NHS workers #YouAreHeroes
The NHS employs over 1.4 million people in the UK and the Social Care Sector hires a further 1.6 million people. An additional 65,000 retired doctors and nurses have been contacted by the Government, urging them to return to work. These are frontline, key staff that are working day and night to support and take care of our loved ones during this unprecedented time Showing our support The Home Care Expo wanted to show support and appreciation to the health, care and support workers on the frontline during the COVID 19-Coronavirus pandemic by building an online community though the #YouAreHeroes Campaign. The aim of this campaign is to connect all those working in high-risk health, care and support roles including NHS workers, care providers and other health social care providers with the view to: • Combat loneliness and stress for health, care and support workers • Raise awareness and appreciation of the difficult but incredible work health, care and support professionals are doing at this unprecedented time • Facilitate conversations between those in similar positions • Show our appreciation for all your hard work Join the Campaign Participation in this campaign is greatly encouraged, please use #YouAreHeroes on social media as you share; • Advice to health, care and support workers such as how to cope mentally or good technology that allows you to keep connected • Words of encouragement – either by video, a quote or a photo • Resources you think may help Let’s work together to build a community that helps our key workers in the fight to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. Follow the campaign on social media at @HomeCareExpo #YouAreHeroes
Reducing the risk of coronavirus in care homes
Care & Nursing Essentials’ round-up of news and advice on the coronavirus outbreak for those working in care homes, including a printable guide… Care homes urge visitors to stay away As coronavirus cases in the UK continue to rise, many care homes have now taken the decision to ban visitors unless absolutely necessary. Despite the government’s decision not to advise distancing, many care providers took the decision to reduce the number of people coming in and out of care home settings in order to help stem the spread of the virus. Pharmacist and NHS Digital adviser Mohammed Hussain tweeted that the move by care homes was “another example of organisations taking the lead where government guidance is behind the curve”. Meanwhile Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales and owner of eight care homes in Wrexham and Caernarfon, said: “In my organisation, Pendine Park, we’re already significantly reducing the number people entering homes and we’ve introduced washing stations outside each of them. “We’ve got to do everything that we can to ensure that people are safe, and I would say this to anybody who wants to visit a loved one in a care home to think very, very carefully because totally accidentally this virus could be transmitted. “Simply put, not visiting care homes is likely to save people’s lives. “I think it’s very important that we recognise that care homes will be a safe haven.” Spring Budget’s extra funding to tackle coronavirus As the coronavirus outbreak reaches epidemic level globally, the UK government has pledged funds to help stop the spread of the virus and to ease financial difficulty caused by Covid-19. During the Spring Budget, Chancellor Rishi Sunak pledged to make it easier for people to claim sick pay and outlined measures for self-employed people. He also announced extra funding to help public services cope. Mr Sunak stated: “I know how worried people are. What everyone needs to know is we are doing everything we can to keep this country and our people healthy and financially secure. This is an issue above party.” Despite the extra funds announced regarding the coronavirus outbreak, Siva Anandaciva, Chief Analyst at The King’s Fund said social care had been “overlooked” in the budget. He said: “The coronavirus outbreak has understandably altered the government’s priorities for this Budget so the extra £5bn announced for the NHS, social care and other public services to support their response to the coronavirus is very welcome. As the situation develops the government will need to keep under review how much funding public services need. “The Budget also included an additional £6bn for the NHS to deliver on some of the government’s headline manifesto commitments. Chronic workforce shortages remain the single biggest issue currently facing the NHS and social care, yet the Budget was light on detail of how it would boost recruitment and retention, and support under pressure staff. The publication of a long-term, comprehensive NHS People Plan has been repeatedly delayed and held back to allow for today’s Budget commitments, so it is now essential to get this published as soon as possible. “Adult social care remains a pressing and overlooked issue and despite the Prime Minister’s election commitment to ‘fix it once and for all’ the pressures have only increased in recent months. It is hugely disappointing that this Budget does not include an emergency cash injection to help local government to address social care needs beyond coronavirus. In writing to MPs and Peers last week, the government has still not come forward with any proposals for long term reform of social care.” Printable poster for your care home The team at Log my Care – a care management app provider – has created this poster with a list of handy information as well as a quick instruction set as to how to log a suspected coronavirus incident within the Carer App: Advice on reducing spread risk A scientist has published some useful advice on how to help prevent the spread of coronavirus which can help you prevent yourself and care home residents from catching the disease. Scientist James Robb (MD FCAP) was a professor of pathology at the University of California San Diego and one of the first molecular virologists in the world to work on coronaviruses in the 1970s. His tips are fairly self-explanatory but explain clearly why these precautions are needed – and his advice on stocking up on zinc lozenges has sparked a worldwide spike in sales of the product. Dr Robb said: “I was the first to demonstrate the number of genes the virus contained. Since then, I have kept up with the coronavirus field and its multiple clinical transfers into the human population (e.g., SARS, MERS), from different animal sources. The current projections for its expansion in the US are only probable, due to continued insufficient worldwide data, but it is most likely to be widespread in the US by mid to late March and April.” He said coronavirus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. This means that the air will not infect you but all the surfaces where these droplets land are infectious for about a week on average.Therefore, everything that is associated with infected people will be contaminated and potentially infectious. He added: “The virus is on surfaces and you will not be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed upon.