http://www.homecarenews.net/ Homecare Magazine provides independent news for domiciliary care in the UK. en-uk Copyright Wharncliffe Publishing Limited 2008 2008-11-04 09:03:51 2008-11-04 09:03:51 http://www.homecarenews.net/ http://www.homecarenews.net/images/rsslogo.gif http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-11 LIVERPOOL is to massively increase the use of technology which assists older people to live at home safely. Over the next three years, state-of-the-art telecare monitoring equipment is to be installed in more than 900 homes using £1.9million of funding from the city council and Liverpool PCT. 'One of the biggest fears elderly people have about getting old is being uprooted and moved into a care home,' said councillor Ron Gould, executive member for health and social care. 'The aim is to give people help and support to live in their own homes for as long as possible." Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-11-04 09:03:51 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-11 A FAMILY-RUN domiciliary care company based in Sussex has announced plans to open new branches and acquire similar existing companies throughout the south east Prime Care employs care and support workers to help older and disabled people to remain independent in their own homes along the south coast between Brighton and Hastings. Formed in 2001, the company was the first social care organisation in the UK to achieve the advanced Investor in People Profile accreditation and was short-listed as an IiP Champion organisation in 2006. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-11-04 09:03:15 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-10 TWO residents have been chosen as joint winners of the second Haringey Council carer of the year 2008 award. Sharon Lindsay and Hilda Currey were chosen as the people who best exemplify the work and qualities of a carer. Sharon, who has learning difficulties, has a part-time job and looks after her mother Angela who is partially sighted. Hilda looks after her daughter Christine who is blind and her husband Terence who is wheelchair dependent. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-10-01 15:38:53 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-10 THE cost of care at home for the elderly is rising rapidly according to an annual survey of local authorities by a charity. Counsel and Care's Care Contradictions: putting people first? research found that the average hourly charge for council care services is now £12.84, a 16 per cent rise from £11.06 in 2007. The lowest charge amongst respondents is now £8.20 per hour, rising to the highest charge of £18. The maximum weekly charge for care set across all the survey respondents was £256.10 on average against £184.82 for the previous year, a 39 per cent increase. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-10-01 15:38:38 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-09 ALMOST two out of three people over the age of 40 want to live independently as they get older according to a study. The research by Years Ahead also found that only one in five would choose assisted living or residential care, while the number of people under the age of 60 reporting difficulties with mobility or household chores were far higher than expected, with 40 per cent between 40 and 60 years old. But with few products available on the high street or mainstream retailers actively marketing to the 20 million people aged 50 plus, there is little awareness among consumers that life could be much easier with the right solutions. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-09-10 17:06:21 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-09 A LOCAL authority has paid compensation to two residents after being found guilty of failing to stop persistent abuse at their sheltered housing scheme. Local government ombudsman Anne Seex said South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council failed to respond to serious complaints made by two elderly residents about a warden's behaviour. In her report she says the council's failures meant that the complainants suffered 'harassment and fear whilst living in what should have been a supportive environment' and were forced to move away from their home town. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-09-10 17:05:51 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-08 TELEHEALTHCARE is a new approach to care and support which could radically transform health and social care delivery according to the head of a leading charity. In his keynote speech entitled 'Putting People First', Counsel and Care's chief executive Stephen Burke told the audience at Tunstall's 'Meeting Tomorrow's Challenges' conference that is an exciting time for the industry. 'This is a phenomenal time for the care sector,' he added. 'Our time has come and there are lots of different strategies being launched. 'The care and support given to people is changing rapidly in this country and telehealthcare is a key part of the personalisation of care and provision agenda. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-08-05 10:30:51 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-08 THE homecare industry is going to be asked whether it wants a regulator by the General Social Care Council (GSCC). Research by Skills for Care which was co-sponsored by the GSCC found that the majority of direct payment employers felt that an official list of registered workers to assist them in recruitment would be useful, with nine out of 10 personal assistants thinking registration was a good idea and that it should be introduced on a compulsory basis. GSCC chief executive Mike Wardle said: 'We are interested to see that the majority of employers support the idea of an official list of registered workers to assist them in finding suitable personal assistants and that the workers also support the idea of registration." Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-08-05 10:23:00 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-07 By Dominic Musgrave HOMECARE services are being stopped or cut by some elderly people who can't afford the bills, according to new research. The National Centre for Independent Living report for the Coalition on Charging reveals that rising charges for homecare can mean some clients can't afford to eat, heat their homes, wash or get essential support. Sue Bott, chair of the Coalition on Charging and NCIL director, said: 'The shocking reality is that people needing support are being forced to choose between eating properly and using vital care services. 'Restricted access to social services and increased charges for support has had a huge impact on the day to day lives of disabled people, older people and their families." Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-07-01 14:14:49 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-07 By Dominic Musgrave THOUSANDS of elderly and disabled people are being denied home help because of government funding cuts, according to a report. Research by the Local Government Association (LGA) found that almost three out of four councils are no longer providing lower level care, including help with basic daily living, such as eating and washing. The LGA's Fair Care campaign says the system of care needs to be simplified and more adequately funded to ensure people get the care they deserve. Spokesman Coun David Rogers said: 'It is obvious that the social care system is in need of long-term reform and the consultation launched by the Government is a positive move. 