At our recent Annual Care Home Conference on Friday 18th November we held a prize draw as reward for those who completed our feedback and evaluation forms.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback, we are glad that so many of you thoroughly enjoyed your day at Conference and look forward to being able to develop our programme for future Conferences.

We are thrilled to announce the winner of our prize draw is Nisha Romand from Hudson Healthcare who wins the Linx 1010 tablet and keyboard dock. We will be posting this prize out shortly.

H1 Healthcare kindly donated the prize for the raffle this year.

Extraordinary people living ordinary lives in care homes

Policy & Research Manager Becca Gatherum on BBC Radio Scotland 25/11/16

Policy and Research Manager for Scottish Care, Becca Gatherum, spoke with host Stephen Jardine this morning on BBC Radio Scotland on the topic “Why don’t we hear more positive news stories from care homes.”

Becca told interviewer Steven Jardine “Care home staff are amongst the most dedicated and caring people in Scotland and we need to celebrate these people.”

“It’s really disappointing when we only hear the negative stories but also it’s important to point out that any example of a failure of care should be fully investigated. For each of these stories there are a vast number of positive stories and these relatively small number of negative stories are not reflective of the very positive examples.”

Discussing the public perception of care homes Becca Gatherum said: “We need to share positive stories more widely. I think this points to a really big image problem for care homes. If the only thing you have heard about care homes are negative then you will have a negative impression. There are so many positive things happening.”

Referring to recruitment in the sector Becca Gatherum said: “Some people may see nursing in care homes as a second rate career but it’s a highly skilled job and allows people the opportunity to work in an environment where they can build real relationships with people and also has lots of professional development opportunities. A lot of it comes down to an image problem and how we view what working in a care home is actually like. Every day, nurses are supporting people around the country and we can learn a lot from people who live in care homes.”

One caller said: “There are so many good things happening in care homes throughout the country, the staff couldn’t do enough for our mum, they are like angels.”

Another caller said: “I actually work in care homes and I know that whenever a new resident comes to stay, a good care home will actually find out about that resident, their hobbies and things they did in the past, so we can help them to continue to do the things they like and the things they are passionate about.”

Stephen Jardine: “Reflecting on the recent Panorama programme detailing abuses in nursing homes in England what do you think?”

Caller: “It makes the job harder, care homes are very heavily regulated, unfortunately the media tend to pick up on these bad stories and not unfortunately the positive news stories of which there are so many.”

Steven Jardine: “what do you get out of working in a care home?”

Caller: “I love walking into a care home and feeling the energy and excitement, I see real affection and care, beautiful positive interactions take place between carers and the nurses and the residents, a lot of these people don’t have families and a the carers and nurses often fill this gap. People flourish.”

Asked by Stephen Jardine how the public could better engage with care homes, Becca Gatherum said: “There are lots of opportunities to engage with care homes, to volunteer and fundraise. We need to promote these opportunities better. I would encourage people to take part in Care Home Open Day in June next year where people are invited to take part in events and see how they can get involved in supporting care homes. There are extraordinary people living ordinary lives in care homes.”

www.carehomeopenday.org.uk

www.carehomeweek.com

Contact Becca Gatherum, Policy & Research Manager for Scottish Care:  [email protected]

Last few places available.

Event : Discussion on Audit Scotland Report – A Watershed for Social work in Scotland?
November 30 @ 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm

A Watershed for Social work in Scotland?

In response to Audit Scotland’s report on ‘Social Work in Scotland’ Scottish Care alongside partners including Alliance Scotland, Iriss and the SSSC are holding an event to discuss findings and next steps from Audit Scotland’s report on ‘Social Work in Scotland’.

If you would like to find out more about the findings of the report as well as to contribute towards the debate on the future of Social Work in Scotland Scottish Care invite you to join us at an event in Glasgow on Wednesday 30th November to take part.

Audit Scotland recently concluded that social work in Scotland is at a ‘watershed’, with vital decisions needing to be taken on the provision of services in the future.

Audit Scotland also stressed that the public and people who access the range of social work services provided across Scotland must be more involved in shaping future provision, with a debate required “on the level, the nature and affordability of services.”

Dr Donald Macaskill, Scottish Care CEO said:
“Scottish Care is delighted to support this event. The Audit Scotland report raises important challenges and issues which need to be addressed by all partners to endure we continue to adequately support our most vulnerable citizens.”

Scottish Care, The ALLIANCE, Audit Scotland and partners are holding an event in Glasgow on the afternoon of Wednesday 30 November. The session will bring together a wide range of stakeholders to consider the issues raised in the report, stimulate discussion and gather views on the future direction of social work.

