one magazine - Issue 7 - Summer 2013

Issue 07 Summer 2013

The ‘Angelina Effect?’

Page28

Enter our

photo competition

Page7

in our summer competitions Page5 & 27

Employee survey smashes target

Elaine Milton

– ‘the perfect

carer’

Page14

What a picture! / care uK rocKs! / Latest NeWs

General surgeon Ron inspires colleagues to

discover their artistic talents

From scalpel

to paintbrush

Page10

Win a B&Q home makeover voucher worth £500, or how about National Trust membership for your family?

Surgeon Ron Hoile shares his love of art with colleagues and raises thousands of pounds for charity in the process.

Summer senseTips on how to stay safe in the sun and survive the school holidays!

Welcome to the summer edition of one magazine.

For a while it looked like we’d have to scrap the concept of a summer edition, but as I write this we’ve just had a lovely hot week and the pleasure of watching Andy Murray lift the men’s singles trophy at Wimbledon.

I hope you’ve had the opportunity to get out and enjoy the sun too.

However brief the summer might turn out to be, it seems plenty of you have been taking advantage of the recent warm weather. Our cover star Ron Hoile, who is an exhibiting artist as well as a general surgeon and Medical Director at our Will Adams Treatment Centre, took his employee art class outside for a spot of early evening painting. With such glorious Kent countryside close by (and yes, I am now a man of Kent), it’s no surprise they are inspired to pick up a paintbrush.

This issue is packed with news. There are the latest integration developments in our Health Care division, and how our residential care homes are involved with National Care Home Open Day.

Plus it’s a warm welcome to new colleagues from Living Ambitions joining our Community Services division as well as the new teams at our latest superb mental health facility at Lichfield Road in Walsall, HMP Isle of Wight and our impressive new care homes in Orpington, Edinburgh and Hailsham.

Turn to page 14 for our special feature on the Over to you! employee survey results. I’m looking forward to seeing how your opinions are turned into action plans, helping you to celebrate the things you’re doing so well and tackle the areas for improvement. I’ll be doing the same with the Care UK executive team.

We heard from more of you than ever before this year and it’s a big thank you from me for taking the time to participate – every single opinion counts towards providing a clear picture of how the company is doing.

Mike Parish

News

FEATURE: Inspirational people

FEATURE: Careering ahead in nursing

FEATURE: Over to you! employee survey results

FEATURE: A guide to good food

Coffee break puzzles

Photo competition

491214

182628

Mike

02

EDITOR’S NOTES WITH MIKE PARISH

This is your magazine, so we’d love to hear your news, views and pics. Here’s how to get in touch:

Email [email protected]

Send us a Facebook message at www.facebook.com/yourcareuk

Nina Metson, one magazine, Connaught House, 850 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9QB

one Issue 07 Summer 2013

Open MikeCONTENTS

Page22

It’s easy to WIN with one!

More stories to amaze and inspire you from across Care UK.

Page9 - 11

Page20

COVER STORY

Inspiring stories

Get in touchPage5 & 27

03one Issue 07 Summer 2013

Care UK Rocks!

Turn to page 24 for lots more employee recognition and pics!

F LMore great stories of Fulfilling Lives at its best!

For the first time Mental Health services have achieved 100% compliance with both CQC and, where relevant, OFSTED too. MD, Alison Rose-Quirie, said: “Congratulations to every team for working so hard to achieve this. Compliance provides the basic foundation on which we can build to achieve excellence and really bring our service philosophy to life.”

Donna Cousins, Community Services’ Director of Quality and Governance thanks the teams in all the Learning Disabilities services, as they have now reached 96% compliance with their regulatory inspectors. She said feedback shows the compassionate high quality care being delivered.

Our offender health service in HMP Brixton was named Lambeth Clinical Commissioning Group’s Team of the Month in April. Well done to manager Taps Mutakati and the team!

LCCG said: “The Brixton Prison Health Team is a high performing, dynamic team that has progressively improved health care in the prison. They have enabled smooth and efficient changes as the prison changed its role over the last year.”

The Preston Living Ambitions team won the Local Authority ‘Lancashire’s Got Talent’ Award for an innovative Circle of Support scheme, which was created to work alongside a service user for as long as he needed in order to make his hopes and dreams a reality. Read more about this on Eureka > Human Resources > one magazine > Issue 7.

Riverbank, the complex care recovery centre in Hull is a year old and Manager Ken Brown is full of praise for the positive way in which his team tackled the first year’s challenges. The year ended with an unannounced visit from CQC, achieving full compliance and drawing comments from the inspector such as ‘no other unit like this’ and ‘the staff team are knowledgeable and dedicated.’ Ken says: “I would like to thank the team for all their dedication and loyalty.”

Congratulations to Charlotte Madgewick from St Mary’s NHS Treatment Centre, who recently completed her exams to become Care UK’s first ‘home grown’ Nurse Endoscopist Specialist. The achievement means she can now scope patients without supervision, and the whole team wrote to one saying how proud of her they are!

Dr Kem Thompson, GP at the Ealing Urgent Care Centre was awarded the ‘Motivational Speaker of the Year 2013’ Award by the Women4Africa organisation, which recognises ‘Outstanding African Women’ based in the UK for their contribution to society. Kem’s award was in recognition of the motivational health-based talks she has given in the past year.

Congratulations to the team at Silversprings in Essex, which achieved ‘five ticks’ in its CQC report!

Audray Ferguson, EMI (Elderly Mentally Impaired) Unit Manager at Caledonian Court, paid tribute to her team. She said: “There have been many changes within the home recently and the team have worked really hard to improve the unit, offer suggestions and make things better for all. I want to say thank you to them all.”

Brixton Prison

Derek’s Circle

Congratulations!

Riverbank

Dr Kem ThompsonSilversprings

Caledonian Court

Email us at

[email protected] if you

want us to recognise a

team or person that

has done something

amazing!

Feature in one

has been an extremely challenging time. Demand has been high and we have had a lot to do get service levels up to where we want them to be.

Jim Easton, Managing Director of Health Care said: “The media has

been tracking NHS 111 services very closely, with many critics of the service taking any opportunity to highlight gaps in service levels. As one of the largest service providers, Harmoni has been the focus of much of the attention, sometimes even attracting criticism for services we do not run!

“I would like to thank everyone working in NHS 111 services for their dedication.

Care UK launched a new advice book to coincide with National Care Home Open Day.

As Easy as ABC (Activity Based Care), contains 100 practical suggestions for partners, family and friends to help their loved one get the most out of life.

Ideas range from craft activities to games the whole family can join in with. Plus suggestions for ways to spark memories and conversations, making the most of meals together and simple changes at home that can make a big difference.

Free copies of the book are available at our care homes and you can download a PDF version at www.careuk.com/sites/default/files/CareUK_Easy_as_ABC.pdf

NeWs

04 one Issue 07 Summer 2013

The new NHS 111 service has been in the news a lot since the Spring, and not always with the kind of headlines we want to read.

The service was launched by the Government in April to make it easier for people to access the right NHS services. Callers can dial 111 - rather than the previous NHS Direct number - for urgent medical help or advice. Harmoni, which was bought by Care UK in November last year, has 12 of the 42 national contracts.

For more than 700 colleagues working in the 24-hour, 365-days-a year service, it

NHS 111 in the news

At Tall Trees in Colchester, visitors enjoyed a BBQ and music from the local school choir

Choreographer and

TV presenter Arlene

Phillips, a champion of

dementia issues, talks

about her experience.

Colleagues and residents at Ellesmere House

in Chelsea enjoying their garden party

More than 100 Care UK residential care homes threw open their doors on 21 June as part of the first National Care Homes Open Day.

Organised by a group of leading care providers and associations, the National Care Home Open Day was the first time care homes across the country had collectively opened their doors to the public.

The event aimed to connect care homes with their local communities, challenge misconceptions about residential care and show local people the range of care services at the heart of their community.

At Care UK, activities ranged from cream teas to falconry displays, with employees and residents joining in the fun with visitors to create a memorable day across the country.

www.nationalcarehomeopenday.org.uk

www.careuk.com/national-care-home-open-day

The UK’s first National

Care Home Open Day

1

As easy as ABCCare UK’s Top 100 Hints and

Tips for Activity Based Care

Care UK packs 100 tips into free book

We are seeing the results of their hard work and we are all committed to building a service which makes us proud.”

“The reality is that in two of our call centres, London and Ipswich, we have provided great levels of service from the beginning. Where we had challenges in Bristol and Dorking (which is part of a service we run in partnership with South East Coast Ambulance Service), fantastic work locally has led to real improvements and we have now met the targets set.”

“Emergency and urgent care services are a public and political priority, so it is to be expected that the media will take an interest. As a major provider in this service, we should expect to be part of that debate, and any criticisms are investigated and addressed appropriately.”

