The 2021 Care Home Conference and Exhibition will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on Friday 1 April 2022.
Scottish Care members can purchase tickets at an early bird rate of £54 +VAT until Friday 4 March. For non-members, the early bird ticket is £100+VAT. So take advantage of the lower price, and book your place before then!
Please click here to view the programme details for the event and to book your ticket.
This report is yet another piece of statistical analysis into the pandemic and in so far as it goes it is both robust and evidential. It states a reality which we have known about for some time, namely that the population most at risk from Covid-19 are individuals with pre-existing and multiple comorbidities and those who are in the older age population. It is not surprising, therefore, that given a sizable number of those living with advanced dementia and in later age live in our residential and nursing homes that – as has been consistently said – they were a population most at risk of the pandemic and its threat to life. Sadly the lack of prioritisation of our care homes in the early stages of the pandemic was one factor which has led to the deaths reported in this research.
What the research, following a long line of analytical pieces of work, does not show is the human evidence of the impact of managing the pandemic in care homes. Questions remain as to whether or not the early clinical Guidance issued by Scottish Government clinicians, the level of transfer of residents to and from hospitals, the nature of isolation over lengthy periods of time, were, amongst other factors, one which contributed to the high death rates that this report describes. It is regretful that despite numerous requests from Scottish Care that bespoke and targeted independent academic work be undertaken to explore the experience of those with direct knowledge of what was happening in our care homes, especially, staff, residents, and their families, that such work has not to date been forthcoming or prioritised. The raw scientific data offers a partial picture, listening to the stories of those who matter the most would tell us a whole lot more.
One area which would also merit further exploration is the evidence in the report to show that there were higher number of excess deaths of those living with dementia in the community (both on the previous year and five-year average) and a lower number of deaths of individuals with dementia in our hospitals. Was this because those with dementia were being discouraged from or felt unable to go to hospital? Could some of these excess deaths have been prevented with alternative clinical prioritisation both in the community and in hospitals? Was there an impact of the speedy withdrawal of homecare and community supports in the early stage of the pandemic etc?
We are delighted to welcome Dr Dorothy Armstrong to our webinar taking place on Thursday 10th February, 2:00 pm. This session titled ‘Don’t take it personally: An introduction to responding to complaints while caring for yourself’ looks at The Complaints Coach Programme, exploring the triggers that may escalate complaints and how to respond effectively.
This webinar is for Scottish Care Members only, details to join will be available on the Members Area of this website. Please contact [email protected] if you come across any issues.
More information on Dr Armstrong and this webinar session is available on the leaflet below.
Scottish Care WEbinar Feb 22
The report from Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission joins a long line of similar pieces of analysis from representative bodies like Scottish Care and others such as the Feeley Report. They are wholly accurate.
The way that Scotland plans, buys, and contracts social care is not only inadequate for the delivery of quality, person-led and human rights dignified care but creates real unsustainability and risk. This has a profound and frankly shameful effect on the ability of the sector to reward and value the frontline care workforce, not least in our inabilities to trust their skilled professionalism through the way in which they are monitored and regulated. It also fails to meet the very real needs of family and unpaid carers and continues to pay lip-service to their real and proper inclusion and involvement in choosing and selecting the services and supports they need.
Scotland’s social care system contributes more to the Scottish economy than agriculture, forestry and fishing, as well as enabling individuals to lead purposeful and contributive lives. There is a real potential to change. We urgently need inclusive leadership to act upon this report. As the report comments we cannot wait for the promised land of the National Care Service because there will be disintegration and collapse long before that. The social care sector in Scotland is in crisis now to a degree few of us have ever experienced.
The report is absolutely right in saying that the Scottish Government must work with its partners in addressing issues now as a matter of urgency. To do that means listening to, talking with, respecting, and valuing the voice and contribution of the employers and organisations who provide social care. This is singularly lacking in large measure. Instead of only engaging and asking those who contract and pay for services at local authority and partnership levels, we all need to start listening to those who deliver and who use those supports. Radical change and transformation require everyone to be at the table, not treating employers and care organisations as an afterthought and keeping them outside the door whilst the ‘grown-ups’ talk. Continued lack of engagement with social care employers will lead us to the bizarre situation where there are better terms and conditions for employees, but no organisations left to employ them to deliver that fundamental role of care and support.
The pandemic has undoubtedly made matters worse and has led many care organisations to the brink of survival. We regularly hear of the real impact this has on the people who need that care and support and their unpaid carers. This requires systematic response and requires real involvement of care employers and representative bodies, otherwise all we are doing is papering of the cracks as the building collapses around us.
The Social Care Briefing report from Audit Scotland is available here: https://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/report/social-care-briefing
We will be holding an information session which will provide members with an opportunity to have a ‘walk through’ the Cost of Care Model which underpins the National Care Home Contract. Stephen Giles, one of the main architects of the Model who has acted as a Scottish Care consultant since its inception will take us through the Model line by line, explain the baselines where they exist, and any background information. Stephen will be available to answer any questions.
We hope this will be a useful session for members to explain the Model.
This session will take place on Thursday 27th January at 2:00 pm, details to join will be available on the Members Area our this website. If you come across any issues accessing this, please contact [email protected].
The Scottish Care team has taken the decision to extend the entry deadline for our 2022 Care at Home & Housing Support Awards.
The new deadline is close of play on Friday 25 February 2022.
This is the perfect opportunity to recognise the workforce in this sector who work tirelessly day and night to allow people to live independently in their own homes. So, if you have any individuals or teams in mind, please take your time to put them forward.