'There is a need to think creatively about how we will pay for the care of an ageing population and it is vital that the public are involved in the debate about reforming a service that touches so many people's lives." Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-07-01 14:14:16 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-06 THE value of the UK domiciliary care market grew by four per cent in 2007 and is now believed to be worth £51.91b. The findings of a report published by Market and Business Development Ltd found that the value of the market is believed to have increased by a cumulative 18 per cent over the past five years. An ageing population combined with Government initiatives to promote independent living and an emphasis on reducing demand for residential care through improving domiciliary services are believed to be the main reasons for the positive market development. However, figures show that the number of people receiving homecare is declining, although the average value of contracts has increased. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-06-03 09:29:39 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-06 COUNCILS should be forced to publish lists of home care providers to help pensioners decide who they use. Tamworth MP Brian Jenkins is leading a campaign to force councils to make it clearer for people to plan for the future and put money aside to pay for basic care requirements such as help getting out of bed, showered and dressed in the morning. He said it is time to act now and go back to basics as the elderly population of the country increases, and is calling for authorities to publish a breakdown of costs for everything an elderly person living in their own home could need. 'It is all well and good having all of these general grand plans and human rights bills in place but what people really want to know is how it will affect them at an individual level." Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-06-03 09:28:55 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-05 HELEN Rex from Somerset Care at Home in Taunton has won the company's domiciliary care travel bursary. The scheme has been set up along with Helping Hand Aged Care in Adelaide, and allows one member of staff from each company to exchange jobs. Helen will now do a job swap for three weeks in Australia. She said: 'I am extremely pleased to have won the 2008 domiciliary care travel bursary. I am very much looking forward to three weeks in Australia, and am keen to see how a similar company operates on the other side of the world.' Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-05-02 09:55:01 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-05 RESIDENTS considering the move into a new retirement village in Guiseley had over £10,000 of antiques in their belongings. BBC antiques valuer Gary Don made a guest appearance at The Laureates, in West Yorkshire, and looked through the belongings of 40 potential residents to give them appraisals on their possessions. Gill Bruton, head of new services at Anchor Trust, behind the Laureates development, said: 'A lot of people interested in our apartments are looking to downsize, which means they have a lot of items they no longer want or need. We thought we would give them a chance to find out just how much they are worth by giving them access to an antiques valuer at our launch event.' Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-05-02 09:54:34 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-04 PLANS designed to keep elderly people in their own homes longer have been unveiled by the Government. Hazel Blears, secretary of state for communities and local government, and housing minister Caroline Flint unveiled a range of requirements for all new homes, including 16 features such as stairs wide enough for stairlifts, downstairs bathrooms and room for wheelchairs to turn. Hazel said: "Demand for housing is high - being driven to a large extent by older people. Not only do we need to build more homes, but the right kind of homes too. That means 'lifetime homes' suited to families with pushchairs right through to older people in wheelchairs. 'By making age friendly changes both inside and outside of homes we can help to break the link between old age and dependency.' To accelerate progress, from 2011, all new social housing will have to be built to the 'lifetime homes' standard, and the hope is that private sector houses will also follow. The announcement has been welcomed by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) chief inspector Paul Snell. 'The Commission for Social Care Inspection welcomes the Government's announcement about ensuring that future housing options support people to live safely, independently and how they choose, as they grow older,' he said. 'In planning for an ageing population, it is essential to listen to what people really want now and in the future, and the strategy launched recognises the importance of involving people in the design of their living environment. Good strategic needs assessment, engagement with local citizens and coordination by local councils with a range of partners will be key to ensure the right mix of housing options to meet the increasing expectations of local people. But Nick Sanderson, chief executive of retirement village company Audley, says the Government's plans will only worsen the current problem of older people living in large family houses they no longer really need. 'Part of the reason for the shortage of housing in this country is that older people who are often empty-nesters are hanging on to big family properties they no longer really need,' he said. 'Whilst we very much welcome the Government thinking that we all need to plan ahead for our retirement, the answer does not lie in people occupying the ground floor of a three-story home because it now has a downstairs bathroom.' The Government also wants to work with councils and planners to make entire neighbourhoods suitable for elderly people under its 'Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods' plans. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-04-01 10:20:25 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-03 By Dominic Musgrave AN expanding Yorkshire care company will be the first business to move into Escrick Business Park this summer. Riccall Carers has bought a two-storey 1300 sq ft office on the site to accommodate its growing team which provides qualified and experienced home care support workers across York, Selby and North Yorkshire. “Helping people to continue to live independently in their own homes is a growing market and, based on the quality of our service, we’ve seen a doubling of our business in the past 12 months,” said Tony Conroy, who founded the company with his wife Gill in 1998. “Our current premises, in Riccall, simply don’t match our expansion programme but Harrison’s Escrick development fits the bill perfectly. “It will allow us to expand out recruitment programme as we are constantly looking to employ care staff.” He added: “The fact that we could buy rather than lease offices is something which appeals to many SMEs like ours. “The location gives us excellent access to York, Selby, across Yorkshire and beyond, without the kind of traffic congestion we might experience in a more central city location, and that really matters to us.” Tony, Gill and the team will move into Escrick Business Park in June when the first phase of building is completed. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-03-03 11:11:22 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-01 ONE of the largest charities in the south-west celebrated its 21st birthday with a party for service users, staff and supporters. The Aspects and Milestones Trust charity was founded in 1986 as the Frenchay and Southmead Care Trust and was instrumental in the closure of former long stay hospitals, enabling adults with enduring mental health problems or learning disabilities to move into homes in the community. The charity now provides services in the Bristol, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset areas. Aspects and Milestones Trust runs 60 residential homes, including the area’s first purpose built dementia care centre, provides supported living and home-based packages of care and also supports local people in innovative employment projects. Chief executive Mel Akers said: “I am proud that the Trust has achieved so much in 21 years, and delighted that so many supporters joined the celebrations. “The Trust faces many challenges ahead, not least providing excellent individual services at a time when spending on health and social care is very constrained.” Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-01-02 14:51:09 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-01 DOMICILIARY care was in the spotlight at the annual conference organised by the nursing and social care sector group of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). The half-day conference focused on key issues facing the sector including whether low charges given by some local authorities has affected the standard of care provided. The conference also explored how agencies can ensure they benefit from the registration of care workers with the General Social Care Council (GSCC) and also who is to benefit from the electronic monitoring of care workers. Among the conference speakers were Mike Wardle, acting chief executive officer of the GSCC; Simon Morrison from the Home Office who spoke on the new independent safeguarding authority policy and also Glen Mason from the Department of Health. Also attending was Alison Smith, winner of the agency care worker of the year category of the 2007 One in a Million award, the highlight of national temporary workers week, who was on a panel which discussed some of the issues raised. REC nursing and social care sector group chairman Peter Cullimore said: “In spite of a number of Government publicity campaigns, domiciliary care remains a poor relation both in terms of the status of the workers and of their rates of pay. “The situation has been made appreciably worse by the tight strictures on finance which are being applied by many local authorities. “Many domiciliary care agencies rely 100 per cent on work from local authorities and unless they can obtain a reasonable return, they are not in a position to raise the pay of their care workers.” Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-01-02 14:50:27 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-01 WEST Midlands based IT company CM2000 reached a major milestone by logging the 50 millionth call on their patented monitoring service CallConfirmLive. To celebrate reaching this milestone in the company’s history, CM2000, presented a new car to the care worker who made the call at a champagne reception at their offices in Sutton Coldfield. The 50 millionth call was made by Denise Fuller of Sevacare Hounslow. She said: “At first I didn’t believe it, but there were tears of joy when I found out I had won a new car. I have been a carer for 10 years so I do a lot of miles and had been thinking about changing my car. My children don’t believe their mum’s luck.” CM2000 managing director Peter Longman said: “This year we have been fortunate to be awarded the Queen’s Award for enterprise (in the innovation category) for our contribution to improving the quality of home care through our innovative monitoring services. “As a thank you to all our customers for their continuing business and in recognition of the sterling work which home carers consistently carry out for both local authorities and independent providers, we are delighted to present Denise Fuller of Sevacare Hounslow with a new Ford Ka for logging the 50 millionth call.” Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-01-02 14:47:43 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2008-01 A GROUP of carers representing the six million across the UK delivered letters to Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street ahead of the first ever carers’ summit being held in London. The letters are part of Carers UK’s Real Change not Short Change campaign calling for a fresh look at carers’ benefits and the financial support they receive. Carers are asking for a decent standard of living and the opportunity to be able to work if they wish. Imelda Redmond, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “We’ve had a staggering response to our campaign and a wide range of messages showing the strength of carers’ feelings. “The support that carers provide is worth £87billion each year, yet in return the carer’s allowance is just £48 a week. “Carers see this as an insult and want the system changed.” Research by Carers UK shows that nearly three quarters of carers are worse off as a result of caring. A third struggle to pay bills and one in five has cut back on food. The carers summit, organised by Carers UK, saw 250 carers from throughout the UK debate the crucial issues facing carers in the 21st century, including the lack of recognition they face, the low incomes they are forced to survive on and the need for health and social care services to better support carers. Ivan Lewis MP, minister for care services and Anne McGuire MP, minister for carers’ benefits, attended to hear carers’ views which they will feed in to the national carers strategy. Gordon Brown has made carers a priority by setting up a standing commission on carers, and launching the largest ever consultation for carers with a review of the national strategy for carers, which he has pledged will become a vision for the next 10 years. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2008-01-02 14:46:49 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-11 THE daughter of a Blackpool pensioner is filing an official complaint after a sex-change carer turned up to bathe her mother at her home. Kathy Yates, 88 – who had specifically requested a female to assist her – was shocked when the carer turned up ‘looking like a man dressed as a woman’ and according to daughter Kathleen, felt it was undignified to be cared for by a ‘man’. The carer – known only as ‘Sue’ – had moved to Blackpool from Cornwall so she could start a new life following an operation to legally make her a woman. A spokesman for Blackpool Council said that because Sue has legally been a female for over a year, it is unlawful for her to be treated in any other way than as a female carer. They added: “Our responsibility is to ensure that care provided meets people’s needs. If anyone receiving care feels that the care provided is not meeting their needs in any aspect, we would encourage them to contact the care provider direct in the first instance so that the issues raised can be addressed. “We would always try to ensure that a person receives the full and proper care they require.”     Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-11-01 15:09:09 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-11 SWANSEA Council's homecare team has celebrated their success in recruiting more social care workers by being Frank about the challenges and rewards of working in the service. By teaming up with advertising agency TMP, the council increased applications for vital care worker posts with a innovative advertising campaign. This success and the subsequent prestigious public sector personnel managers' association award in the category best recruitment advert in social care it earned the team earlier this year was celebrated at the Dylan Thomas Centre. The campaign with headlines such as "Every Penny Helps", "Bob's your Uncle", "Rose Blooms" and "It's time for a Frank approach" inspired by the homecare team and created by TMP is now hailed as an example of best practice across the public sector. Swansea Council cabinet member for social services Wendy Fitzgerald said: "It is important that we recognise and celebrate the inspirational success of everyone involved in this campaign, in particular the homecare management team who worked tirelessly to ensure the campaign was a success. "As a local authority we are continuing to explore a range of measures to attract the very best people into vital social care roles." Swansea Council's social services department recruitment drive was sparked by a need to recruit homecare community care assistants against a background of competition from private companies and neighbouring authorities paying more for similar skills. Traditional advertising had failed to attract enough interest and often those expressing an interest had no real understanding of the real nature of the role. The council team did some investigating and identified issues such as the need to raise awareness in the community of the importance and nature of the community care assistant's role. They also found the lengthy application form sometimes put off candidates. The result was that the council drew up not only a different type of advertising campaign, but also an alternative application process. The council launched a six month rolling campaign using striking headlines that had a familiar personalised feel with adverts in local press, on radio, posters and bus panels backed up with an open day. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-11-01 15:08:33 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-11 ELDERLY and vulnerable people who suffer from a fall or deteriorating health will soon be able to receive more support at home thanks to a new project for south Wiltshire. Salisbury District Council, Salisbury Foundation Hospital, Wiltshire County Council and the South Wiltshire Primary Care Trust have joined forces to run the new telecare' scheme. A grant of £123,000 from Wiltshire County Council will fund assistive technology equipment at home to enable falls' victims and other patients to be discharged earlier from hospital and ensure they are safe and secure in their own home. Patients referred on to the scheme will also be signed up to Salisbury District Council's CareConnect service which means urgent help is on hand at the press of a button 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The grant has also funded the appointment of telecare support officer, Olivia Harris who will identify the services and support the patient needs. She said: "On average, 127 patients in south Wiltshire are being discharged from hospital and medical supervision after having a fall. Of these, 11 per cent can expect to be re-admitted to hospital within 28 days. That would see nine patients a week at risk of returning to hospital and it is these people we are aiming to assist by helping them not to go back to hospital. "This scheme provides people with a range of technology and aids that can help prevent further falls. It also enables patients to be discharged from hospital earlier." Patients will enter the service either as a result of being discharged from hospital, or having an incident at home that involved calling the out of hours service. Referrals will be made directly by CareConnect by a health or social care professional. The Telecare scheme can also offer the patient: joint assessment for a 12 week programme; care and support; a CareConnect lifeline and fall detector and other sensors; emergency response to alarm calls; help with medicine; comfort calling to provide reassurance and a key safe to allow agencies emergency access their property. It can also refer patients for a disabled facility grant, improvements to make their home more energy efficient, identify health and safety issues (for example a poorly laid carpet), Age Concern handy van service to undertake odd jobs; and involvement in community based activities. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-11-01 15:07:55 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-11 A REGIONAL care leader has backed a major call for millions of pounds to be ring-fenced to help vulnerable people. Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group (York and North Yorkshire), is supporting a call for 0.5 per cent of the NHS’s future budget to be earmarked for care. That call has come from the Local Government Association which says that figure – some £500m – would help some of the country’s most vulnerable people. Mike said: “This is something that I, and the ICG, have been arguing for for some time. “The Government is able to ring-fence pockets of spending on other parts of the NHS and other sectors too – why won’t it do that for care?” Through its Comprehensive Spending Review, the Government is set to announce how much local authorities will be able to spend on care in the coming three years. And the LGA is warning that if local authorities do not, as feared, get any scope to increase spending on care over the next three years, then people relying on that care are bound to suffer. Charity Help the Aged has also backed the call for funding to be increased, warning that the situation is reaching crisis point. It says demand for care is growing as people live longer, but local authorities’ ability to fund it is not keeping up. Mr Padgham added: “These are major, influential bodies warning that something needs to be done to end the struggle for funding for care. “If local authorities come out of the next Comprehensive Spending Review with stand-still budgets then there is no doubt that the amount of care they are able to provide will at best stand still and at worst fall. What needs to happen is for that amount of care to grow in line with growing demand from older people but that won’t happen unless the funding issue is tackled and we begin see a fair price for care.” Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-11-01 15:07:01 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-10 WALES’ largest provider of support services for people with learning disabilities has achieved an internationally recognised Standard for the quality of its management processes Cartrefi Cymru, which employs 1,200 staff in 12 offices throughout Wales, recently achieved ISO 9001 status, which involves developing a management system that meets customers’ needs and expectations. While it is relatively common for firms in the manufacturing industry to hold the Standard, it is less widespread in the voluntary sector making Cartrefi Cymru’s success particularly significant. Achieving the Standard has enabled the firm to put in place a consistent management structure across all its offices that will benefit current staff, new staff and services users. Cartrefi Cymru has been supported and guided through the Standard process by the Wales Quality Centre, which works with enterprises from all sectors to improve every aspect of their operational practices using a range of business tools, models and initiatives. David Phillips, Wales Quality Centre chief executive, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve been able to assist Cartrefi Cymru to achieve ISO 9001. It will provide a stable foundation on which the organisation can further enhance its management structure for the benefit of the company, staff, and clients.”  The Wales Quality Centre assisted Cartrefi Cymru by carrying out a pre-assessment of its management systems and offering potential solutions in a number of areas. Margaret Greaney, Cartrefi Cymru development officer, added: “We already had a solid, effective management structure in place before we applied for ISO 9001. The Standard has enabled us to enhance our processes even further demonstrating our commitment to providing quality services to our clients. “It was important for us to develop a standardised, high quality management system that functions throughout all our offices Wales-wide. Alongside consistency across all operations we also needed to strike a balance between compliance and flexibility,” she added. Established in 1989 Cartrefi Cymru has expanded rapidly and now works in partnership with local authorities and housing associations across Wales to improve the quality of lives of people with learning disabilities. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-10-02 09:22:06 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-10 A MAJOR consultation exercise aimed at carers and those who work with them has been launched by the Department of Health. The ‘New Deal for Carers’ is intended to be the largest ever assessment of carers’ needs and aims to ensure that their voices are heard. They will be asking questions about what would make a positive difference to and improve carers’ lives and responding to ideas from carers about changes that could be made. Ivan Lewis, Minister for Care Services, said: “Millions of people in this country give up a significant proportion of their time to care for a member of their family or friend who needs extra support. “They are remarkable people who have a right to expect a system of their side and a life of their own. “As we develop a new national strategy for carers it is essential our future goals are shaped by carers themselves and the organisations which support them to have a voice.” A website, The Ideas Tree, has been set up to allow carers to post a message, suggest ideas, read comments from others and give their opinions on developments. The site is due to be live until mid September and can be visited at www.newdealforcarers.org Mr Lewis added: “This consultation is the most extensive ever with carers and I hope that they will feel able to contribute their experiences, hopes and fears. “This will enable us to make sure our plans are rooted in everyday realities. “It is true that there are no ‘magic wands’ or quick fix solutions, but by working together we can make a difference and improve many carers’ quality of life.” Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-10-02 09:21:54 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-10 INDEPENDENT and voluntary sector homecare agencies have continued to meet the challenge of state-funded homecare being targeted at fewer households of increasingly dependent people. According to the latest data provided by the Government Statistical Service, the average number of hours of care per household has doubled since 1997, while the number of households has fallen. Using the latest figures from September 2006, total homecare purchased or provided by England’s local authorities increased by 4.5 per cent on the previous year, with the private and voluntary sectors now providing three?quarters of all homecare supplied by councils, compared to just 36.2 per cent a decade ago. Responding to the impact of continued concentration of care on the most physically dependent people in society, Colin Angel, head of policy at the domiciliary care sector’s representative association, the United Kingdom Homecare Association said: “We are deeply concerned that councils continue to exercise a downward pressure on charge rates, leaving homecare providers struggling to fund appropriate training, and pay wages that will attract a suitable workforce.” Today’s homecare workers now routinely meet the needs of extremely frail individuals with very complex needs, often assuming roles previously undertaken by district nurses.  Mike Padgham, UKHCA’s chair, added: “The ability of independent and voluntary sector providers to increase their capacity has been an amazing success story.  “However, councils have pushed cost savings from the independent sector to the limit.  A commitment from councils and national government to meet the true cost of highly complex care is overdue.  Without it there are serious doubts about the sector’s ability to meet demand for homecare services in the longer term.” Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-10-02 09:21:32 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-10 A NATIONAL campaign to find the UK’s most caring people has been launched by Powergen CaringEnergy. As part of its ‘We Care Awards’ Powergen CaringEnergy is seeking nominations for people whose good deeds, no matter how small, make a big difference to other peoples’ lives or the wider community in which they live. They might do the weekly shopping for a housebound person, take disadvantaged children out on day trips, organise events for the elderly or man a voluntary help line.  As long as you can demonstrate they deserve a ‘We Care Award’ then Powergen CaringEnergy would like to hear from you. In return for caring, one winner from each region will be pampered for a day when they are treated to a meal at a first class restaurant and presented with flowers and champagne, The ‘We Care Awards’ have been launched as part of a campaign to promote Powergen CaringEnergy, which aims to improve the energy efficiency and income of the homes of vulnerable customers. Powergen CaringEnergy’s Andy Burgess said:  “Our nominees don’t need to have climbed Mount Everest to win this award, they just have to be a caring individual who does the little things that can make a big difference to other peoples’ lives.  As a reward we want to pamper the winner and make a difference in their lives, even if it’s just for a day.” Powergen’s CaringEnergy scheme has been designed to support and protect vulnerable customers by improving the income and energy efficiency of their homes with a range of products which include free cavity wall and loft insulation.  