How to deal with tiredness in the workplace
Recent data from CV-Library has found that over two thirds (68.8%) of workers in the care industry admit that having a bad night’s sleep negatively impacts their working day. What’s more, a further 22.9% claim that they feel exhausted on a daily basis. Unsurprisingly, these can have negative implications for both care workers and their employers. Sleep is a vital part of our wellbeing. As such, below, we’ll discuss the importance of looking after your staff, and how both employers and employees can combat issues of tiredness in the workplace. Why is sleep so important? While the majority of workers in the sector (50%) would like to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night, currently only 25% are actually achieving this. This is concerning news given that 57.4% of carers said sleep deprivation affects their ability to concentrate, as well as their ability to deal with challenging situations. It’s clear that fatigue can negatively impact staff and their ability to do their job. This is particularly worrying in industries such as social and health care, as staff are required not only to look after themselves, but the wellbeing of others as well. What is causing carers to feel this way? In today’s society there are many reasons why sleep may be eluding care professionals. That said, over three quarters (77.8%) cited workplace stress as the key cause for their disrupted sleep. Unfortunately, this is also a catch 22. Not sleeping due to stress at work isn’t going to make working the next day any easier. And so on and so forth. What’s more, 30.8% said that continual over-thinking is keeping them awake at night. What can employees do? Sometimes work-related stresses can be out of our hands. But, there are a few small steps that employees can take to aid a good night’s sleep. Firstly, try to avoid having caffeinated drinks too late on in the day. It may seem difficult, especially if you’re working into the evening and looking for a pick-me-up to get you through. But, it really will make a difference in the long run. Not only this, but adopting a good work-life balance is key. Sometimes overtime may be required, but remember: it’s called ‘overtime’ not ‘all-the-time’. Try to avoid taking work calls or thinking about patients when you’re at home unless it’s completely necessary. For your own wellbeing it’s important that you are able to separate your work life from your home life most of the time. What should employers do? It’s vital that employers can recognise the signs of fatigue and help to combat the problem before it leads to burnout. Take note of any members of the team who are putting in too much overtime, and be sure to arrange a time to discuss this. It could be that they need extra support or that their workload needs to be lightened. And it is also possible that staff are tired for reasons unrelated to work. If this is the case you should advise them as best you can, especially if it’s affecting their ability to do their job. Encouraging your staff to go to bed an hour earlier, or to adopt a better work-life balance can help them to get those precious eight hours of kip! We often take for granted how important sleep is too us. Life doesn’t just stop because you’re tired, but letting it go too far can have much bigger implications. Organisation, time-management and a work-life balance can all contribute towards getting a better night’s sleep. This will in turn lead to better working days and a more positive outlook.
WWII veteran goes back to Normandy thanks to special donation
A local Chorley Second World War Royal Marine veteran has attended a remembrance trip to Normandy thanks to special funding. John Dowling, who celebrated turning 97 during the trip, went on the seven-day break with his daughter Maggie and grandson Ian. The break was organised through the Royal British Legion and paid for with LIBOR funding. The trip included tours of the Juno, Gold and Omaha beaches, sharing tales with other people who had experienced the war at Pegasus Bridge and a visit to Arromanches Museum where the veterans were presented with a medal. The construction of Mulberry harbour was explained and visitors were able to see what remains today, as well as a trip to Bayeux which is famous for its tapestry and cathedral. John’s daughter, Maggie Harrison, said: “I think it was important for my Dad to visit Normandy again and we all really appreciated the funding made available for veterans to pay their last respects. It was extra special for us to celebrate Dad’s birthday in the company of friends and colleagues whilst we were there. “His career in the Royal Marines played a big part in his life, and despite the dementia, he still tells stories of the war and his time in the Royal Marines and of the time he spent courting my mum. The trip brought back some happy and some sad memories, however it was great to experience the comradery between these elderly gentlemen. It was very poignant visiting several of the immaculately maintained war cemeteries. “I would like to thank Denise from the British Legion for her support throughout the trip and also to our tour guide, Mike, who was exceptionally good at tailoring the tour to the veteran’s experiences.” John now lives with his wife Isobel at The Lodge, a specialist dementia care home within the award winning Buckshaw Retirement Village, which is operated by Hica Group. The couple met in Dundee during the Second World War. John broke his ankle during training in Dundee and Isobel nursed him back to health, and they have been inseparable ever since. During the war John, who was originally from London, worked as a signaller for the Royal Marines, including working with Morse Code and flag signalling, also taking part in the D Day landings. After several failed attempts to tie the knot due to John’s commitment to the Royal Marines during the war, John and Isobel went on marry in Dundee in 1944 before travelling and eventually settling down in Plymouth. The happy couple went on to have children Helen, Maggie, Ian and Sally. Tragically, Ian passed away when he was 18 months old from leukaemia and Sally passed away at nine years old from spina bifida. John and Isobel moved especially to Chorley to live at The Lodge, and now enjoy spending their time with other residents, taking part in the activities and entertainment at the home and visits from their children, five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Buckshaw Retirement Village is part of The Hica Group, a not for profit organisation, which operates a portfolio of 20 residential care homes, five of which are for people with a learning disability, along with two retirement villages. The company also runs a care at home service providing approximately 11,500 hours of support and care from four regional offices in the North of England.
