New report published on impact of asbestos-related cancer on healthcare professionals
Mesothelioma Asbestos Guidance Study (MAGS) and recommendations produced by Mesothelioma UK and University of Sheffield A study into the impact of asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma on healthcare professionals has been completed and a report outlining the results and recommendations is now available. The MAGS study was carried out by researchers at the University of Sheffield and funded by national charity, Mesothelioma UK, alongside donations from the family and friends of the late Dr Mags Portman, a pioneer in the fight to prevent and control HIV, who died of mesothelioma in 2019. MAGS report cover.png Mesothelioma is a cancer related to exposure to asbestos and predominantly affects the lining of the lungs. The UK has the highest incidence of the disease in the world with around 2,700 people diagnosed each year. With many NHS hospital buildings containing some asbestos, the study aimed to explore the experiences of healthcare workers in the UK with mesothelioma and to develop recommendations for increasing awareness of the risk to healthcare workers. Recommendations from the study include the need to get a more accurate picture of the extent of mesothelioma amongst healthcare staff, that awareness of asbestos risk should be added to the mandatory training for new members of NHS staff, and that special consideration should be given to the communication of the diagnosis. Through patient interviews, literature reviews, and data analysis researchers examined the experiences of presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and care of healthcare staff with mesothelioma. Participants included both clinical staff, such as doctors and nurses, and non-clinical staff, such as medical secretaries, cleaners, porters, and maintenance staff. A report detailing the findings and recommendations is now available at www.mesothelioma.uk.com/magsDr Peter Allmark, the lead researcher for MAGS at the University of Sheffield said: “The healthcare workers I interviewed were people who’d worked many years caring for others. That they had either certainly, or probably been exposed to asbestos at work and become seriously ill as a result was deeply upsetting. Their wish is that this project will help healthcare workers avoid this in future.” Professor Angela Tod, Division of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sheffield comments:“MAGS provides valuable insight into the nature of asbestos exposure for people working in healthcare environments. It also indicates we are currently under-estimating the numbers of people who have developed mesothelioma after working in a range of health-related occupations. We hope MAGS will inform future action to reduce risk of asbestos exposure and improve the care of healthcare workers who develop mesothelioma.” Liz Darlison, Head of Services for Mesothelioma UK added: “We’re learning that mesothelioma doesn’t just affect people who worked in areas typically associated with asbestos exposure such as the construction or shipping industries. People are exposed to asbestos in many of our public buildings such as hospitals and schools. “Mesothelioma UK will ensure that this research raises awareness of the risk of exposure to healthcare staff and hopefully, improve the treatment and care given to them by medical teams and support agencies. Dr Mags Portman was a huge inspiration and I would like to say a personal thank you to her family friends who supported this study.”
CPA responds to the Adult Social Care Winter Plan
The Care Provider Alliance (CPA) welcomes the government’s promise of extra funding as part of the Infection Control Fund and the announcement of the new Adult Social Care Winter Plan. Kathy Roberts, Chair of the CPA said: “The Care Provider Alliance has been working closely with the Minster of State (Minister for Care) Helen Whately, MP and senior policy officials at the Department of Health and Social Care on the core elements of the Winter Plan. As an Alliance we have played an important role in calling on government to provide essential PPE for free to care providers and for the continuation of the zero-rate VAT on PPE supplies after the current deadline of 31st October 2020. Our work with members has resulted in, on average, 99% of all care home providers reporting on the Capacity Tracker data capture initiative. We believe visibility of the dashboard reporting mechanism should be extended to the wider care sector to make sure people using care and support services and staff are safely supported through the winter. “We are also delighted by the announcement of a new Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care. During the height of the pandemic, many of our members told us of the essential need for expert clinical advice and input. Our expectation is that this role further strengthens our ability to provide more community-based longer term condition management and palliative care. We look forward to working closely with the Chief Nurse when appointed.
