Care UK care home manager publicly thanked along the route of the Great North Run
Louise Damms, the manager of Care UK’s Cheviot Court care home in South Shields, was selected of one of 13 people to be thanked in a very public way along the course of last weekend’s Great North Run. Louise was selected by the organisers as one of 13 inspirational individuals who went above and beyond to support their community during the pandemic. A billboard bearing her image was positioned along the course of the Great North Run – one of 13 giving the region a chance to say a huge Thank You to all the key workers who have supported us over the last 18 months. Additionally, a video showing Louise talking about her experiences was shown to the tens of thousands of people who were in the Newcastle area on Sunday – either taking part of watching. The famous race was shown on TV channels in 127 countries across the world and internationally known athletes will have seen the billboards which served as mile markers. Commenting on being selected, Louise said: “I am a little bit embarrassed at all this publicity around me. It is my team, the residents of Cheviot Court and their relatives who should be thanked – they have been incredible since day one of the pandemic with their hard work, support and resilience. It was very strange catching a glimpse of my face on a huge billboard when I tuned in to the BBC coverage just after nine in the morning.” Louise’s Regional Director Sam Rogan said: “Throughout the pandemic Louise has been under huge pressure. She has suffered emotionally but has remained strong for the sake of her team. She has shown no weakness because she did not want that to rub off on those around her but I know she had tough days. The pressures on care homes, their team members, residents and their families, caused by the pandemic are well-documented. Louise addressed those pressures by taking an already strong community and developing it to be even stronger and I offer her my congratulation on this well-deserved recognition. “
QCS creates state-of-the-art dementia centre
Quality Compliance Systems (QCS), a leading provider of content, guidance and standards for the social care sector, has launched the Dementia Centre. The Dementia Centre, is the realisation of a strategy which looks to add comprehensive ‘condition’specific support to its already industry-leading best practice and compliance systems. It is led by Jackie Pool, creator of the QCS PAL Instrument, a real-world tool that guides care professionals to deliver support at the level of dementia that a person is living with. By using the QCS PAL Instrument as a scaffold, the Dementia Centre will help transform the way that care professionals support the cognitive needs and abilities of each individual. Jackie, who is QCS’s Dementia Care Champion, says, “What separates the Dementia Centre from other resources is that it fuses generic guidance, regulatory compliance requirements and the work of world-renowned experts into one single resource. This enables care professionals to move from a purely paper-based environment to a real-world one, which combines the latest compliance with QCS PAL-centric dementia best practice. The result is ‘purposeful practice’ which has been designed specifically to help those who support people with dementia to deliberately focus on aspects of their care and support in order to become more competent and effective. The resource is ground-breaking in that it also provides measures that service providers can use to benchmark and develop team member’s care practices.” The Dementia Centre contains a raft of highly relevant resources, including up-to-date policies and procedures, assessment and outcome measures, case studies, the work of inspirational authors, which together ensure that the Dementia Centre delivers hands-on guidance to providers. Nikki Walker, QCS’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We’re delighted to announce the opening of the QCS Dementia Centre. From a strategic perspective, this announcement is highly symbolic. While providing the latest compliance to our customers will remain a central focus, care providers have been telling us for some time that they also want cutting-edge practical content that they can seamlessly apply to real-world situations. The QCS Dementia Centre delivers this while at the same time supporting our goal of deliveringtransformative solutions for all those dedicated to providing great care.” Mat Whittingham, QCS’s Executive Chairman, added, “We’re very proud to launch the Dementia Centre. With more than one million people expected to be living with the condition in the UK by 2025, it has always been a key strategic aim to make this pioneering hub available to the 130,000-plus care professionals who have chosen to use the QCS platform.” For more information on the Dementia Centre or to join QCS, contact our compliance advisors on 0333-405-3333 or email us at sales@qcs.co.uk.