Under the scheme there are a range of measures available for Powergen customers which can be tailored depending on individual needs including: • Free energy efficiency advice and home energy audits; • Free low energy light bulbs to customers on qualifying income related and disability benefits; • Free Benefits Entitlement Check; • Registration for Powergen’s Priority Services Register; • Access to the Powergen Hardship Fund, which has been set up to give further support to Powergen customers who are on low income and who are facing financial difficulties.   Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-10-02 09:21:27 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-08 A SPECIALIST unit dedicated to protecting vulnerable adults has been officially launched at Newcastle City Council. The Safeguarding Adults Unit aims to raise awareness of abuse suffered by vulnerable adults, investigate allegations and tackle abuse with other agencies such as Northumbria Police, Northumbria Probation Service and Newcastle Primary Care Trust. The Unit, which builds on the work of the safeguarding adults co-ordinator was launched with a new policy and procedures by the Lord Mayor Coun Peter Arnold. Also in attendance was Dame Denise Platt DBE, chair of the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). Costing more than £150,000, the Unit was set up in recognition of the need to do more for vulnerable adults such as the elderly, disabled and mentally ill who need community services because they cannot look after themselves. In 2006-07 Newcastle City Council investigated 195 allegations of abuse - 48 per cent (94 cases) of which required no further action, however, in 37 per cent of cases (72) action was taken and in the remaining 15 per cent (29) the investigations are continuing. Set against the city's population of 276,400 this may look like a tiny problem but for the victims the suffering can be unimaginable - physical, sexual, psychological, financial abuse or neglected by paid carers and even family members. The Unit, which has a six-strong team, investigates allegations with other statutory bodies, and stops the abuse by taking action against the perpetrator or in some cases just highlights bad practice in nursing and residential homes and makes recommendations for changes. Newcastle's acting director of adult social services, Caroline Thomas, said: “Everyone has the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and that is why we will not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable adults. “If anyone becomes aware of a vulnerable adult being abused or neglected it is incumbent upon them to notify the authorities. Adult services staff will investigate allegations of abuse with our partners and take whatever action is deemed necessary to bring it to an end as swiftly as possible.” Dame Denise Platt added: “The policy and procedures being launched are very important and will only be effective if people know how to use the procedures and use them well to support better practice in the city for the benefit of local people.” Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-08-17 09:40:30 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-08 MILTON Keynes Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Milton Keynes Community Alarm Service have teamed up with Tunstall to launch a pioneering telehealth initiative to reduce avoidable hospital admissions, and enable people to better manage long-term conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) at home. Milton Keynes has a high prevalence of COPD in its local population, costing the PCT over £450,000 a year to treat emergency admissions.  Since launching the telehealth service, 26 hospital admissions have been prevented in just four months, reducing the burden on acute, primary and community sectors. Genesis monitors from Tunstall were provided to patients with COPD to support a more proactive and preventative model of care.  The monitor lets patients measure their own vital signs such as heart rate, weight, blood pressure and oxygen levels, and also asks a range of clinical questions to further determine a patient’s condition. As a result, if patients with COPD experience a change in their health status, proactive medical intervention can be taken at an early stage.  Clinical results are monitored by Milton Keynes Community Alarm Service’s telecare team and nursing staff are notified if assistance is required, ensuring early intervention and avoiding hospital admission. A key benefit of the initiative is educating users to be more aware of their own symptom’s and to proactively manage them, helping to reduce some of the burden on healthcare providers. Fatima Holt, RGN for the District Nurse team within Milton Keynes PCT, said: “The telehealth pilot is a revolution in care for my COPD patients.  Historically these types of patients presented themselves to us in very acute stages of their care. It was not uncommon for them to begin feeling ill, allow this to develop for three or four days then contact us when they were in a very serious condition. In the majority of these cases we had to admit these patients into hospital. “We have now transformed this situation and because of the telehealth monitors we are able to see the start of an exacerbation in the early stages and take appropriate proactive care.  I am convinced we need to roll this out into all our chronic disease areas.” Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-08-17 09:36:36 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-08 CARE worker John Hutchinson has won the Train to Gain Outstanding Learner Award at the inaugural LSC South East Learning and Skills Awards. The event was hosted by former Olympic athlete, Colin Jackson CBE, who presented the awards to winners, while ITV Meridian news presenter Mary Green, hosted the glittering dinner and prize-giving ceremony. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) exists to make England better skilled and more competitive, and the event honoured both learners for their achievements and employers for their support of work-based learning. John, from Sandown on the Isle of Wight, is a care worker with Two Counties Community Care – an organisation providing care for people within their own homes. He collected the Train to Gain Outstanding Learner Award and was presented with a trophy by Colin Jackson. As a mature male care assistant working in a female-dominated sector, John has provided a high quality of assistance to clients who require care to enable them to continue living independently. The major part of his role involves dealing with the personal care and hygiene of his clients. John has successfully completed many qualifications related to his career, and is currently undertaking an NVQ Level 2 in health and social care. He said: “It’s really nice to have this recognition. The training has given me the confidence to do a job that can be very difficult at times. On a personal level, the most important thing is the knowledge that my efforts are having a beneficial effect on the people I look after. The training doesn’t stop here, I intend to continue my development in the future.” Commenting on the prestigious awards ceremony, Henry Ball, Regional Director for the LSC South East, said: “The inaugural LSC South East Learning and Skills Awards were a great success.  