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Concert at the Park: Reigniting Innovation in Dementia Care

Hawkhill House has proudly teamed up with 3 other local nursing homes—Tor na Dee, Cowdray Club, and Torry Nursing Home—in an innovative initiative called “Concert at the Park: Sharing Best Practices in Dementia Care.”

Launched in the Summer of 2019, their initiative aimed to improve dementia care by sharing best practices among local nursing homes. After pausing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the home is happy to share that the project has resumed this month with renewed enthusiasm. This marks a significant milestone for all involved, reflecting our commitment to learning and collaboration in enhancing care standards for our residents.

Held at Duthie Park on June 7th, the event showcased each home’s unique contributions to dementia care. Hawkhill House presented their innovative strategies for promoting and supporting nutrition for residents living with dementia. Tor na Dee introduced their Na Maste approach, highlighting its benefits for residents’ well-being. Cowdray Club emphasised their exceptional dining experience, while Torry Nursing Home discussed the therapeutic advantages of their sensory garden.

The event was attended by residents and staff from all four homes and received support from Lorraine McDonald from the Care Inspectorate as well as Steven Booth and Wendy Marsay of the Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership.

Feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees praising the wealth of knowledge shared and the sense of community fostered.

Mel Shearer from Hawkhill House Nursing Home remarked, “We are delighted with the positive feedback and look forward to our next collaboration next summer. This event has truly demonstrated the strength of uniting and sharing knowledge to deliver the highest quality care for our residents.”

The success of “Concert at the Park” not only highlights the dedication and innovation within each home but also sets a precedent for future collaborations. We are already looking forward to 2025!

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Care Home Awards 2024 – Open for Nominations!

We are excited to announce that nominations are now open for the Scottish Care Home Awards 2024! These prestigious awards celebrate excellence in the care home sector, recognising the dedication, innovation, and outstanding contributions the of care home workforce across Scotland.

Categories for the 2024 Awards:

  • Ancillary & Support Staff
  • Nutrition & Eating Well
  • Meaningful Activity
  • Training, Learning & Staff Development
  • Emerging Talent
  • Outstanding Achievement
  • Leadership
  • Palliative & End of Life Care Practise
  • Nurse of the Year
  • Care Worker of the Year
  • Specialist Service/Unit of the Year
  • Care Home Service of the Year
  • Care Innovation Award 

Each category is designed to highlight the exceptional work carried out in care homes, showcasing individuals and teams who go above and beyond to provide high-quality care and support to residents.

How to Nominate: To nominate a deserving individual or team, please visit the Scottish Care Home Awards 2024 nomination page here. The process is simple and straightforward, ensuring you can easily acknowledge the hard work and dedication of those in the care sector.

Key Dates:

  • Nominations Deadline: Close of play – Friday 30 August 2024
  • Awards Ceremony: Friday 15 November 2024

We encourage you to take this opportunity to recognise the incredible efforts of your colleagues and teams. Let’s celebrate the heroes in our care homes who continually strive to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence in care. We look forward to receiving your nominations!

Find out more and enter here

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Social Care Nursing Conference 2024 – 4 September

The 2024 Social Care Nursing Conference, titled ‘Focused on the Future – Social Care Nursing’ will be taking place on Wednesday 4 September 2024 at St Paul’s & St George’s (Ps&Gs), 46 York Place, EH1 3HP in Edinburgh.

This is open to any nurses working in social care or supporting social care. Attendees will get to hear from a number of keynote speakers and choose from different breakout sessions, more information on the programme will be available over the next two weeks. 

The first draft of the programme and registration form is available on here.

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A Fond Farewell: Southpark Care Home’s Janice Smith Retires

On Sunday 16 June 2024, Southpark Care Home in Edinburgh celebrated a significant milestone as owner and manager Janice Smith spent her last day at the home. This marked the end of an era for the retirement home, which has been a cornerstone of the community for nearly four decades.

Established in 1984, Southpark Retirement Home has provided care and support for up to 30 elderly female residents. The care home has always been more than just a place of residence; it has been a nurturing environment where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.

Janice’s retirement is a moment of celebration and reflection for the entire Southpark family. Her leadership, compassion, and dedication have no doubt left a lasting mark on the home. Scottish Care wishes Janice a joyful and fulfilling retirement, celebrating a lifetime of service and love.

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Save the date – Care Home Conference 2024

Join us for the Scottish Care Home Conference and Exhibition 2024! This event will be held on Friday 15 November at the Hilton Glasgow. It’s a must-attend for anyone involved in the care home sector, offering a unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders, engage in valuable workshops, and explore innovative solutions.