New plan to help protect care homes from COVID over the winter
A new Adult Social Care Winter Plan will aim to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections in care settings throughout the winter months, the Health Secretary confirmed. As part of the plan, people receiving adult social care and care workers will receive free PPE, a new dashboard will monitor care home infections and help local government and providers respond quicker, and a Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care will be appointed to represent social care nurses and provide clinical leadership to the workforce. Local providers must restrict all but essential movement of staff between settings to reduce transmission, supported by an extra £546 million for the Infection Control Fund. This will help care providers pay staff full wages and enable staff to work in only one care home. This brings the total funding for infection control measures in care homes to over £1.1 billion and underlines the Government’s commitment to ensure adult social care has the resources it needs to keep residents and staff safe. The Government is prepared to strengthen monitoring and regulation by local authorities and the CQC, including asking them to take strong action where improvement is required or staff movement is not being restricted. This can include restricting a service’s operation, issuing warning notices or placing conditions on a provider’s registration. Further details of how the winter plan will be enforced will be set out shortly. Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock said: “We are entering a critical phase in our fight against coronavirus with winter on the horizon. Our priority over the next 6 months is to make sure we protect those most vulnerable receiving care and our incredibly hard-working workforce by limiting the spread of the virus and preventing a second spike. “This Winter Plan gives providers the certainty they need when it comes to PPE and provides additional support to help care homes to limit the movement of staff, stop the spread of coronavirus and save lives. We will be monitoring the implementation of this carefully and will be swift in our actions to protect residents and colleagues across the country.” The new Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care role will provide clinical and professional leadership, while upholding and raising standards among the care workforce. Recruitment will begin in October to ensure the department and sector can benefit from the professional expertise the new role will bring. To improve understanding of where infections are taking place in care homes, a dashboard will be introduced as a single point of information for local, regional and national government to monitor outbreaks and measures being implemented to reduce it. Minister for Care, Helen Whately said: “Our brilliant care workers have been tirelessly looking after our loved ones throughout this pandemic, and Covid rates have come right down in social care through the summer. With cases beginning to rise now, we must take the strongest possible action to stop the virus and protect people. “The creation of the Chief Nurse for Social Care is also an important step and will provide leadership to social care nurses and the wider care workforce who often work unseen. The skills and compassion of our care workers must be fully recognised and supported ” The unveiling of the Winter Plan will be supported by the publishing of the Adult Social Care Covid-19 Support Taskforce report highlighting the effectiveness of the fund and the Care Home Support Package. Chair of the Adult Social Care Covid-19 Support Taskforce, David Pearson said: “A test of any country is the degree to which it supports and enables those who need care and support to stay safe and to lead the best lives they can. This report draws from expertise from across the social care sector and sets out the actions that should be taken to help keep people safe while maintaining their independence. “I would like to pay thanks to the huge involvement from the social care sector in the taskforce and in the development of this report and indeed in aligning closely with the Winter Plan. Close coordination between local and national bodies within the sector is critically important to the success of the sector and will play an important part in keeping people safe and healthy in the winter months ahead.” The report will also look at how we can learn from the first phase of the virus and sets out a number of recommendations to the government to prepare for winter the sector and the workforce for winter. Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Luke Hall MP said: “We’re doing everything we can to ensure councils are prepared to tackle coronavirus throughout the winter months. “These new measures including providing free PPE to care homes and new ways to track care home infections will make a huge difference in limiting the spread of the virus supporting those on the frontline with this important work.” Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive , Care England said:“We welcome the Government’s focus on care homes and will work with them to implement the Winter Plan to ensure the best outcome for residents of care homes and their families
Help to those having difficulties with mental health
