New guidance on vitamin D supplements for residents in adult care homes

New guidance on offering vitamin D nutritional supplements to eligible residents in adult care homes was published by the Care Inspectorate on 7 December.

Vitamin D is important for keeping bones and muscles healthy. Current advice is that groups at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, including people living in care homes, are advised to take a daily supplement all year round. This advice is based on recommendations made by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) in 2016.

The guidance was developed by a Scottish Government Short Life Working Group (SLWG) comprising care homes and those that support care homes. The SLWG recommended that care home staff discuss vitamin D supplements with residents and/or their representatives and that any decisions should be considered on an individual basis, taking into account the resident’s personal choice, needs and circumstances. The guidance materials, which were successfully piloted in some care homes, aim to support care home staff with these conversations.

The guidance and a supporting letter for care homes are attached and can be found online here: Vitamin D in care homes.

Workshops on the new guidance have been arranged by the Scottish Government for care homes and professionals who support care homes. These take place on Thursday 14th of December 2023 (3:00-4.30) and Tuesday 23rd of January 2024 (11:00-12.30) and will provide information on vitamin D supplements, the findings from the pilot in Ayrshire and Arran, how to use the guidance to support conversations around vitamin D and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. The content of both workshops will be the same, so there is no need to attend both. We look forward to welcoming you.

Joining details

Thursday 14th December: 3:00-4:30pm

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 381 780 582 889
Passcode: zbMqkn

Or call in (audio only)

+44 131 376 2847,,122762797#   United Kingdom, Edinburgh

Phone Conference ID: 122 762 797#

Tuesday 23rd January: 11:00-12:30pm

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 325 785 468 511
Passcode: evkMze

Or call in (audio only)

+44 131 376 2847,,1016923#   United Kingdom, Edinburgh

Phone Conference ID: 101 692 3#

 

Food Standards Scotland Vitamin D Campaign

The vitamin D social media campaign for 23/24 is now live and will run until March 2024. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness of the current vitamin D advice and encourage the uptake of supplements. The partner campaign toolkit is now available in 7 additional languages (with translated social media copy also available).

Sent on behalf of Paul Baughan and Alpana Mair

Chairs of the SLWG on vitamin D supplementation in care homes for adults

Scottish Government

Westerfield Care Home Orchestra Joy

The Neilston Sting Orchestra had a everlasting performance at the Westerfield Care Home last month.  Leaving an indelible mark of joy and reminiscence among residents, families, and dedicated care staff.

The orchestra’s visit was a resounding success, residents and their families thoroughly enjoyed the performance.  The lively and energetic tunes brought back cherished memories, evoking smiles and heartfelt sing-alongs. The resounding applause and beaming faces were a testament to the profound impact of the music, leaving a lasting impression that lingered in conversations for days.

For many residents and their families, the performance served as a reminiscent journey, bringing back memories and eliciting emotional connections through the power of music.  The event not only uplifted spirits but also highlighted the profound joy and fulfilment that comes with creating meaningful experiences for those in care.

Staff were delighted to see their residents so engaged and happy, saying that it’s moments like these that makes their work fulfilling. The anticipation for the orchestra’s return and their next performance is real among everyone at Westerfield, eager to create more unforgettable moments with the Neilston Sting Orchestra.

Vitamin D Guidance in Care Home Workshop – Dec – Jan 2023/24

Workshops on new guidance on offering vitamin D supplements to eligible residents in adult care homes 14 December and 23 January

Dear colleagues

We are writing to invite you attend one of the workshops arranged by the Scottish Government for care homes and professionals who support care homes which will be held on Thursday 14th of December 2023 (3:00-4.30) and Tuesday 23rd of January 2024 (11:00-12.30) following the publication of the new Vitamin D guidance on 7th December. The joining links to the workshops are below.

Vitamin D is important for keeping bones and muscles healthy. Current advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily supplement of vitamin D, particularly during the winter months. However, groups at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, including people living in care homes, are advised to take a daily supplement all year round.

Guidance to support care home staff in offering vitamin D to residents has been developed by Short Life Working group (SLWG) following calls from the care home sector around the need for guidance on implementation. The guidance materials were piloted in some care homes Ayrshire and Arran who reported an overall positive experience in offering vitamin D supplements to eligible residents.