World-renowned diabetes expert Professor Kamlesh Khunti to deliver DPC2017 keynote
Diabetes Professional Care has announced that Professor Kamlesh Khunti, Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester’s Diabetes Research Centre, will deliver a keynote session on ‘Evidence-based commissioning of high quality diabetes care’ at the DPC2017 conference. As co-director of the Leicester Diabetes Centre, Professor Khunti leads a research group that is working on the early identification of, and interventions with, people who have diabetes or are at increased risk of developing diabetes. His work has influenced national and international guidelines on the screening and management of people with diabetes. Professor Khunti is also Director of the UK National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care East Midlands, a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, an advisor to the Department of Health, a Clinical Advisor for NICE and Secretary of the Primary Care Study Group of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes. He has won numerous awards, nationally and internationally. Professor Khunti joins an impressive line-up of keynote speakers at DPC2017. These include NHS England’s Professor Jonathan Valabhji, National Clinical Director for Obesity & Diabetes, and Dr Partha Kar, Associate National Director for Diabetes; Professor Sir Muir Gray, Director at Better Value Healthcare and Oxford University Hospitals; and Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Diabetes. DPC2017 is the UK’s only national free-to-attend, CPD-accredited conference and exhibition for healthcare professionals involved in the prevention, treatment and management of diabetes, and its related conditions. Launched in 2015, the event’s focus is on real-world, practical education and innovative diabetes healthcare solutions. DPC2017 will take place next week, on 15 and 16 November at Olympia, London. For further information and to register for free, visit www.diabetesprofessionalcare.com.
Miller Bear marks Hug a Bear Day at Rotherham care home
ROTHERHAM United’s Miller Bear took advantage of National Hug a Bear Day to visit a local care home for some love. Elderly residents at Broadacres Care Home, on Naylor Street, were delighted to see the furry football mascot walk through their door. Miller Bear took a tour of the home to meet the residents, staff and visitors and take photos. Diane Rice, activities coordinator of Broadacres Care Home, said: “Hug a Bear Day might be one of the more unusual national celebrations but when your local football mascot is Miller Bear it would be a shame to miss it. “Our thanks go to Rotherham United FC for releasing Miller Bear for the day so he could come and see our residents. “They were absolutely delighted by the visit and couldn’t resist a hug with the giant bear.”