They acknowledge the achievement of learners and employers who use work-based learning to develop their skills.  These awards recognise the qualities shown by learners who frequently succeed against the odds.  “For the employers themselves, we looked for a dynamic approach to training, support for learners, and an ability to demonstrate tangible business benefits through training programmes. Our heartfelt congratulations go out to all finalists – for their achievements and for making this such an awesome event.” In his motivational speech, Colin Jackson talked about his own experiences in training to become a world-class athlete. His talk highlighted how he had overcome personal challenges and explained how dreams could be achieved no matter which career people choose. The LSC South East Learning & Skills Awards was held at the Copthorne Effingham Hotel and Resort, Effingham Park, near Gatwick. The event will become a regular occurrence as the LSC continues to demonstrate its commitment to both employers and learners across the South East of England. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-08-17 09:35:23 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-08 A DEEPLY worrying new report on the long term financial impact of caring has been launched by Carers UK. Based on a survey of nearly 3,000 carers, it finds that they face a severe financial penalty as soon as they start caring, unpaid, for a disabled or chronically ill relative or friend. Yet, by contrast, their support is worth a staggering £57billion per year to the state. The survey shows that carers are having to sell their homes, cut back on food, heating and clothes, give up their jobs, and sacrifice their pensions - leaving many deeply anxious about their financial future. It reveals very clearly that the current benefits system does not allow carers an acceptable standard of living and neither recognises nor values them for the contribution they make to the national economy. Imelda Redmond, chief executive of Carers UK said: “Carers are often forced out of work because the social care system does not give them the support they need to balance work and caring. They are then consigned to a life on the margins because the benefits system is so outdated. Carers feel short-changed by the system. “Demographic trends point to the need for an additional three million carers over the next 30 years. It means that some 10 million people will experience the harsh realities that come from being a carer - and the detrimental effects that can remain with them for the rest of their lives. “Carers’ benefits simply are not fit for purpose,” Imelda added. “They were designed in the 1970s when the world was a very different place. What we need is a radical overhaul of the benefits and tax system. We also need to invest heavily in social care to ensure that carers and their families can take advantage of things that others take for granted – like going out shopping, having a weekend away, going on a course or having a job.” The survey finds that: 72 per cent are worse off since they started caring; 65 per cent are not in paid work; 54 per cent give up work to care; 53 per cent say that financial worries are affecting their health; 33 per cent are in debt; 30 per cent are cutting back on food or heating; 10 per cent cannot afford to pay their rent or mortgage. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-08-17 09:34:20 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-08 HEALTH minister Ivan Lewis has launched a campaign to encourage more people to get involved in social care. Adverts are appearing on television, radio and in newspapers throughout the coming months with the aim of attracting the thousands of new people needed for the social care sector. Real-life carers and people who use social care services have been used to create the asdverts, which show someone in a wheelchair using a skate park, a pensioner who is being supported in her own home and a man with autism whose carer is teaching him the bus route he will be using when he starts his new job. Mr Lewis said: "Social workers and social care staff play a critical role in every community - dealing with a wide cross section of people across society. "This campaign will focus on how rewarding and valuable a career in social care can be and sets out to challenge perceptions on who works in social care." Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-08-17 09:16:49 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-08 A PROJECT to help vulnerable people to live independently in their own homes has been given the go ahead thanks to a £500,000 cash boost from the Welsh Assembly. Neath Port Talbot Council has been working closely with the Local Health Board, Bro Morgannwg Trust and Community Safety to develop a pioneering 'telecare' project for Neath Port Talbot. 'Telecare' makes use of the latest technology and equipment to care for people in their homes, especially older people and those with learning disabilities. Things like lifeline phones, epilepsy or bed wet sensors, infa red detectors to alert staff that someone has got out of bed and fall monitors are devices that can be installed to protect vulnerable people. Following a successful pilot scheme led by Neath Port Talbot last year, the two year grant means that 900 'telecare home safety systems' can be installed across the county borough by April next year. As part of the pilot, Neath Port Talbot Council teamed up with Community Lives Consortium to develop a model for 'telecare' services. Two flats for people with special needs were set up, assisting the occupiers to control their environment from their wheelchairs without help. Assisted technology helped them to see who was at the front door via a monitor, open the door, turn on the TV, lights and other electrical appliances on and off using a remote switch. The flats were also fitted with kitchen cupboards that lower and raise for easy access. A special phone can be programmed to detect falls, flooding and gas left on, then technology comes to the rescue by automatically shutting off the gas and water or calling a carer or even a plumber! Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Derek Vaughan, said, "I am delighted with the news that we have been successful in our grant application for this important and worthwhile scheme. "With an increasingly ageing population, it is vital that we find new, innovative and cost effective ways of providing high quality care and modern services which meet the expectations of service users, carers and social care professionals. "Telecare will mean that more people can remain in their own home and live independently. It will also mean that social and care services can be made available to people in amore planned way." Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-08-17 09:16:41 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-06 AN ANTI-AGEISM video co-produced by a Salford academic has won the prestigious Queen Mother's Award for Dignity in Care of Older People. Primarily used to train nursing home workers and other health care professionals, the seven-minute film has been used as far away as New Zealand and Canada - a far cry from its original distribution in Rochdale where it was filmed with the enthusiastic help of local people. Tracey Williamson, Research Fellow in the School of Nursing, and her partners from the NHS, Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale User Carer Forum and Rochdale Council, produced the film to raise awareness and understanding by showing positive images of ageing and interviews with the Rochdale public. And now the project has the chance to become even more successful, as winning the Award which forms part of the Health and Social Care Awards, will substantially raise its profile in the health care field. The team hope that this can attract sponsors for a related poster campaign. The film beat off stiff opposition from hundreds of other entries to win the award, and Tracey has been delighted with how the project has been recognised. She said: "We are so happy to have won the award. Everyone is responsible for rooting out ageism and both our project and now this achievement will raise further awareness about a very important issue." The award was presented by the MP for Bury South and Parliamentary Under-Secretary for State for Care Services, Ivan Lewis. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-06-01 10:22:02 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-06 A REGIONAL care group has backed a major recruitment drive to encourage more people to join the industry. Independent Care Group (York and North Yorkshire) is supporting a national push to get more people to take up a career in social care. Chairman Mike Padgham said: "Social care is a fantastic profession to be in and the demand for carers, both now and in the future, is getting greater. "Carers provide a vital, valuable service and there can be few jobs that are so much valued by those who are so grateful for that care." The group is urging anyone, of any age who is interested in becoming a carer to get in touch. "Age is no barrier to becoming a carer." Mr Padgham added. "We take young people and those who are older and can maybe bring experience with them. Anyone who can spare a few hours is welcome and the benefits they can provide can be enormous." The industry is always short of staff and with predictions that more and more people will be needing care in the future, demand for carers is set to soar. "People who join the industry do a very worthwhile job straight away and with the excellent training opportunities that are on offer their contribution becomes ever more appreciated,î Mr Padgham added. "Often becoming a carer can be the first step on a career ladder that can take people on to different caring professions - like nursing for example." The group is supporting a national initiative by the Department of Health. It is running a major national campaign aimed at encouraging people to find out more about a career in social care. Advertising is being placed on television, radio and in the press. It is targeting both people who are considering a career in care for the first time and those who might be looking to return to social care as a profession. The national campaign focuses on the relationship between social carers and the people they are caring for and uses real-life scenarios to highlight it. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-06-01 10:21:58 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-04 SCOTLAND'S major disability event is moving from spring to autumn when it returns in 2009. "We have undertaken a considerable amount of research with both exhibitors and visitors and the change simply makes sense," said Joanne Smith, Acting Group Head of Events for Emap Public Sector. "Having Independent Living Scotland in the spring inevitably means it falls within a few weeks of Naidex and that makes it very hard on the exhibitors because their resources are stretched to the limit. "Many of these are small companies that struggle to cope with two major events taking places in such a short space of time and we have listened to their views. "Both shows are very important to us and we want to get the timing right so that they are the best possible events for both exhibitors and visitors." More than 130 exhibitors packed the SECC in Glasgow for two days at the end of March for Independent Living Scotland 2007, which was officially opened by legendary Radio Clyde DJ, Tiger Tim Stephens. He was diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis in the 1980s, but has not let his problems stop his career in the radio industry - and is now one of Scotland's best known and well-loved DJs. Tiger Tim said he was excited about the opportunity to open the exhibition. He said: "The chance to get involved in this event was too good to turn down - it is fantastic to know that there is a huge amount of work going on to improve the lives of disabled people around Scotland, and this is a cause close to my heart. "I know how important my independence is, so it was a great honour to be asked to support an event which is designed to help Scottish people with a disability to become more self-reliant. I'm sure it will be a real success." Independent Living Scotland will take place on September 9 and 10 in 2009. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-04-25 15:22:27 http://www.homecarenews.net/?page=news&monthyear=2007-04 A REGIONAL care group has backed a major recruitment drive to encourage more people to join the industry. Independent Care Group (York and North Yorkshire) is supporting a national push to get more people to take up a career in social care. Chairman Mike Padgham said: "Social care is a fantastic profession to be in and the demand for carers, both now and in the future, is getting greater. "Carers provide a vital, valuable service and there can be few jobs that are so much valued by those who are so grateful for that care." The group is urging anyone, of any age who is interested in becoming a carer to get in touch. "Age is no barrier to becoming a carer," Mr Padgham added. "We take young people and those who are older and can maybe bring experience with them. Anyone who can spare a few hours is welcome and the benefits they can provide can be enormous." The industry is always short of staff and with predictions that more and more people will be needing care in the future, demand for carers is set to soar. "People who join the industry do a very worthwhile job straight away and with the excellent training opportunities that are on offer their contribution becomes ever more appreciated," Mr Padgham added. "Often becoming a carer can be the first step on a career ladder that can take people on to different caring professions ñ like nursing for example." The group is supporting a national initiative by the Department of Health. It is running a major national campaign aimed at encouraging people to find out more about a career in social care. Advertising is being placed on television, radio and in the press. It is targeting both people who are considering a career in care for the first time and those who might be looking to return to social care as a profession. The national campaign focuses on the relationship between social carers and the people they are caring for and uses real-life scenarios to highlight it. Homecare Magazine - editorial@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk 2007-04-25 15:20:43