Mepilex dressings use state-of-the-art technology
To promote efficient healing Care & Nursing Essentials editor Victoria Galligan heard three different views on the new Swedish-deigned dressing Mepilex, which promise to decrease healing time and reduce infection… DEVELOPER – Molnlycke How and where were the dressings developed? Mepilex dressings were developed by Molnlycke, we are a Swedish-based leading medical solutions company that equips healthcare professionals to achieve the best patient, clinical and economic outcomes. Mepilex Border Comfort was developed with proprietary Flex Technology – the benefits of which have been analysed using an established method called finite element modelling. They also incorporate the new Exudate Progress Monitor – a dot pattern that allows you to easily track and record fluid as it spreads, without disturbing the wound. Which features make the dressings so effective? Mepilex Border Comfort addresses the challenges that many patients with chronic wounds face. The Cutting-edge Flex Technology means that the dressing can adapt to every day movement, allowing it to stay in place for longer and making wear more comfortable. Not only that, but superior exudate management means the dressing more effectively handles fluid and traps bacteria, reducing concerns about infection and meaning that dressings need to be less frequently changed. PATIENT –Nicholas Booth How long have you had the wounds for, are they new wounds or have you been suffering for a while? There have been two wounds, the first on my right leg and the second on my left. Both are on the Achilles tendon (pictured). I picked up the first wound in about April last year. It was my own fault. I wore some weights around my ankle in order to exercise my legs more while walking my dog. These was some abrasion to the back of my leg but I ignored it as cuts always heal up. This time the cut didn’t. I didn’t notice at first, but pain started to build up. By May, it was hurting enough to make me go to a drop-in centre. I thought it might be too trivial to bother them with but the nurse said: “You’ve got an ulcer. You must get this properly treated.” She told me to go down to my GP personally and make sure I got an appointment to see the practice nurse. Ever since that day I’ve been in pain. I have oedema, which makes the legs swell up, and if you have a cut that forces your wound, however tiny, to swell up too. When I used to take bandages off I used to dread looking at the results. It’s like watching your leg slowly burst open. How did the Mepilex dressings help? At one stage the bandages I was using (bought from supermarkets) were roughing up the skin around the wound, which effectively spread the area of pain. I never had that problem with the Mepilex bandages. They stay on too, which is a massive relief, as some of my bandages were coming off. The padding is brilliant too. At one stage, when I was cycling, I accidentally clunked the back of my ankle against the spiky bike pedal. I was in the middle of Richmond Park, swearing like hell and wailing, because the bandage I had on that day had given me no protection. The Mepilex give you a bit of protection. They stick to you like limpets too, without being uncomfortable. They also seem fairly absorbent and are very comfortable. It’s a shame I didn’t discover them earlier. Would you recommend them to a friend over other dressings, and if so, why? Oh absolutely. The application of the dressing, and keeping it in place, is crucial and the Mepilex is easily the best bandage for holding everything in place. At times, when I (or the medics) used other bandages, I was in agony when the bandage or the dressing slipped. I think Mepilex is great, used in conjunction with a support stocking. DOCTOR –Dr Paul Chadwick What are the common issues with regular dressings? There a lots of issues related to conformability and adhesion particularly on difficult to dress areas such as the feet. This leads to slippage and trauma to the wound and periwound and can prolong treatment time and increase risk of complications such as infection. With dressings that you can leave on for a week, isn’t there an increased risk of infection? There is no increased risk of infection providing the wound dressing is designed to be in place for that period. The risk is the development of infection which can occur whether the dressing is on for two days or seven and it is undetected. This is a particular issue in patients who have neuropathy (loss of feeling commonly seen in people with diabetes) where pain may not be present. In all cases patients should be encouraged to check the surrounding area and report any signs of heat, redness, swelling, odour and pain. Equally the patient should report urgently if they have any flu-like symptoms such as temperature. It is recognised in other areas of practice that things remain undisturbed for a week. For example in diabetic foot management gold standard treatment for a non-ischemic non-infected foot ulceration a total contact cast is used which remain undisturbed for a week. Are there cost savings to be made with Mepilex? Considering they require fewer changes, this will no doubt reduce staffing costs, and the reduction of secondary complications such as trauma associated with continually removing dressings will reduce costs. For more information on Mepilex dressing, see molnlycke.co.uk
Giving a helping hand to the elderly during the festive season