As we navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic, there is an increasing concern about the country’s mental health. Families who have been separated for months, bereavement suffered without normal means of support; and children not attending school. All have had an impact. For those in or connected to the care industry, things have been particularly difficult. With a restriction on visitors, families had to adapt how they connected, with our older generation learning new technologies to keep in touch. There have been many videos and photos shared on social media of children at windows visiting their elderly relatives. Carers have stayed away from their own families in order to keep their residents safe. For everyone involved it has been extraordinary. Staff and their families worried about spreading the virus, whilst relatives of care residents have been unable to visit. As adults, we can understand, even if we find it difficult to reconcile. However, younger children may really struggle. They may really struggle for some time to come. With a desire to help, Clare Shaw, an author of therapeutic stories for primary aged children, has partnered with a national mental health charity, Kaleidoscope Group Plus. Clare writes picture books to help younger children understand certain situations. The current focus is on two of her books, Love Will Never Die; Helping children through bereavement and At Times I Get These Feelings; Helping children with emotions. Love Will Never Die has been used by schools and funeral directors across the country since it was first published. It explains death in an incredibly honest and direct, child-friendly way. There are many areas where the child can write or draw their own emotions, while the text gently guides the child through their grief. Children can find it difficult to identify and deal with their emotions. At Times I Get These Feelings covers twelve emotions explaining how each can make the child feel and offering hints and tips to help them with that feeling. There are many activities in the book that are widely used by teachers and ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants) within schools and it has been hailed a “must have” for all children! Established in 1973, Kaleidoscope Group Plus offer a wide range of services for people experiencing difficulties with their mental wellbeing. Their services include: ‘community outreach initiatives to provide opportunities to people who want to improve their wellbeing, counselling for young people and adults, corporate mental health training, national telephone support line, national crisis text line, as well as residential care homes and supported houses for the most vulnerable in society.’ Together we hope to be able to help those who need it across the country. We are working to get free copies of Love Will Never Die and At Times I Get These Feelings into primary schools across the UK through fundraising and corporate sponsorship. We have set up discount code KPG40 at www.cskidsbooks.com offering people 40% off rrp on these two titles; with every book sale on the website a percentage goes back into the charity to help fund the much needed and superb work that they carry out. For more information about the charity please visit https://www.kaleidoscopeplus.org.uk/index.php For more information about the books and to place an order please visit https://cskidsbooks.com/ Kaleidoscope Plus Group have just launched a brand-new service – Talk2Us – free to use for anyone in the UK. You can contact them through the following: Phone: Call 0800 059 0123 Monday-Friday between 9am & 8pm, Saturday-Sunday between 5pm-8pm. Messenger: Chat to us online through our website, or directly through Facebook and a member of our team will be with you as soon as possible to talk. https://www.facebook.com/TheKaleidoscopePlusGroup/
Stay connected and start making a difference at the Care Virtual Summit
On the 8th October, the Care Virtual Summit is returning to our screens and promises a line-up of speakers comprising of the most influential, passionate people in the sector. Representing many areas of care, the summit will explore technology, leadership, dementia, well-being, funding, staffing and how to make a real positive impact in your care business and the sector as a whole. The Care Virtual Summit is not just a day well spent, it’s a day of real value. Attending the summit means you get an entire days content of CPD training, which you can choose to watch live or on-demand at a time that suits you! This includes informative and inspirational seminars such as a one stop guide to Dementia, led by Professor June Andrews from the Dementia Services Development Trust and how to build a high-performance culture in your care business, delivered by Simon Parker, Founder at SP&P. Join care manager Jonathan Cunningham in an inspirational and emotional journey, where he’ll demonstrate the importance of leadership (plus a whole lot of singing, musical instruments and laughter!). Throughout the day they’ll be a number of fascinating discussions with a range of incredible speakers. Firstly, you’ll hear from Yvonne Hignell, Chief Operating Officer at Cera Care and Tony Stein, CEO of Larchwood Care, who’ll be discussing the role of technology in home care and care homes. Next is the summits sought after panel discussion between Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive at Care England, Colin Angel, Policy and Campaigns Director at UKHCA, Avnish Goyal, Founder and Chairman