See what patients say at www.patientopinion.org.uk/services/nhs-111#.

HMP Isle of Wight

offender health team

joins Care UK

June marked the beginning of a new era for Health Care, as the division’s 6,500 colleagues formally came together as a newly enlarged division.

With UKSH, Harmoni and Harmoni forHealth now officially part of the team, many of our colleagues celebrated with tea parties - complete with Care UK cake. Not everyone could take time out, but the cake was a pleasant surprise for many and enjoyed by all.

New signage has already gone up outside our former UKSH hospitals and re-branding work is complete in Harmoni forHealth. The public face of Harmoni will be re-branded in August 2013, but behind the scenes our new colleagues are already part of the team, and new letterheads and uniforms are on their way, ready for the changeover date.

Hello and welcome to the offender health team at HMP Isle of Wight, which joined our Health Care division after NHS commissioners chose Care UK to develop the services offered to prisoners.

The team will deliver GP services and primary care, mental health, pharmacy, physiotherapy, optometry and podiatry services at both the Albany and Parkhurst facilities. The Albany In-Patient Healthcare Unit will also offer prisoners physical injury and substance misuse treatments.

Ross Dowsett, Regional Director at Care UK and part of the team leading healthcare services at HMP Isle of Wight, said: “Our experience in delivering quality healthcare in challenging environments such as prisons is second to none and we’re looking forward to working closely with the team at HMP Isle of Wight. The clinical team and I are keen to build on the well-run service already in place by quickly moving forwards with our plans to improve the healthcare services offered to prisoners.”

Care UK now provides offender health services in more than 20 other prisons across England.


New beginning for Health Care

ENTRY COUPONPlease enter me for the one magazine time for tea prize draw

Name:

I work at:

Phone number:

Email:

Send your completed coupon by 27 August 2013 to: Time for Tea Prize Draw, one magazine, Care UK, 850 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, CO4 9QB.

We’ve got fantastic prize packs to give away to two lucky Care UK employees.

Each pack contains:

• Family membership for two adults and two children to the National Trust – giving free entry to over 300 locations across the UK for a year

• Your choice from a range of beautiful Emma Bridgewater teapots with two mugs

• A £50 voucher for Afternoonteafortwo.co.uk – so you can visit the venue of your choice

For your chance to win, simply complete and return the entry coupon below. Don’t forget you can send back multiple entries in the same envelope. Photocopies will not be accepted.

a time for tea prize pack!

NeWs

Mental Health Awards 2013


NeWs

Our learning disabilities service at Dubford Road, Aberdeen has recently trebled in size, following a successful tender win.

The new contract is for five years, with a focus on innovation and the achievement of outcomes for supported people. As part of the growth, new members of the team have joined Care UK as part of the TUPE process – so hello and welcome to you all!

Learning Disabilities’ Director Chris Hindle said: “It was a pleasure to recently visit the Dubford services in Aberdeen and see the great work that goes on there with service users. I am sure that we will all work together to develop the service yet further and achieve great things with the people we support.

Congratulations to Howard Elliott and the Learning Disabilities team for all the hard work in achieving this contract win.”

Community Services also welcomes all of the employees who joined us in April from Living Ambitions. Living Ambitions provides supported living and outreach services for people with Learning Disabilities in Lancashire and Salford.

Libby Eastley, Business Development Director for Community Services said: “We were particularly impressed by the strong emphasis that the Living Ambitions team placed on personalised, compassionate care. I’d like to welcome all of the employees into the Care UK family.”

An open day in April gave visitors the chance to tour the superb new facilities, with commissioners and case referrers able to see the possibilities of bringing back some of the placements to Walsall that, until now, have had to be placed out of area due to lack of provision.

Year four pupils from Little Bloxwich Primary School also buried a time capsule in the grounds, which included messages of their hopes and dreams for the future, original plans of the building, and photos of the open day.

The afternoon and evening were set aside for the local community to explore the new facility, speak to the team and enjoy cakes and warm drinks in the on-site bistro.

Service users staying at Lichfield Road will have the clinical expertise and safeguards of a hospital, while living in a unique environment that enables them to start their recovery journey in their own individual apartment behind their own front door.

www.careuk.com/lichfieldroad

Celebrations for Mental Health at the opening of Lichfield Road

The 2013 Mental Health Awards gave colleagues, service users and their families the chance to nominate those they felt had gone the extra mile or shown innovation in their work.

Alison Rose-Quirie, MD of Mental Health said: “Each year we look for examples of support or initiatives that help to improve our service users’ experiences. We were not disappointed; every nomination we received demonstrated the dedication and pride that our people have in their work.

“This year, our service users were included in the nominations for the tremendous work they have done to support and train both our team and other service users. I am extremely proud of each and every one of those nominated.”

Learning Disabilities are on the grow!

The winners• Chef of the Year Award – Clare Taylor,

Newcombe Lodge

• Support Services Champion of the Year Award – Robert Whitaker, Park Villa

• Recovery Champion of the Year Award – Dominika Kostrzewska, Evergreen Lodge

• Volunteer of the Year Award – Nicola Marper, Brierley Court

• Team Achievement of the Year Award – Recovery Training Team, nationwide

• Individual Achievement of the Year Award – Ushe Gumba, Riverbank

• The MD Award – John Russell, Rosebank House

Eureka > Human Resources > one magazine > Issue 7

Winner Ushe Gumba with Mike

LIVING AMBITIONS

Angelina Jolie is known for many things; acting, her partner Brad Pitt, and her humanitarian work to name but a few.

Most recently she has gained worldwide attention for her decision to have an elective double mastectomy.

In a statement, Jolie said that her aim is to: “encourage every woman, especially if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, to seek out the information and medical experts who can help you through this aspect of your life, and to make your own informed choices.”

The announcement is expected to make a significant increase in awareness of the rare genetic condition which meant that Jolie had an 87 per cent chance of developing breast cancer (her mother died of cancer at the age of 56), as well as the importance of regular screening.

Identifying faulty genes

• Faulty genes (in this case BRCA1, 2 and 3) run in families

• You should alert your GP if your family has a history of breast or ovarian cancer

• A five-year trial has indicated that regular mammograms and MRI screening is most effective for women at high risk

• The faulty gene can be detected via a simple blood test

• Tests tend only to be carried out on women with a family history of early-onset cancer

• Seek advice from your GP if you are at all concerned.

For more information, go to www.nhs.uk/livewell/breastcancer or www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk

Not content with leading the Mental Health division for Care UK, Alison Rose-Quirie is also a top-class triathlete and recently won bronze in her age category (which we won’t reveal!) for the Great British team at the Challenge Barcelona middle distance triathlon.

She said: “The event went well. Despite losing the chain on my bike five times I managed to be first GB finisher in my age category and came third behind two local Spaniards. To be presented with a bronze medal on the podium for Great Britain was a great experience. The winner beat me by only eight minutes and second place by only three or four minutes, so who knows what would have happened if the bike chain had behaved!”Picture: marathon-photos.com

Alison ‘Tri-s’ her best!

Breast cancer:

will there be

an ‘Angelina Jolie’ effect?


NeWs

Dr Marco La Malfa and Dr Bozena Korba from Emersons Green Treatment Centre in Bristol recently crossed the pond to make a presentation in Boston at the ASRA congress (American Society for Regional Anaesthesia).

They were presenting in relation to the Enhanced Recovery Protocol that Emersons Green has developed for joint replacement.

Dr La Malfa paid tribute to all those involved in the study:

“The study showed a real improvement in clinical outcomes. Patients can be easily mobilised three hours after surgery, which reduces post-operative complications and the length of their hospital stay. During the four month study period the average length of stay dropped by 24 hours to 2.6 days, and we had six hip replacement patients and one knee replacement patient head home within 24 hours of their operations.

“The topics presented were the result of a big audit and we were able to collect all the data thanks to the participation of all our Emersons Green colleagues.

It was great teamwork and spirit, as well as the clinical study, which produced the two presentations for the ASRA congress.”

Eureka > Human Resources > one magazine > Issue 7

Emersons Green team

share study success

Enhanced recovery for Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: has 2% Heavy Prilocaine a place? - our experience

BackgroundUKSH Emersons Green NHS Treatment Centre aims to provide an excellent service for elective hip and knee arthroplasty for NHS patients in the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire areas. Our enhanced recovery protocol has improved the quality of care and the clinical outcomes for our joint replacement patients in terms of hospital length of stay.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the use of intrathecal 2% Heavy Prilocaine on our standardised fast track recovery program in terms of patient early mobilisation, pain management, hip and knee range of movement, patient satisfaction and the length of stay.