While there are various positive aspects and associations related to the festive period, Christmastime can also result in loneliness becoming clearer for people to see. The Mental Health Foundation has found that 19.7 per cent of people aged 16 years old and above across the UK showed symptoms of depression or anxiety in 2014, while the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that there were five per cent of adults throughout England alone who reported feeling lonely either ‘often’ or ‘always’ in 2016 to 2017. If you feel lonely, the festive season can be a time of year that is met with dread. This is because they could see the holiday season as a time of the year where they witness those around them getting reacquainted with loved ones, with these instances likely to make their feelings of emotional isolation more profound. Take note too that, according to the ONS, older widowed homeowners who live along and with long-term health conditions were especially likely to report feelings of loneliness more frequently. Elderly citizens who have had to say goodbye to a loved one may be made more aware that someone is no longer with them when they carry out traditions that they used to enjoy doing as a couple. Everything from hanging up Christmas decorations to having a Christmas dinner can trigger these moments of sadness. As the festive season is quickly coming around once more, Brits have been urged by curved stairlift manufacturer Acorn Stairlifts to provide a helping hand to elderly loved ones and neighbours throughout the holiday period. Here’s some advice on how to do so… The joys of volunteering with the elderly Volunteering feels even more special and thoughtful when carried out across the festive season. There’s nothing quite matching helping others and then seeing their appreciation in the way they respond to the acts of kindness and the positive looks on their faces. People who feel lonely can also find volunteering very helpful. However, it can be intimidating doing it on your own at first. Therefore, why not consider working at a soup kitchen or organizing a gift drive and then asking others if they want to get involved, too? On the topic of volunteering, be sure to take the time to enquire with an elderly relative or neighbour if they need any help carrying out tasks around their homes this Christmas. Whether it’s giving them a hand to put up decorations or clearing their yard after a heavy snowstorm, you’ll be helping while also giving those you’re assisting some company. Christmas traditions that you can get elderly people involved in Christmas comes with traditions that people like to get involved with year after year, regardless of their age. Therefore, have you enquired with elderly neighbours and relatives of their interest in getting involved in fun-filled occasions throughout the festive season? They may enjoy joining you for some Christmas shopping, for example, or to see your town or city’s Christmas lights display. See if they also want to get involved when you go carolling, are decorating your homes or are making holiday crafts too — many of these are likely to remind them of their youth and can also see many generations all enjoying the holiday period together. Be aware too that some people will worry that they are intruding on someone else’s family time, choosing not to ask if they can get involved in an individual’s Christmas traditions as a result. However, they won’t need to worry about this if you’re the one to reach out and present them with the friendly invite. Avoid only using electronics to connect with the elderly The problem of loneliness can be heightened when people spend large amounts of time on their computers and mobile devices. Dr. Jennifer Caudle, an assistant professor of family medicine at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, stated that loneliness can be “an invisible epidemic”, masked by an individual’s online persona. An individual’s online persona is unlikely to be reflecting their real-life emotions of loneliness either, Dr. Caudle was also keen to point out. Therefore, be sure to take the time to see people in person no matter how hectic the holiday season is. “Being connected electronically isn’t the same as in person,” Dr. Caudle went on to acknowledge to CBS News. “There’s something about a person-to-person interaction that’s generally better for our well-being. Maybe it’s intangible. But I think being around other people, family or friends, and that reassurance, communication, or something as small as a smile or a touch; these are small things, but I think they’re very important.” Sources: https://www.aclsonline.us/articles/the-guide-to-overcoming-holiday-depression-for-the-elderly-and-their-caretakers/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-squeaky-wheel/201312/surviving-loneliness-over-the-holidays https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-depression https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/articles/lonelinesswhatcharacteristicsandcircumstancesareassociatedwithfeelinglonely/2018-04-10
Society’s social care training benefits residents and staff alike
