one magazine issue 4

Quick thinking carer comes to the rescue

LATEST NEWS | PUZZLES | CArE UK roCKS! | SUMMEr roUND UP

Issue 04 Autumn 2012

WIN a holiday on us!

A night out with GMCATSPage10

What a summer!

What a picture!

Occupational Health

Page6,8 & 9

Page8

NEW Knowledge Bank series

Page12

Page14

Page19

Elaine’s a

real life-saver

Occupational Health Introducing the new team and service that’s here to keep you healthy.

A summer to rememberKolins Onuora, from Paisley Court, was proud to watch her daughter Anyika compete in the women’s 100m and 200m Olympic events.

Find out what happened when Elaine Evans arrived at a service user’s house to discover it was on fire. p7

p6p14

p8Holiday a washout? WIN one on us!

We knew what would happen as soon as the hosepipe bans were announced, didn’t we!

Yes, rain. And not just a little bit - it has been the wettest summer ever! I suppose we have to be grateful that the sun made a brief appearance for the Olympics and Paralympics (see page 6).

While on the subject of extreme weather conditions, I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone who battled through the storms and floods to continue caring for our service users earlier this summer. Some of your stories feature in this issue of one magazine, but I know that for every person mentioned there are plenty more unsung heroes out there who are equally deserving of thanks and recognition for going the extra mile.

Speaking of heroes, were you gripped by Olympic fever as Team GB’s medal tally kept going up and up? Find out how Care UK got into the sporting spirit in our review of the summer from page 8. Personally, I was just very grateful to South Eastern Rail who recovered my

tickets after I somehow managed to lose them on the way to the stadium!

Many of the stories we write about draw on experiences from across the divisions. New to the magazine is our ‘Knowledge Bank’ feature, taking a cross-divisional look at a specific workplace topic. This issue centres on working with non-verbal individuals, with some superb advice from around the business; it’s great that so many of you want to share your valuable experiences with others.

While the nation still brims with pride following the success of this year’s Olympics and Paralympics teams, reading through this issue of one has made me feel incredibly proud of the commitment to care demonstrated by our own teams. You’re a real credit to Care UK and represent the very best in our profession.

We hope you enjoy this issue.

Mike Parish

Care UK Rocks!

News

FEATURE: Inspirational people – fire hero

FEATURE: Summer fun!

FEATURE: GMCATS

FEATURE: Knowledge Bank

Coffee break prize puzzles

What a picture

34791012

1819

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 texts, including pics, to 07435 963888

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

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Get in touch

One Issue 04 Autumn 2012

Open Mike

COVER STORY Fire Hero!

Holiday prize draw

High flying Karen p19

CONTENTS

03One Issue 04 Autumn 2012

Care UK Rocks!

Congratulations to those recognised at Croydon-based Heavers Court’s own awards. Fantastic smiles from all the winners!

Lorraine Smith from Edinburgh Community Services was shortlisted for the coveted Care Services Co-ordinator of the Year in the country-wide ‘Care at Home and Housing Support Awards’ organised by Scottish Care. Lorraine’s nomination came from Branch Manager, Alfie Rawson, who says she is a model employee and a highly valued member of the team.

Sue Ann Jones, Manager at Forrester Court, would like to say a big WELL DONE to four of her team who have completed their Diplomas in Health and Social Care. L-R Greta Bennett, Dorothee Jabot, Sabah Abek (all Level 3) and Angela Owa (Level 2).

A big ‘WELL DONE’ from Stuart Van-Cliff to Yvonne Kerridge, Sterile Services Department (SSD) Technician at the Will Adams Treatment Centre in Kent, after she scored a class-topping 96% in the

snappily-titled City & Guilds’ ‘Management of the Decontamination Processes for Reusable Medical Devices’. A mouthful of a course and a fantastic achievement!

Congratulations to Pauline Stockwell, a community carer in Fleetwood, who was named Carer of the Year in the Blackpool Gazette’s Eve Awards. Fleetwood Branch Manager, Mandie Irvin said: “Pauline has been with the company for 15 years. She is 100 per cent committed to her job.”

We thought our new recruitment website (www.careuk.com/careers) was pretty good – and now it’s been named as recruitment website of the year by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development too! We are not worthy!

Congratulations to Craig Hurst, HR System Consultant, who scooped second place in the national Midland HR Technology Impact Awards for Most Innovative Use of HR Technology for Care UK’s eCRB checks. Comedian Hugh Dennis could have raised a smile though, eh?

Bristol-based care worker Sharon Luton was named Carer of the Year in South Gloucestershire County Council’s ‘Home Carer of the Year Awards’. Care UK dominated the event, with a further four carers shortlisted for the award. Clockwise from top left: Claire Baker, Sharon Luton, Branch Manager Carl Dixon, Emma Backwell, Kris Hart and Trudy Benson.

Heaving with awards!

Smith Shortlisted in ScotlandKerridge is top class

Four more Diplomas for Forrester

Recruitment website of the year!