Methods160 patients were included in the study. 77 of them had undergone a total hip replacement and 83 had a total knee replacement. Patients with ASA 1, 2 and stable 3 were included in the study. Age was not exclusion criterion. All patients received as premedication Omeprazole 20mg and Pregabalin 75-150mg before the surgery with dose adjustments depending on their age.

The anaesthetic management was standardised: • Group one patients received spinal anaesthesia with

50mg 2% Heavy Prilocaine, Fentanyl 30mcg and preservative free Morphine 150mcg.

• Group two patients received spinal anaesthesia with 10mg 0.5% Heavy Marcaine and the same combination of intrathecal Opioids.

Sedation for both groups with Propofol TCI 2%.

Peri-operative medications included: Ondansentron 4mg, Dexamethasone 8mg, Paracetamol 1gr, Parecoxib 40mg, prophylactic antibiotics according to hospital protocol and Tranexamic Acid 1g. Fluid management consisted of 1l of Plasmalyte and 500ml of Voluven if needed. LIA (150ml of Ropivacaine 0.2% with Adrenaline 0.5mg and Ketorolac 30mg) was administered by the surgeon in a three stage phase.

The post operative management was also standardised consisting of regular Paracetamol 1g QDS, Etoricoxib 60mg BD, Pregabalin 75mg OD or BD, Omeprazole 20mg, antibiotics as per hospital protocol, clexane 40mg 8 hours after surgery followed by Rivaroxaban 10mg 24 hours later. As requested medication Ondansentron 4mg, Cyclizine 50mg, Codeine 30-60mg, Oxynorm 5-10mg and Naloxone 200-400 mcg titrated.

The parameters considered were: patient’s bromage score, average pain score, time of first mobilisation, postoperative nausea and vomiting, post operative BP and dizziness/fainting on first mobilisation, knee and hip range of movement, wound oozing and hospital length of stay.

Results

The average age was 69.38, 67 patients were male and 93 female. Success of post operative early mobilisation was 63% in the Prilocaine group, 56.3 % in the Marcaine group. At time of first mobilisation, the patients systolic BP was below 100mmhg in only 28% of the patients within the Prilocaine group vs 40% within the Marcaine group. Ponv, dizziness and pruritus were similar within the two groups. Ponv was seen in 12 % of the patients, dizziness at time of first mobilisation was present in 40 % of the patients and pruritus affected 16% of the patients. The average pain score (VAS) was 1.89 in the Prilocaine group and 1.52 in the Marcaine group.

Early mobilisation after the surgery Systolic blood pressure below 100 mmhg at time of first mobilisation

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%Prilocaine Marcaine

63%

Prilocaine

56.3%

Marcaine

Conclusion

Our enhanced recovery protocol led by multi-disciplinary teams improves the quality of care for joint replacement patients. The introduction of intrathecal opioids has drastically reduced the need for post operative opioid prescription. In addition, 2% Heavy Prilocaine permits early mobilisation and it is particularly recommended in patients with several co-morbidities where stable peri-operative haemodynamic status is desirable. We can safely conclude that the multimodal analgesia approach to the joint replacement surgery is effective delivering modern and safe medical care. Patient satisfaction remains extremely high, hospital length of stay was reduced and substantial cost savings were noted.

Author: M La Malfa1 | Co-Authors: B Lassota-Korba1 | B Hargatai1 | P Kocsis1 | B Mavrodiev1 | C Alexa1 | J Hamza1 | L Levy1 | O Kovacs1 | S Dinev1 | C Flower2 | M Amadori21Anaesthetics | 2Physiotherapist | Emersons Green NHS Treatment Centre, Bristol

Length of stay - Hip & knee arthroplasty comparison amongst our treatment centres

4.5

4

3.5

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0 Feb 12 Mar 12 Apr 12 May 12 Jun 12 Jul 12 Aug 12 Sep 12 Oct 12 Nov 12 Dec 12 Jan 13

Day

s

4.5

4

3.5

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5


Day

s

Emersons Green NHS Treatment Centre - Average LOS - Joints 4.5

4

3.5

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5


Day

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Peninsula NHS Treatment Centre - Average LOS - Joints

4.5

4

3.5

3

2.5

2

1.5

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0.5


Day

s

Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre - Average LOS - Joints

AGW

PTC

SMTC

Boston bound: Dr La Malfa and Dr Korba

Reform baton passes from Lansley to HuntJeremy Hunt took on responsibility for the reform of the NHS from Andrew Lansley MP when he became Secretary of State for Health in September 2012.

Rarely out of the news, the battle is being waged on many fronts, from the review of emergency services to cut waiting times and the renegotiation of GPs’ contracts to the proposal that nurses should spend a period of time working as healthcare assistants before qualifying.

For more information about the Health and Social Care Act, which came into effect in April 2013, go to: the Department of Health website, http://tinyurl.com/c8cqtdj.

For an interactive view of how the NHS is structured, view this short video, created by The Kings Fund http://vimeo.com/69224754

Give us aTwirlLaunching in Residential Care very soon,

we’ll be telling you more about Twirl in the

next edition of one – so look out for it!

Health Secretary

drops in on Broadwater Lodge


NeWs

The Secretary of State for Health, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, recently visited our Broadwater Lodge care home, which is in his west Surrey constituency.

Speaking during his visit, the Secretary of State paid tribute to the commitment of care home teams and the vital role communities play in supporting homes.

He also met Care UK’s Head of Dementia Care, Maizie Mears-Owen, who had presented a series of experiential training workshops on the day.

Among those to meet Mr Hunt was Len Clark, whose wife Isobel lives at Broadwater Lodge and who invited him to visit. In a speech, Mr Clark said although the decision to move Isobel into a care home had been a difficult one, he had seen first hand what a difference dedicated care can make.

“Something I have learnt is that there is a difference between being a carer and being a caring person, and the people here are caring people,” he said. “This is a happy ship and the mood of the place is very good.”

Home Manager Angela Bookham was delighted to welcome so many people to Broadwater Lodge. “It means so much to the residents and their families that Mr Hunt took the time to tour the home, meet them and see what happens in a care home every day,” she said.

“Of course, dignity isn’t just about one special event, it’s about recognising the work that happens every day to ensure residents are living fulfilled lives in a happy and interesting environment.”

Ellesmere House recently hosted

diplomats from the Korean Ministry

of Health. They toured the home,

met the team, and learned about how

social service referrals work, the

criteria needed and rehab information

as they are looking into creating

something similar in South Korea.

A shining example

The Care UK employee Facebook page has topped 1,200 people ‘liking’ the page. It’s packed with more great pictures, stories and information about Care UK people, find it at www.facebook.com/yourcareuk

Facebook followersare grand

Everyone who has an annual performance review (appraisal) will be seeing a change to the style of paperwork this year. Following employee feedback, the form has changed from having to fit objectives around the Care UK values, to having a great conversation around what you’ve done really well and areas for developments in line with our values.Your objectives and goals will now be agreed in line with what’s needed in your job now and in the future. You’ll also see there’s a place to agree and plan training and development.

Review will

affect you

Jeremy Hunt with Broadwater Lodge Manager, Angela Bookham


My Parkinson’s condition was diagnosed little over a year ago and I have just about

become used to its complexities. Plenty of fresh air walking, a good diet, and keeping a

watchful eye on lifestyle seemed to have daily life under control.

Walking took me past Care UK’s newest facility of Cairdean House each day and

I watched admiringly as the year-long building project transformed former MOD

wasteland into a stunning new care home. Little could I have imagined the day would

come that I would call upon its staff for help?

This was until after a fall within my own home caused a few broken ribs and one or

two other health issues. Attempting to simply walk off the situation, my health became

overwhelmed by pain and indecision - enter Cairdean House staff nurse Catherine Dupre.

A knock on Cairdean’s door for assistance and a glass of water seemed a tad desperate,

but its lights shone brightly and I needed help.

Within minutes I was persuaded by the gently authoritative duty staff nurse Catherine.

Well watered, assessed and temporarily rested, I was told it was the Duty of Care for

every nurse to undertake to seek medical advice.

As a later Sunday evening became darker and very much later, Catherine took charge

by calling an emergency GP to aid my difficulties. Describing her actions as ‘took

charge’ is a bit of an understatement. Admitted to Edinburgh’s Infirmary shortly

afterwards, hitherto undetected problems were later discovered.

As a good recovery from a potentially dangerous health situation has now settled,

I can only muse that has it not been for Cairdean House’s open door welcome, and the

wholly exceptional help and advice given by staff nurse Catherine Dupre, I may well not

be here to write this tribute to Catherine and to other members of Care UK’s staff that

eventful evening.

Cairdean House was built for and by Care UK on that chosen spot under the premise

of caring for those in need. That I should be in that place and at that time perfectly

illuminates the oldest of sayings… “What’s for you won’t go past you”.

With grateful thanks to all at Cairdean House, Edinburgh.