Anne Kasey, Home Manager and Clinical Lead for maritime charity, the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, discusses the importance of investing in training in the social care sector and how it benefits residents… It doesn’t matter which sector one operates in – having the right staff for the job is paramount to the success of any business. In the social care industry, this is more important than anywhere as staff are fundamental to the health and wellbeing of residents and have a duty of care to fulfil. The social care sector is currently facing difficulties recruiting and retaining qualified staff – in fact 15% of vacancies across the entire UK economy are in the health and social work sectors according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). To combat this, up-skilling employees is part of a solution that contributes to the smooth running of a care home. Here at the Royal Alfred we have an in -house trainer, allowing our staff to have consistent one-on-one training on site. This helps to ensure all staff are working to the same standard and addresses any gaps in knowledge, it also demonstrates to employees that they are part of a supportive workplace. Having staff that are equipped with the necessary qualifications, skills and training not only increases job efficiency, but can drastically improve morale and enables staff members to feel empowered and valued in their roles. All of this helps to achieve a better experience for residents as well as complying with Care Quality Commission standards. As a charity serving former seafarers, we understand our residents’ individual needs and recognise the people who call Royal Alfred home are deserving of the best standard of care. Earlier this year we commenced specialist training with our pioneering Maritime Acquaint Training programme to provide staff with a knowledge of the maritime industry. Funded by a close supporter of the Society, our staff took part in a training day hosted on a P&O cross channel ferry from Dover to Calais. This now annual programme was created by our CEO, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, to help staff better understand residents’ physical and psychological needs and the care required for each individual. This training session allowed our staff to fully immerse themselves in how life would have been like at sea, and the understanding of how large vessels operate at sea, often in treacherous weather conditions and across long journeys. This is key for us to help employees understand our residents’ past experiences and is what makes our residents’ stay truly unique. Benefits of such in-depth training within the care sector are not just experienced by residents. At Royal Alfred, we provide not just a job, but a career. We think training improves staff morale, which is key to the smooth running of any care home and boosts staff retention. Recently we commended five members of staff with long service awards for dedicating ten years of their working life to the home to make them feel valued and supported in their roles – just one example of a success story at Royal Alfred. We have many long-serving staff and I myself having been with Royal Alfred for over 30 years and Margaret Brazier (Executive Assistant to CEO Brian for over 50 years). It shows that people really do invest their careers with us due to good training, career progression and opportunity. For the Royal Alfred, training creates better experiences for our residents that depend on the expertise of staff for their day-to-day care, while staff develop their careers at the same time. At a time when social care recruitment is proving difficult, the time has come to consider training to help plug the gap and we urge any care home to consider investment now for sustained success. For more information on the social care which Royal Alfred offers, see royalalfredseafarers.co.uk
Autumn Budget 2018 – what it means for healthcare
Chancellor Phillip Hammond has announced the government’s Autumn Budget. He promised: “A budget for hard working families who live their lives far from this place and care little for the twists and turns of Westminster politics.” Over the past year, Brexit has affected the workforce as many European staff feel their future is uncertain, and the number of EU nationals registering as nurses in England dropped by 92% following the 2016 referendum (see https://www.theguardian.com). As NHS leaders called for more funding to end the healthcare crisis, and the Prime Minster recently told the country that “austerity is over”, we decided to take a look at how the budget will affect healthcare in 2019//20. ’NHS is our No.1 priority’ Mr Hammond announced that public sector net borrowing is set to fall to its lowest in a generation by 2024, which is set to hit the NHS where it hurts in terms of funding. He said that in June the “single largest cash commitment to our public services ever made by a peacetime Government” in the form of an £84bn five-year deal for the NHS had already been announced. Such boosts in funding have been facilitated by moves including a change in the Personal Allowance and Higher Rate Threshold taxes, and the scrapping of Entrepreneur’s Relief. My Hammond said this was “half as much again as the increase Labour offered the NHS at the last election”. He added: “Let me be clear: We are delivering this historic £20.5bn real terms increase for the NHS in full over the next five years. So, in a very important sense, we made our big choice for this budget, four months before it was delivered. And this was the right decision: our NHS is the number one priority of the British people; and as we approached the 70th anniversary of its foundation, they had a right to know the scale of our commitment to