at Hallmark Care Homes and Raina Summerson, CEO of Agincare Group. They will be addressing the highly requested topic of funding in care and asking the question, where does it go? Lastly, Sophie Chester-Glynn, Director at Coproduce Care and Arnie King, Equalities Lead at Manor Community, will be giving an extremely useful talk on how we as individuals can influence social care law and policy – so get your pen and paper ready. Not only do you get all of the above, every attendee will be entered into a raffle to win an Aeroguard Mini provided by Care Shop and be entitled to 50% off the Future of Care Conference! You’ll even have exclusive access to a live magic show from Britain’s Got Talent Magician, Alan Hudson! Book your ticket now so you can stay up to date and engaged with the sector you love and feel inspired to make positive change so you can start making a difference. Book here – https://care-virtual-summit-october.heysummit.com/
Plumbing equipment manufacturer reminds facilities managers they can automate some Legionella prevention
An outbreak of Legionnaires disease in the West Midlands has prompted a plumbing equipment manufacturer Intatec to remind facilities managers that Legionella precautions can be automated. As lockdown eases, many businesses are encouraging people back into the workplace with multiple COVID precautions, but there could be another bug lurking waiting to claim unsuspecting victims and that’s Legionella. Domestic and commercial water systems are designed to combat the microbes and bacteria that thrive in tepid water, but the systems rely on hot water being stored over 60 degrees and all hot and cold taps being used regularly. Stuart Gizzi, managing director at Intatec, says: “It’s upsetting to learn that people are getting ill from Legionella when it is so very easily preventable. The early symptoms are similar to COVID, so for anyone suffering from it, there’s an extra worry. It’s a serious disease that has a 10% fatality rate. “We don’t know the circumstances around the West Bromwich outbreak, and Dr Adrian Philips, consultant in communicable disease control at the Public Health England Midlands Health Protection Team has said they don’t currently have a direct link between the cases, but the evidence they have points to the possibility that there is a common source. “Legionella thrives at around 20 – 45 degrees celsius and can occur when taps and showers have been left unused for a considerable period of time, which means washrooms in empty offices are particularly vulnerable after lockdown. “Ideally, caretakers or building managers should really have been running every tap every few weeks, which depending on the size of the building, can be a pretty big job. But there are products that automate the process. Some of our infrared taps can be set to automatically turn on to run enough water through to prevent the build-up of bacteria, even when the hot water systems are off. “Being the first person to use a long-turned-off tap can be risky, but it really shouldn’t be. “Building and facilities managers should take recommissioning buildings seriously and take care of themselves when they’re doing it.” For similar articles please visit our features section.
Empowering our older generation to create their own future
Comment by Paula Broadbent, retirement solutions director at ENGIE. “The best way to predict the future is to create it” – Abraham Lincoln I have always found this quote inspirational, and it has particularly influenced my personal ambition to provide better choices for older people in the UK. LIFEstyle by ENGIE, which launched in 2018, is a result of this ambition. It allows customers to have more control over their environment and their own futures in later life. To empower people, is to engage with them – so at LIFEstyle we have invested heavily in research and development through two-way communication. Our best advisors and advocates are our customers, and we have given people over 55, a voice right from the start of the LIFEstyle vision. We aim to ensure we understand what people aspire to in later life, and what the challenges are that they face – this is essential to creating a future that meets expectation, as well as need. When Spring of 2020 brought unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a major impact was felt across the world; creating fear, dismay and devastation for many, especially the older generation. Our LIFEstyle customers have not been immune to the ravaging effects, however, the sense of community, safe environment and individualised support available on our development has made the world of difference. This along with carefully designed lifelong homes offering indoor and outdoor independent space has helped people to remain safe and independent. I am very proud of our business model, LIFEstyle is weathering the pandemic – a storm no one could predict. We’re lucky to be working with a model that has proved successful in some of the toughest conditions the UK has faced for generations. However, we are not sitting on our laurels as we review the lessons learnt by scientists in relation to the spread of the virus. We’re constantly looking to identify preventative measures that we can build into our products and services in readiness for a spike or repeat of such a pandemic. The demand for our first LIFEstyle development in Walton Wakefield has increased two-fold since the lockdown eased and