specialist care, support, and high-quality care homes and assisted living residences. This latest development advocates the UK’s need for more care facilities at a time when many are closing. The loan from Cynergy Bank benefits Castlemeadow Care by not only enabling them to build new nursing and retirement facilities, but also refinance their existing properties to ensure they maintain the excellent standard of care they are known for. Castlemeadow Care’s expansion will allow for over 60 additional individuals to be supported by dedicated staff and provide brand new spaces and resources for residents to explore their hobbies and passions – something Castlemeadow Care strives to prioritise. Sanjay Kaushal, Director and Founder, Castlemeadow Care said: “We are pleased to announce this significant milestone in our journey towards expanding quality care for our community. Thanks to funding from Cynergy Bank, we are building a new care home as part of a large care village complex, which marks a new chapter in our commitment to providing exceptional care and support for our senior residents. We look forward to enhancing the lives of many more individuals with our state-of-the-art facilities and compassionate care.” Dan Hewitt, Healthcare Director, Cynergy Bank commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Castlemeadow Care as a new customer. This marks another successful deal for Cynergy Bank within the social care sector, and we are proud and committed to serving the funding needs of SMEs for such an essential and important industry in the UK.”
Expert Shares Tips on a Career in Care
Care Show London 2024
The Care Show London has announced their conference programme for the 2024 edition, taking place on 24-25 April at ExCeL London. For the spring 2024 event, there is a big focus on celebrating the voice of care and providing positive takeaways for the visitors. The content has been carefully curated with the assistance and full support of an advisory board representative of all areas of social care. Bringing together the whole care community in its efforts to improve the quality of care and broaden the opportunities in the sector, the Care Show London offers further education delivered from different perspectives to achieve a comprehensive approach to social care. All sessions are CPD-accredited and led by sector experts. We are proud to present a broad range of topics for discussion with something for everyone across all theatres; delivered to inspire, educate and enhance best practice in the care sector. In the Care Keynote Theatre: Discover how other businesses are navigating the new assessment framework, gain top tips on how to secure the best funding from your local authority, and join the discussion around the importance of social care in public policy, and developing and professionalising the workforce pathway. Hear from the CQC and learn from those who know it best what the future of care looks like. In the Technology Theatre, focus on the importance of cultural transformation and a people-centred training approach, uncover how to access government funding for your new digital endeavours, how to maintain your cybersecurity measures, and how to harness the power of AI. Practice digital inclusion, master social media, and stay up to date with CQC data requirements as we move forward into the exciting new technological world of care. In the People, Workforce & Wellbeing Theatre, learn how to deal with difficult conversations, cultivate a harmonious mentally healthy workplace, and navigate the newly arising challenges around international recruitment. Develop your leadership skills, your training programmes and celebrate the value of the younger generation as part of the workforce, and so much more. In the Business Theatre, you can expect to refine your business’ learning and development budgets, enhance your sales and marketing practices, and focus on the sustainability of your business for a greener future! Join the discussion around refurbishment vs new build and follow the journey of raising finance, to setting up a franchise. Expect to walk away with an abundance of tips and tricks on building the best business in the sector. In addition to our four theatres, you will find two other dedicated learning areas, with content provided and delivered by our educational partners, The Outstanding Society and the Care Providers’ Voice. The Care Show London is free to attend for care and healthcare professionals, those working for a social care provider, allied healthcare, NHS, public sector professionals, architects and interior designers. Attendees will be able to meet with 150+ leading suppliers, source the latest products and services, and further their education to provide better care and progress in their careers. View the full conference programme online: CONFERENCE PROGRAMME – Care Show London 2024 The 2024 edition of the Care Show London takes place on 24-25 April at ExCeL London. Delegates can register to attend for free online: https://www.careshowlondon.co.uk/cne For exhibition and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Adam Camel on a.camel@closerstillmedia.com.