Malcolm R Fane

Sometimes we receive thank you letters, occasionally a poem. However, the team at Cairdean House in Edinburgh, one of our newest residential care homes, was delighted to receive this beautiful letter from journalist and broadcaster Malcolm Fane – after a dramatic and unexpected visit!

Manager Helen Kinnaird said: “As a new home it is particularly important we establish strong relationships with the community. Catherine and the rest of the team’s actions on that night go a long way to show what a caring, committed team we have here. I am proud to have them as my colleagues.”

As a new home it is particularly important we establish strong relationships with the community

Catherine Dupre and Malcolm Fane

Cairdean House

iNspiratioNaL peopLe: 3-paGe speciaL! F L

The Angel of Cairdean

Haven Lodge

Tall Trees

Haven Lodge’s Administrator Debbie and Senior Care Assistant Anne both received their 10 year awards.

Cromer’s residents are rightly proud of their community and, each year, the town’s Mayor awards three ‘Cromer Honours’ to those who have made the lives of local residents better.

At a glittering ceremony in April, Elaine Milton, a Care UK carer based in Cromer working with our Great Yarmouth branch, collected one of these coveted awards.

Elaine was nominated by Cromer resident Jean Freeman, 67, one of the people she cares for, who spoke to one magazine with great enthusiasm about the reasons why she felt Elaine deserved such an award.

Jean said: “Elaine is a carer in a million. She never lets people down and, over the five years she has been caring for me, I have come to trust and rely on her. For me, everything she does is perfect.”

Jean lives with a range of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, angina and anxiety, and Elaine’s care and dedication is essential in enabling her to live confidently. Elaine is a proper carer. It means everything to her too. She brings sunshine into the lives of everyone she touches. I felt very proud, and little overwhelmed when I heard she had won the award, but she really deserved it.”


iNspiratioNaL peopLe

Tucked away at the top of the North Norfolk coast, Cromer is best known as a seaside destination, with its sandy beaches and historic pier making it a favourite for holidaymakers.

Elaine Milton received her award from Gwen Smith, Mayor of Cromer. (Main pic) Elaine Milton and Jean Freeman

‘Perfect’ carer

Elaine honoured

at annual ceremony

F L

Tall Trees had a forest of Long Service Awards! Manager Katherine Foley received her 20 year award and Nurse Jenny Bartram her 15 year award. Also receiving five year awards were Carers Karen Wood, Gillian Rose, Rosella Cataby and Agnes Dzieniszewska, and Nurse Alex Sanecka.

Long

Service

Awards

Congratulations to all those receiving certificates, including:

Appleby House

Appleby House’s Christine Southgate was presented with her 20 year service award. Les Betteridge, Activities Organiser and Jane Hunt, Administrator received their 10 year awards, with Marie Coret, Harish Boyounth, Rushen Osman, Racquel Briones and Esther Boakye all receiving five year awards.

Station House’s Jackie Cullinan, RGN and Susan Oliver, Senior Care Assistant received 10 year awards, and Laura Capper Senior Care Assistant received her five year award.


After a fire broke out in a service user’s home in Lewisham, quick-thinking Support Worker Mary Mensah swung into action.

She turned off the electricity in the property, called the emergency services and transferred the service user out of the property. Mary then went to the hospital with the service user, while support worker Matilda Quansah liaised with the South London Community Service branch and reassured the family.

The service user thanked Mary for saving her life and, following the incident, London South Service Manager Nick Barker said: “Mary acted swiftly and kept her cool when faced with an emergency situation.

“She made the best use of her training to ensure both she and the service user were safe, but it was her cool and calm behaviour that really helped – and accompanying the service user to hospital showed her dedicated to delivering high quality care even in difficult circumstances.

“I am very proud of both Mary and Matilda’s actions. They are a credit to the Lewisham team.”

Quick thinking from Lewisham Support Workers iNspiratioNaL peopLeNeWsiNspiratioNaL peopLe

We received this heartfelt poem from a young service user who left Newcombe Lodge recently.

Poet’s CornerF L

Station House

Mary (left) and Matilda took action

I’ve only been here a whileBut all your faces make me smileWe’ve been through the good and the badYou’ve all helped me through the happy and the sadSometimes I can sometimes be toughAnd I feel like I had enoughBut day after day you’re back for moreBut now I’m stuck as beforeYou’ve taught me some good things I must sayTable manners and behaving in a certain wayI enjoyed all of our activities outI enjoyed the laughter through screams and shoutsI wish things didn’t have to end this wayBut I will back another dayYou are all so caring, stay in this homeWith all you around, nobody’s aloneAlthough you’re not my mother or fatherYou’re the people I would ratherI know sometimes I can be a b****Keep pulling out stitch and stitchBut every single one of you is a gem stoneWhen I’m scared I’m never aloneYou all must be very special people to work as great as you doAnd deep down in my heart there’s love for all of youYou’ve been so kind to me like a mum shouldYou’ve done everything my parents never couldThanks from the bottom of my heartIn my head there will always be a space for every one of you.

You’re a star!CS Area Manager

Gene Goodchild

says thank you and welcome to

the Stockton CS team who have

recently been incorporated

into the North East

Customer Centre.


What makes a good nurse?“If you’re caring, compassionate and have a commitment to helping people, you’ll find a role that suits you in nursing.” says Della Warren, Interim Director of Nursing in Health Care.

Annemarie Booth, Head of Nursing in Residential Care, agrees: “Good nurses need to have sound clinical skills, but also a passion and an interest in people. You should want to build positive relationships, not just with residents, but with your team too.”

“A key part of the role, particularly in Mental Health nursing is to listen and not judge,” says Rachael Borne, Head of Integrated Governance and Quality, Mental Health.

“You’ll need to be flexible and patient, particularly for those with complex needs,” adds Rachael.

Getting into nursingIf you’re interested in getting into nursing, there are lots of resources online. A good place to start is the NHS web site http://nursing.nhscareers.nhs.uk/, which includes a quiz to see which of the four main specialisms might be right for you:

• Adult nursing

• Children

• Learning disabilities

• Mental health

The most common entry path for nursing is via a degree and then work for the NHS, possibly taking a stint with Care UK on placements or as bank staff.

If you can’t study full-time, you could first become a Healthcare Assistant

or join an NVQ-based apprenticeship scheme while you study for your pre-registration nursing qualification.

Specialising within nursingOnce you’re a Registered Nurse you will be mentored to help bridge the gap between the theory and practise of being a nurse.

As you gain experience, career progression is encouraged and there are lots of options available to you. With further study you could become a Clinical Lead nurse. Alternatively, you might want to specialise in one or more areas, from theatre nurses to A&E to Nurse Practitioners (see panel, left).

Our most recent specialism is Nurse Endoscopist, where we currently have our very first one, at St Mary’s Treatment Centre in Portsmouth – hello Charlotte Madgewick! (see page 3).

Opportunities across Care UKNurses’ skills are often highly transferrable, which creates lots of opportunities for career changes within Care UK.

There’s a tremendous focus on providing a high quality service and ensuring the safety of our patients.Della Warren, Interim Director of Nursing, Health Care

✔ Adult Nurses

✔ Clinical Leads

✔ Children’s Nurses

✔ District Nurses

✔ Learning Disability Nurses

✔ Mental Health Nurses

✔ Nurse Practitioners

✔ Nurse Prescribers

✔ Primary Care Nurses

✔ Nurse Endoscopists

✔ Resident Nurses

✔ Registered General Nurses

✔ Staff Nurses

✔ Theatre Nurses

If you’re a nurse, maybe you’re thinking about your next career step and whether to specialise within your current division or explore opportunities elsewhere in Care UK?

Or maybe you’re thinking about becoming a nurse? one takes a closer look at the options.

cariNG careers

Careers in nursing

One role, lots of

opportunities

For example, nurses working in a hospital environment could potentially work in, or manage, residential care homes – and vice versa. Visit www.careuk.com/careers to see the roles we have available.

But nothing can be taken for granted, suggest Annemarie, “You’ll need to demonstrate a genuine passion about working in residential care and an interest in the people we care for. We’re looking for someone with both the enthusiasm and the experience we need.”

The same goes for Mental Health, “Someone working in a residential care home who specialises in elderly care and dementia may be an ideal candidate to work in mental health, but it’s not for everyone. They’ll need to really want the role and have the skills, training and insight that we need,” says Rachael.

Making the move into nursingWhile a nurse’s role is unique, there are a

number of roles that perform some of the same activities, for example Healthcare Assistants, Carers and Team Leaders.

Each year a number of Healthcare Assistants and Carers make the move into nursing. But at the same time, these roles are taking on more clinical responsibilities. It’s all part of the move towards ‘continuing care’ to help avoid the need for hospital admissions and speed up discharges.

