THIS new report from the Good Governance Institute and Legrand Assisted Living and Healthcare calls for immediate action to embrace digital solutions, building on a programme of research and engagement with senior leaders from the health, care, and housing sectors. There is growing recognition that the public sector improvements we need cannot be delivered simply by delivering services in the same way, or even by becoming more efficient. New systems approaches are required in order to achieve improved health and wellbeing outcomes for communities throughout the UK. The report calls f ..read more

THEAnchor Hanover Group is a housing provider specialising in retirement and independent living. The housing is made up of flats where each resident has their own front door entrance and communal facilities available. The minimum age requirement for occupancy at Hanover Lodge is 60 years old. Helen Parsons the Estate Manager noticed that with the age of residents, the heavy self-closing fire doors were becoming problematic. 'With an ageing demographic, it transpired that some of the residents were finding it difficult to open and close these doors'. This included doors to their own ..read more

ASHLEY Gardens Care Centre in Maidstone has opened a range of new facilities for residents, specifically designed to support people living with dementia. The home, which supports up to 89 residents, offers a range of activities, events and facilities for people who live with the challenges the condition poses. The latest additions to the home include 'Violets Bakery' and a gentlemen's lounge and library, which includes a variety of board games and a giant Scrabble board ..read more

SOUTH coast care home operator Colten Care has seen its latest cohort of staff pass an in-house training course to take up new clinical roles and responsibilities. Twelve participants have completed the intensive, two-week programme to become Senior Care Leads - a dedicated post sitting between healthcare assistant and nurse. It means that since Colten launched the role in 2015, more than 150 care staff - some with many years of service - have taken the opportunity to progress their careers with the additional skills learning. SCLs support the registered nurses by carrying out many pract ..read more

THE residents of Athena Healthcare Group's Hesketh Park Lodge had a very special pre-match visit ahead of Southport FC's game against Hereford. Residents were delighted to receive match day programmes and scarves in preparation for the match. Residents from Athena Healthcare Group care homes will also be in attendance ‪on March 7 to support the Yellows as they face Kidderminster Harriers. Before the match they will be taking part in a community initiative run by Southport Football Club that uses sporting memories to inspire conversation and reignite the passions of older people ..read more

BLUEBIRD Care Reading, Wokingham, Windsor, Maidenhead and Bracknell will be spreading the love again on Valentine's Day. Team members will be driving around the local areas to deliver red roses to their customers - an annual tradition. In addition to the roses, customers will receive a voucher so they can book in a free one-hour social call with Bluebird Care.  This year the provider has also joined forces with Kerry Mayne and Nichola Woolford - owners of Partyliciouss and Kakealiciouss, a family run business based in Maidenhead. Kerry and Nichola will be making more than 100 cupcakes f ..read more

THE Grange care home in the picturesque village of Newport close to Saffron Walden will celebrate its grand opening with an open day on March 7 from noon until 4pm. The facility will provide affordable luxury care with a warm family feel. Set in the grounds of Debden Grange Retirement Village the care home will specialise in residential care, short-term respite care and specialist dementia care for up to 40 people. Managing director Alykhan Kachra said: 'We are delighted to be welcoming families to The Grange. As a family-run company we aim to create a 'home from home' feel in our homes ..read more

MARION Ayer-Kumi has been recognised as Bluebird Care Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells' care assistant of the month for January. The provider organised for one of Marion's customers, Barbara Draper, to present her with her prize - £20 worth of Love to Shop vouchers. Marion was chosen for her consistent hard work and dedication to her customers. This forms part of Bluebird Care Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells' new initiative which recognises their care staff and the aim is to get customers to present the winner with their award. Marion has worked for the company for more than two years, an ..read more

Athena Healthcare Group celebrated Chinese New Year with Mayor of Sefton, Councillor June Burns at the Gourmet House restaurant in Southport. Residents from Woodlands Lodge in Formby and Parklands Lodge and Hesketh Park Lodge in Southport all enjoyed a Chinese buffet ..read more

RESIDENTS of Barnes Lodge Care Home in Tonbridge welcomed the Chinese New Year with a celebratory feast and the chance to try something new. The dining rooms was transformed into The Red Dragon Chinese restaurant as the residents got together to welcome the year of the rat. Decorated with their handmade Chinese lanterns, prepared earlier in the week, and an abundance of themed decorations, the hungry residents gathered at the restaurant excited to sample a lunchtime banquet of traditional Chinese food. They tucked into an array of delicacies, including prawn toast, prawn crackers, sweet ..read more