System scoops Silver

Stockwell is Blackpool’s best South Gloucestershire carers clean up

Email us at

[email protected] if you

want us to recognise a

team or person that

has done something

amazing!

Feature in one

F LMore great stories of Fulfilling Lives at its best!

It’s a go live for Policy Manager

NEWS

Have you ever wished you could access the most up to date policies, all in one place and only the ones that apply to you? Well, now you can. Policy Manager on Eureka is now live for all divisions and does just that – as well as clever stuff like emailing managers automatically when policy updates are released. Check it out via the link on the Eureka homepage.

It is estimated that millions of people are not saving enough to have the income they are likely to want – or need – in retirement.

So the government has decided that everyone must be enrolled automatically in a pension – and have created an auto enrollment programme that all employers need to participate in. Employees will retain the right to ‘opt out’ if they want to.

Rebecca Loader, Care UK’s Group Pensions Manager, explains:

“The Government has introduced legislation that is intended to encourage people to save for retirement. Employers will be required to start this at different times between October 2012 and July 2014. We’ll be telling you more later in the year and in early 2013.

Are you eligible? You will be automatically enrolled if you:

- Don’t already have a pension scheme

- Are over 22 years old

- Are under state pension age

- Earn more than £8,105 per year

- Work in the UK

Find out more

If you’d like to find out more about auto-enrolment generally visit www.direct.gov.uk

Your workplace pension

is coming soon

Making it easier to contact usThe launch of our new Contact Centre means that for the first time Care UK has a single number for enquiries. The new number (0333 321 8305) is now being promoted on our newly revamped website.

Our operators’ knowledge spans the whole company, which means they can quickly connect callers to the most appropriate person or team. The Contact Centre is open from 8am until 8pm every day, with a messaging system operating outside of these times.

Steve Dampier, Head of Customer Service, explains:

“The contact centre has been set up not only to help build our self-pay business, but also to support frontline teams by

filtering the volume and types of calls they receive.

In turn, this helps the teams in our services and facilities focus more on face-to-face interaction with customers. The main purpose of the contact centre is to manage the sales process for all new enquiries, helping to improve occupancy levels across all of our divisions.”

Our new website went live in the summer, giving both potential customers and industry professionals a clearer and easier way to find out about our services.

The website is packed full of useful information about choosing and funding for care, contains individual information on each of our services and facilities and links directly to our award-winning careers website. Why not take a look?

www.careuk.com

04 One Issue 04 Autumn 2012

When Care UK acquired the Riverside Care Home from Southern Cross we were surprised to discover that the acquisition included a bowling green!

The residents at Riverside, in Cheshire, are all welcome to use the bowling green, but until now, most of them seem to enjoy watching others compete, rather than taking part themselves.

Trainee solicitor, Oliver Storey, said:

“When I arrived at Care UK, I did not expect to be drafting licences permitting bowling clubs to use our premises! This is certainly not the norm, and it’s great to see Care UK supporting the wider community by allowing local clubs to use this great facility.”

Bowled over by Riverside Care Home

NEWS

Over the last three years, Care UK’s North East London Treatment Centre (NETLC) in Ilford has been used as a location for a medical study, which has recently been published.

The study tested a hypothesis that patients find their second cataract operation more painful than their first.

Ian D Crate, Medical Director at the NELTC explains: “As part of the study, Andras Hari-Kovacs (pictured, right) undertook approximately 24 cataract operations per week over three years. His contribution to the project was absolutely vital.”

“The study concluded that although patients’ actual pain scores were equal for both the first and second cataract operations, their remembered pain scores were less for their first procedure than the actual pain score for both procedures. In other words – when they remembered

their first cataract operation, it didn’t seem as painful as their second.”

“Now that the study has been completed and its findings have been published, Andras has returned to university in his native Hungary. The publication of the

study’s findings is a well-deserved achievement for a genuinely committed man. In fact, everyone involved should be very proud of the part they played in supporting this study.”

A time capsule from 1964 has been uncovered while digging the foundation of one of our latest care homes, in Hailsham, East Sussex.

Three children, Dale Jenner, Stephanie Hill and Rosie Rimmer, from the White House Primary School (above) had the honour of opening the capsule, which contained a copy of the Financial Times dated 10 September 1964, with the front cover ‘British Satellite Launch on the Way’.

Sara Goodwin, Care UK’s Project Manager for the new home, said:

“We were delighted to offer the children the chance to be time detectives and now all the children in the school are deciding what should be put in a new capsule that will be buried in the grounds of our new home.”

The home is due to open in May 2013 and will feature 90 en-suite rooms. It will provide residential and nursing care as well as Care UK’s award-winning, specialist dementia care.

Employees praised for supporting medical study

Time capsule goes back to the 60s


Proud Mum, nurse Kolins Onuora from Paisley Court, attended the Olympics to support her daughter Anyika, who competed for Team GB in the women’s 100m and 200m sprints.

Inspirational weeks of sport dominated the summer with the nation gripped by both the Olympics and Paralympics. Care UK employees were involved in many ways, giving up their time to get involved in the world’s greatest sporting event.