Care Home Residents Launch Search For ‘Dream Makers’
Exemplar Health Care’s latest recruitment campaign has been created involving the people they support and focuses on their search for new carers to help them achieve their 2024 dream. People supported by Exemplar Health Care, one of the country’s leading nursing care providers for adults living with complex needs, have launched a search for their 2024 ‘dream makers’. The 49-home care group’s ‘New Year, New Career’ campaign involves the people they support and focuses on the important role everyone working in care can play in helping the people that use social care services to achieve their goals and dreams. The campaign is focused on finding individuals who are not just seeking a job, but who are passionate about contributing to the wellbeing of those drawing on social care services. Members of the Service User Council, which comprises Ambassadors from each Exemplar Health Care home, provided valuable insights into their goals for the year, sparking the idea for the campaign. Ambassadors also featured in the advertising and social media graphics that support the campaign, sharing their 2024 goal and how new team members can help them achieve it. The Ambassador’s 2024 goals vary widely, from Alex who is looking forward to attending Download Festival this summer, to Karen who wants to be able to cross the Millennium Bridge. Joel and Shelley are both aiming to improve their mobility so they can more independently walk around their home and community. These goals will only be possible with the hard work and dedication of a committed care team that can support the rehabilitation journey of the people using Exemplar Health Care’s services. Over the past year, many of Exemplar Health Care’s current team members have showcased their exceptional commitment to making a difference in the lives of those they support. A standout example is Sheryl Adams, a former teaching assistant, who made a life-changing decision to become a Health Care Assistant at Cheshire Springs in Whitby. During her first year working in the care sector, Sheryl was appointed the lead one-to-one carer for an individual who had suffered a major brain injury and memory loss, but who’s dream was to be able to return to her own home and live independently with her family. Taking up the challenge, Sheryl supported her to regain the ability to care for herself, complete essential home tasks, and make visits into the community – ultimately leading to the person being able to return home, transforming her life. Elsewhere, Health Care Assistant Philip Bulpin at Dearnevale nursing home in Barnsley recognised a resident’s love for gaming. Philip utilised his 3D printing skills to adapt an Xbox controller, allowing the resident to enjoy their passion for gaming irrespective of their limited mobility. These are just two of countless examples of Exemplar Health Care’s team has gone above and beyond to make the goals and dreams of the people they support come true. Through the latest recruitment campaign, Exemplar Health Care reaffirms its commitment to offering fulfilling careers in the social care sector, whilst placing the people it supports at the heart of the organisation. This project not only seeks to attract new talent, but also emphasises the organisation’s role in fostering professional growth, learning, and development opportunities for its employees. Full details on all the available jobs, as well as how to apply, can be found on the Exemplar Health Care careers website: https://www.exemplarhc.com/careers. Andy Teare, Head of Recruitment at Exemplar Health Care, expressed enthusiasm about the campaign, saying: “Our ‘New Year, New Career’ campaign is not just about recruiting new colleagues; it’s about inviting individuals who share our passion for making a positive impact in the lives of those we support. We recognise its significance extends beyond the mere recruitment of new colleagues; it represents our commitment to providing excellent training and career opportunities for individuals who are dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact on the lives of the people we support. “What sets this campaign apart is our deliberate effort to engage our Service User Council in the its creation. The Ambassadors’ invaluable insights have played a pivotal role in the campaign – which is why they are front and centre of the visuals we are using – ensuring that it authentically mirrors their dreams and aspirations for the upcoming year.”