Keeping tabs on rising patient referral figures
It’s no secret that the demands on the UK’s doctors and nurses are increasing all the time, driven by a significant rise in patient referrals over the past decade. Recent figures revealed by the NHS confirmed the headlines of many national newspapers, as it becomes clear that the struggle for efficiency is real. Here, Lee Copestake, technical director at healthcare scheduling specialist BookWise Solutions discusses how the key to succinct resource utilisation could lie in technology. While human resources remain finite, there are many other initiatives available to streamline administrative processes and allow staff to focus on providing the most thorough patient care possible. Efficiency is crucial to the success of any business regardless of its goals, be that reduced patient waiting times in hospitals, to increased profit margins for say, a manufacturing business. According to statistics, the total amount of annual GP referrals has risen significantly over the past nine years, increasing by 33 per cent when comparing figures from September 2017 to the same period in 2008. These numbers, coupled with a growing average life expectancy of the UK population, reflect the rising demand for hospitals and trusts to ensure all measures are taken to provide the highest levels of on-going care possible, employing efficient practices wherever available. Furthermore, as we head in to the colder winter months, staff will already be well aware of the marked rise in patients as a result of seasonal illnesses. Capacity is a topic that is questioned by UK healthcare providers on a yearly basis – any efforts that can be made to reduce the amount of administrative work on staff, to allow more time with patients during the most vulnerable time of the year should be welcomed. Even now, as the NHS undergoes a digital transformation, many hospitals across the country still rely on outdated paper-based room booking systems. This makes it extremely difficult to co-ordinate efficient use of equipment, rooms and staff in such a fast-paced, constantly changing environment. Going digital has many benefits aside from the obvious environmental and space-saving impacts. Utilising software allows improved transparency within hospitals and trusts, allowing staff an enhanced picture of the resources available within the facility. Using an online booking service as oppose to traditional diarised paper-based systems can ensure rooms avoid becoming double booked, that the correct members of staff are available, and that important data isn’t lost or compromised. Such a system also enables better management of cancelled clinics, allowing any associated rooms to be recycled. One UK NHS Trust that has already made strides to address efficiency within its two sites is already reaping significant benefits from replacing written and documented booking systems with BookWise Outpatients digital healthcare scheduling software. It now manages 1,300 monthly outpatients clinics within its regional neuroscience centre, a cancer centre, and a Hyper Acute Stroke unit. Since installation, the first month saw a 76 per cent approval rate on 301 requests, with approval rates in June rising from 47 per cent to 80 per cent, due to detailed requester knowledge and improved data quality of room availability. With capacity becoming increasingly limited, it’s crucial that other locations look to integrate other time saving practices wherever possible. For healthcare professionals, the ultimate end-goal is providing the best care and treatment for their patients. In this increasingly demanding sector, adopting new technology is integral to helping automate administrative processes and cut paperwork – saving money, time and allowing a greater focus towards patient care.
Ultra-luxurious Kings Lodge care home chooses latest anti-microbial baths from Gainsborough
Kings Lodge located in Surrey and operated by Aura Care Living, has selected power-assisted Gentona and Sentes baths from Gainsborough to enhance its state-of-the-art care provision. Opened in July 2017, Kings Lodge is a stunning 64-bed care home that provides luxurious and opulent accommodation. Offering a combination of high level residential and dementia care, Kings Lodge is a state-of-the-art facility styled on a European ski-lodge set in 15 acres of mature woodland. Located in Camberley, Surrey, this innovative building is championing a new concept in person-centred care – its selection of four assistive baths by Gainsborough Specialist Bathing is instrumental to this approach. The new height adjustable Gentona baths with bather transfer seats are the latest models from Gainsborough. In addition to providing safe moving and handling and a luxurious assisted bathing experience, each Gentona has integrated BioCote anti-microbial technology for advanced infection control. They provide 99.99% 24/7 protection against Influenza H1N1, E.coli, Salmonella and antibiotic resistant CRO, CRE, VRE and MRSA – a critical advantage for the battle against ever evolving superbugs. These baths also provide higher operational cost savings with reduced water consumption and faster bathing cycle times. Every bedroom at Kings Lodge has a high specification en-suite wet room however residents have the choice to bathe in four specialist bathrooms. These facilities are popular with residents especially new arrivals who have not been able to bathe for some time due. The Gentona provides a powered bather transfer seat and variable height functionality so carers are protected against musculoskeletal injury due to excess bending and lifting. If residents have greater postural challenges or more complex needs, the reclining Sentes bath provides a more supportive solution. Offering the opportunity to bathe is a major benefit at Kings Lodge as it relaxes residents and can improve therapy sessions. Maintaining positivity and well-being is a key factor within the atmosphere of Kings Lodge – greatly enhanced by the Gainsborough baths. Lisa Strevens, Director of Service Camberley, comments: “I have worked in the care industry for over 20 years and always choose Gainsborough. Not only are their baths reliable and operationally efficient, they are stylish and the after-sales support is amazing. When you have years of experience in various care facilities you know which products to trust. Longevity is so important with assistive equipment however many products these days simply do not last. Whereas I know Gainsborough baths are durable. They deliver long term value and are exceptionally cost effective through operational savings and a competitive price. Here at Kings Lodge all our equipment is top quality, this is why we specified the Gentona and Sentes baths.” Lisa adds: “Our new Gentona’s use 25% less water per bathing cycle without compromising care, hence we save on our heating and water bills. The integrated BioCote anti-microbial technology gives continual protection against microbes and illness, hence enhancing our infection control and helping us meet CQC targets. Our residents find the Gainsborough baths provide a very luxurious and pleasant experience and carers find them easy and safe to operate.” In summary Lisa says: “Overall Gainsborough baths have been chosen as a high quality solution for a high quality care facility. They deliver a superior bathing experience that perfectly complements our ethos for client-centric care that is luxurious and of the utmost standard. We believe Kings Lodge is a new breed of care home, an opulent home for people to thrive in comfort and style. Gainsborough baths help us deliver this exceptional experience.” www.gainsboroughbaths.com
How can employers in the care industry accommodate changing staff demands?