Liam O’Neill, from the Greater Manchester CATS’ mailroom, sent us this lovely picture and wrote: “This is a photo of me, my wife Laura and 10-year-old daughter, Alexandra O’Neill, who carried the Olympic Torch in Manchester. Sue Blaylock, who runs the Wythenshawe Wheelers All Ability Cycling Club was an official torch-bearer and she got others involved to carry the torch with her. As proud parents we are over the moon as this was a chance in a lifetime event”

Colins Ogbeivor, Extended Scope Practitioner at Lincoln CATS, volunteered at the Olympic stadium and training facility in Newham. He said: “It was the most amazing and exciting experience. The atmosphere was electrifying and full of positive energy. The athletes really appreciated the physiotherapy service we provided.”

Sam Richards, physiotherapist at Greater Manchester CATS (pictured left with sunglasses) was stationed with other Olympic physio volunteers in Manchester, supporting the men’s and ladies’ soccer teams. She said: “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of a big Olympic family. It was the best time of my life besides having my children!”

Kirsty Wright, care assistant at Hinton Grange, worked as a hostess to the VIPs, meeting Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps and X-Factor winners ‘Little Mix’.

Jake Marriott from Nottingham CS, spent 10 ‘fantastic’ days at the Olympics with other St John Ambulance volunteers from around the world. He worked at several locations, including the triathlon in Hyde Park.

Rosemary Harvey, our Assistant Company Secretary, managed to wangle her way onto the cross-country equestrian course at Greenwich.

2012 oLYMPICS

Age is no barrier to the Olympic spirit at Moorlands Court. Florence Alloway poses with giant Olympic flame and her medals at the home’s sports day.

Golden memories


When our cover girl, Elaine Evans, started working with us in March, she couldn’t have known that her heroism in the face of fire would land her on the front page of one magazine – but that’s exactly what’s happened!

Having previously worked in warehouses and factories, Elaine was looking for a career change. Her family felt she’d make a great carer, so encouraged her to enter the caring profession.

Within six months of joining Abercynon Community Services (Mid-Glamorgan, Wales), Elaine rescued one of her service users from a potentially life-threatening house fire.

It all started as a routine visit to Jeanette (73) and Herbie Smith’s house in nearby Caerphilly. As soon as Elaine discovered the fire, which was in a waste bin under the stairs, she raised the alarm and called 999.

Quick-thinking Elaine gave Jeanette a sheet to put over her mouth to prevent her inhaling too much smoke, lifted her into her wheelchair and got her out of the house as quickly as possible.

“It all happened so quickly. I think I managed to get her out in less than two minutes.

“Instinct took over and I think adrenaline kept me going – I just needed to know Jeanette was safe.

“The ambulance crew checked us over to make sure we were fine and then I called Care UK and Social Services to sort out temporary accommodation for Jeanette and Herbie. I just wanted to save them any further distress. It was only when I arrived at my next appointment that it hit me what I’d done and I burst into tears. I think I must’ve been in shock!”

I love working for Care UK, I’ve settled in really well and really enjoy everything I do. I get a lot of satisfaction doing this job, it’s so fulfilling.

INSPIrATIoNAL PEoPLEF L

Profile Age: 44

Location: Caerphilly, Mid-Glamorgan, Wales

Family: Husband Geraint, Children Ian (27), Shaun (25), Kerry (23), Nephew Corrie (16), Ryan (14) Six grandchildren (aged from 10 months to seven years), three dogs; Bonnie, Simba and Nala and a cat called Sooty.

Elaine’s a life-saver

“We’re incredibly proud of Elaine and her obvious commitment to Jeanette’s welfare. The fire service commented that her swift actions probably saved Jeanette’s life, especially considering the extensive damage to the property.”

Katherine Taylor Branch Manager Abercynon CS

What to do if you discover a fire

While we commend Elaine’s valiant efforts, please don’t take any unnecessary risks. In case of fire, remember

• Don’tpanic

• Call999

• Don’twastetimeorre-enterthe building to look for valuables or pets

• Breathethroughadampclothtoreduce the amount of smoke you inhale

• Alertpeopleinneighbouringproperties

Katherine (left) praised Elaine for her quick thinking.


For most of the country the weather was so bad until mid-July that we seemed to be set to break the world record for the wettest summer ever! But as usual our teams surpassed themselves in their commitment to reaching our service users. Rain? What rain?

Newcastle, Gateshead, South Shields and Tyneside received a month’s rainfall in an evening during the June storms, causing major flooding and travel gridlock. Area Manager, Gene Goodchild remembers:

“It started raining at about 3pm and was like an eclipse, everything just went black.

“Between 30 and 40 of our care workers were out on their rounds in the middle of it all. It was only afterwards that we realised the lengths to which they’d gone to ensure service users received their visits.”

Debbie Gates abandoned her car and walked to her next call at a sheltered housing scheme.

