Opinion
across our homes, in a way that enables us as a company, and each of our homes, to continue to be agile and adapt quickly to future challenges.
Innovation As we reflect on what we have learned this year, and what we can do to strengthen our resilience, the care sector must consider using technology, as well as the design of its care settings, to enhance and compliment the way that we provide our services. We are constantly innovating and adapting as we strive to deliver the safest environments for our residents and colleagues. I chair an Innovations Group at HC-
One, looking at other sectors to see what they are doing and how we can bring that into our homes to enhance safety. As an example, one of the products that we have been looking into recently is an air filtration system, and our clinical and procurement teams are exploring in more detail how this would work in practice in our homes. In addition, building on what we have
developed during the pandemic, continued data analysis of Covid-19 tests and cases, as well as digital tracking of other viruses will be key – such as the flu and norovirus, as well as the uptake of the flu vaccine. We are also digitizing key aspects of our clinical work. For example, we are rolling out our eMed programme that will revolutionise medicines management with a digital toolkit. There is also the physical design of our
homes to consider. We have been exploring what can be done in our existing estates to improve and embed infection control measures. As an example, we have started to install visiting pods into some of our homes as we get ready for visiting during the winter months. We have also been looking at how we
My ambition is that social care staff, like nurses and other health care professionals will be registered, with entry onto the register following a period of training
can optimise the design of our new build homes in the same way. We are also pleased to be investing in a new build programme and will be opening three new homes in York, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire over the next 12 months.
Reform – staffing and funding The UK’s social care workforce will play a pivotal role in the future of the sector, but these colleagues must be supported and valued. Given their incredible contribution to the country’s response to the pandemic, the need for reform that improves their status has never been clearer. There is a perception that care staff
are low-skilled, but the Covid-19 pandemic has shown quite the opposite. There is a great deal of skill required to provide care to older people with complex co-morbid conditions, and we need to reward, support and encourage these skilled individuals. As a nation we must invest in and professionalise our care staff. My ambition is that social care staff,
like nurses and other health care professionals will be registered, with entry onto the register following a period of training. This will help to raise status and recognition of the current workforce and encourage more talent to join the sector as the demands for care increase. It is also imperative that the funding of
the sector is reformed. This will support not only our valued care staff but also the care that is provided in settings across the country. With an ageing population and a rise in underlying health conditions, there will always be a place and need for high quality care, be that in care homes, or via home care. The care sector was hard hit during
Covid-19, and its fragility was exposed for all to see. The sector needs support, not only to help it to recover from the impact of Covid-19, but to be strong and resilient enough to be ready to meet this demand and be able to support the growing needs of the population in the 21st century. TCHE
Sir David Behan CBE
Sir David Behan has over 40 years of experience in the health and social care sector, including being the current chair of Health Education England, and the former chief executive of the Care Quality Commission. He joined HC-One in 2018 as a non-executive director, before becoming chairman in 2019, and executive chairman in 2020. He works closely with shareholders and senior colleagues to ensure HC-One achieves its ambition of becoming the first-choice care provider for residents and colleagues. In 2004, Sir David was appointed the CBE for services to social care and was knighted for services to health and care in 2017.
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com• December 2020
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