The workshops will provide information on vitamin D, the findings from the pilot in Ayrshire and Arran, how to use the guidance to support conversations around vitamin D and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. The content of both workshops will be the same, so there is no need to attend both.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Thursday 14th December: 3:00-4:30pm

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 381 780 582 889
Passcode: zbMqkn

Or call in (audio only)

+44 131 376 2847,,122762797#   United Kingdom, Edinburgh

Phone Conference ID: 122 762 797#

 

Tuesday 23rd January: 11:00-12:30pm

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 325 785 468 511
Passcode: evkMze

Or call in (audio only)

+44 131 376 2847,,1016923#   United Kingdom, Edinburgh

Phone Conference ID: 101 692 3#

Moving from Talk to Action on Bereavement – Online Event (23 January 2024)

 The Bereavement Charter Group and Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief  is organising an online event on ‘Moving from Talk to Action on Bereavement: Improving Signposting’.

Date: Tuesday 23 January 2024
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: Online via Zoom

This will be first in a series of events to discuss how we in the bereavement sector in Scotland can work together to achieve positive change.

The event is for anyone who feels they can play a role in improving signposting to available bereavement support in Scotland.

Find out more about the event and sign up on: Moving from Talk to Action on Bereavement: Improving Signposting Tickets, Tue 23 Jan 2024 at 14:00 | Eventbrite

Moving from Talk to Action on Bereavement – Online Event (23 January 2024)

 The Bereavement Charter Group and Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief  is organising an online event on ‘Moving from Talk to Action on Bereavement: Improving Signposting’.

Date: Tuesday 23 January 2024
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: Online via Zoom

This will be first in a series of events to discuss how we in the bereavement sector in Scotland can work together to achieve positive change.

The event is for anyone who feels they can play a role in improving signposting to available bereavement support in Scotland.

Find out more about the event and sign up on: Moving from Talk to Action on Bereavement: Improving Signposting Tickets, Tue 23 Jan 2024 at 14:00 | Eventbrite

Near Me Care Home Newsletter

Near Me video consultations can support your residents to have their health or care appointments without having to leave their homes. A two-page newsletter has been published for Care Home Managers and staff across Scotland.

In this article, Rikke Iversholt – Programme Lead for Social Care & Telecare – part of the Scottish Government Digital Health and Care Team – explains some of the benefits and how to get set up. Tried and tested Near Me allows residents and staff to have free video calls with a wide range of health and care professionals as well as family members plus connect with social care group events.

Read the newsletter here

Care Home Awards 2023 – Winners

The National Care Home Awards 2023 by Scottish Care took place on the evening of Friday 17 November 2023, hosted at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. The event, hosted by Pop Idol Winner Michelle McManus and Scottish Care CEO Dr Donald Macaskill, was an eventful evening!

A big round of applause goes out to our well-deserving finalists and winners, and our heartfelt appreciation to all the Awards Sponsors. A special mention to The Nursing Partnership for generously sponsoring the Arrival Drinks and to the Hilton Glasgow for sponsoring the Hotel Stay Raffle Prize.

To discover more about our exceptional finalists, you can explore the details in our Awards Programme.

Five Nations Care Forum Communiqué 16 November 2023

Eight steps to a sustainable social care workforce

In this rapidly changing world, the demands on the social care workforce are also evolving. Our workforce is the backbone of the care and support sector, and investing in its capabilities and well-being is key to achieving our shared goals. Demographic and societal changes require a creative and innovative approach to how we deliver care and support in a sustainable way, which enables the person-led care and support we all deserve.

We recognize the need to support a workforce that is adaptable, innovative, and equipped with the necessary skills to address the complex needs experienced by individuals and communities. But this will require bravery across the whole social care system to address the implementation gap experienced to date and reinforced by bureaucracy and systemic barriers. The Five Nations Care Forum is calling for urgent attention on the following seven recommendations for a sustainable social care workforce.

  1. A valued workforce

A collaborative pledge to value social care as a career that is actively promoted and supported by the sector, civil servants and politicians.