Arriving soaked to the skin, she donned some pyjamas to visit her service user, while her uniform went in the spin dryer!

Her uniform was still damp but nevertheless Debbie peeled it back on and headed out to her next call.

Tracey MacBeth and Jane Brown struggled through the floods for three hours to reach a call that would normally be a three minute drive.

Tracey arrived home at 11pm to find it had been flooded, so spent the night clearing up the damage before heading back out to her first call the next day at 7am. Now that’s dedication!

one magazine has two £250 holiday vouchers to give away in this edition’s prize draw.

So if your summer holiday was spent rain-soaked and muddy, now’s your chance to take the break you deserve!

How to enter

Simply fill in this coupon and post it to us for your chance to win!

Name:

Care UK workplace:

Email and/or telephone number:

Post to: one magazine, Connaught House, 850 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, CO4 9QB. Closing date is 15 October. Two winners drawn at random will win £250 to spend on their choice of any holiday retailer included on www.perkz.com. No cash alternative. Don’t forget, you can post multiple copies in one envelope – but they must all be original forms. You can also post puzzle entries from page 18 in the same envelope too!

Within days of starting her new role as Manager of Stanley Park in County Durham,EveTierneyhadtocopewithacomplete loss of power, caused by one of the many storms to hit the region in late June. In the midst of the mayhem, Eve remembers being hugely encouraged by her new team’s response to the power cut:

“The team spirit everyone showed in the face of challenge was fantastic and I was very impressed with the way they all pulled together. I saw them at their very best in a very difficult situation, which was heartening for me as their new manager.”

“The Stanley Park team has been through a lot of upheaval since the home was acquired from Southern Cross in October 2011, but they’ve stuck together through everything and clearly share the same attitude that as long as the residents are happy and safe, they’re happy.”

What a washout SUMMEr roUND UP

Our committed teams battled against the elements to continue caring, when floods struck the North East of the country.

Just two of the tales from the floods!

F L

In at the deep end at Stanley Park

Summer holiday a washout?

Have another break on us!

The power cut wasfar from ideal, but itmade me realise whatan amazing team I’mworking with


Haven Lodge staff having sacks of fun at sports day. Left to right: Violet Kotu (Regional Director), Regina Mparutsa (Deputy Manager), Karl Box (Chef), Anthony Siddall (Activities Co-ordinator).

Once the clouds lifted, the team and residents at Stanley Park (see story, left) enjoyed the rest of the summer together.

Helene Bull, Active Living Co-ordinator at Darlington Court sent us this pic of the home’s team of aspiring thespians (aka ‘The Darlington Players’) who entertained residents with the play, ‘Murder in Montpellier’.

Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Angela Harvey is pictured with Forrester Court’s activity organisers, Modinat Larinde, left and Fabrisha Glenn, right.

Employees and service users from our Mental Health division turned out in Clissold Park, London, for a day of fun at the Care UK Summer Games 2012.

Mental Health Sports

Day

SUMMEr roUND UP

F L Summer fun! The abysmal weather certainly didn’t dampen our spirits this summer, and the sun did eventually decide to make an appearance. And here’s the photographic proof!


How do you move a whole Clinical, Assessment and Treatment Centre between seven locations? Simple, build the Centre in six huge juggernaut trailers and get the CATS trucks boys in to magically move them between sites overnight. This is how they do it...

Heading off to the next move.

Six massive trucks and a generator, perfectly aligned. The team work on until the early morning, making final preparations and carrying out any small repairs. As trucks go, these are cared for like a stable of thoroughbred racehorses.

8.54pm

11.20pm

2.30am2.15am

11.50pm

9.20pm

The expandable truck sides are brought in, helping to secure the contents inside.

Back to Rochdale to pick up the last three units.

12.00am

4.30am

GM CATS Keep on Truckin’

The sun sets over Rochdale and the five clinical and one admin truck stand waiting to be moved.

Each of the wheels has to be perfectly aligned so that oversize trailers don’t lurch to one side as they move.

The drivers were persuaded to stand still long enough to be photographed. L-R John Innes, Steve Jones and Dave Morton.

Like a formation truck team, the units are connected and ready to roll.

Start

9.00pm

Furniture and loose items are secured inside and the walkways between the trucks are dismantled.

Finish

FEATUrE


1.45am

9.30pm

10.20pm

As the heavens open, the second and third trucks are coupled up.

1.30pm

The unpacking begins in Bolton. The quicker the power gets connected, the quicker we can have the first cup of tea of the night.

2.00am

First brew!

We operate other CATS services in fixed locations, however the mobile Greater Manchester CATS service is unique and was developed to provide an innovative solution to 10 PCTs across Greater Manchester. We operate:

•2xfive-unitclinics(liketheonewe followed for these pics)

•1xthree-unitendoscopyunit

•Adminunits

•Mobilegenerators

•Third-partyMRI(magneticresonance imaging) scanner

•264sitemovesperyear

•Acrosssevendifferentlocations

•Seeing85,000patientsayear

•Providingaworkplaceforover200 clinical and support employees

Want to know more about what the mobile GM CATS Service does and how? Watch the video at www.vimeo.com/17049414

GM CATS Keep on Truckin’

Each unit needs to be precisely levelled, to create a high-quality environment for the clinical team and patients.