it.” But Anita Charlesworth, Health Foundation Director of Research and Economics, tweeted in June after the funding announcement was made: “Most important take home about NHS spending announcement – it’s enough for standstill service quality, it’s NOT enough for a shopping list of improvements. It excludes capital, training, public health and social care – all must get extra funding in the Autumn Budget.” Mental health funding Regarding mental health, Mr Hammond said: “There are many pressing demands on additional NHS funding, but few more pressing than the needs of those who suffer from mental illness. And today I can announce that the NHS 10 Year Plan will include a new mental health crisis service, with comprehensive mental health support available in every major A&E, children and young peoples’ crisis teams in every part of the country, more mental health ambulances, more ‘safe havens’ in the community, and a 24-hour mental health crisis hotline. “These new services will ensure that people suffering from a crisis, young or old, can get the help they need, ending the stigma that has forced too many to suffer in silence and the tragedy of too many lives lost to suicide. “We are proud to have made this extraordinary commitment to funding our NHS – a precious institution that has been nurtured for most of its life by Conservative Governments.” Social care funding As the Chancellor said the Social Care Green Paper was due to be published “shortly”, he vowed to build on the £240m for Social Care winter pressures announced earlier this month, with a further £650m of grant funding for English Authorities for 2019-20 and an additional £45m for the Disabled Facilities Grant in England in 2018-19. Richard Murray, Director of Policy at The King’s Fund, said: “The social care system cannot continue to get by on last-minute, piecemeal funding announcements. Adult social care in England needs at least £1.5 billion more per year simply to cope with demand meaning that the funding announced today, which will also need to cover children’s social care, falls far short. This highlights the need for a long-term plan for how social care will be funded and structured so that it can meet increasing demand. Successive Governments have dodged tough decisions on social care and the forthcoming Green Paper must now ensure social care gets the long-term plan it so desperately needs. “Two billion pounds for mental health confirms the early signals that this would be a key priority for the forthcoming NHS long-term plan. But years of underfunding have taken their toll and this is no more than a small step on the road to parity of esteem. Mental health services need more than money to meet demand. A chronic shortage of mental health staff means that, despite the new funding, the service won’t improve until the Government and the NHS provide a plan to increase the workforce.” Jonny Bottomley, Co-Founder & CEO at Edyn.Care, a company which provides tech-enabled solutions for the care sector, said: “We watched the Budget announcement closely today and even though we were hoping to see some money set aside for an independent body tasked with modelling the amount of funding needed by social care in the future, a £650m investment for councils is still welcomed. However, it fails to close the funding gap of £2.2 billion. We think it will continue to enable the home care industry to survive but not flourish.” Read the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget speech in full here. Photo credit: Twocoms / Shutterstock.com
Care home provider in court over alleged sexual abuse of resident
The CQC is taking a care provider to court this week over alleged sex attacks at one of its homes. In July 2017, it was reported that Hillgreen Care Limited found a 28-year-old known sex offender, one of its residents at the home in Colne Road, Enfield, in the room of a 23-year-old male. The victim, a severely disabled autistic man, had allegedly been raped by the man who had been left unsupervised despite being a high-risk resident. The alleged attacker is currently serving a jail term for the rape of a 14-year-old girl, and the Crown Prosecution Service said he will not be prosecuted over the care home incident due to a lack of evidence. The CQC said in a statement: “Hillgreen Care Limited has been summonsed in respect of two offences: Between 1 April 2015 and 1 November 2015 at 14 Colne Road, Enfield, London, Hillgreen Care Limited failed in its duty under Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 Regulations 2014 in that it exposed service users at the care home to a risk of sexual harm and thereby failed to provide safe care and treatment. “Between 1 April 2015 and 1 November 2015 at 14 Colne Road, Enfield, London, Hillgreen Care Limited failed in its duty under Regulation 13 to establish and/or operate effectively systems and processes to prevent abuse of service users and thereby failed to protect those service users from abuse. Consequently a service user at the care home sustained avoidable harm.” Amid the original investigation, it came to light that the deputy manager of the care home was himself a convicted sex offender and working illegally in the UK. It was also reported that Hillgreen only told the victim’s family about the alleged attack 24 hours later, and only called police two days after the incident had taken place. The trial continues at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court.
TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR LGBT+ CARE ENDORSED BY SKILLS FOR CARE
Opening Doors London, the largest provider of training and consultancy for health and social care professionals working with older LGBT+ people, has been endorsed by Skills for Care as meeting their national standards for quality learning and development in adult social care. Training and Consultancy Manager Jim Glennon is delighted with the result, less than a year since the new training offer was developed. “We knew that we had a great set of courses, and learner feedback to date has confirmed this, with 93% saying they felt better able to improve LGBT+ care and support after attending one of our workshops, but this major endorsement is the icing on the cake for us. Everyone appreciates that Skills for Care is synonymous with quality in the care sector and having their full support lends great credibility to the training and consultancy we offer.” Tailored to the needs of frontline health and social care workers, with additional courses for care managers, Opening Doors London training is unique in being designed and delivered by older LGBT+ trainers who work in teams to deliver a training experience that is highly experiential. All endorsed courses are based on the latest research and policy, helping staff stay abreast of the issues, meet their legal requirements and improve the quality of care and support for all. For more information on LGBT+ care training facility Opening Doors London, click here. Photo: Opening Doors London. Related articles: New partnership to help elderly LGBT community Pride In Care Conference supporting LGBT patients Fire Brigade attend care home summer fayre
Omega Elifar – residential care with inclusion at its core
Care & Nursing Essentials editor Victoria Galligan spoke to Vanessa Read, managing director of residential care home provider Omega Elifar to find out how the organisation is built around its motto: Every Life Is For A Reason… I read on the Omega Elifar website about your founder’s history and her time at a children’s care home. Could you describe why the late Hilary Marsden wanted to improve care for youngsters in the 1970s? As a nurse working in a home for children with severe leaning and physical disabilities, Hilary witnessed first-hand the poor practices and conditions that appeared to be acceptable in the 1970s. She wanted to improve the lives of those children and to ensure that they were integrated into everyday society – enabling families, friends, and especially the children themselves to feel that they were worthy and respected members of the community – and so the ELIFAR (Every Life Is For a Reason) journey began. How have Omega Elifar put these ideas into practice over the years? We strive to embody the same ethos that Hilary established back in 1970, although this can be difficult at times due to the changing regulations and financial constraints. Do you think as a society we are focused enough on the care of elderly and/or disabled people? Due to changes in working arrangements and the expectations placed on individuals by media and culture, we, as a society, have begun to lose sight of the family unit. In the past, individuals requiring care or extra support were cared for by family members, and for many years, this was the foundation of a caring society. As this foundation has eroded, society has turned its attention to other things, and those who require care, especially the elderly and people with disabilities, have become increasingly vulnerable. Are policy makers doing enough to support people in independent living properties? I think policy makers are trying their best to support people and allow them to be as independent in their own homes as possible. However, they are faced with financial constraints, and this has an impact on the quality and number of properties that are available for people with disabilities. What makes The Firefly Club stand out from other care homes? The Firefly Club offers a different model of care for the elderly and people with disabilities. By pioneering a smaller care model, we are able to take a more thorough, person-centred approach and provide a high staff-to-resident ratio that ensures residents receive the care and support they require. Living at The Firefly Club is about living your life to the fullest, and our on-site activity suite and therapy sessions – along with new technologies utilised throughout the development – facilitate this and allow individuals to both explore and continue their hobbies and interests. What qualifications/training do staff at The Firefly Club have? Our Service Manager, Hannah Whiteman, is qualified to NVQ 5 level and has 10 years of experience, both within the community and in a residential setting. We recruit staff members with both NVQ 2 and NVQ 3 qualification who also have relevant experience to support. This is to ensure that the our team have the experience and training that they require to