The event is open to:

People who use support and services
unpaid carers
scrutiny bodies
representatives of third sector organisations
social workers
providers of health and social care
Scottish Government officials, councillors and other politicians.
To secure your free place or for more information please contact
Rhona Millar on 0141 404 0231 or you can email at [email protected]

All our winners and nominees from the Scottish Care – Care Home Awards 2016 which was held at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on Friday 18th November. A warm congratulations to all who were nominated.

Click on photographs to maximise them.

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Full list of winners and nominees

Ancillary & Support Staff Award

Nominees:

Stephen McGrath
Alex Ross
Ella Douglas
Winner – Stephen McGrath

Nutrition & Eating Well Award

Nominees:

Mosswood Care Home
Rubislaw Park Care Home
Annan Court Care Home
Winner – Mosswood Care Home

Meaningful Activity Award

Nominees:

Mandy Kennedy
Jackie Ross
Callum O’Donnell and Kari Hartmann
Winner – Callum O’Donnell and Kari Hartmann from Camilla House

Training and Staff Development Award

Nominees:

Balhousie Care Group
Wendy Adams St Modans
Southview Care Home
Winner – Wendy Adams, St Modans Care Home

Innovative Practice Award

Nominees:

Wheatlands Care Home
Carlingwark House
Southview Care Home
Winner – the Quality Improvement Project Team from Southview Care Home

Volunteer Award

Nominees:

Tom Miller,Morningside Care Home
Elaine Till, Birdston Care Home
Mary MacMillan, Bankview Care Home
Winner – Tom Miller, Morningside Care Home

Resident Achievement Award

Nominees:

Peter Smyth, Three Towns Care Home,
Patrick McGonnigal, Greencross Care Home
Jim Duffy, Fullarton Service Loretto Care
Winner – Jim Duffy, Loretto Fullerton Service

Nurse of the Year Award

Nominees:

Angela Baird – Forth Bay Care Home, Caring Homes
Agata Czerwonka – Rosepark Care Home, Balmer Care Homes,
Martin Masterson – Fleming House, Darnley Court Care Home, BUPA
Freda Clark – Northlands Care Home
Winner – Freda Clark, Northlands Care Home

Carer of the Year Award

Nominees:

Jennifer Marshall, Marchmont Care Home
Mary-Jane Ross, Northlands Care Home
Sarah Taylor, Rubislaw Park Care Home
Gemma Schiller, Annan Court
Winner – Sarah Taylor, Rubislaw Park Care Home

Specialist Service / Unit of The Year Award

Nominees:

Marchglen Care Home – Caring Homes
Interim Unit, Darnley Court – BUPA
Murdoch Unit – Silverburn Care
Winner – Murdoch Unit, Silverburn Care

Care Home Service of the Year Award

Nominees:

Northlands Care Home
Auchtermairnie Care Home – Fairfield Care Scotland
Deeside Care Home
Winner – Auchtermairnie Care Home

Management & Leadership Award

Nominees:

Marshall Mcdowell, Fullarton Service, Loretto Care
Shirley McTeir, Carlingwark House, Community Integrated Care
Angela Martin, Whitefield Lodge Care Home, Four Seasons Healthcare
Winner – Marshall McDowall, Loretto Fullerton Service

Significant Contribution Award – Linda Short – Bandrum Nursing Home

Scottish Care CEO Dr Donald Macaskill joined a panel of the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee at the Scottish Parliament this morning to discuss the economic impact of leaving the European Union and the impact on the care sector in Scotland.

You can watch a recorded video stream here from the panel:

www.scottishparliament.tv/20161122__economy

Dr Macaskill speaks (from 0:51:01) on the both potential economic impact of Brexit as well as the value of nursing and care talent and expertise from the European Union and beyond.

Responding to discussion on potential effects of Brexit on the nursing workforce Dr Macaskill said : “We need to attract as wide a pool of talent as possible to the sector. That pool is enriched by the talent and expertise of those from out-with Scotland, not just from Europe but from further afield.”

Dr Macaskill also said: ” We need to create an economy of care which values the contribution of its workers.”

A Watershed for Social work in Scotland?

November 30th @ 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm

A warm thanks to everyone who attended our Conference on Friday at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow, it was a hugely positive day and we hope you all enjoyed it. The wealth of experience of the speakers, willingness to share and network as well as the enthusiasm of our delegates all made it a hugely memorable experience. We are making plans for next year’s Conference already and will keep you updated on this in due course.

We will release a full report on Conference very soon.