Wagons roll! The admin truck is the first to leave the Rochdale site, heading for Bolton.

FEATUrE

CATS facts


KNoWLEDGE BANK

There are plenty of situations we encounter at work that are common across the divisions, yet we approach them in different ways and find our own individual solutions. The Knowledge Bank is a new series of articles on just these types of topics, with first-hand experience, hints and tips.

There are a variety of reasons an individual might not be able to communicate verbally, or explain what they need easily, including:• Aphysicaland/ormentalhealthissue• Social,cultural,lifestyle,and/orspiritualconsiderations

“Above all – have patience. Taking time to share the information and really engage can make for a much better day/time/choice. Go back to check again, we all change our minds.”

• Considerseekingtheexpertiseofaspeechandlanguagetherapist.

• Lookattheperson’sresponseswhentheyaredoingsomething, for example their eyes, body language, facial expressions, sounds they make. Think about what a person is trying to tell you from their behaviour, but remember it might not be directly linked to the activity.

Fran Winney, Head of Personalisation and Involvement, Community Services

“It is important to consider what communication means to the individual. Communication is so personal as we all have our own abbreviations or nicknames for things within family and social groups.”

MaizieMears-Owen,HeadofDementiaCare, Residential Care Services

“Some of the service users we care for at Franklin House are non-verbal. It poses no problem for us; we use Scrabble letters to form words, then to form sentences and play crosswords. We work on puzzles together, play cards, numbers games and ball games. If you’re patient and take your time, there are lots of activities non-verbal service users can be a part of.”

Lola Krasser, Senior Active Living Co-ordinator, Franklin House is pictured here with some of the activities residents use.

Supporting

non-verbal individuals

“A service-user may not have an expressive problem, but instead a receptive problem – they may not understand an instruction or question delivered vocally. In such a situation, the use of gestures and picture cards can play a vital role in giving them choices regarding their care.”

Garmit Wright, Home Manager, Heavers Court, Croydon

F L


KNoWLEDGE BANK

Share your know-how

Many people who don’t communicate verbally can read and write, so provide letters to build words and sentences, and a notepad and pen.

For those who cannot read and/or write, picture cards and visual timetables showing days of the week can be a useful tool to establish how someone wishes to spend their time.

Create a ‘library’ of picture cards and photos to help people express their choices.

If appropriate, use closed questions so that the individual can indicate a ‘yes or no’ choice with a hand signal or head movement.

Non-verbal people often make up their own signs for words, people and places. A great way to capture this information is to take photos and put together some written descriptions.

Create a ‘Communication Passport’ that describes how a person best communicates and the means by which others can help them express their needs. This should include clear guidelines on how to use any communication tools that you have put in place.

Have a mobile communication tool. This may be on a key ring, small notebook or on their camera. Being able to use this tool to express essential needs or emotions such as ‘pain’, ‘sad’, ‘home’, ‘drink’, can be very helpful to individuals when not at home.

Verbal communication is not the main way most people take in information. All the senses are involved, so work to stimulate all of them.

Someone who doesn’t use verbal communication themselves may still be able to understand the spoken word perfectly well.

A solution only needs to be right for that person - we can all learn how to use it.

What works for one individual won’t necessarily work for the next. Similarly, what works one day may not necessarily work the next day for the same person.

Environmental factors can play a crucial role in someone’s ability to communicate verbally. Consider light, noise or other distractions that might interfere.

The person’s level of sight and hearing and the aids they use to support these senses may have an impact on their ability to communicate verbally.

Consider seeking the expertise of a speech and language therapist.

Look at the person’s responses when they are doing something, for example their eyes, body language, facial expressions, and the sounds they make. Think about what a person is trying to tell you from their behaviour, but remember it might not be directly linked to the activity.

Maizie Mears-Owen recommends these two short films showing some more truly inspiring work from around the world.

If you have any advice, guidance, hints or tips to share on topics like this, take a look at the back page for a list of upcoming articles that need your contributions.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrZXz10FcVMwww.youtube.com/watch?v=fyZQf0p73QM

WHY NOT TRY…REMEMBER:

FEELING INSPIRED?

F L


How the new service will look

Regular Occupational Health clinics have been set up to run in service locations around the country, with the team also making workplace visits.

What is Occupational Health?

Occupational Health (OH) is a specialist field of medicine concerned with the prevention of workforce ill health. It looks at the interaction between your job role and your health. OH professionals advise employers on an employee’s health and ability to perform their role, so that the company can make informed decisions regarding the best way to support that employee.