  1. Continuous Training and Professional Development

Enable a system for knowledge exchange and co-creation across training and development.

Encourage and create the conditions for lifelong learning opportunities for all social care professionals.

Establish an interdisciplinary career pathway across health and social care.

  1. Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Implement initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion with the healthcare workforce, ensuring that our staff is reflective of the diverse populations we serve.

Foster a culture of respect and inclusion, providing training to address unconscious biases and create a supportive working environment.

Engage in a global conversation about the impact of economic migration.

  1. Mental Health and Well-being support

Develop comprehensive mental health support programmes for social care workers recognising the unique stressors they face in their roles.

Establish peer support networks and counselling services to address burnout and promote healthy work life balance.

  1. Technology integration

Invest in technology solutions that enhance the efficiency of social care and support delivery, reducing administrative burdens and allowing more time for direct patient care.

Provide training and resource to ensure all social care professionals can effectively utilize new technologies.

  1. Collaboration and interdisciplinary teams

Promote collaboration among different social care disciplines to create a more integrated and holistic approach to patient care.

Develop interdisciplinary training programmes to encourage effective communication and collaboration.

  1. Flexible work arrangements

Implement flexible work arrangements such as remote work options and flexible scheduling to accommodate the diverse needs of social care professionals.

Recognise and address the unique challenge faced by caregivers, providing tailored solutions to support their work-life balance.

  1. Recognition and Rewards

Establish a system for recognizing and rewarding outstanding contributions by social care professionals.

Develop incentive programmes to attract and retain top talent in the care sector.

These recommendations are intended to serve as a foundation for our collaborative efforts to strengthen the social care workforce across our nations. By prioritizing these initiatives, we can build a resilient and empowered workforce who are not only capable to providing the high-quality care and support that our communities deserve but experience the joy that working in this valuable sector can bring.

The 5 Nations Care Forum is an alliance of the professional associations representing the care sector across the UK and Ireland

-ENDS- 

This statement has been issued by Scottish Care on behalf of the Five Nations Care Forum, of which Scottish Care is a member.

About the Five Nations Care Forum

 The 5 Nations Care Forum is an alliance of the professional associations representing the care sector across the UK and Ireland. Through a collective commitment to information sharing, joint lobbying, shared learning and support, the aim of the 5 Nations Care Forum is to add value to members’ activity by promoting the interests of service recipients, staff and service providers. The Forum seeks to encourage the development of a joined-up approach to matters which have a UK-wide or European dimension.

For more information including membership: http://www.fivenationscareforum.com/

Autumn Bulletin 2023

This year’s Autumn Bulletin has now been published online and is available to view.

We are in the process of redesigning our quarterly Bulletins. If you have any feedback or ideas of what you’d like to see in the Bulletin, please get in touch at [email protected].

This edition is filled with updates, information and stories from the social care sector.

Autumn Bulletin 2023 final- compressed

View the bulletin here

Carrondale Residents Celebrate 21st Anniversary of Falkirk Wheel in Style

In a heartwarming tribute to the 21st Anniversary of the Falkirk Wheel, residents of Carrondale Care Home experienced a day filled with joy, camaraderie, and unexpected delights. The event, organised in collaboration with Cycling Without Age Scotland SCIO (a charity that works closely with Carrondale), was not only a celebration of this iconic landmark but also a meaningful culmination of a sponsored cycle in memory of the late ‘Stormin Norman’ Ridley.

The outing provided Carrondale residents with more than just a scenic day at the Falkirk Wheel; it became an opportunity to connect with old friends and make new ones. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, shared stories, and a sense of community spirit as everyone came together to mark this special occasion.

While the Falkirk Wheel’s 21st Anniversary was a significant milestone in itself, the day’s true highlight was the adorable presence of Tony, a 13-week-old Billy goat. Residents, team members, and volunteers alike found immense joy in interacting with this charming addition to the celebration.

The event demonstrated the power of community, remembrance, and the simple joys of unexpected encounters. Carrondale residents not only celebrated a historic landmark but also created lasting memories, proving that sometimes, it’s the small, delightful moments that make an outing truly special.