St Oswald's Hospice Research’s Post

A Wake-Up Call for Social Care Reform: Let’s Make It Make Sense The recent story of a fake carer slipping through the cracks is not just alarming—it’s unacceptable. Whether David is receiving care through commissioned services or unregulated settings, he’s still David—a person who deserves the same safeguards and standards of care, no matter what! It’s shocking that because David falls under unregulated services, the same safeguards don’t apply—why? Having spent my entire career in regulated services, I was stunned to discover that safer recruitment standards aren’t consistent across the board. I first encountered unregulated services a few years ago when speaking to a local authority and realised that people could register with little to no checks in place to safeguard the vulnerable individuals they’d be working with. The safeguards we rely on—like enhanced DBS checks, validated employment history, and thorough references—simply aren’t universal. This inconsistency creates massive risks, as reported by Nick Martin—not just in local authorities but across the entire UK care sector. Without a trusted and universal system to verify and standardise the identity and credentials of care workers, gaps will persist. That’s why John Timbs 💚 and I are on a mission to make ME Passport the gold standard for recruitment and compliance in social care. ME Passport is more than a product—it’s a transformative tool that stays with carers throughout their careers, allowing providers to share verified data and avoid expensive, repetitive recruitment cycles. ME Passport offers: ✅ A trusted digital identity, verified to the same standards as every practicing UK doctor, built on NHS staff passport principles. ✅ Full compliance with CQC Regulation 19 staffing criteria, including enhanced DBS, validated employment history, references, education, and endorsed training. ✅ Portability across both regulated and unregulated settings, ensuring accountability and transparency everywhere. Yesterday, I presented at the Homecare Association Tech Conference, and much of the feedback was, “Why isn’t ME Passport mandated?” We agree. Do you, Department of Health and Social Care, Care Quality Commission, London Councils It’s long overdue time for reform that truly makes sense. Let’s ensure that no matter how or where David receives his care, he gets the protection he deserves. #SocialCare #SaferRecruitment #MEPassport #CareReform #TrustedIdentity #EqualSafeguards John Timbs 💚 Jonathan Evans Chloe Rochester Katie Coffey Victoria Merchant Maria Healy Jane Townson OBE Liz Blacklock National Association of Care and Support Workers 💚💙 https://lnkd.in/dMXHeGSw

🚫 Upholding Duty of Care: Care Staff Lose Jobs over 80-Mile Commute Refusal In a recent development, more than 50 dedicated staff members at a Lancashire hospital faced an arduous decision: relocate 40 miles away or risk losing their jobs. The Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust shuttered its Calderstones Hospital site in Whalley, Lancashire, prompting the relocation of workers to Apsen Wood in Maghull, Merseyside. For these committed individuals, this relocation translated to an average 80-mile round trip, placing significant strain on their personal and professional lives. Shockingly, those unable to undertake this journey or accept alternative roles faced contract terminations, casting a shadow over their livelihoods. The GMB union, advocating for these employees, emphasized the fundamental issue at hand: the trust's obligation to ensure the well-being of its staff. By compelling individuals to make unreasonable sacrifices, the trust failed in its duty of care, neglecting the profound impact on employees with familial and caregiving responsibilities. Formerly recognized as England's sole specialist hospital for individuals with learning disabilities, Calderstones Hospital's closure marks a pivotal shift. As it transitions to the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, it is imperative that all involved entities prioritize their duty of care to staff members, ensuring their continued support and protection. A spokesperson for Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust reiterated their commitment to supporting staff members by providing opportunities within the NHS to safeguard their employment. #Healthcare #NHS #DutyOfCare 🏥💼