Within Care UK, our new Occupational Health service has been developed to provide employee support from the moment someone is offered a job with us, including:

• Pre-employmenthealthscreening

• Increasedemployeeawarenessofhealth issues, helping people to make informed decisions about lifestyle and work practice choices

• Vaccinationprogrammesforcertain employee groups

• Assistingmanagerswithsickness absence management

• Enablingemployees,wherepossible, to return to work after serious or long-term illness

• Runningahealthsurveillanceprogramme - in the few circumstances where workplace risk cannot be eliminated, the OH team monitor and advise on the impact to health

• Developingriskmanagementpolicies that cover employee health at work

Vicky Ward, Contracts Manager for Occupational Health, explains:

“Developing the new occupational health service in Care UK has been a really exciting challenge.”

“We also want to be able to provide greater support and expertise in helping people return to work and assist their managers in that process. There’s a lot to do and the long-term plan is to make Occupational Health a really pro-active service that has a positive impact on all employees, not only those who are referred to us.”

Referrals to Occupational Health are made via your line manager, but you can find lots of more general workplace health and advice on the Occupational Health pages on Eureka.

Support for your working life

• Morethan130millionworkingdaysarelosteachyearinthe UK alone due to sickness absence.• Overaquarterofthe28millionworkingpeopleintheUKare living with a long-term condition or impairment.• 90percentofpeoplewithcommonhealthconditions can be helped back to work following a few basic principles of good healthcare and workplace management.Source: Department of Work & Pensions

Did you know?

oCCUPATIoNAL HEALTH

Our new Occupational Health service is bringing you a greater level of support than ever before. There’s a whole lot more to Occupational Health than you might have thought!


As well as arranging workplace visits, the Occupational Health Team have 16 locations across the country, where regular clinics will be held.

That’s helpful!

oCCUPATIoNAL HEALTH

Vicky Ward, Contracts Manager, Occupational Health

Meet the team

Vicky Ward

Clockwise from top right: Contracts Manager Victoria Ward, Occupational Health Nurse John Cooney, Administrator Jane Pockett, Occupational Health Nurse Helen Hannar. Debbie Dundas has also joined to team as an Occupational Health nurse but managed to escape the picture!

We wanted Care UK employees to be able to meet with an occupational health nurse more quickly, which is why we have expanded the team.


When an appointment is

booked with Occupational

Health, you’ll be sent a text

reminder to your mobile

to help avoid missed

appointments

That’s helpful!

Our bones are at their strongest in young adulthood but, as we get older, the body becomes less capable of renewing and repairing our bones and their density decreases.

Osteoporosis develops slowly over several years and doesn’t usually become apparent until a minor fall or sudden impact causes a ‘fragility fracture’ – something that would be withstood by a normal, healthy bone. However, steps taken in the preceding decades can dramatically reduce or increase the health of our bones.

Did you know?

Approximately three million* people in the UK suffer from osteoporosis. It is most common among post-menopausal women, but can also affect men, younger women and children.

Testing for osteoporosis

Janet Ritchie, our National DXA** and Radiography Lead says:

“The process of confirming bone weakness involves x-rays, so there has to be justification for the scan to take place. There are lifestyle risk factors as well as hereditary ones which would lead a person to be referred to us for a DXA, or bone density, scan.”

We operate a mobile scanning service, based in Altrincham in Cheshire, and travelling to contracts across the North of England and Norfolk. Janet says:

“With the correct power supply, we can work anywhere. We deliver from NHS Trusts, community hospitals or GP

surgeries, so we are very flexible. In the Norfolk contract, we also have a specialist nurse who has her own workload, liaises with fracture clinics, rheumatology and oncology, and is the link between primary and secondary care, ensuring no one falls through the net.”

What happens during a bone density scan?

“The scan itself is painless. There are no tunnels you have to lie in and it only takes about five minutes, all you need to do is keep still! We scan at least two areas; normally the lower spine and the left hip but, depending on the referral criteria, may also do the non-dominant forearm.”

The results are shown in a clear and simple traffic light system. Green is normal, yellow is osteopenia (loss of bone density, but not osteoporosis) and red, which indicates osteoporosis.

What then?

These results, along with answers given to a lifestyle questionnaire, calculate the probability of a major fracture occurring within the next 10 years. The system used also gives advice on dietary changes and whether calcium and Vitamin D supplements would be advised. Janet explains:

“That’s the key thing to remember; lifestyle choices in our younger years can make a significant difference to maintaining bone density and slowing the speed at which it declines.”

If a diagnosis of osteoporosis is confirmed, this is the sort of condition that our occupational health team can support and advise both employee and manager regarding appropriate workplace adjustments. *www.nhs.uk **Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (but you knew that, didn’t you?)

HEALTH & WELLBEING

• Morethanfivecigarettesperday (even if you’ve given up)

• ABodyMassIndex(BMI)under19

• Morethan28unitsofalcoholperweek

• VitaminDdeficiency

• Maternal/paternalhistoryofhip fracture

• Lowtraumafracture

• Anorexia

• Long-termsteroiduse

• Heightloss/kyphosis(curvingofthe spine that causes a hunched posture)

• Untreatedearlyorsurgicalmenopause

• Stopsmokingandexcessivedrinking

• Eatcalcium-richfoods,includinggreen leafy vegetables

• Eatoilyfishsuchassalmon,herring and sardines

• Increaseweight-bearingexercises, including walking and running

• VitaminDhelpsthebodyto absorb calcium - the body doesn’t store calcium easily, so we need to top it up every day through time spent in natural daylight

Janet Ritchie, our National DXA and Radiography Lead.