Aileen Turner, Clinical Lead within Community Services: “We have lots of extremely capable carers who are carrying out clinical work, such as changing simple dressings and even working with tracheostomies, which would previously have been the responsibility of District Nurses.

“My job is to ensure governance around complex tasks and that they are properly documented in care plans and that carers have the support and supervision they

need. It’s great to be able to provide these sorts of services on the front line and I’d like to see a lot more of it.

“It can help keep our service users where they want to be – at home. Ultimately I would like to develop a clear career pathway for carers and work with our training team to develop a Care UK Diploma in Health and Social Care to recognise and develop their clinical skills.”


We have a lots of nurses that are absolutely stunning at what they do. They are so committed that I get inspired every time I go out to the service.Annemarie BoothHead of Nursing, Residential Care

cariNG careers

Want to take

the next step?

If you are interested in making a career move, why not check out the Care UK career website http://careers.careuk.com, or speak to your manager about what advice and support we can offer. Good luck!

Every employee who joined the company before 28 February this year was asked to complete the company-wide survey and thousands of you did – 10,943 of you in fact!

The survey asked your opinion on key business areas: how you feel about your work and the contribution you feel you make, communication, working atmosphere, personal development, pay and reward, our customer focus, the quality of managers and leaders, speaking up in the workplace, and your thoughts about Care UK overall.

eMpLoYee surVeY

Unless you’ve been hiding in a cupboard for the last couple of months, you can’t fail to have noticed the Care UK Over to you! employee survey.


The results are in!Record-breaking participation in every division!

The Biggest Movers – UP!

▲ +11% I feel comfortable in contributing my views before changes are made which affect me

▲ +11% Care UK keeps me informed about company matters affecting me

▲ +5% I receive regular and constructive feedback on my performance from my immediate line manager

▲ +4% I am satisfied with my total benefits package that Care UK provides

The Biggest Movers – DOWN!

▼ -11% I think Care UK works hard to go the extra mile to help its customers lead fulfilling lives

▼ -8% I believe senior managers are effective at communicating the future vision of Care UK

▼ -5% I think Care UK respects individual differences

▼ -5% I have a clear understanding of Care UK’s mission and objectives

Question Care UK

2013 Care UK

2012

Compared to people doing a similar job in other organisations, I feel my pay is reasonable

29% 29%

Considering my duties and responsibilities, I feel my pay is fair

29% 29%

I am satisfied with my total benefits package (e.g. pension, annual leave) that Care UK provides

40% 36%

Communications between different divisions of Care UK are effective

40% 41%

I believe Care UK would support me if I developed mental health problems

49% -

I believe senior managers clearly and effectively communicate the reasons behind change

50% 50%

The Highlights - these are the questions with the highest positive scores

The Lowlights - these are the questions with the lowest positive scores

Residential Care GroupMental Health Community Services

60%

40%

20%

0%

100%

80%

42% 45%49%

95%

38%

21%

34%

40%

80%

19%

64%

80%

52%

98%

53%

Health Care

Question Care UK 2013

Care UK 2012

I understand my responsibilities with regard to my own health and safety at work

96% 97%

I am clear about what I am expected to achieve in my work

89% 90%

I have a clear understanding of the purpose and objectives of my branch/home/unit/functional department

88% 89%

I understand how my work contributes to the success of Care UK

87% 90%

I am aware of how to raise concerns as part of the Care UK Whistleblowing process

86% -

My work gives me a feeling of personal accomplishment

83% 86%

2012 20102013

There are six questions in the Over to you! survey that measure how ‘engaged’ you are as an employee. By engagement, we mean how likely you are talk positively about Care UK, go the extra mile in your work and want to stay working here.

The independent company we use takes the responses to these questions and averages them out to produce an Employee Engagement Index. This is a measure of how committed, content and motivated employees are. When your service receives their report, you will see this Index score listed right at the start. In order to get a report, your team will have needed to have returned six or more surveys.

Care UK’s Group HR Director Karen McCormick said: “It’s good news that more people than ever before have wanted to take part in the survey. Hearing from so many more people gives us confidence that we are looking at a more accurate picture and can focus our efforts on how to make Care UK a great place to work.

“It is very positive to see such big increases in employees feeling they are able to contribute their views and that they feel informed about the issues affecting them. This increase in positive communication is very important and will help enormously as we look to address the areas which have not scored well.

“The questions that have had a significant drop in positive responses this year tell a clear story. You want the company help you in your work, not get in your way and you want the goals we are working towards as a company to be communicated more clearly.”

Mike Parish has taken the results as an immediate call to action for Care UK’s leaders. He said: “How often do we say that there’s a huge correlation between a good manager and a great service? And there’s a clear correlation between quality managers and an engaged workforce.

I would urge all teams to focus on what your results means to you and develop an action plan that will really make a difference for both customers and our people. Meanwhile, I and the Care UK Executive will be really digging through the details of the results to understand where we need to make some significant changes.”


eMpLoYee surVeY

This year it was agreed that we would make a donation to charity that increased with every additional survey received – but only if more than 50% of the company took part.

Happily, you sailed past the 50% target, with a final total of 58% of you taking part.

The 10,943 surveys received turned into a donation to charity of £2,188.60!The teams with the highest participation rates were asked to nominate one charity from a shortlist of five, and the charity they chose, with a resounding 43% of the vote is…

Darren Couchman, Cancer Research UK’s Area Volunteer Manager for North Essex said: “Thank you so much to everyone at Care UK for taking part in your employee opinion survey and choosing Cancer Research UK as the benefiting charity.

“Cancer Research UK pioneers life-saving research to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. The generosity of our supporters has enabled the charity to lead the world in discovering and developing newer, kinder treatments and get closer to cures. We’ve helped double survival rates in just 40 years. But we can’t stop there.

With the continued help of supporters like you at Care UK we can accelerate our progress against this devastating disease. Thanks again for your fantastic support.”

Keep an eye on Facebook and Eureka for the

presentation picture!

Are you engaged?

Fantasticfundraising

All teams need to focus on what the results mean to you

Mike Parish

At Church View, Manager

Dorothy Marlow held a colleague

meeting as well as mini sessions after

each shift handover when she gave out the

survey. She also encouraged colleagues

to think about the changes the survey could

help to achieve.

The result? Participation rose from

14% in 2012 to 84%!

Division 2013 2012 2010

Care UK overall 66% ▼ 69% 60%

Health Care 58% ▼ 61% 63%

Mental Health 66% ▲ 64% 59%

Residential Care 67% ▼ 74% 59%

Community Services 68% ▲ 67% 61%

Group Central Services 75% ◄ 75% 56%

Thank you!A massive thank you to

everyone who returned

surveys, managers

for encouraging their

teams and our brilliant

workplace champions.


Gold, silver and bronze recognition boards are on their way to

the teams with the highest participation and those who made

a big leap up from last year. Is your team on the list?

Find out below.

Survey superstarseMpLoYee surVeY

Gold – 100% participation

Residential Care Services

Grangewood Hollins ParkKings CourtMuriel StreetPaddock HousePlace CourtTippethillTor-Na-DeeNorth East ManagersBusiness Development & ConstructionFacilities ManagementRCS Leadership Team

Group Central Services

Group Executive Leadership TeamGroup MarketingGroup HRGroup Finance Direct ReportsCentral Finance SystemsGroup Accounts PayableGroup ProcurementGroup IT ManagersGroup IT InfrastructureGroup IT Service DeskGroup IT Supplier ManagementGroup IT Service SupportGroup Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)

Community Services

Craig CourtCS Human ResourcesCS Central HRCS TrainingCS ResourcingCS Quality & ComplianceCS Financial and CommercialCS Invoice and Credit ControlCS FinanceCS CommercialCS Business SystemsCS Leadership Team

Health Care Lincolnshire CATS / LIMSSThe Hill GP & Urgent Care CentreHMP IsisHMP AylesburyHMP Hollesley BayHealth Care Primary Care Leaders

Mental Health Evergreen LodgePenfold LodgeYew Tree LodgeRosebank HouseMental Health Finance & Commercial Team

Silver – significant increase on 2012


Addington HeightsAmberley LodgeCarnegie Street & Highbury New Park Day CentresChalfont CourtCheviot CourtChurch ViewEchelfordeEllesmere HouseElwick GrangeHarry Sotnick HouseHeavers CourtHinton GrangeKingsleighSt Peters CourtTall Trees

Community Services

Leeds BranchLeicester BranchBirmingham BranchCardiff BranchNorth Essex BranchChelmsford BranchIpswich BranchMargate BranchChester Learning Disabilities Branch

Health CareBarlborough NHS Treatment Centre Broad Street CATSBucks MSKCalderdaleEccleshill NHS Treatment CentreEmersons Green NHS Treatment Centre