customer comments give a clear indication the approach at LIFEstyle by ENGIE is the right way forward. This is only strengthened by our commitment to delivering zero carbon communities. Climate change is the pandemic we will not be able to develop a vaccine for, but we can slow it down and prevent it. The implications of doing nothing are far reaching and the devastation will not discriminate. My ambition is to build on the success of LIFEstyle, to create community based zero carbon solutions that decarbonise the environment and decentralise services. The impact of us doing something about climate change will be massive for future generations and can empower us all to create our own future. As a senior leader within ENGIE, I make no apologies for being ambitious in my drive to deliver a business model that will change the horizon for future generations of older people in the UK. I aim to drive a way forward for a healthy future, for an environment that allows older generations to have aspirations in later life and a vision to support people to age well and live well, whilst protecting our planet. We will connect communities, health, housing and social care across all tenure groups. I am proud to work for a business with a clear mission, to place the planet and its population at the heart of its thinking when it comes to creating place, shaping and delivering infrastructure and services, to meet the need for a sustainable future. And I remain determined, to give the older generation a voice through education and engagement with younger creators, to ensure they are rightfully empowered to create their own futures. LIFEstyle by ENGIE is not simply about building suitable, lifelong homes to address short term aspirational needs of people over 55 or about providing a lovely home in a great location. LIFEstyle by ENGIE made a commitment to customers to provide long term sustainability and enable customers to influence, shape and control their own future; a future focused on remaining independent and well for longer. LIFEstyle by ENGIE, allows people to future proof their lives and not just their home – promoting better long-term outcomes in later life. A home is not simply about an energy efficient building in the right location, it’s the support network of friends, family and interaction within the community that all contribute towards creating the perfect lifelong home. We understand this, and are committed to creating communities that focus on essential infrastructure like; location, accessibility to essential services, efficient green energy infrastructure, digital network and community facilities. We want to enable people to engage with others in meaningful activities, bringing all generations closer together. The community hub is a key feature of all our LIFEstyle developments, along with cost effective pay as you go services and property adaptations when people need them. We ensure affordability of services and facilities which support wellbeing and make this all available on the doorstep. We are also working on innovations to compliment LIFEstyle by ENGIE, which we hope to launch later this year including; Electric Car share, ENGIE Digital Assistant and Modular Lifelong homes. Ultimately, when it comes to happiness at any age, there are three homes we must take care of. Our body, our mind and our planet. At LIFEstyle we ensure our flexible and dynamic offering takes care of all three without compromise. For similar articles please visit our features section
A most unusual relationship
Even though there’s an age gap of over 73-years, pen pals Eva, 14, and Mary, 86, have the most unusual relationship and have been keeping each other company during the Coronavirus lockdown by becoming pen pals. The two-some have been writing to one another since April and have exchanged several letters between them. Meeting via a volunteering scheme launched by Brunelcare to help tackle loneliness during the Coronavirus; Eva sent a letter addressed to any tenant who lived at Brunelcare’s Colliers Gardens Extra Care Housing Site in the hope someone would like to write back, a couple of weeks later, Eva received her first letter from Mary, a tenant at the site. Eva said:“When I first wrote to Colliers Gardens I didn’t know if I would get a reply. A few weeks later, I had a letter from Mary. I was so thrilled! Mary and I talk about everything from arts and crafts, to the weather to what we’ve been up to at the weekend. There’s nothing I like more than receiving a letter from Mary in the post. Writing and receiving letters is very exciting and it’s definitely a lost art form.” Mary said: “You’re never too old to make friends. Me and my pen pal Eva have found out that we have a lot in common, we both love arts and crafts! I’ve been telling her all about when I was a volunteer, and my daughter and son-in-law who both volunteer where I live. I always look forward to receiving her letters, and I can’t wait to finally meet her after lockdown. I think this is going to be a friend for life.” Julie Walker, Extra Care Housing Manager said: “Mary and Eva have formed a friendship-for-life through the Brunelcare pen pal scheme. The pair have been keeping in touch over the past three months and it’s just fantastic to deliver Mary her letters from Eva when they arrive in the post. It’s great we are able to make such a difference. We will love to welcome Eva and her Mother Polly into Colliers Gardens to meet with Mary once it’s safe to do so.” If you’re looking for a Care Home or Extra Care Housing place for yourself or a loved one, please visit our website for more informationwww.brunelcare.org.uk/help-guidance/family-support/choosing-the-right-care-option/