Osteoporosis: Facing

the facts of fragile bonesOsteoporosis risk factors

Healthy lifestyle,

healthy bones

Lifestyle choices in our younger years can make a significant difference to maintaining bone density and slowing the speed at which it declines.Janet Ritchie


…may break your bones, as the saying goes. But slips and trips might also break those bones…or damage your ankle, knee or wrist – and we work in an industry where a broken bone or other injury could jeopardise a career.

‘Elf & Safety’ madness! I hear you cry and, yes, it does sound silly to go on about simple slips and trips. The sad fact is though, that this category of accident causes thousands of permanently disabling injuries every year. In 2011, the Health & Safety Executive recorded around 4,500 injuries to health and social care staff caused by slips and trips. Each one resulted in someone being absent from work for three or more days – so called ‘RIDDOR’ injuries – and it’s not hard to imagine how many less serious injuries happened that were not recorded.

This isn’t just an occupational hazard for care staff doing their demanding jobs. An accident in your own home can make work just as impossible as an accident at work. As we age – and we all do, however much some of us try to deny it – some things make us more vulnerable to slips and trips. We become less able to see hazards in poor light and less able to protect ourselves if we do trip over something. This isn’t just something that affects the elderly – changes occur naturally from our mid 40s.

What can I do? You might reasonably ask. We can’t stop getting older or working hard in a demanding environment. Keeping fit, not putting on too much weight and wearing shoes appropriate to the working environment, that’s what. And by ‘fit’, we don’t necessarily mean ‘Bradley Wiggins fit’ – we mean a brisk walk with the dog, gardening or swimming. Just do something regularly that helps maintain your balance and muscle tone. And watch where you’re going!

The number of injuries to healthand social care staff caused by slipsand the trips in the UK in 2011

4,500

DrRafidAziz,GPandLocalMedicalDirectoratourLuton Triage Centre, gives his advice on common medical topics.

For the majority of people who catch it, flu is unpleasant – but for some it can lead to severe complications. In the 2010/11 flu season, there were 9,000 UK hospital admissions for flu. 2,200 of those were admitted to intensive care with sadly 607 confirmed deaths.

So, if you are deliberating over whether you should get a flu vaccine this year, here are some flu facts to help you make your decision:

• The risk of having a serious (anaphylactic) reaction to the seasonal flu vaccine is less than one in a million.

• It is impossible to get flu from having the flu jab, because the vaccine doesn’t contain live viruses.

• The most common side effect is soreness around the site of the injection and occasionally aching muscles. These symptoms are a lot less serious than having flu.

• If you were vaccinated last year, you won’t be protected against this year’s new strains – an annual vaccination is recommended.

• Having the vaccination when pregnant is safe at any stage and helps protect baby from flu over the first few months of life.

• Your diet could well be helping to boost your immune system, but eating well will not protect you from flu.

• Hand-washing is very important, but it won’t stop flu.

• There’s no such thing as natural immunity to influenza.

• The vaccine is 60-90 per cent effective depending on the age and health of the person receiving it and the match between vaccine composition and the circulating flu strains.

You can find out more about the 2012/13 season flu vaccination campaign on the NHS Choice website www.nhs.uk.

Read more on the clinical evidence for flu jabs

http://www.nhsemployers.org/HealthyWorkplaces/ SeasonalFluCampaign/Pages/ClinicalEvidence.aspx

Ask Dr Aziz

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Dr Rafid Aziz

Flu facts

Sticks and stones…

Flu Fighters


Richard demonstrates the very serious business of standing on a ladder.

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

How to enterComplete this coupon and post the page to: one magazine, Care UK, 850 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park, 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 15 October. Good luck!

Coffee break puzzles1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8

9 10

11

12 13

14

Can you spot the difference?The original picture is on the left. Can you spot the five changes in the right hand picture?

Des Draper, Benefits Team Leader, based in Connaught House, Colchester, is shown with just some of the goods you have donated so far to make up care parcels for British troops serving in Afghanistan. She’s hoping to send out many more in time for Christmas, so if you’d like to get involved email [email protected] for the shopping list of contents that you might like to donate. This includes making homemade crackers with a hat, treat and dreadful joke, or donating normal crackers with the bangers removed!