Grainger Medical PracticeHampshire Doctors on Call ServiceHarmoni 111 South WestHarmoni EAC North ColchesterHarmoni EAC Stoke on TrentHarmoni Out of Hours North Central LondonHarmoni Out of Hours West LondonHavant NHS Diagnostic CentreHC SC CirencesterHC SC DevizesHMP BrixtonHMP ChelmsfordHMP DurhamHMP FranklandHMP Grendon & SpringhillHMP Kirklevington & HMP Holme House

HMP NorthumberlandHMP ThamesideHMP YOI DeerboltHMP YOI Low NewtonNorth Somerset EACPeninsula NHS Treatment CentreRotherham DiagnosticsRotherham Out of HoursShakespeare Medical PracticeShepton Mallet NHS Treatment CentreSt Luke’s Health CentreThe Junction Health CentreUrgent Care Operations (Mid & SW)

Mental Health Avesbury House Brierley CourtPark LodgeAlthea Park House

Bronze – 75% or higher participation


Angel CourtBroadwater LodgeCairdean HouseCathkin HouseDarlington CourtForrester CourtFoxbridge HousePaisley CourtPinetumStanecroftStation HouseSunningdaleWade HouseWhitefarm LodgeWoodsideRCS Commissioning & Service Innovation ManagersRCS Core Operations ManagersRCS Transitional Operations ManagersRCS Essex ManagersRCS Suffolk ManagersRCS North WestRCS Surrey ManagersRCS Clinical and Care GovernanceRCS FinanceRCS Human ResourcesRCS Sales and Marketing

Community Services

Glasgow South & East BranchMusselburgh Learning Disabilities Branch

Musselburgh Care at Home BranchSouth Lanarkshire BranchStirling BranchWhitwood Hall

Health Care Bucks DiagnosticsBroad Street GP & Walk-In CentreGuildhall WalkRochdale Ophthalmology CATSHealth Care Support FunctionsHealth Care Strategy TeamHealth Care Human ResourcesHealth Care Commercial TeamHealth Care Integrated Governance & MedicalHealth Care Finance Team

Mental Health Ashleigh House Cragston CourtNewcombe LodgePark VillaMental Health Central Services

Group Central Services’

race to see which team could hit

100% participation first was won

by Group Procurement. All surveys

back by midday on day one!

Now that’s speedy...

There were some incredible increases in response rates compared to 2012, including:Ellesmere House: 13% to 93%

Leicester CS Branch: 36% to 99%North Essex CS Branch: 29% to 91%

HMP Brixton: 18% to 88%

In each division, Action Planning Trainers are on hand to help

managers run really effective action planning sessions. The more

actions teams can put into place, the more the survey will have

done its most important job – making the workplace better for

every Care UK employee.

You’ll write your actions on a pledge poster, which will act as a year-

round reminder of the goals you are working towards as a team.


So, what’s next? eMpLoYee surVeY

Managers will be arranging an Action Planning session with your team, where they will go through your team results, look at how this compares with other results and talk through your thoughts. Together, you will create a plan of actions to celebrate the areas where you have scored highly,

investigate areas where there’s uncertainty and agree how to tackle areas that have low scores. We’re sure you’ll all be interested to hear about your team’s results, so ask your manager when your Action Planning session is going to be!

Action Planning is not a one-off activity. The goals you add to your team plan should be checked, measured and celebrated throughout the year. The employee survey is the chance to make changes, so it’s Over to you! to make them a reality!

Results reports for 366 teams across Care UK have been compiled, and each manager has now received a copy of your report.

Over to you! lifecycle

Top tools for action planning

September onwards:

Carry out Action Plan objectives

May: Survey

gathering

Jan/Feb:Mid-cycle

Review

April/May:Review the year

against your Action Plan in preparation for the next

survey - what changes have been made as a

direct result of the survey?

July - Sept:Create and submit

Action Plans

Action Plan activities may link with P&DR objectives for both Managers and team members.

Process starts

Use team meetings, 1:1 meetings and specific Over to you! check-in meetings to review and recognise people’s efforts.

Bring your whole team together to assess progress and celebrate achievements.

Engaging with your teams, alongside your Survey Champion, to increase participation.

Communicate the changes driven by the Over to you! Action Plan to your team.

All managers receiving reports will be given an Action Planning workbook.

The Action Plans will be returned and quality checked. Your plan will form part of how your team works for the coming year, so it’s important the content is well thought through.

Your Over to you! Employee survey action planning toolkit

Your guide to engaging and action planning with your team

The Eat Well plateUse the eatwell plate to help you get the balance right. It shows how much of what you eat should come from each food group.

We all know the importance of eating healthily, but it’s a challenge at the best of times for most of us, particularly when the less healthy options are so convenient – and so tasty.

The challenge can be even harder for a person with learning disabilities, which is where Tracy Halford, Deputy Manager of Whitwood Hall, and her team come in.

Whitwood Hall is a residential home for adults with mild to severe learning disabilities, including autism. Based in West Yorkshire, it is one of a group of three homes that joined our Community Services division in 2012.

Tracy explains, “Choosing, buying and cooking your own food is an important aspect of becoming independent. Our job is to turn healthy eating and nutrition into something that our service users can use.”


Making healthy

food the easy option Care UK’s award-winning programme for service users with learning disabilities to help them make the right food choices to stay fit, healthy and active.

KNoWLeDGe BaNK

Della goes shopping

Colin helps serve

The ‘Eat Well plate’Whitwood Hall has been working with Wakefield Council on its Eat Well initiative, that helps people make simple, healthy changes to their diets.

Tracy says that the course helped highlight the need for change. “We noticed that some service users were eating the same sandwiches, crisps and drink every lunch time.

“Although they were happy, some of the food wasn’t very inspiring and we realised that we could do better, so we changed the emphasis from sandwiches to a ‘knife and fork meal’.

“We’ve also helped service users make healthy alternative choices. It’s about making good changes without feeling that you’re depriving yourself. We want to make the healthy option the easy option.

“It doesn’t mean that our service users can’t have things like crisps, but it’s not something that we stock,” says Tracy, “so if they want them, we’ll say ‘right, well get your shoes on, we’ll go to the shops to buy some’ so that they get some fresh air and exercise at the same time. Given the choice, some opt for an apple instead!”

Award-winnersIn recognition of the healthy eating menus and cooking methods, Whitwood Hall has been given an Eat Well Award. Its sister homes, Whitwood Grange and Whitwood House have also applied for the award this year. We look forward to more certificates!

Lunch al fresco at Whitwood Hall.

Clockwise from left: Della Shaw,

Support Worker Megan Rowley, Darren Hall,

Andy Orrah, Senior Support Worker Usman

Zahir and Colin Nicholson.

Fruit and vegetables

Milk and dairy foodsFoods and drinks high in fat and/or sugar

Meat, fish, eggs, beansand other non-dairy sources of protein

Bread, rice, potatoes, pastaand other starchy foods

- The ‘Eat Well plate’ helps focus on ensuring the right mix of the food groups

- The programme helps avoid service users ever being ‘on a diet’

- Smart food swaps is better than trying to be too overt

- Service users can have whatever food they want – but they may have to walk to the shops to buy any treats

- Promoting ‘knife and fork meals’ helps avoid the tendency to treat crisps as a ‘dessert’

- Desserts are still allowed, but tend to be smoothies, frozen yoghurts and fruit salads

- A selection of 65 healthy, easy to make recipes have been created by the team.

- The recipes are so popular, members of staff are photocopying them…


Whitwood’s

recipe for success

KNoWLeDGe BaNK

It’s Iain Stott’s job as Hotel Services Manager to make sure that the food across Residential Care is not only following the ‘Eat Well Plate’ principles, but delicious too.

And some of the meals he finds as he travels the country might surprise you.

Iain explains, “Food habits have changed in the last five to ten years. Whereas before menus may have had more traditional ‘meat and two veg’ meals, spicier foods such as curries and regional foods such as cous cous and paellas are becoming much more common.

“That’s really good news. Residents’ tastebuds become less sensitive as they get older, so tastes can be stronger. And using spices can add flavour without resorting to seasoning with things like salt, so they can actually be healthier too.”

But what if a resident prefers meat and two veg? “We want to give our residents food that they want and will enjoy; it’s a highlight of the day. So everyone gets a choice of two main meals and our chefs will adapt meals to suit particular needs, from vegetarians to gluten intolerance or for the 10-15 per cent of residents that need soft or pureed meals.”

The catering teams relish a challenge and can cleverly adapt their menus to meet the needs of those who are under or overweight. “Whatever the residents’ needs, we’ll try to address it in their food - without making them feel singled out. And when we serve soups and sauces we can sneak in things like avocado, which have a neutral taste but are a super-food.”