“The only way for the virus to infect you is through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze onto or into your nose or mouth. How to prevent the spread of coronavirus Dr Robb listed the precautions he was currently using as coronavirus said – adding that he took the same precautions during any flu season, except for the mask and gloves: 1) No handshaking! Use a fist bump, slight bow, elbow bump, etc.2) Use only your knuckle to touch light switches. elevator buttons, etc. Lift the gasoline dispenser with a paper towel or use a disposable glove. 3) Open doors with your closed fist
Victoria House manager receives Community Award
On International Women’s Day 2020, Nirmala Singhvi, manager of Victoria House day centre for the elderly in Watford, received the Community Impact Award. The award was presented by local organisation, One Vision Project, set up to create better everyday life for the people of Watford, and particularly supports the vulnerable, promote equality and address injustice. Nirmala, known by all as Nimo, believes that she was nominated “as the local community thinks we are a really good day centre, in the heart of the community, making a difference to the lives of others,” she said. Nimo has managed Victoria House, a busy day centre in Greenbank Road, Watford, for over 13 years. The centre exists for the older generation, including those living with dementia, to enjoy. Members can visit 7 days per week and take part in organised, meaningful activities and feel a sense of belonging in the kind, safe and supportive environment provided. Runwood Homes’ Regional Operations Director commented, “The whole community recognises Nimo’s unwavering passion and dedication to enhancing the care and wellbeing of others at Victoria House and celebrates her well-deserved achievement. Nirmala has been an integral part of the management team at Runwood Homes for so many years and is a true asset to the organisation.” The successful Runwood Homes day centre includes church services, singing, celebration of Holy Days, arts and crafts, gentle exercise, gardening, ball games, hand massage and manicures, cookery, coffee mornings, discussion groups, board games, poetry reading, library, themed events, meals and excursions as well as a regular walking group. The manager, Siddharth Vaghela, of neighbouring care home Greenbanks said, “The team at Greenbanks would like to congratulate Nimo for her fantastic achievement. We are so proud and privileged to have ‘amazing Nimo’ as a part of our team next door at Victoria House.” Nimo is not new to receiving accolades for her work. In 2006, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Runwood Homes and, in 2007, was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list. Clients of Victoria House can enjoy the large dining room, sensory room, TV room and an activities room as well as a large secure garden, surrounded by woods with a park nearby. For more information please call 01923 255369 or visit Victoria House in Greenbank Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 4JR.
Holmes Care Group in £47.5m deal with Impact Healthcare REIT
Holmes Care Group has finalised a long-term partnership with Impact Healthcare REIT, in which nine of its properties in Scotland will be acquired by Impact Healthcare REIT and leased back to Holmes Care. This deal will see Impact provide a cash injection of £47.5m to Holmes Care Group, who will continue to operate all of the homes as before. The agreement will allow Holmes Care Group to make substantial investments across its homes and services, enhancing the reach and quality of its already award-winning care across the country. The properties have been bought in a sale and leaseback transaction, with a fixed 25-year lease, allowing the Group to continue to seamlessly provide the long-term, high-quality, enriching care and support for which it has routinely been recognised since it was founded in 1982. Nines home will be boosted by deal Sharifa Lakhani, Managing Director of Holmes Care Group, said: “Providing excellent care to everyone who makes their home with us is our absolute priority. “We are very pleased to have concluded this deal, which will allow us to continuously invest in our homes across Scotland whilst maintaining our proud tradition as a family-run business. “This long-term arrangement will see us continue to operate all of the homes, and is great news for residents, their families and our team.” The nine homes involved in the agreement represent 649 beds at present, with two services located in Drumchapel, Glasgow, and the remaining seven located across Aberdeen, Wishaw, Banknock in Stirlingshire, Renfrew, Greenock, Armadale in West Lothian and Stevenston in Ayrshire. All nine homes already hold high ratings from Scotland’s healthcare regulator, the Care Inspectorate, and will be boosted by this beneficial deal. Holmes Care Group, which received the Top 20 Award by carehome.co.uk in 2017, is a family-run business and offers a range of services including residential, palliative, nursing and dementia care, as well as day services for the elderly and support for young people with disabilities. In addition to continuing to operate the nine homes involved in this acquisition, Holmes Care Group will maintain ownership and operation of its four homes in England. In total, the Group provides care and support to over 800 people across both England and Scotland, employing over 1200 staff.