support residents effectively. We also welcome newcomers with a calling to care, who are further supported by the staff team and must complete the Care Certificate during their probation period before moving on to NVQ qualifications. What are your plans for the future of The Firefly Club and the rest of the company? Omega Elifar has a history of providing care to the vulnerable in society. We seek to build on this reputation and to ensure that we continue to provide safe, effective, and person-centred care to all of the adults in our care – whatever their level of need, presently or in the future. As a company, we seek to enable and facilitate individuals to live a colourful and active life for their whole life. For us, it’s not about being the biggest but about ensuring that we provide high-quality care and are faithful to those individuals who have entrusted us with their wellbeing and security. Omega Elifar have also committed to supporting the Care Workers Charity and will be getting progressively more involved in its sponsorship and promotion. For more information on Omega Elifar, click here and see the Firefly Club here. Firefly Club Photos: Christopher Lanaway Photography Related articles: The Firefly Club independent living suites open in Hampshire
Spearhead Healthcare opens the doors to Staffordshire care home showroom
Spearhead Healthcare, one of the UK’s leading suppliers to the care home sector, has launched a care home showroom in Staffordshire in response to growing demand for high quality furniture, furnishings and equipment designed specifically for the care environment. Professor June Andrews, international dementia expert and former director of the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC), officially opened the showroom at a well-attended launch event at the end of September where she cut the ribbon and gave a talk on the reasons why care home-specific and dementia-specific design is so crucial to the quality of life for residents. 60 managers from local and national care home groups and independent homes attended the event for a sneak preview of the new facility, which showcases Spearhead’s full interior product and design ranges including those for dementia and bariatric care. Attendees also made the most of the opportunity to network with their peers and learn from the guest speakers’ insights. Judith Stockton, manager of Woodlands Care Centre in Macclesfield comments: “We found it very valuable visiting the showroom, seeing the ranges on display and also being able to try out the comfort and features of the various chairs and fabrics. It was great to see the colour choices and possible combinations. I would recommend to anyone looking to refurbish their care home to visit the showroom, and I plan to return before making any final decisions.” Russell Pillar, Director of Care Interiors at Spearhead Healthcare adds: “We’re delighted with how well the launch event went and with the initial feedback we’ve received on the new showroom. It’s the first of its kind in England and will help care home groups make more carefully considered, better informed decisions on all aspects of interiors, including aesthetics, health and safety, and regulatory compliance. Our consultants will always be on hand to share their extensive experience on the best way to create dementia-friendly environments without compromising on style. “I’d particularly like to thank Professor June Andrews – who we’ve worked with previously to guide our dementia-friendly designs – and leading care sector consultant Issac Theophilos for their starring roles in our showroom’s grand opening. It’s great to have experts in the field highlighting the importance of good care home design.” From floorings and fabrics to curtains and chairs, Spearhead’s complete interiors range is displayed within the showroom’s fully-fitted room scenes. Newly launched products include a range of lounge chairs with pressure-relieving foam built into the seat cushion, designed to prevent pressure issues developing; and the Circular 6-9 Seater Bench/Table from Spearhead’s Outdoor range, allowing residents’ wheelchairs to fit easily at each table. Spearhead has been a trusted ‘one stop shop’ supplier to the care sector for more than thirty years, supporting projects from concept to completion, helping customers protect the reputations of their homes and enhance the quality of life for residents. Recent projects include the full refurbishment of the specialist care facilities Trinity Court and Royal Park in the West Midlands, which included a recreation room and café. Spearhead’s Stafford showroom is based on the successful concept of the company’s first showroom at its head office in Kilmarnock, Scotland. The showroom is located on Staffordshire Technology Park, Stafford ST18 0LQ. Visits to the showroom are by appointment only. Call now on 0345 180 1800 or email sales@spearheadhealthcare.com to arrange an appointment to view the Spearhead Healthcare showroom.
