Issue 179 27.03.24
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Care boss blasts authorities over new fee levels
as a ‘fait accompli’ and do not come A CARE home operator has even close to funding care homes called out local authorities across across Scotland that have been Scotland, accusing them of ‘blatant faced with an enormous increase in hypocrisy and double standards’, operating costs from dealing with after documents have revealed the pandemic, the rising energy that some local authorities are charges and the cost of living crisis. paid TWICE as much as their “Edinburgh City Council’s independent and voluntary sector approach is being replicated by counterparts for providing the local authorities all across the same service. Residents at RMBI Care Co. Home Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court in Braintree have enjoyed country. It is imperative that local Documents unveiled by Robert a visit to the Imperial War Museum Duxford. Keen to support their residents’ interests, authorities do not use care home Kilgour, chairman of Renaissance encourage reminiscence and help them to get out and about, activities coordinator Sophie fee underpayment as a cash cow to Care, reveal that Edinburgh City George and five staff members accompanied several residents on the Home’s minibus on fix their own fiscal issues. Rather, Council has just proposed an the journey to the museum. She said: “Our residents and staff had a fascinating time visiting what we need is local authorities average fee increase of 15.66 per the Imperial War Museum Duxford. “Some of our residents have a real interest in planes to value the work of care providers cent for its own care homes, while and wartime events, and it was very special to hear about their knowledge and experiences. and, just as importantly, value our the independent and third sector Trips like these really support our residents’ health and wellbeing, helping them to form new residents by investing properly in providers were recently given ‘a memories as well as recall old ones.” During the visit residents were able to go to three high-quality care. How can it be take it or leave it’ offer of 6.76 per hangars that featured various aircrafts; there were even mechanics working on planes for fair that there is such a yawning cent for nursing care and 8.3 per future displays and residents were able to ask technical questions. funding gap between the two cent for residential care. sectors? We must have a level From April, independent and playing field on fee levels.” voluntary sector care home The independent and voluntary providers across Scotland will be sector account for around 85 per paid £948 a week for nursing care and £825 a week for residential care. cent of the Scottish care home AN 89-year-old resident at where she is now a resident. sector with local council care However, some local authorities Minchenden Lodge in Southgate, Determined to keep showcasing her homes representing about 11.5 will pay themselves up to £1,815 a North London, has been keeping her talent, Valerie, who will turn 90 in the week for residential care and up to per cent and NHS Scotland the passion for music alive by regularly near future, often entertains residents £1,716 a week for nursing care. remaining 3.5 per cent. playing the piano for others at the and staff at the AgeCare operated care These plans have been blasted Robert added: “The documents home with her piano playing. residential care home. as ‘grossly unfair’ by care home show there is an unbelievable Home manager Rahima Mulindwa Valerie Ash, who was born in Cardiff bosses. degree of double standards which said: “Valerie’s love for music has in 1934, started playing piano at the Robert said: “We recently agreed needs to be addressed. remained a constant in her life and it’s age of six and has always had a love for the fee settlement for the next year “This is a clear attempt from music. She studied singing at the Welsh always lovely to see her play. It’s also with Scottish local authorities when local authorities to claw back great to see how much she enjoys the National College of Music at Cardiff we had a gun put to our head. I money at the expense of our Castle, has been a member of four musical activities we arrange here.” know from speaking to numerous amazing and hard-working staff, local operatic societies, and played the Valerie was married to Geoff for 57 other operators that they felt that who are caring round the clock for piano for local pantomimes where she years after meeting her husband-to-be they were simply unable to fight all our vulnerable elderly – they claimed the nickname ‘Auntie Val’. on a girl’s holiday to Butlins. They had for six months for a better deal as deserve better. It is a grossly unfair The musical performer has also two children and three grandchildren. many of them would have gone settlement, when all care operators played in residential care homes in her The musical resident moved into under due to cost pressures. want is to be treated fairly and for time, including Minchenden Lodge, Minchenden Lodge in June 2023. 00057 Carebeans CaringUK January 2024.qxp_Carebeans CaringUK Ad 23mmx80mm 15/12/2023 16:08 Page 1 “The new fees were offered to us our critical work to be valued.”
Valerie continues to play piano
Carebeans are an NHS Assured Solution
All-In-One Digital Care Management Software
Care Homes, Supported Living, Dom Care and Staff Rota Management. Nursing Homes Residential Homes Community Care Domiciliary Care Hospices Mental Health Services Care Groups
01925 386800 info@carebeans.co.uk www.carebeans.co.uk
Learning Disabilities Children’s Services Independent Living Supported Living BOOK A DEMO Arrange a full online system demonstration with a member of our team, or visit:
www.carebeans.co.uk