Retirement Village Hosts Free Open Day
Woodland Court, a luxury retirement village in Downend, Bristol, is hosting its first open day since the pandemic, showcasing some of the beautiful retirement apartments they have available. The open day, taking place Saturday 25th September, 2 pm – 6 pm, will allow locals, family and friends to take advantage of easing restrictions, and embark on a tour of the one and two-bedroom apartments Woodland Court has to offer. Included on the open day will be: a tour of the Woodland Court properties, the grounds and onsite facilities, a free Brunelcare tote bag, a leaflet about the village and refreshments upon arrival, you will also have the opportunity to ask questions as you walk around the village. Nicky Hunt, Woodland Court Village Manager said: “Woodland Court provides people with the opportunity to enjoy genuine independence, together with the option to call upon professional care and support if they need it. The Village is beautiful and our guests are absolutely lovely. The village is home to 44 residents, all of whom are living with us by choice! It’s a fantastic place to live. We hope lots of people come down to the open day so they can experience how beautiful Woodland Court is!” The spacious one and two-bedroom modern properties, built in 2002, are surrounded by beautiful grounds and are located close to local amenities, such as a Pharmacy, a Post Office and local shops. Woodland Court also has great onsite facilities such as a restaurant, bar and lounge area. Woodland Court Resident said: “I enjoy living at Woodland Court. The apartments, grounds and people are lovely and I have peace of mind knowing that I have help on hand if I need it. I live here with my husband and we genuinely couldn’t be happier.” For more information visit: www.brunelcare.org.uk/locations/woodland-court
Elder finds 63% of families uncomfortable with an unvaccinated carer
High Wycombe care home wins national award for providing outstanding end-of-life care
Royal Star & Garter in High Wycombe has been awarded a national Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award for its delivery of end-of-life care. It was given as part of the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Virtual Awards, which recognises health and social care providers delivering quality care in the final year of life. The Hughenden Avenue Home provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia. It is one of a cohort of 59 GP practices, care homes, retirement villages, and hospital wards which will receive the prestigious GSF quality hallmark across the country during the virtual ceremony. The Gold Standards Framework Centre, in association with Hospice UK, provides expert training for frontline staff in health and social care, to enable a ‘gold standard’ of care for people nearing the end of life. Kate Vale’s father David was cared for at the Royal Star & Garter Home for nearly two years before his death in February 2021. Kate said: “I couldn’t have wished for better care especially in his final few days, it was exemplary. They do so many little things that make a big difference, like having someone sit with Dad the whole time, he was never alone. They couldn’t have gone further in caring for him, and I’m delighted that the Home has received this award. It’s well deserved.” Before the pandemic hit, GSF provided face-to-face workshops, but has successfully adapted and moved online to adhere to Covid regulations. The training has been a huge success, andhas supported both families and residents with end-of-life care planning and what matters to them at this time. High Wycombe Home Manager Reggie Ballos said: “We are delighted to achieve a Gold Standard Framework accreditation. I feel both proud and happy as this is a result of our dedication and passion in providing exceptional care to all residents nearing the end of their lives.” Julie Armstrong-Wilson, Lead Nurse for GSF, said: “Congratulations to all organisations that have successfully achieved accreditation and reaccreditation. The last year has been an incredibly difficult time for all health and social care providers and taking the time to complete their GSF accreditation is to be commended. Good quality end of life care has never been more important, especially due to the impact of the pandemic we have all faced.” Royal Star & Garter in High Wycombe is welcoming new residents. For more information, visit www.starandgarter.org/hw To find out more about the Gold Standards Framework, visit https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/
Bernard Sunley resident celebrates National read a Book Day