If it all sounds a bit healthy, don’t worry. The Eat Well system does allow for some naughtiness during the week. It’s all about achieving a balance!

Meat and two veg? Try swordfish and yams!

Serves 8Ingredients:

4 large ciabatta rolls or thick French sticks4 onions3 cloves of garlic4 tablespoons of olive oil2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoesSalt and black pepper to taste500g mozzarella cheese8 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Cut the top and bottom from the onions, cut in half and slice. Peel and crush the garlic cloves. Heat the oven to 200oC.

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan. Add the garlic and onion and cook gently for five to 10 minutes until soft.

Into a saucepan put the tinned tomatoes, salt and pepper and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until most of the liquid has gone. Take the pan off the heat.

Cut the ciabatta in half and grate the cheese.

Spoon the topping on to the bread and top with the cheese. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling.

Why not try the following toppings?

• Add olives, peppers and mushrooms• Ham and pineapple• Pepperoni and mushrooms• Anchovies and capers• Tuna and sweetcorn• Salami and peppers• Prawn and sweetcorn

Crusty Bread Pizza


After many years as a general surgeon, Ron Hoile discovered the ideal way to relax after a challenging day in theatre – painting.

But instead of it remaining a personal hobby, cover-star Ron is sharing his passion with other Care UK colleagues and has raised more than £20,000 selling his paintings for charity in the process.

one spoke to Ron as he gathered up his easel and paints on a beautiful sunny afternoon to join his students as they head outside.

We started by asking how he got started. “It was a combination of things really.

“About 12 years ago my wife started an upholstery class and suggested I try an art class.” Ron explains, “I believe that everyone should have hobbies, so I decided to give it a go, even though I hadn’t done any art since I left school.

“At the same time, as Medical Director at the Will Adams Treatment Centre, one of the objectives in my appraisal was to organise a social activity. Initially we did ten-pin bowling, but then we formed an art group.” Ron now runs art classes every Wednesday, to which anyone is welcome, and hosts weekend events in and around his holiday home in Holt, Norfolk. At the moment he has half a dozen students.

Each year Ron runs an art exhibition at his house and sells his paintings to raise money for charity, often cancer and cancer-care charities following the loss of his brother-in-law to prostate cancer and a friend’s battle against leukaemia. In December 2012 Ron also organised an auction of his students’ work to raise money for Children In Need.

Ron says that Care UK has been very supportive, “We’re very grateful to Care UK, which has match-funded us regularly over the years. It has made a big difference to the amount we have been able to raise.”

Surgeon Ron swaps his scalpel for a paintbrush

heaLth & WeLLBeiNG


Sketching out the benefitsAccording to Ron most people find taking part in the classes very relaxing. “I certainly find it relaxing. It gets rid of the tension of operating and allows me to think. We’re a very mixed group and it’s out of hours, so it’s a great way to mix with people you might not work with directly, including people from Spire and the local NHS Trust.

“Most of my students find it relaxing too, but it can also be slightly daunting initially. I’m happy to start from scratch and will often advise people

just to sketch and not rush to using watercolours, which is actually very challenging.”

To help his students, Ron has written a mini book on painting and drawing and hands out chapters for people to take away. The sessions are very informal; Ron provides his time for free and everyone brings their own equipment.

It sounds like sales was Ron’s true vocation, though: he sold one of his paintings on a cruise recently and Mike Parish even has one of his paintings in his office. Next stop the National Gallery!

Pick up your paintbrushIf you’re based near the Will Adams Treatment Centre in Gillingham, Kent and would like to join in, or possibly discuss running an activity day or teambuilding session (time allowing), please contact Ron on the details below.

Email: [email protected]: www.ronhoile.org.

heaLth & WeLLBeiNG

Surgeon Ron swaps his scalpel for a paintbrush

- Draw before you paint

- Everyone can draw and paint

– you just need a good teacher

- Find that teacher and go for it!

- Start simple and don’t spend lots of

money until you know what to do.

Ron’s top tips

for budding artists

About Ron

Profession: General surgeon

Age: 68

Born: East Ham, London

Home: Hempstead, Kent

Married: to Patsy, a nurse, for 33 years

Children: Alex (29), Nick (27)

Passions: flying, art, clay pigeon shooting, travelling, walking

Always wanted to be: RAF pilot

Claim to fame: operated on Steven Waldorf in 1983 in the infamous case when he was shot by the Police in case of mistaken identity.


Top tips for summer mental health and well-being from Care UK’s Occupational Health team.

The school summer holidays are almost here! Those three dreaded words can strike fear into the hearts of working parents. one offers some advice on how to get through the holidays unscathed.

With the average annual school holidays three times longer than the average leave of someone working full-time, there is a big childcare gap to fill.

Aside from the practicalities, there’s also the juggling act of providing fun activities for the kids that are affordable, while giving family precious time together. It can be stressful for all concerned – the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve!

Here are some tips on how to have a happy and healthy summer holidays.

heaLth & WeLLBeiNG

Create a large wall calendar (the kids can help!) showing the first to the last day of the holidays. Mark off the time that can be taken as annual leave, and then start looking at filling the gaps.

• Can grandparents or other relatives help?

• Do local nurseries or schools run holiday clubs? Check with your local Family Information Service (FIS) or local council

• Does your council run activity days or play schemes? These are usually cheaper than private schemes

• Can you share care arrangements with other working parents?

• Can a local childminder offer holiday care? Again, check with your local FIS or local council

• Are you able to make flexible or home working arrangements for the period?

Some of these options may work for a significant chunk of the time, some for just a day or two.

The key is fitting it all together.

Once you have it all worked out, confirm the arrangements with everyone involved to check that everything is definitely in place. It’ll be a weight off your mind knowing what’s planned for each week – and you can start looking forward to the days out you can plan.

Managing childcare

Occupational Health Services

Holidaysor Holi-daze?


Doing exciting and interesting things doesn’t have to be a strain on the pocket. Here are some tips for successful days that don’t break the bank:

✔ Set a budget and stick to it

✔ Remember that your children often simply want to spend quality time with you

✔ Make the journey part of the day and plan plenty of journey breaks

✔ Take games and music with you

✔ Cut the cost by packing a picnic

✔ Websites such as www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk can help you plan budget friendly trips

✔ Check your own town’s tourist information website for free local events

✔ The Scouts have a great summer survival resource at tinyurl.com/mtqwk7o

Sun sense

Heat exhaustion

Food poisoning

• Remember that you can burn

even on a cloudy day

• Try to avoid the sun between

12 and 2 pm

• Painkillers such as paracetamol

or ibuprofen ease the pain

of sunburn by reducing the

inflammation

• Sponge sore skin with cool

water, then apply after sun or

calamine lotion

• If you feel unwell or the skin

swells badly or blisters,

seek medical help or call 111

• Stay out of the sun until all

signs of redness have gone

Heat exhaustion occurs

when the body cannot lose

heat fast enough.

Symptoms include

feeling faint, dizziness,

palpitations, nausea,

headaches, low blood

pressure, tiredness,

confusion, loss

of appetite and

hallucinations.

What can you do?

• Rest in a cool place, ideally a

room with air conditioning

• Provide cool water to drink and

cool skin with a shower, bath or

wet flannels

• Loosen clothing, open a window

or use a fan for ventilation

• Contact the 111 service for

medical advice

• Symptoms of food poisoning usually begin one to three days after eating contaminated food and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps• Relieve symptoms by sipping fluids – but avoid fresh fruit juices and fizzy drinks, and stick to simple food such as dry toast• Signs of a more serious case of food poisoning that requires medical attention include vomiting lasting more than two days, not being able to keep liquids down for more than a day and diarrhoea that lasts for more than three days or is bloody• Contact your local GP or 111 service if your symptoms persist

Days out to remember

heaLth & WeLLBeiNG

What a picture!


Care UK’s Design Studio team celebrates its first birthday!

Tackling more than 1,000 design projects in the last 12 months means our design team’s first year has been a busy one.

James Steele, who leads the team, graphic designers Tracy Jarvis and Stephanie Spencer, and copywriter Sally Motson, work across all of Care UK’s divisions to produce the adverts, brochures, newsletters, signage, posters, leaflets and web banners that you now see in your workplace, plus a whole lot more – including one magazine!

From internal training manuals to recruitment adverts, the Care UK ‘look’ has become consistent and instantly recognisable thanks to their hard work.

Recently the team have been responsible for producing the hundreds of items needed to help re-brand the UKSH and Harmoni sites, as part of their integration into the Health Care division – a feat that required a few late nights and weekend working.

Read more about the re-branding work in the News section on page 5.

Email: [email protected].

Meet the Team

coFFee BreaK

We received a lovely message from the team at Norfolk House about their manager, Karen Byres. “Karen is a role model here at Norfolk House. She sees the potential in the team and in the home. So thank you Karen for joining our team and we hope you stay with us for many years. We hope to make you proud here at Norfolk House.”