Care home to close after further inadequate CQC rating
A care home in the London borough of Havering is to close after being rated Inadequate overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Alton House, in Hornchurch, was rated Inadequate for being safe and well-led. It was rated Requires Improvement for being caring, effective and responsive, following the inspection in January 2020. Alton House leadership has now made the decision to move all residents out of the service. They have been supported by the local authority commissioning team to ensure suitable alternative placements have been identified for people. Alton House is a care home, providing accommodation and support for up to 23 older adults including people who may have a diagnosis of dementia. At the time CQC inspected, there were 15 people living at the service. Inspectors found risk assessments and the management of medicines were inadequate and did not support staff to ensure people received safe care and told CQC they felt safe; however, the systems in place did not always protect people from abuse and harm. Staff did not receive an adequate induction or relevant up to date training to ensure they could provide effective care. People were not supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. People were not always treated in a kind and dignified manner. Alton House has been in Special Measures since 15 October 2018. During this inspection the provider did not demonstrate that improvements have been made. CQC found for one resident, many parts of their care file had not been updated in 14-15 months. Specifically, risk assessments for ‘sight, hearing and communication’, ‘personal care’ and ‘skin’ had not been updated since November 2018. Some staff members were not competency assessed and had not received training to handle medicines. Records confirmed that four staff members had not completed medicines training and eight staff members had not had their competency to administer medicines assessed. Alison Murray, CQC’s Head of Adult Social Care inspection in London said: “It is always sad when a provider decides to close a service, it is paramount that people get good quality care and that was not happening at Alton House. Everybody who was living at Alton House has now moved out and we wish them well in their now homes.” You can read the report in full when it is published on CQC’s website at: https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-6326493716
Naidex 2020 Important Information
We know many of you were planning on visiting Naidex next week, so we wanted to let you know that the event has been postponed – please see statement below. Naidex 2020 and All Co-Located Events Rescheduling Due to Coronavirus The organiser of leading independent living show Naidex (17th-18th March 2020, NEC Birmingham), has been closely monitoring updates on the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Like many large event organisers, the health and safety of our visitors, exhibitors and staff is always our number one priority. This is particularly pertinent in the care and health sector communities that Naidex brings together. Many of our visitors are, or are on the frontline of supporting, the most vulnerable in society. This combined with the fact that health and social care workers will be critical to ongoing containment and management strategies, means that we have taken the decision to reschedule Naidex to later in the year and will confirm this date by Monday 16th March 2020. This will include all events co-located with Naidex including Smart Home for Assisted Living, Dementia, Care & Nursing Home Expo, Home Care Expo, Care Tech Live, European Neuro Convention, Medical Imaging Convention, European Oncology Convention and AI&ML Convention. While this is not a decision that has been taken lightly, we feel that it is the right one – not just for the care and health sector but for the wider community as a whole. We are of course, in ongoing communication with our exhibitors, speakers, partners and suppliers. Those we have managed to speak to thus far have been exceptionally understanding. If you are affected and the team hasn’t managed to reach you yet, please know that we will be in touch very shortly. Alternatively, please contact the event team directly at Enquiries@ROARB2B.com or +44 (0) 117 990 2107. Thank you for your understanding and support and we look forward to welcoming you later in the year. Please click here to be taken to the Expo website for future updates on when the show will be held.