Each March, we celebrate National Social Work Month. In hospice care, social workers are part of the interdisciplinary team that provides services to patients and their caregivers at end-of-life. It’s important for the public not only to recognize social workers but to understand the invaluable services that they provide. Their core values include service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. Social workers are estimated to provide over 60% of mental health services in our country and social work is one of the fastest growing careers in the U.S. The National Association of Social Workers wants you to know that a recent survey conducted by them finds that only 45 percent of the 1.016 adults surveyed know that social workers play a key role in hospice care even though medical social work is a mandated service for patients enrolled in hospice care. Let’s celebrate these essential healthcare workers for the work they do to improve quality of life for hospice patients everywhere. #SocialWorkMonth2024 #hospice

Balancing Personal and Professional Boundaries in Caregiving. It was a sunny morning, the birds chirping outside, as I set off on my rounds as a domiciliary healthcare assistant in the UK. Each home I enter holds a unique story, but amidst the care and compassion, there's one challenge I face every day—balancing personal and professional boundaries in caregiving. Let me share a recent encounter that brought this challenge to the forefront of my mind. I visited a client, a jovial lady in her 70s who lived alone. As I helped her with her morning routine, she began to open up about her struggles with loneliness and isolation. My heart went out to her, and I found myself wanting to offer more than just caregiving assistance. This reminded me also of another client who uses every opportunity to ask me about my life outside work and I understand she wasn't trying to pry. I understand that while empathy and compassion are essential in my role, maintaining professional boundaries is equally important. As I continued to care for my clients, I found myself walking a fine line between being a healthcare assistant and a friend. It's a delicate balance to strike, ensuring that I provide the support they need without overstepping the boundaries of our professional relationship. And it's not just with clients that I face this challenge—it's with their families, with my colleagues, with every interaction I have in my role. How do I remain compassionate and empathetic without sacrificing the professionalism that is expected of me? But amidst the uncertainty, I've come to realise that setting boundaries doesn't mean shutting ourselves off from the human connections that make caregiving so rewarding. It means finding a balance, a middle ground where we can offer support and empathy without compromising our professionalism. So, as I navigate the complexities of caregiving, I'm learning to tread carefully, to listen with my heart while keeping my head clear. It's a journey of self-discovery, of learning where my responsibilities end and where my humanity begins. And in that journey, lies the true essence of being a domiciliary healthcare assistant. #OmololaSundayPius #LinkedIn100 #Healthcareassistant #Nursingassistant #Supportworker #Domiciliarycarer

Some councils are seeking a two-year transition plan to help them implement the new Aged Care Act that’s expected to be presented to Parliament in the coming months before coming into effect in mid-2025. More: https://lnkd.in/gW9-g6Ms #agedcare #councils #government #agedcarereform

What do 6.1 million Canadians have in common? They are working caregivers – balancing a paid job while managing a ‘second shift’ of caring for a family member. According to the Caring in Canada report released earlier this year by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE), these caregivers put in 4.5 hours of active care per day – nearly 30 hours per week. That's almost another full-time job! Yet, how many workplaces are aware of the number of their employees juggling these dual responsibilities? Unfortunately, very few. CCCE set out to better understand the realities faced by so many working caregivers through the Working Caregiver Project that I co-led with Nora Spinks:  We uncovered some eye-opening findings: ·      Government leaves and policies exist, but awareness and promotion of these supports within the workplace is low. ·      Many workplaces have benefits that could support caregivers, but they’re not connecting the dots. ·      Many caregivers feel their only option is to quit their jobs – and they do so silently, and without explanation. Who cares? (See what I did there?) We all should! Because the number of working caregivers is growing - fast. Today in 1 in 4 Canadians are caregivers – it’s projected that this will soon be 1 in 2. With skilled worker shortages on the rise, attracting and retaining talent is more crucial than ever. Finding ways to keep working caregivers in the workforce is imperative. Consider this: the number of new parents at work will remain stable, while employees with caregiving responsibilities are set to increase dramatically. If workplaces can plan for new parents, why not for caregivers too? By creating policies and practices that accommodate caregivers, companies can retain experienced employees, reduce turnover costs, and boost morale and engagement. This is the focus of the next phase of the Working Caregiver project at CCCE. In Canada, there are resources to help organizations create caregiver-friendly workplaces. Be sure to check out resources from Carer-Friendly Workplaces; The Ontario Caregiver Organization; Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA); Pallium Canada; Caregivers Alberta and others Want to learn about our work? Visit: https://lnkd.in/g-3ecRpa Stay tuned to learn more through our LinkedIn series next week on the emerging focus on working caregivers. Comment below or message us to join the CCCE mailing list for updates and insights. #WorkingCaregivers #WorkplaceCulture #FutureOfWork Liv Mendelsohn, M.A., M.Ed.Olivia Olesinski Michelle Wan Rosie Paulyk James Janeiro  