Miele Professional sets a fresh market standard with the release of new Little Giants Range
Miele Professional launched its new Little Giants range on Thursday 16th July. The new range will officially become available from 1st August and comprises the PERFORMANCE washing machine and dryer and the PERFORMANCE PLUS washing machine and dryer. The range offers one of the shortest washing cycles of just 49 minutes, with a load capacity of 8kg, as well as controls to suit a variety of channels and users. These machines deliver perfect results in sectors that need to tackle high volumes of laundry while adhering to stringent hygiene standards. Miele’s most environmentally friendly Little Giants range yetDue to the speed capacity of washing cycles, the new range washing machines require 22% less water and 28% less energy. Reductions in cycle times on heat-pump dryers have been cut by one-third, to now less than 60 minutes. Whilst casing dimensions have remained unchanged, washing machines and tumble dryers now have a load capacity increased by 25%. The Performance washing machines have been given an A+++ energy efficiency rating, while the Performance heat-pump dryer has been awarded A++. Quality cleaning and fabric careSetting fresh standards in gentle fabric care, the new Little Giants washing machines include Miele’s patented honeycomb drum, allowing textiles to glide gently on a thin film of water while additional perforations in the rear drum panel ensure even more thorough wetting. The new EcoSpeed wash rhythm reinforces this effect – slowing down the drum’s speed, so that the scoop ribs can transport as much water as possible to the top of the drum which then rains down onto the load. Then, at higher speeds, water and particles are rinsed out with greater force, thoroughly washing even the most delicate of items. Shorter cycle times with high performanceThe new range comprises robust, commercial grade technology and high-performance washing and drying processes, with cycle times of only 49 mins for washing and 38 mins for drying. The new heat-pump dryer has outperformed its predecessor by one third, with a cycle time of less than 60 minutes, using 60% less energy than a standard condenser dryer. Easy to use and highly convenientThe Little Giant’s wide range of programmes and user interfaces are tailored to user requirements, with newly developed controls and text displays in up to 32 different languages, facilitating a variety of user profiles.The M Select controls then permit programme selection via a rotary selector, giving access to further settings using the touch display. The M Flex Touch controls encompass a full touch colour display, offering a simple and intuitive user interface with a broad range of programmes. High-level operational safety and perfect textile care are both crucial for sectors in which hygiene and infection control are a key priority.Installed as a washer-dryer stack on a footprint of less than 1m², Little Giants are the perfect solution for organisations operating compact on-premise laundry facilities.The fast and powerful tumble dryers offer user convenience through their redesigned fluff filter that has a particularly large filtration area. This reduces the need for filter cleaning, freeing up valuable time and resources. Fully informed and connected, anywhere, at any timeThe new Little Giants from the Performance Plus series incorporate digital networking for efficiency and convenience. This is brought together through WiFiConn@ct, which allows the Miele appliance to connect to the internet via a WiFi router. Using the Miele@mobile app on a smartphone or tablet, users will be able to check status queries, receive notifications, such as the requirement to replenish the detergent, and place orders on the Miele online shop. The machines also feature the XKM module, enabling users to validate and monitor wash cycles.Joint executive director and co-proprietor of the Miele Group, Dr Markus Miele, commented, “This is the most important launch for Miele Professional for many years. We are now more future-focused than ever before. The new connectivity of the Little Giant range means that we are ideally positioned to move into an increasingly digital world and adapt quickly to our customers’ changing needs. This new range is part of our continual improvement and we call this ‘immer besser’, meaning ‘forever better’. The new Little Giants are the best range yet on the market, with our focus still being on quality as the core value.” Sam Bailey, sales and marketing director for the Professional Division of Miele says, “The new Little Giant range with the PERFOMANCE and PERFORMACE PLUS washers and dryers offers the perfect laundry solutions for a range of sectors. Drawing on Miele’s history of experience and innovation, we’ve been able to bring together benefits of time efficiency, connectivity, flexibility, and, of course, leading Miele Quality. Users can benefit from increased capacity, reduced downtime and better wash quality – all the features you’d expect from a Miele machine.”If you would like to find out more about the new Little Giants range, or enquire about a purchase, visit the website here.