Baxter Education Centre offers training on home therapies
Baxter Healthcare Ltd has announced the opening of a new residential education training centre in Swinton, Manchester for patients, the first centre of its kind in the north of England. The Baxter Education Centre offers a dedicated, purpose built space where patients who require renal dialysis or intravenous nutrition are educated, trained and supported by specialist nurses to be able to independently carry out their home-based therapies. “Building on the success of the existing Baxter Education Centre in south west London, which has trained over 2,500 patients since it opened in 2006, we’re excited to now extend self-care training opportunities for NHS patients in the north,” said Andy Goldney, General Manager UK, Ireland and Nordic, Baxter. “The new Baxter Education Centre in Manchester provides a residential setting conducive to learning, in which patients and their families are trained to manage their intravenous nutrition or renal dialysis therapy within a group setting, helping to allay anxiety about home therapy and build confidence.” Officially opening the education centre was Lord Smith of Leigh, Chair of Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, who said: “I am pleased to be able to support the opening of the centre, which is very much aligned with our strategy to enable patients to take more charge of their own health. It is an innovative project that will provide a benefit to patients across Greater Manchester and the north of England as well as saving the NHS money.” Receiving dialysis in hospital incurs a significant time commitment and impacts a patient’s day-to-day life. (2,3,4) Home dialysis allows patients to spend more time with their family and friends, and to continue work. Being at the hospital less often means a reduced risk of hospital-acquired infections, and better health-related quality of life. (5) “It is widely acknowledged by UK physicians, patients associations, the Department of Health and NHS England that home dialysis therapy is clinically and financially beneficial for patients and for the broader NHS,” said Dr Anand Vardhan, Consultant Nephrologist, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. “At a time when the NHS is under growing pressure, home peritoneal dialysis training frees up NHS resources while increasing the quality of life of renal patients and their families.” (1) The Baxter Education Centre will accommodate training of 275 patients a year for 3 days of one-on-one training, with a follow up training day within 6 weeks of completing training, with no costs to patients apart from transport to and from the centre. The new centre could save the NHS 15,000 man-hours per annum, by reducing the burden on NHS teams and keeping more patients on home based therapy. (6) Patients will be referred to the new centre from NHS renal units and nutrition centres across the north of the UK. On average, a referral for renal patients will take 4-6 weeks, depending on how quickly the hospital arranges catheter insertion. As access to the new training centre is covered by the national Peritoneal Dialysis Framework, additional procurement costs to the NHS are eliminated. (6) In 2006, Baxter opened the UK’s first purpose-built residential patient training centre, the Baxter Education Centre in south west London. Staffed by experienced qualified nurses, nearly 300 patients a year along with their carers and families come to the centre to learn how to perform home peritoneal dialysis6 and intravenous nutrition. Once fully trained, patients commence their therapy in their own home under the continuing care of their NHS team. Click for more information on the Baxter Education Centre. About Baxter Every day, millions of patients and caregivers rely on Baxter’s leading portfolio of critical care, nutrition, renal, hospital and surgical products. For more than 85 years, we’ve been operating at the critical intersection where innovations that save and sustain lives meet the healthcare providers that make it happen. With products, technologies and therapies available in more than 100 countries, Baxter’s employees worldwide are now building upon the company’s rich heritage of medical breakthroughs to advance the next generation of transformative healthcare innovations. References 1. NICE. Guidance on home compared with hospital haemodialysis for patients with end-stage renal failure. Accessed September 2018 2. NHS Choices. Dialysis: Pros and cons. Accessed September 2018 3. Kidney Care UK. Haemodialysis factsheet. 2013 Accessed September 2018 4. Kidney Care UK. Peritoneal dialysis factsheet. 2013 Accessed September 2018 5. The Renal Association, 2014. Update: Renal Association Patient Safety Project. British Journal of Renal Medicine, Vol 19 No1. Accessed September 2018 6. Baxter Data on File Related articles: New range of qualifications for the health and social care sector New research combines medicine and engineering to improve quality of life for patients with kidney failure Care Home manager delivers lecture to future nurses