Staff shortages within the healthcare industry continues to be a hot topic in the news as of late, with many employers finding it difficult to not only attract new members of staff, but also, retain existing ones. This means that employers in this industry need to be on the ball to attract and keep the most talented, hard-working individuals. Recent research from CV-Library has revealed that care professionals believe certain changes within the workplace environment would make them more likely to want to stay within the company. This means that employers might consider retaining staff members through fairer and more appealing working conditions. Below we discuss how employers in this industry can accommodate changing employee demands through better dress codes, fewer hours and a healthier work-life balance. Adapting dress codes to meet changing workplace trends Throughout the years dress codes are known to change along with various fashion trends so it’s not surprising that almost half (48.40%) of care workers think that the workplace dress code is outdated. While uniform is necessary for hygiene reasons when dealing with patients it’s also important to accommodate changing employee demands. After all, being stuck in past trends isn’t ideal to attract fresh and new faces. It’s understandable that getting rid of the workplace uniform may not be completely beneficial for this industry, besides, patients will be more likely to trust someone in uniform and patient safety is vital. Yet, a compromise is always possible where old fashion uniform styles can be combined with modern standards to accommodate employee needs. For instance, employers may consider giving employees the option to wear shoes of their choice, providing they work with health and safety guidelines. This means that care workers can feel more comfortable at work – crucial when you’re on your feet all day. It’s important to note that the right seasonal clothes should be provided. This may mean warmer clothes in the winter, and cooler lighter clothes in the summer. If employees feel comfortable it may make them more productive. So it’s important to remember to accommodate to the needs to your employees as well as patients. The opportunity for a shorter working week The prospect of a shorter working week is enticing for many, and while it may initially seem far-fetched, 69.80% of care workers agree that a shorter working week would be beneficial. So how can an industry with already staff shortage challenges accommodate this employee desire? There are several potential alternatives that could work for both employee and employer. Firstly, employers should consider the possibility of more flexible hours. The survey revealed that as high as 71.10% of care sector workers actually work more hours than they are contracted to every week. So first of all, care workers could be allowed to get back the extra hours worked through leave days. Also, more opportunities for flexible working could be considered such as allowing employees the opportunity to work the same hours as a five day week but over four days. A positive view on this is that staff members will have more hours during their work day to get tasks completed and therefore may not end up working too much overtime. Better options for a work-life balance for staff All work and no free-time isn’t ideal for workers. It can cause high stress, not allowing staff the time to chill out and de-stress from their busy lives. At the end of the day, this is going to be bad for employers too, stressed staff are more likely to get illnesses and require sick leave, proving costly. Out of workers in the care sector 31% said a better work-life balance would help to combat mental health in the workplace. Therefore, employers might be able to consider ways they can improve employees work life balance to increase employee productivity. Employers can seek proactive ways to improve employee’s work-life balance, avoiding these issues before they become a bigger problem. Firstly, employers could encourage staff to leave on time to avoid work eating into their free-time. It may prove beneficial to have regular one-to-one chats with employees to discuss how they’re getting on, any issues can therefore be raised early. Finally, employers should look at ways to give back to staff if they’ve worked particularly hard, maybe through reward vouchers, pay rises or a half day finish. It’s important to remember that this industry is stressful to work in because there’s an emotional attachment to patients, so organisations need to make sure they’re doing all they can to keep staff happy. To sum up, it’s clear that employers need to be proactive in retaining staff members through better working conditions. It’s essential to listen to the workers in this industry to accommodate changing employee demands. Better dress codes, fewer hours and a healthier work-life balance may be the way to go about this. While these changes can benefit the employees themselves, employers may find that they benefit from increased employee productivity, retention and less sick days, a successful method to address the issues around staff retention in this industry. By Lee Biggins, Founder and Managing Director of CV-Library