Congratulations to Hayley Brooker (HRIS, Reading), Paul McGuinness (PA, RCS) and Michael Anthony (IT Project Manager) who all scooped Spring’s ICE (Innovation, Creativity and Excellence) Awards, as voted for by Connaught House and Group colleagues.

Helen Douglas, Sister at the GM CATS North Unit, sent us this picture of RGN John McCormack, who was one of the recently winners of the service’s monthly recognition scheme. Helen said: “John is the most reliable nurse I have ever had the pleasure to work with and he is a great mentor for new employees.”

Here’s what Michelle Humphreys, Service Manager at Frylands Court in Croydon said about her team: “They are brilliant all-rounders and work to a very high standard. They also have a great attitude towards delivering quality care packages and I know the reputation the unit is developing within the borough is down to the quality of care that the team delivers.”

Karen Byres

John McCormack

Paul McGuinness

Michael Anthony

Hayley Brooker

Frylands Court

You’re great you are!

A big hello to the new team at our newest residential service, Bowes House in Hailsham. We think they’re pretty pleased to be at Care UK!Picture: Cathy Watson

Bowes House

The GM CATS office-based clinical team at Piccadilly in Manchester celebrated International Nurses’ Day by selling nurse themed cakes and dressing as doctors and nurses. Meanwhile at the mobile clinic, the team was invited to ‘tea and cake with Sister’ – polishing off the lovely cake baked by nurse Jill Howarth.


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Sobia Hussain, Interim Service Manager at The Hill GP and Urgent Care Centre in Birmingham is singing the praises of Medical Secretary Rehana Kauser. Sobia said: “Rehana uses her initiative to improve the quality of patient care, with ideas created through listening to patient feedback and clearly communicated with the rest of the team. She has really contributed to the excellent reputation of Care UK within our local community.”

The team at Worcester Out-of-Hours wish Co-ordinator Christine Davies a speedy recovery from her knee surgery – they’re missing her charity cake bakes! We’re also told she brings in goody bags for the team at Easter and bacon and sausage sandwiches on Christmas Day. You’re welcome at the one office any time, Christine!

Congratulation to Senior OPD Nurse Annette Ferguson, who was voted Nurse of the Year at Barlborough TC by her colleagues.

Rehana Kauser

Annette Ferguson

Christine Davies

Maciej Kubis (front row, second left), Senior Physio at Southampton NHS TC, competed at Volleyball England’s National Cup Finals. More than 250 teams competed throughout the season, with Maciej’s team, Horndean Volleyball Club, reaching the prestigious Shield Final – coming away with the silver medal.

Clients at Garland Road enjoyed interacting with the animals brought into the Day Centre by ‘Teacher Creatures.’ Sue Austin, Senior Support at Garland Road, said: “These animals bring real pleasure to our clients when they are able to be involved.”

The team at Larkland House, including Lembe Nkoloma, pictured here with daughter Tiana-Mae , were joined by their children, residents’ grandchildren and youngsters from the local after school club to hold a ‘grandparents day’ with Alice in Wonderland fancy dress, fun and games.

Garland Road

Southampton NHS TC

Shy and retiring Group Internal Comms

Manager, Nina Metson, was on winning form on an episode of ITV quiz show, The Chase, beating former Mastermind Champion Shaun Wallace.

Nina Metson

The Piccadilly team

Jill Howarth

Larkland House

Did you know, last year Care UK employees raised over £61,000 (and that’s just the ones we know about!) To boost your fundraising, check out the ‘Working with the community’ match funding scheme – details are on Eureka.

Lewis Ferguson from HMYOI Deerbolt in County Durham organised a charity football match in aid of the Help for Heroes and Go Commando, as a tribute to his brother Nick who is currently serving in Afghanistan with 40 Commando. The event raised a cracking £3,330 and Lewis is now planning on making it an annual event!

Congratulations to Sarah Goodwin, Care Manager at Aylesford CS branch, who raised a staggering £3,242.85 for Guide Dogs for the Blind by completing the London Marathon. Fantastic effort!

Diane Dalrymple from Will Adams TC in Kent completed a whopping 200-mile bike ride in just three days, visiting 20 football grounds in Kent to raise money for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). She and her fellow riders raised £4,000 along the way!

Sue Curtis, night team leader at Ixworth Court in Suffolk stayed awake for a shattering 32 hours as part of a successful attempt to break the Guinness world record for the longest game of Rugby Union (she’s in the pic somewhere!). The game raised funds for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity that supports children who have lost a parent serving in our Armed Forces. Sue raised a fantastic £700.

coFFee BreaK


Diane Dalrymple

Got a pic to send to one magazine? Email [email protected]

Sue Curtis

Lewis Ferguson

What a picture!

Fabulous Fundraisers!

Sarah Goodwin

After a saddle sore 10 days, Alex Cochrane, part of the Internal Systems team at Amicus ITS completed a John O’Groats to Land’s End bike ride in aid of Lupus UK, raising over £3,700 in the process!

After the tragic loss of her son seven years ago, Beverley Steel began fundraising for the RNLI, raising £8,000 so far in Mark’s memory. She wanted to give a huge thank you to the Care UK Newcastle team, saying: “My colleagues have been wonderful, in particular Harry Stark the payroll administrator has been brilliant in organising fundraising events.”

Ventress Hall resident Peter Longstaff would love Care UK services to send him stamps as he is collecting them from the North East Air Ambulance. He’s already collected 12kg so far, and the air ambulance paid him a special visit to say thank you!

Beverley Steel

Peter Longstaff

Alex Cochrane

One correct entry for each puzzle will be picked to receive a £25 shopping voucher.

How to enterComplete this coupon and post the page to: one magazine, Care UK, 850 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9QB

Email: Send a scan or clear photo to [email protected]

Name:

Location at Care UK:

Contact (phone or email):

Winners will be drawn on 27 August 2013. Good luck!

What would you do in your home if you had £500 to spend in B&Q? New furniture, lighting, paint, garden plants or equipment – or even put it towards a new bathroom or kitchen? The choice is yours.

One lucky Care UK employee will win £500 to spend in any B&Q store. Could it be you?

To enter, you just need to be registered on Perkz. If you’re already registered, you’re already entered into the competition. If you’re not yet registered, simply visit www.perkz.com and follow the instructions for first time users, using the company code of CUK1. Good luck!

The winner will be drawn on 27 August 2013. No cash alternative available.

Quick sudoku

Across6. Capable of being moved (6)7. Sour (4)8. Harbour (4)9. Putrid (6)10. Prolonged pain (5)12. Brittle (5)15. Elder (6)17. Ridge over the eye (4)18. Grape plant (4)19. Package (6)

Down 1. Farewell (2,4)2. Present (4)3. Fatigued (5)4. Priest (6)5. Starchy food grain (4)11. Sounds (6)13. Person that smokes (6)14. Snares (5)16. Way out (4)17. Cover with earth (4)


coFFee BreaK

Competition CornerWIN! a £500 home makeover voucher

Coffee break puzzles

One BIG Thank youCrossword winner: Mike Chambers, Sunningdale Court

Sudoku winner: Kelly McInnes, Connaught House

Holiday prize pack winners: Lorna Elliot, Cairdean House and Linda Speed, Pinetum

£500 holiday voucher winner: Sam Davies, Swindon CS

Congratulations to our lucky competition winners from Issue 6!

The Care UK 2014 calendar competition is open!Here’s a fantastic opportunity for keen photographers to showcase their skills. Care UK will be producing a 2014 calendar featuring 12 photographs that were taken in or near one of our services.

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, stories and pictures to this edition… we couldn’t do it without you!

Competition winners

Top pic tips

Competition terms:

The 12 pictures will be chosen by the one magazine editorial panel after the closing date.

No payment will be offered for successful submissions.

Photographs must have been taken by a Care UK employee or service user and permission be given for the image to be used in the calendar and any supporting promotion.

Photographs will be credited within the calendar.

What are we looking for? Pictures that tell a tale. Maybe a table laid beautifully for afternoon tea, a bucket and spade from a seaside trip or a plate piled high with Christmas dinner. Think creatively! We’ve received lots of countryside and flower pictures - how else can you show the beauty of where you work?

You can send as many pictures as you like between now and 1 October 2013 to [email protected].

• Send pictures as high resolution JPEG images – the higher the better. If the picture is taken on a camera phone then it must be sent as the largest possible file size.

• Pictures should be from October 2012 onwards, which means winter and Christmas 2012/13 pictures you’ve already taken can be included.

• Avoid making people the focus of your photo

Just a few of the beautiful pictures received from Care UK employees so far!

careuk.com28

Documents

one magazine - Issue 7 - Summer 2013