ENVIRONMENT Editor


Tim Probert timprobert@stepcomms.com


Online Sales Executive Matthew Moore matthewmoore@stepcomms.com


Journal Administration


Katy Cockle katycockle@stepcomms.com


Design Steven Dillon


Publisher Geoff King geoffking@stepcomms.com


Publishing Director


Trevor Moon trevormoon@stepcomms.com


homecare


Long-term social care reform is within sight Comment


Welcome to the August edition of The Care Environment Digital. Thankfully, official data shows the weekly number of Covid-related deaths in care homes has fallen to double digits. While there is much fear of a second wave,


one can only hope for the best while preparing for the worst. With the damage from the first wave now


largely done, social care industry conversation has moved rapidly on to sector reform. There appears to be somewhat of a


consensus rallying behind a Japanese-style model of social care whereby the over-40s pay additional tax or national insurance, or take out insurance. Media reports suggest the Health and


Social Care Department is in favour of a mandatory system of social care funding and the government is reportedly exploring mechanisms for how contributions could be made by employees and employers. Imposing additional, mandatory tax-style


payments on the over-40s will be never be easy from a political point of view. According to


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a 2018 Nuffield Trust report, the government had hitherto failed to gain public buy-in or sufficient cross-party support to implement Japanese-style mandatory social care contributions. But that was then, and this is now. The


pandemic has opened a window of opportunity to introduce long-lasting reform. The Nuffield Trust found Japan made its


initial offer generous and that, along with an embedded principle of fairness and transparency through national eligibility criteria, Tokyo was able to gain public buy-in. The UK will surely have to follow that model. This is a golden opportunity for the care


sector to achieve the types of reform it has long argued are necessary. If the industry is broadly happy with the government’s proposals, it should strike while the iron is hot and voice its support in unison. Enjoy the issue.


Tim Probert • Editor timprobert@stepcomms.com


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Contents THE CARE HOME ENVIRONMENT


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Features


10 The post-Covid future of care homes


© 2020 Step Communications Ltd Single copy: £12.00 per issue. Annual journal subscription: UK £96.00 Overseas: £120.00


ISSN NO. 2398-3280


The Publisher is unable to take any responsibility for views expressed by contributors. Editorial views are not necessarily shared by the journal. Readers are expressly advised that while the contents of this publication are believed to be accurate, correct and complete, no reliance should be placed upon its contents as being applicable to any particular circumstances.


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Dr Natalie-Jane Macdonald, chief executive of care provider Sunrise Senior Living UK and Gracewell Healthcare, on changes prompted by the pandemic


14 Care after Covid-19 – an honest assessment


Nick Bruce, founder and non-executive chairman of Kent-based care provider Nightingales, explores the impact of Covid-19 on the sector


18 Capital allowances don’t have to be taxing


Mark Anthistle, senior capital allowances analyst at tax relief specialists Catax, explains help available to care homes


August 2020 • www.thecarehomeenvironment.com


21 How Covid-19 has compounded staff issues for care homes


Stephensons Solicitors’ Phil Richardson on the thorny issues Covid-19 has presented for care home recruitment


25 Good service: picking the right maintenance supplier


Spearhead Healthcare service manager Martin Cook outlines on the importance of selecting the right servicing and maintenance supplier


29 Boxing clever: Ensuring the right dose for care homes


Issa Group product and service manager Mehfuz Dasu Patel on how monitored dosage systems can help care homes with infection prevention


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Regulars 5 News 8 Cover story 32 Product news


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