The Scottish Care team,

                                                                 CARE HOME AWARDS 2016

Ancillary & Support Staff Award

Nominees:

• Stephen McGrath
• Alex Ross
• Ella Douglas

Winner – Stephen McGrath

Nutrition & Eating Well Award

Nominees:

•  Mosswood Care Home
• Rubislaw Park Care Home
• Annan Court Care Home

Winner – Mosswood Care Home

Meaningful Activity Award

Nominees:

• Mandy Kennedy
• Jackie Ross
• Callum O’Donnell and Kari Hartmann

Winner – Callum O’Donnell and Kari Hartmann from Camilla House

Training and Staff Development Award

Nominees:

• Balhousie Care Group
• Wendy Adams St Modans
• Southview Care Home

Winner – Wendy Adams, St Modans Care Home

Innovative Practice Award

Nominees:

• Wheatlands Care Home
• Carlingwark House
• Southview Care Home

Winner – the Quality Improvement Project Team from Southview Care Home

Volunteer Award

Nominees:

• Tom Miller,Morningside Care Home
• Elaine Till, Birdston Care Home
• Mary MacMillan, Bankview Care Home

Winner – Tom Miller, Morningside Care Home

Resident Achievement Award

Nominees:

• Peter Smyth, Three Towns Care Home,
• Patrick McGonnigal, Greencross Care Home
• Jim Duffy, Fullarton Service Loretto Care

Winner – Jim Duffy, Loretto Fullarton Service

Nurse of the Year Award

Nominees:

• Angela Baird – Forth Bay Care Home, Caring Homes
• Agata Czerwonka – Rosepark Care Home, Balmer Care Homes,
• Martin Masterson – Fleming House, Darnley Court Care Home, BUPA
• Freda Clark – Northlands Care Home

Winner – Freda Clark, Northlands Care Home

Carer of the Year Award

Nominees:

• Jennifer Marshall, Marchmont Care Home
• Mary-Jane Ross, Northlands Care Home
• Sarah Taylor, Rubislaw Park Care Home
• Gemma Schiller, Annan Court

Winner – Sarah Taylor, Rubislaw Park Care Home

Specialist Service / Unit of The Year Award

Nominees:

• Marchglen Care Home – Caring Homes
• Interim Unit, Darnley Court – BUPA
• Murdoch Unit – Silverburn Care

Winner – Murdoch Unit, Silverburn Care

Care Home Service of the Year Award

Nominees:

• Northlands Care Home
• Auchtermairnie Care Home – Fairfield Care Scotland
• Deeside Care Home

Winner – Auchtermairnie Care Home

Management & Leadership Award

Nominees:

• Marshall Mcdowell, Fullarton Service, Loretto Care
• Shirley McTeir, Carlingwark House, Community  Integrated Care
• Angela Martin, Whitefield Lodge Care Home, Four Seasons Healthcare

Winner – Marshall McDowall, Loretto Fullarton Service

Significant Contribution Award – Linda Short – Bandrum Nursing Home

Celebrating nurses in the independent care home sector

Watch a new film, commissioned by Scottish Care, showcasing this year’s Care Home Awards Nurse of the Year finalists.

Scottish Care is proud to have hosted the 12^th Annual Care Home Awards on Friday 18 November. The Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements, commitment and dedication of everyone involved in delivering services which have a direct and positive impact for the individuals and families we support in care homes, often with increasingly complex needs.

The staff in our care homes are real heroes, making an enormous difference to the lives of those they look after, and it is a privilege to be able to reward and recognise their contributions.

We congratulate all the 2016 award nominees and the finalists.

As a new part of the Scottish Care Awards, each year Scottish Care will profile a particular award category to provide some more information about the finalists and the role they do.  The chosen category for 2016 is Nurse of the Year.

Over 5,000 nurses work in independent sector social care services across Scotland Each day, they dedicate themselves to the care and support of some of our most vulnerable citizens, who often have complex clinical, physical and emotional needs.  Nursing is hard, emotional and costly work, just as much as it is rewarding, renewing and inspiring.

At present, we are experiencing a severe shortage of nurses working in the independent care sector and we know that part of the reason for this is a lack of awareness of what working in a care home as a nurse is really like.

We have therefore produced a short film, which celebrates the amazing achievements of this year’s four Nurse finalists and also highlights the many opportunities that nursing in a care home can provide.

You can watch the film here:

We will be providing more information about each finalist and releasing more films in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for these and feel free to share and tweet them!

Let’s celebrate the fantastic work of staff in our care services.

With thanks to Michael Rea, film maker – www.michaelrea.co.uk