Older people at risk of CO poisoning according to GST’s latest Downstream Incident Data Report
The Gas Safety Trust (GST) today (26 October 2017) published the Downstream Incident Data Report statistics for 2015-16. The report collates data relating to accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning incidents in Great Britain (GB) associated with the use of mains natural gas and piped Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the home. Since 2011, information, albeit less extensive than that for mains gas, has also been collected concerning CO incidents associated with the domestic use of solid fuel and oil. This year the report recorded 20 incidents, including five fatalities. Four of which were over 60 years of age and related to piped natural gas, and one 18-year-old male caused by an LPG space heater. All five fatal incidents occurred between September 2015 and January 2016. This follows on from the 2014-15 period during which there were four fatalities, all over 80 years of age, where older appliances were involved. Support to those vulnerable customers is available via the priority services register (PSR), which is a free and voluntary system that your supplier and network uses to ensure the correct support is given to those in need. Chris Bielby, Chairman of the GST said: “It is sad news that there have been five fatalities recorded by the DIDR data collection this year. Once again we are seeing an emerging trend of older people being poisoned. This chimes with other work we are funding elsewhere which is identifying vulnerable older people and those in fuel poverty as particularly at risk. We would urge people to make sure that their appliances are serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer and that an audible CO alarm tested to the standard EN 50291 is installed as a second line of defence.” The GST, set up in 2005, is the UK’s leading gas safety research charity and has in recent years refocused its strategy on funding several strands of CO related research, to provide the underpinning empirical evidence that supports improved awareness and understanding of the effects of CO. www.coportal.org www.corgiservices.com
International guidance published on ‘overlooked’ older people with diabetes
A leading professor has claimed older people with diabetes are being “let down” and “overlooked” by the system – prompting new international guidance outlining a ground-breaking model for how they should be treated. An International Position Statement on the Management of Frailty in Diabetes, which outlines a ground-breaking model for how to manage older people with diabetes who also suffer from physical weakness and fatigue, has been published. It was compiled by Professor Alan Sinclair of the Foundation for Diabetes Research in Older People at Diabetes Frail and Professor Bruno Vellas, Chief of the Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at the Toulouse University Hospital, France, and former IAGG President, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Geriatrics Society and an International Group of Experts. The document makes a series of recommendations to help doctors and nurses treat the over 70s who have diabetes and who may also suffer from other conditions linked to physical weakness. This is the first time guidance has been published internationally on the subject and those involved have called for a “clear focus on patient safety” and early recognition of the deterioration of a person’s health as part of the overhaul. Professor Sinclair said: “Frailty is now recognised as a new complication of diabetes in ageing populations and needs to be a priority for action. This is because frailty leads to excess disability in diabetes leading to earlier institutionalisation, decreased quality of life, and premature death. Yet early prevention and management should lead to longer, healthier lives. “Quite simply older people with diabetes developing frailty are being let down and overlooked by the system, that’s why we have developed this international position statement to illustrate and share a better way of caring for these people. “It is part of a wider problem as generally older people with diabetes were often overlooked and over medicated, but we now need to give them the care and attention they deserve.” The document lays out a specific model for those working in primary, secondary and community care to help them understand how to prevent frailty and ensure the early management of the condition. It also provides a platform for a model of care to be coordinated across local regions to help those older people with diabetes who are developing frailty, have developed frailty, and those progressing to disability. The guidance was compiled because the prevalence of diabetes is increasing among people between the ages of 60 to 79 years, and frailty may be present in up to one in four in this age range. In older people with the condition, frailty and loss of muscle mass and strength known as sarcopenia, have become serious complications which are often overlooked or not diagnosed by healthcare teams. The guidance was unveiled in the UK at the 4th National Conference of the Older People’s Diabetes Network (OPDN), which is chaired by Professor Sinclair. To read the Position Statement in full, click here.