Brunelcare’s Robinson House Care Home retain its CQC ‘Good’ in all five services
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out a two day unannounced inspection in January 2020 of Brunelcare’s Robinson House Care Home. The home achieved ‘Good’ in all five domains – Safe, Effective, Responsive, Caring and Well Led which in turn, gives an overall rating of ‘Good’. Brunelcare’s Robinson House is a 70-bed home and has successfully maintained its ‘Good’ rating during this inspection. Robinson House was awarded a ‘Good’ overall in their previous inspection in July 2017. The CQC inspection report states: “Staff treated people with dignity and respect. Staff received training in dignity, equality and diversity. Staff were observed addressing people by their preferred name and speaking to people in an appropriate tone and positioning themselves, so the person knew they were talking to them. Staff were observed knocking on doors and waiting for permission to enter. Staff clearly described how they supported people in a way that promoted their dignity and independence. The service had been accredited with the Gold Standard Framework for their end of life care. Staff supported people exceptionally well in this area continuing to provide a very person-centred approach, taking into consideration the wishes of the person and their family.” A family member of a resident living at Robinson House said: “All the staff are brilliant, I cannot find any faults with the care, I turn up sometimes and someone is sat with my mum” and “The caring staff have made the transition from home easier, I couldn’t be happier with my choice all the staff cannot do enough for her. When I leave she is happy we cannot fault the place.” Sandra Payne, Director of Nursing & Care Homes said: “This result is testament to the compassion and dedication of every member of the team every single day. Robinson House is a great place to live and work and we are pleased that the Care Quality Commission recognised this during their visit.” Sandra has been Director of Nursing & Care Homes since July 2019 and oversees all CQC inspections that happen at Brunelcare’s care homes. Sandra has been working hard to open Brunelare’s newest Care Home, Little Heath Care and Support, due to open this Spring in Cadbury Heath, Bristol. To find out more about Brunelcare visit: www.brunelcare.org.uk
Borough Care marks International Women’s Day
Borough Care, the largest not-for-profit provider of care for older people in Stockport, is marking International Women’s Day (8 March) by celebrating the achievements of its female residents. Dr Mark Ward, CEO at Borough Care, says: “At Borough Care, we believe the amazing things our female residents have achieved during their rich and interesting lives should be celebrated not forgotten. These ladies paved the way forward for today’s women. Although gender equality is still some way off, by drawing attention to the incredible, colourful lives our female residents have led we hope to raise awareness against bias and take action to promote equality.” One such resident is Marjorie Aytoun, who lives at Borough Care’s Meadway Court in Bramhall. Born in Stretford, Greater Manchester in 1932, Marjorie’s intelligence and aptitude shone through from an early age. She secured a place at Stretford Grammar school before going to Leeds University to study the Classics, Ancient Greek and Latin. Things took an unexpected turn for Marjorie at Leeds University, when she developed Spinal TB and had to spend two years in hospital. Despite many difficulties, Marjorie continued to study for her degree throughout her illness. Marjorie had to lie on a slab and could only move her hands and head. Books were laid on her chest and the words reflected onto the ceiling so she could read. It was her determination to complete her degree that kept Marjorie going. Marjorie recovered and went on to achieve both a B.A. and M.A. in the Classics, before she began a teaching career. Marjorie’s ambition to succeed and break boundaries didn’t stop, as she decided to study for the ministry, despite some reservation towards female reverends at the time. While at Meadway Court, Marjorie has continued to enjoy being involved with the Church, regularly attending services and special events. www.boroughcare.org.uk
The team behind Castle View looks to expand
Castle Retirement Living, the team behind the new £30million Castle View retirement village in Windsor is looking to replicate its retirement living model. The envisaged future formula would blend purpose-built luxury apartments with excellent community facilities and be based in an urban area with all the benefits of connectivity, community, entertainment and activity. “We aim to design and develop high-end quality retirement living that’s a significant departure from conventional older living apartments,” says Robin Hughes, CEO of Castle Retirement Living. “The quality benchmark is that it should be good enough for my mum, and she was one of the first people to move into Castle View. “Apartments would be well built, sound-proofed and thermally efficient, and set within a building that incorporates contemporary features such as a cool café/bar, a restaurant serving good food, quiet spaces like our library and statement features as the Sky Lounge and sun deck at Windsor. Good interior design is also vital to create an environment that today’s 60 and 70 year olds aspire to live in. Adds Robin: “The huge demand on retirement housing and health care in the UK is a consequence of the changing demographics. Today’s older generation also has the wealth to demand a much higher standard of living than their parents, and as well as having a focus on peace of mind, well-being, independence and living with like-minded people, this market wants a quality experience throughout – and why not, they have worked hard for it!” The next development would comprise some 60-70 units and be fully staffed. The first project at Windsor cost approximately £30million to construct and fit out, and it is envisaged that the next one would represent a similar investment, subject to the cost of land. Castle Retirement Living comprises a small management team with an excellent pedigree led by Robin Hughes who has some 20 years’ experience in the property and care sectors – see Note to Editors below. The business is now looking to build on the success of its first scheme which will be the cornerstone for a long term investor to grow the business. To this end, CBRE has been appointed to find a partner to take it forward to the next stage.