Stay tuned for more details and registration information. Mark your calendars and get ready for an inspiring and informative day!

For updates, visit our Care Home Conference 2024 Page and follow us on social media.

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Care Home Open Week – 24 – 30 June 2024

Care Open Open Week is returning for 2024 on the 24th to the 30th of June, this is a vibrant celebration organised by Championing Social Care. This special week, dedicated to care homes across the UK, offers a unique opportunity to connect with and appreciate the incredible work being done in the social care sector.

Care Home Open Week is a nationwide event designed to strengthen the bond between care homes and their local communities. This week-long celebration aims to showcase the outstanding contributions of care homes and the compassionate professionals who work tirelessly to support their residents. The initiative highlights the vital role care homes play in providing a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

Care homes are more than just places of residence; they are communities where individuals receive personalised care, build friendships, and enjoy enriching activities. Care Home Open Week shines a light on these vibrant communities and the positive impact they have on residents’ lives. It is an opportunity for the public to learn about the diverse services provided, from medical and personal care to social and recreational activities.

During Care Home Open Week, care homes across the country will open their doors to the public, offering a variety of activities and events. Whether you’re interested in a guided tour, participating in a fun event, or simply meeting the dedicated staff and residents, there is something for everyone. This is your chance to see first hand the compassionate care, innovative programmes, and community spirit that define our care homes.

We invite you to join in celebrating Care Home Open Week. Together, we can honour the dedication of care home staff, recognise the unique and valuable experiences of residents, and strengthen the connections within our communities.

For more information about Care Home Open Week and how you can participate, please visit Championing Social Care’s website.

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Job Opportunity: Events, Sales & Marketing Co-ordinator (Maternity Cover)

Event, Sales and Marketing Co-ordinator
Maternity Cover

Do you have what it takes to promote and generate business for a high profile organisation?

Are you great with people, and also a good negotiator?

Do you have keen attention to detail, but are able to see the big picture?

Are you looking for a role which will make a real difference in a sector which employs 1 in 13 Scots, and provides a service to over 60 thousand?

If you answered ‘Yes’ to all, then read on…

Scottish Care wishes to appoint a Sales, Marketing & Events Co-ordinator to work as part of our national team.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week) to cover maternity leave, based in Scottish Care’s offices in Prestwick with the requirement to attend occasional meetings and events throughout Scotland.  Salary is set at £26,007 per annum.

Scottish Care is based in Prestwick and is the representative body for the largest group of health and social care sector independent providers across Scotland delivering residential care, day care, care at home and housing support. Working on behalf of a range of providers, Scottish Care speaks with a single unified voice for members and the wider independent care sector, at both a local and strategic level.

In addition to the core work of Scottish Care, the organisation’s activities include leading on Scottish Government funded projects and in this context contracts a number of ‘leads’ and ‘associates’ to support a range of national initiatives including the integration of health and social care and workforce development.

To apply for this appointment, please see below for an application pack.  Please complete and return by 12 noon on Friday 14th June 2024 either via email to [email protected] or post: Scottish Care, Bld 372 – Ground Floor Offices, 22-27 Alpha Freight, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Prestwick, KA9 2QA.

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 25th June 2024 at Scottish Care HQ, Bld 372 – Ground Floor Offices, 22-27 Alpha Freight, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Prestwick, KA9 2QA

Application Pack

Information for Applicants
Application Form
Equality Monitoring Form

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Digital Transformation DLP Taster Sessions #2

These sessions are designed for anyone with in an interest in what digital transformation looks like in practice, and particularly if you are considering applying for a place on the Digital Health and Care Leadership Programme (DLP).

Tuesday 04 June 11:00-12:00

booking link 

Thursday 13 June 10:00 – 11:00

booking link 

Designed for anyone who would like to develop their leadership skills and is interested in digital health and care, the application process for Cohort 24 of the DLP is now open.  We welcome applications from employees in NHS Scotland, social care, social work, housing, charities and the third sector.

More information about the programme, including application guidance can be found on the DLP site.

 

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A Time of Change Webinar: Older people’s policy and rights across the UK – 5 June 2024

Wednesday 5 June 2024, 10:00 –  11:30
Online

In this likely General Election year, this webinar will look at where we are across the 4 UK Nations on some of the big issues impacting older people: social care; the NHS; income and housing security; and the role of Older People’s Commissioners in championing older people’s rights. Informed throughout by a rights perspective, the webinar is being put on by Age UK, Age Northern Ireland, Age Scotland, Age Cymru, Independent Age, Scottish Care and lastly, but definitely not least, the current Older People’s Commissioners in Northern Ireland and Wales who are both due to step down soon and who will reflect on their experiences.

Register here.