Quick sudoku2 7

5 8 9 4

2 9 1

8 1 3 4 2 5

4 6 2 7 9 8

6 1 9

9 8 3 4

3 5

Competition Corner

Across1: The longest Olympic athletics race (8)7: Egyptian mythical creature and ancient statue (6)8: Fluid in plants (3)9: Another name for killer whale (4)10: Massive (5)11: Before three (3)12: Against (3)13: Opposite of day (5)14: A sweet flavouring, derived from orchids (7)

Down 2: Drug commonly used to relieve minor aches and pains (7)3: Disney and Pixar are masters of this film style (9)4: Six-sided (9)5: Sentimental longing for a happy past (9)6: A disease of the liver (9)12: Stevie Wonder song, also covered by George Michael and Mary J Blige (2)

CoFFEE BrEAK


Who knew that cats loved one magazine so much? Li Lui, owned by RCS Area Manager Carol Wardle and Oliver owned by April Chinn from Southampton Treatment Centre obviously think it makes purrrfect reading.

Can you spot the difference? What a picture!

Service user Maureen French, from Newcastle, met her hero Susan Boyle after her support worker Erin Leanne Dunn made it possible for her. Maureen said: “Susan gave me a hug and started singing, so I danced along! She posed for a few photos, then gave me another hug before she left. One of my favourite days!”

Who are those masked men? Support workers Ola and Henry and service user Connor visited the Deeside Activity Centre in Aberdeenshire to try out their archery skills. Enablement Lead Eddy Evans, who sent the pic, said Connor thoroughly enjoyed himself and there was plenty of larking around!

The team at Rotherham Out of Hours (OOH) Service wanted to say WELL DONE to Karen Bentley who took the plunge in a charity skydive, raising £800 for St Luke’s Hospice in the process. Brave lady!

Hold on tight! One quick abseil down Colchester landmark ‘Jumbo’ the water tower and RCS New Build Team Assistant Kirstine MacRae raised £250 for East Anglia Children’s Hospices. “My legs went to jelly when I hit the ground!” she said. Pic: Steve Pitt Photography

Another X-Factor star in the making from Care UK? After being provided with a new hairnet, Maureen Budge, part of the North East London Treatment Centre’s kitchen team, showed off her smart new look with an impromptu performance.

Mental Health’s marketing exec Kim French is definitely a country lass at heart. Kim said:

“I’ve had Troy Trotter since he was two weeks old, after his mother unexpectedly died. He’s like a pet dog and follows me around the farm!”

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

CoFFEE BrEAK

Maureen meets SuBo!

Budge over Madonna

Kirstine Drops By

Guess Who?

A Baaarmy Pet

Purr-fect reading

Lovely Li Lui

High flying Karen


www.careuk.com

Issue 3 Prize Draws. Sport prize pack: Bev Bayles, Ponteland Manor. Fitness prize pack: Vicky Okine, Park Lodge. Picnic Hampers: Asia Khatun, NELTC; Ranjisha Jose, Southampton TC; Elizabeth Besant, Margate CS; Martin Attwood, Fellows Court.

Family theme park tickets: Kerry Long, Southampton TC; Elizabeth Timoney, Leicester CS; Sam Sawyer, Manor Lodge; Ross Mayo, Tall Trees. Crossword: Adele Elliott, Pinetum. Sudoku: Lucy Plumb, Colchester. Questionnaire: Naima Assbane, Norfolk & Great Yarmouth CS.

When the next edition of one magazine appears, it will only be a few days before Christmas! Yikes!We’re planning our bumper, end-of-year edition and as always, it’s your pictures and stories that we want to feature. So email [email protected] with your funny, cute and interesting pics, tell us your fundraising stories – and let us know of a colleague who should appear in Care UK Rocks for being brilliant.

We’d also love to hear your experiences on any of the upcoming Knowledge Bank topics for future editions:

• Managingaggressivebehaviour

• Domesticviolence

• Managingemployeementalhealth

You can of course remain anonymous. Contact us on [email protected]

Win Your Christmas Shopping!We’ve got £250 shopping vouchers to give away to two lucky Care UK employees in time for Christmas!

What’s more, our winners can mix and match their vouchers, creating a totally personalised prize.

Perhaps you’d like supermarket vouchers so you know all your festive food and drink will be taken care of. Or choose from a huge range of favourite High Street stores to stock up on presents for loved ones (and perhaps yourself!).

Two winners will be drawn on 2 November, from every Care UK employee registered

with perkz. If you haven’t already registered, visit www.perkz.com and click on ‘If you are a first time user, click here’ and, when prompted enter our company code CUK1. If you have already registered with perkz you do not need to do so again, you will be automatically entered into the prize draw.

On the look out!

Thank you

Issue 3 winners

To everyone who contributed to this edition of one magazine, including those below whose names don’t appear elsewhere!

Frances Gibson Allison Kennie Amrit Kaur Beverly Taylor Chris Grainger Deb Carlington Garmit Wright Helen Johns Janet Metcalfe Jo Marsh Kasia Nasiadka

Ken Brearton Lisa Foster Nicola Lowery Pat Warwick Rebecca Loader Sam Lambourne Sarah Johnson Sarah Shadbolt Sheila Roberts Suzanne Lawrence

one magazine issue 4

Documents

touchone issue

issue centres

summer fun

summer round

wettest summer

karen p19contents03one

mike parishcare uk rocks

knowledge bank feature