There are 10 different award categories that you can nominate in:
For the awards ceremony itself, we are hoping to have an in-person ceremony hosted by Pop Idol winner and presenter, Michelle McManus and Scottish Care’s CEO, Dr Donald Macaskill on the evening of Friday 13th May 2022 at Radisson Blu, Glasgow. However, please note that this may be subject to change depending on Government Covid-19 guidelines at the time of the event. More details to follow on the awards ceremony.
Organisations that represent older people in Scotland are calling on the UK and the Scottish Government to support older people through this challenging winter.
This winter will be as challenging as ever as we continue to respond to Covid-19 and the emergence of the Omicron variant. The Older People Network UK, a group of organisations representing older people across the UK, has recently released a statement calling for increased winter support for older people. This group, chaired by the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, includes Scottish Care and Age Scotland, along with Age UK, Age Cymru, Age Northern Ireland , Independent Age, and the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland. Their joint statement highlights the following key issues across the UK:
On the back of this statement, Scottish Care and Age Scotland are further calling on the UK Government and the Scottish Government to take the action necessary to support older people through this most challenging of winters.
Energy Prices and Fuel Poverty
Many older people across the country already live in fuel poverty, and the increased price of gas over the past months and the cost implications for customers of energy supplier which has gone out of business, has resulted in considerably higher fuel bills for many older people.
The Omicron variant and social restrictions also mean that many older people will be spending more time at home, increasing the need to heat their homes for longer. Without further support, many older peoples’ health and wellbeing will deteriorate, which will lead to further demand for our already stretched health and social care services.
National and devolved governments should increase the level of financial support available to older people, especially for those living on lower incomes, to ensure that they can keep their home safe and warm.
Access to Food
The risks posed by the Omicron variant means that older people may feel uncomfortable leaving their houses to go into supermarkets or use public transport to access food. The government should make a call to action to communities across Scotland to support older friends, neighbours, relatives and those in need, by ensuring that they have the food and medicines required to stay well over the winter.
Should food supply or supermarket delivery slots become limited, the UK Government and the Scottish Government should ensure that supermarket chains prioritise older people and other vulnerable groups for delivery slots and specified store-entry times.
Financial Entitlements
One effective way to support the most financially vulnerable older people over the winter is to increase the uptake of Pension Credit for those who are eligible.
Northern Ireland has successfully launched the ‘Make the Call’ campaign, which improved the level of uptake of Pension Credit and other financial entitlements. The UK and the Scottish Government should look into implementing a similar campaign. This campaign needs to be rolled out quickly and applications should be fast-tracked to put money directly into the pockets of some of the most vulnerable older people.
Tackling Loneliness and Isolation
Winter can often be lonely for many older people, especially for those living themselves or without families nearby. Whilst there are help and support available, such as befriending helplines, the Government should look at investing in widening the availability of these services and raising awareness of this support to the public and older people.
Access to Health and Social Care Services
The Covid-19 vaccine booster campaign and the continuing rise of Covid-19 cases will be placing increasing pressure on our health and care services. Some planned and routine treatments have been postponed and these treatments must be scheduled as soon as possible to minimise the impact on older people’s health and wellbeing. More also needs to be done to support older people while they wait for surgery.
Many older people will require continued access to social care support, in the community and residential care, including those who are ready to leave the hospital and return home. The social care sector is currently facing a workforce shortage, and the Government should utilise all available resources to retain and recruit staff into this sector.
To further alleviate pressure on health and social care services, investment needs to be made in local community and voluntary services to support older people’s physical and mental health. The Government should invest in these services to allow older people to stay safe and well at home.
Dr Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care said:
“Winter is always a time of real challenge and pressure for our older population and especially for those who are supported to remain in their own homes or in a care home. This joint approach to the UK and the Scottish Government is a call for even greater focus on the needs of our older citizens. Few of us can remember a time of such challenge not least in social care support for older people and we hope that the suggestions in this statement will serve together to ensure that the right actions are taken to alleviate some of the worst harms that older people are experiencing. We must do all that we can to avert the potential tragedy and loss of life which may result if people go without food or heat and warmth because of poverty.”
Brian Sloan, CEO of Age Scotland added:
“There is no doubt that this winter older people are facing considerable challenges. The increasing cost of living and their imminent energy bills are causing high levels of concern and desperation, particularly for the extraordinary numbers of people on low income or in poverty. Many thousands of older people remain lonely, disconnected and anxious about this virus’s impact on their wellbeing. We cannot just wait out this crisis. It is incumbent on governments to act now and take a range of actions to support those who are really in need.”
We were delighted to welcome Professor Jason Leitch to our open webinar on Covid-19 Vaccination yesterday afternoon.
Huge thanks to our National Director, Karen Hedge and Prof. Leitch for hosting this webinar and answering the questions from the audience. And thanks to the over 100 individuals who joined us for this session, we hope you found it useful and informative.
A recording of this webinar is now available to view below.
This year’s Winter bulletin has now been published online and is available to view.
We will not be sending out physical copies of the Bulletin due to Covid-19, this edition is in a digital format instead.
Winter 21 Bulletin_compressed
Scottish Care is hosting an open webinar with Professor Jason Leitch, the National Clinical Director of the Scottish Government. This session will focus on Covid-19 vaccination and will take place on Thursday 16 December, 12:30 – 1:30 pm.
This webinar session is open to social care providers and frontline staff. Please share this information with colleagues and staff as it is a great opportunity to ask Prof Leitch any questions or raise any concerns about the vaccine.
If you are interested in attending this webinar, please register by clicking the link below. Once your registration is approved, you will receive an email with Zoom details to join.
Registration link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-lV79N8WR62-5Z-eazndTg
If you come across any issues at all, please contact [email protected].
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