Mysteries, Romances, Winnie the Pooh, Agatha Christie and Charles Dickens Get Voted The Best In honour of today’s National Read a Book Day, passionate reader Sheila Richard, a resident at Friends of the Elderly’s Bernard Sunley care home in Woking, has been reminiscing about her favourite books, authors and characters and sharing her memories, thoughts and insights with the home’s care team. National Read a Book Day highlights and promotes the joy of immersing yourself in a book. Transporting you to different lands, letting you experience exciting adventures, discovering new worlds, bringing new personalities and creatures to life whilst at the same time, encouraging readers to tune out the everyday noise for a short while and enjoy a page turning read. Sheila, who has been a resident at Bernard Sunley for five months, sat down with Monika Ahmed, Bernard Sunley’s Activities Coordinator, to chat about her love of books, reading, and her favourite stories. Sheila said: “The first book somebody read to me as a child was The Tale of Peter Rabbit, it was a great story, but never quite topped my childhood favourite, Winne the Pooh. At school and growing up, I loved The Children Who Lived in a Barn, Ballet Shoes, and Now We Are Six, as well as many more. “From a young age, I had a passion for reading and would spend hours with my nose in a book. As I grew, my reading tastes grew too, but whilst a book never changed my life, some definitely influenced my views and opinions and some left a lasting impact. Revealing her all-time favourite book, Sheila said: “I would have to say Rebecca, the 1938 Gothic novel written by the English author, Daphne du Maurier. I found this psychological thriller about a young woman who becomes obsessed with her Husband’s first wife interesting and intriguing, right up to the very last page.” The Bernard Sunley care home team work hard to ensure that residents are able to indulge in their individual hobbies and passions. For Sheila, that passion is losing herself in a book in her relaxing room. Sheila continued: “I love to read in my room as it’s lovely and quiet. Sitting down in my comfy armchair and reading is a true pleasure. My favourite author is Agatha Christie. The way she keeps you hooked with a whodunit is great, and sometimesI’m able to guess the twists, turns and plots before they are revealed. “I do enjoy mysteries and also a good romance. I’m not a fan of science fiction, horror, or fantasy tales; I much prefer the classics. Little Women is wonderful, I can quite imagine myself as one of the characters. However, if I could have a chat with one author it would have to be Charles Dickens. I loved all his books, especially A Tale of Two Cities.” Monika added: “At Friends of the Elderly we encourage our residents to do what they enjoy doing, when they want to do it and support everyone in continuing to participate in their hobbies and pastimes. As hobbies go, reading is very beneficial to our residents’ wellbeing as it helps to increase memory, focuses concentration, reduces stress, aids relaxation and helps sleep.” Sheila concluded: “I like to read different books all the time. I also enjoy watching the film adaptations of ones I have read but, to be honest, they are never as good as the actual book. The last book I read was The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. It was given to me by one of the care team here at Bernard Sunley. “ I really enjoyed the novel, it was all about family dynamics, heartbreak, and hope. I’m not sure what I’ll read next, but an interesting love story would be nice.”
Safety guidance for Naidex
As restrictions ease, face-to-face events are returning and the eagerly-anticipated Naidex is one of the first up on the list. Naidex welcomes everyone living with a disability or impairment as well as those that provide support for those individuals.Safety guidance for Naidex This year Naidex is focusing on bringing everyone back together and celebrating the independent living community and everything it has to offer. Featuring everything from inspiring keynote speakers, interactive workshops and live product demonstrations, Naidex offers something for everyone. The past 18 months have been a difficult time for everyone, particularly for members of the Naidex community. For many, Naidex will be the first large scale event attended since the beginning of the pandemic and we understand that event safety will be a primary concern for our audience. After extensive consultation with the government and venues across the UK, ROAR B2B are pleased to confirm what safety regulations will be in place for Naidex. We’re so pleased to welcome back visitors to a safe and secure environment, finally being able to host the UK’s biggest care exhibitions at the NEC Birmingham on the 15 – 16 September 2021. Your safety is our number one priority which is why we’re doing all we can to ensure you feel at ease when attending the show. Our unmissable seminars from leading healthcare experts will have added capacity, networking zones will include greater space and access, plus, high touchpoints and interactive show features are subject to enhanced sanitising and cleaning regimes. See the full list of safety measures you can expect below! When you arrive There will be clear signage throughout the venue to direct you to your event. Please also see our accessibility guidance here. COVID-19 status checks NEC staff will conduct COVID-19 status checks before entry to the venue. The accepted methods of showing COVID-19 status are as follows: • NHS COVID-19 Pass via the NHS App (NB This is different to the NHS COVID-19 Test and Trace app). It is advised individuals apply no later than 48 hours before attending their event to allow for the application to be processed in time. • Proof of immunity shown by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, lasting