Health and social care businesses are unprepared for CQC framework
The Role of Disinfectants in Infection Control in Care Homes
Hand hygiene is a fundamental aspect of infection control and prevention in healthcare settings and everyday life. Effective hand hygiene not only reduces the risk of infection transmission but also plays a crucial role in maintaining public health. Infections pose a significant risk in care homes, where residents often have compromised immune systems. Preventing infections is crucial to maintaining the health and well-being of the elderly population in these settings. Regular handwashing is a simple yet powerful measure to reduce the spread of infections. In care homes, it is vital that staff are trained on proper hand hygiene techniques and encouraged to wash their hands frequently, especially after contact with residents, handling medications, or touching potentially contaminated surfaces. Additionally, residents should be educated on hand hygiene, to reduce the spread of infections. Victor Adendorff, managing director Scientific Sanitation Solutions (SSS), explores the importance of hand hygiene and its challenges, and argues that to improve infection control and hygiene practices in care homes, a step-change in hand hygiene strategy could be the catalyst for greater compliance and reduced transmission of infectious diseases. Why hand hygiene matters Hand hygiene is a cornerstone of infection prevention, recognised as a simple yet powerful measure to reduce the transmission of infectious agents. The hands, being in constant contact with the environment, can serve as vehicles for the transfer of pathogens from surfaces to mucous membranes, leading to infections. Human hands are adept at collecting and carrying microorganisms. Touching contaminated surfaces or interacting with infected individuals introduces pathogens onto the skin. Subsequent contact with the face, especially the eyes, nose, and mouth, provides a direct route for these pathogens to enter the body. Pathogens such as bacteria and viruses can survive on hands for varying durations, depending on factors such as the type of microorganism, environmental conditions, and the presence of organic matter. Failure to practise proper hand hygiene contributes significantly to the spread of infectious diseases. In a care home setting, inadequate hand hygiene among workers can lead to healthcare-associated infections for residents, compromising their safety. Scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of hand hygiene in reducing the incidence of infections. The use of soap and water, disinfectants or alcohol-based hand sanitisers disrupts the lipid envelope of many viruses and the cell walls of bacteria, rendering them inactive. Proper handwashing, following recommended techniques, ensures the removal of a significant proportion of pathogens. Additionally, the regular and thorough practice of hand hygiene contributes to the overall reduction of microbial load on hands, mitigating the risk of transmission. Hand hygiene is a global public health imperative. Initiatives promoting hand hygiene awareness and compliance have a substantial impact on reducing the burden of infectious diseases, particularly in resource-limited settings. Simple, cost-effective interventions, such as providing access to clean water and soap, can significantly improve hand hygiene practices, leading to positive health outcomes on a large scale. The scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the critical role of hand hygiene in preventing infections. Understanding the scientific underpinnings of hand hygiene empowers healthcare workers, care professionals, and policymakers to implement effective strategies that contribute to a healthier and safer community. Why disinfectants? A step change in hand hygiene strategy Disinfectants have a big role to play in hand hygiene. They can often complement other more widely used sanitisers such as alcohol based on the go gels. While alcohol based sanitisers have their merits in terms of convenience and portability, they can be harsh on the skin with prolonged use. Alcohol can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and even cracking. A recent RCN survey found that 93% of nursing staff had experienced some form of skin condition, including dryness, redness, cracking, itching and pain, in the previous year. Not only does this impact worker health but adds further strain to our already under-resourced secondary care system. We need to think of alternatives and milder disinfectants is one of them in our hand hygiene arsenal. Disinfectants formulated for skin use often contain mild ingredients that are gentle on the skin. They are designed to kill germs while maintaining the skin’s moisture balance, preventing excessive dryness and irritation. Additionally, some disinfectants may also include soothing or moisturising components that further nourish and protect the skin. Therefore, when it comes to maintaining healthy and well-nourished skin, choosing a suitable disinfectant designed for skin use can provide a more gentle and beneficial experience. Disinfectants also offer a broader spectrum of action. They are designed to eliminate various types of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even spores. One significant advantage of disinfectants is their ability to provide a lasting residual effect. Once applied, many disinfectants create a protective barrier, preventing the recontamination of the treated area for an extended period. This residual effect is particularly crucial in high-traffic environments such as care homes where continuous sanitisation is challenging. Alcohol-based sanitisers, in contrast, evaporate quickly and do not leave a lasting protective layer, necessitating frequent reapplication. Another benefit of disinfectants, especially those with specific virucidal properties, is that they can effectively combat both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, ensuring comprehensive protection against a broad range of infectious agents. Disinfectants can also offer an added benefit of improved cleaning capabilities. Many disinfectants contain surfactants and detergents that aid in the removal of dirt, grease, and organic matter. This dual action of cleaning and disinfection ensures not only the eradication of harmful pathogens but also the removal of visible impurities, leading to cleaner and more hygienic hands and environments. Versatility matters Disinfectants come in a variety of forms, including sprays, wipes, and solutions, making them adaptable to different cleaning scenarios. This versatility allows for effective disinfection of a wide range of surfaces, including hard surfaces, fabrics, and electronic devices. The selection of disinfectants must be meticulously done, considering their effectiveness against prevalent and medically significant pathogens. However, there are some negatives to disinfectants. For example, chemical disinfectants, by their very nature, possess the capacity to harm living organisms, including humans. While they aim to protect us from illness,
