Creating Safer Heating In The Care Sector
Despite the tight regulations laid down by the Health and Safety Executive, concern is continuing to grow around resident safety in care homes amid reports that some homes are endangering the safety of service users by not adhering to strict guidelines around safe surface temperature radiators and pipework. The recommended surface temperature for radiators and pipework in care homes is 43°C. Above this the risk of burns and scalds increases, and residents are put in danger of potentially life-changing injuries if they are exposed to hot surfaces. The result of these injuries, however, is not only catastrophic for the resident; it can also be damaging both financially and legally for care home managers. Non-compliant homes risk warning notices or even closure and prosecution by The Care Quality Commission or The Health and Safety Executive; authority figures in the drive for improved safety measures in the care sector. Under the threat of closure and prosecution, many care homes seek the cheapest possible solution and cover their existing, often inefficient heaters with budget radiator covers designed for decorative purposes rather than safety. These covers are typically made from inadequate materials that are susceptible to damage such as MDF, become dust traps and become a breeding ground for bacteria. This is because access for cleaning the radiator and the wall around and behind it becomes limited once they are installed as they have to be fixed to the wall. They often have sharp edges and corners which present injury risks if residents fall against them. MDF cabinets are less efficient than metal radiator covers. The solid tops absorb a large amount of the heat generated by the radiator, driving up energy costs as homes crank up the thermostat to compensate. MDF radiator covers require regular maintenance or replacement because they aren’t designed to withstand the rigours of busy care home environments where people and beds are frequently moving around. Residential homes and other supported living environments require robust solutions designed to be cost effective over the life of the building. While cheap MDF radiator cabinets may appear to be the most cost-effective option, once total heating costs, repairs, cleaning and maintenance and the potential risk of claims are considered, high quality metal radiator covers present the best value solution over the longer term. How Can Contour Help You? Contour Heating supply a range of Low Surface Temperature Steel Radiator Covers, designed to last over ten years, relieving financial pressure on homes to frequently update radiator guards. Contour provide free on-site surveys to get accurate measurements to supply a bespoke solution for your facility. They aim to give residential care homes better control of their finances by reducing the time and costs associated with heating, cleaning and maintenance. For further protection, Contour Heating partner with BioCote® to include their anti-microbial technologies in their LST radiator guards. The additives in the powder coating have been proven to reduce the bacteria on the surface of the radiator by 99.5% in two hours and is 99.99% effective against resistant bacteria such as MRSA and E.coli. Microbes such as H1N1 influenza virus, Salmonella and Streptococcus faecaliscan be found on many surfaces, including radiators. BioCote® inhibits the growth of these bacteria for the lifespan of the LST radiator, reducing the risk of cross-contamination creating more hygienic spaces and proving a safer and healthier environment for service users and staff alike. To arrange your free site survey and consultation, contact Contour on 01952 290498, or visit https://www.contourheating.co.uk/ To arrange your free site survey and consultation, Contour Heating Products Ltd The Mansions, 43 Broadway, Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 8BB 01952 290498 sales@contourheating.co.uk
Inaugural #GladtoCare competition successfully brings the care sector together
Carers from across the UK were invited to take part in a photo competition run by Person Centred Software and The Care Workers Charity. Alice Taylor, the cook at Primrose Lodge Southbourne care home in Bournemouth, won a Haven holiday in the #GladtoCare competition. The winning entry features a photo of Alice cooking and her message: “I’m #GladtoCare making home cooked food daily for my residents and have been for seventeen years.” The esteemed panel of judges including David Brindle, the Guardian’s public services editor, Professor Martin Green, Chief Executive of Care England, Vic Rayner, Executive Director of the National Care Forum and Alex Ramamurthy, former-CEO of the Care Workers Charity, selected the winning entry. Vic Rayner says, “I really liked Alice’s entry as I felt that it gave you a real sense of pride, commitment and long-term career. Here is someone who has provided one of the key components of great care – good food – for seventeen years – and at the end of that time is not only still smiling – but is #GladtoCare – inspiring.” The #GladtoCare competition was designed to boost the profile of carers, who work extremely hard with very little public recognition. It aimed to show carers that they are appreciated and to raise their morale. Carers were invited to take a photo of themselves doing something that makes them ‘glad to care’, along with a message describing their photo. Person Centred Software received many entries from carers who were delighted to share their skills, creativity and dedication. The finalists can be viewed on Person Centred Software’s website at https://personcentredsoftware.com/gladtocare/ Primrose Lodge Southbourne, part of the Affinity Care Management group, has been using Person Centred Software’s Mobile Care Monitoring system to evidence care and support since January 2016.