for 180 days from the date of the positive test and following completion of the self-isolation period. • Lateral flow or PCR negative test results text or e-mail, received within 72 hours prior to attending the event. However, we encourage visitors to complete their test within 48 hours. There will be an on-site lateral flow test centre, however we strongly recommend completing your test before you arrive to avoid queues at the test centre. Please do NOT try to attend Naidex if you: • Are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, new and persistent cough, or a loss of/change in sense of taste or smell), even if these symptoms are mild • have been asked to self-isolate because you have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 • or live with an individual who has symptoms of COVID-19 Inside the venue Face coverings We are strongly advising everyone who attends the event to wear a face covering unless they are exempt. Comfortable distancing To make sure everyone who attends the event is a comfortable as possible, we have increased the space of the hall. This includes widening the aisles to at least 3 metres – with aisles stretching to 5m in high footfall places. All theatres and networking areas will have a suitable amount of space between seating. Ventilation The NEC has recently undergone a recommission of their ventilation equipment and upgraded their filtration systems to ensure safe, clean air is circulated throughout the venue at all times. All areas will have natural ventilation with open doors and windows. The NEC also has plenty of accessible outside spaces, which are a great for those wanting a break from the halls. Cleaning The NEC have increased cleaning times for high contact surfaces throughout event days and there will be hygiene stations – with clear reminders for visitors to wash their hands – frequently positioned throughout the hall and venue. If you would like any further information or have additional questions concerning event safety at Naidex, please feel free to contact us at; eventsafety@naidex.co.uk For more information visit our event safety page here: https://www.naidex.co.uk/news/event-safety-measures-2021
Do you know a veggie care catering hero?
We’re on the lookout for 2021’s rising star in vegan and vegetarian care catering. Here at VfL we think that care caterers who make a special effort to create delicious and nutritious vegan and vegetarian meals deserve special recognition. This year marks the fifth VfL Awards for Excellence in Veg*n Care catering. With more vegans and vegetarians moving into residential care every year, this annual award recognises those who are pioneering the way in modern care catering. Last year’s star-studded ceremony saw comedian, actor, writer and film producer Dave Spikey hosting a virtual event streamed live via Facebook and YouTube. The event included inspiring talks covering best practice when catering for vegans and vegetarians in a care setting. Gary McGurk of Primrose Bank Care Home, was winner of Most Innovative Veggie Dish in 2020. Celebs that kindly gave their time to read out nominations and announce winners were Rose Elliot MBE. Peter Egan, Gary Webster and Wendy Turner Webster. First launched in 2016, the Annual Awards highlight the importance of catering well for older vegetarians and vegans. We recently surveyed 1,000 care homes to find out how many residents are vegan or vegetarian. Since the survey was last commissioned in 2014, the number of vegans in residential care has increased by a whopping 167%! With growing numbers of vegetarians being supported by the care sector, it is no surprise that news of the awards has been positively received by care organisations. Articles about the awards have been published by the NACC, Public Sector Catering, Care Home Catering, Hospitality Assured and many more. It’s becoming impossible to ignore the demand for top-notch veggie care catering. The categories for this year’s awards are: To enter, all we need from you is a quick and easy 200 words telling us who you are nominating and why, to be emailed over to veggiehero@vegetarianforlife.org.uk. Please include photos if possible. Be quick though, because the deadline for entries is fast approaching. We need all submissions to be made by Friday 17 September. Visit our Veggie Heroes Past Winners page to see who has been honoured since the awards were first launched.
Duplex steam cleaning machine at Rosebery House Care Home
Rosebery House Care Home in Eastbourne specialises in care for the elderly. They offer residential care in a warm, safe and welcoming environment with 24-hour care. The team at Rosebery House have been using their Duplex steam cleaning machine for a very long time and now during the Corona Virus pandemic it has really proven how much of an essential part of their infection control program it is. Home manager, Hamzeh Shatnawi commented “We don’t have to rely on chemicals for cleaning and sterilising corridors and carpets and the staff appreciate the ease of use and quick results. It really is this easy. The maintenance team at Duplex have been an example of professionalism always on time, very knowledgeable, maintaining the machine and giving us feedback with any recommendations”.