As part of the #HWAlliance, today we are publishing a Carer Contingency Campaign Pack. Carer Contingency Plans ensure people with care needs are supported if carers can’t be there. It prevents burnout, reduces emergency care, and keeps peace of mind. This will help support local carer organisations work with local partners to deliver Carer Contingency Plans for carers in their area. Carer Contingency Plans benefit the carer & the wider system. They reassure carers that plans are in place in case they can't provide the care they usually provide. For the system as a whole, they can prevent carer breakdowns & reduce the risk of emergency social care interventions. The pack includes: ⚫Materials to help carer organisations promote & develop Carer Contingency Plan offers ⚫Materials to work with local partners to ensure Carer Contingency Plans are a priority ⚫Access to good practice examples from around the country Find out more:

How much does Yorkshire care? ❤️ The answer: A lot!! In the Yorkshire and the Humber region, there are an estimated 1,500 care organisations with 3,800 care-providing locations. The Yorkshire and the Humber regional level adult social care workforce data shows that: 👉 90% of the workforce were employed on permanent contracts 👉 Staff turnover rate in the region was 25.2% 👉 The adult social care workforce comprised of 81% of female workers 👉 Around 51% of direct care-providing staff held a relevant adult social care qualification, and the proportion of registered managers that were aged 55 and above was 28%. There are many reasons to be proud of Yorkshire, and the level of care we provide is just one of them 😍 #SocialCareJobs #CareGiver #Yorkshire #SouthYorkshire

Do the Maths Which costs more - cost of training or cost in claims? Addressing this problem through effective training programmes can mitigate the costs in claims and enhance the safety and efficiency of healthcare delivery. Work-related violence and aggression includes a range of behaviours from verbal abuse to physical assaults. The cost implications can be very significant: 1.     Lost staff hours:  2.     Recruitment and retention 3.     Legal and compensation costs 4.     Operational inefficiency Addressing the root causes of work-related violence and aggression through comprehensive training programmes can significantly alleviate these costs: 1.     De-escalation techniques 2.     Personal safety training 3.     Recognising and responding to early signs 4.     Mental health and welfare support 5.     Creating a supportive environment Through the review and reintroduction of proactive measures, the NHS can protect its workforce and ensure sustainability and quality of patient care. To learn more - https://lnkd.in/euUrsr_t https://lnkd.in/eZGb38ew NFPS Ltd Robert Landells Jim Snipe Gary Ross Alex Hunter Ginge Johnson Michael Wagt Paul Howes Darren Burton Alcidio Vaquero Lino Jamal D. Stephen Doyle Andy Bareham Paula Morris Shirley Brown Dids Hall Anthony Laing (NOMAD) Dene Hale. FPmemNFPS , M.IPSA #nhs #safety #risk #leadership #healthandsafety #collaboration #inclusion

A decade of health and social care privatisation in England: What was it meant to achieve?—This new paper by Anders Bach-Mortensen, Ben Goodair and Christine Corlet Walker analyses key public policy and regulatory documents related to outsourcing policies in England and compares them to peer-reviewed studies on their impact within the NHS, adult social care, and children's social care. → https://lnkd.in/enef4NG5 cc #Healthcare #SocialCare #CarelessFinance #SustainableWelfare #Privatisation #HealthcarePrivatisation #NHS