Outstanding Care
Free Wi-Fi for all
November 2015
We've installed free Wi-Fi across all of our homes - even the older ones - because it gives us the platform we need to use technology in order to improve the experience you, your loved ones and our staff have. It also allows us to introduce the innovations required to provide outstanding care.
OSKA – The best in pressure care
July 2017
For our residents who need specialised pressure care support, we offer the option to use mattresses from OSKA. With the help of leading Tissue Viability Nurses, they've designed products that help prevent and treat pressure sores like no others. Their technology is so effective, we can space out our night checks meaning you get to sleep for longer without being disturbed – leaving you feeling fresh the next day.
Virtual Dementia Training
September 2017
To help increase awareness of Dementia in our local community, we invited loved ones, friends & professional stakeholders to join our staff in taking part in Virtual Dementia Training. So you can better understand how to care for those with Dementia, this innovative training puts you in their shoes (literally) by manipulating your senses to match theirs.
Industry Leading Training
September 2017–Present
Through a blend of e-learning and the latest face-to-face training, we make training enjoyable, meaningful and, most importantly, effective. Working with our training partner E-Learning For You, we adapt to each of our staff’s learning styles and offer them support in real-time. We also fund professional qualifications to encourage staff's personal and professional growth.
First Annual Managers Conference
February 2018
All Handsale’s Home Managers across England, Scotland & Wales came together to share best practice learning from their care homes and their respective countries – something most care providers aren’t able to do.
Less Time On Paperwork, More Time On Care
February 2018
We use Person Centred Software's (PCS) electronic care system to record & plan your care. Using hand-held devices, carers easily capture the care they deliver as they go whilst being prompted about your preferences. This means no tedious paperwork for them and you get your care the way you like it. Also, your loved ones & the Management Team can see the 'live' care you’re getting from anywhere in the world.
Oral Health Care Planning
February 2018
We believe in the importance of Oral Health in Adult Social Care. Sharon Williams, Home Manager of Swn-Y-Mor, sat on the committee that developed a comprehensive All-Wales Oral Health Care Plan. This was rolled out across the entire Handsale Group as best practice and Person Centred Software (PCS) were so impressed, they asked if they could roll it out to all their customers too. Of course we said yes.
Ultra-Safe Medication Management
May 2018
Working with Lloyds Pharmacy and Med-e-Care, we have streamlined our entire medication management system using the latest technology. Our digital system keeps you safe by helping staff as they deliver medication and, as the Pharmacy and your GP feed into the system, changes to your medication are reflected quickly and easily. Home and Corporate Management can also see everything going on 'live'.
Meaningful Quality Assurance (QA) Systems Providing Peace of Mind
2017–Present
We've developed a robust QA system that still allows Home Managers time to manage. We're 75% towards our goal of Home & Corporate Management digitally seeing everything going on 24/7. Our partners, QCS, host our Policies and Procedures online, alerting staff to best practice changes immediately. Also, our independent QA Partners, NetworkCare UK, provide an expert sounding board to our development.
Open & Honest Care Board
November 2018
To be open and transparent, we've introduced a new notice board in the entrance foyer where you will be able to see information on how many accidents / falls there have been, if there are any active Safeguarding alerts, if there have been any Home acquired pressure wounds and if there were any infection alerts or formal complaints made in the last month.
Staff Appreciation Day At Silver Trees
December 2018
To help show our appreciation for the best staff team in Somerset, we hosted a staff lunch and surprise awards ceremony just before Christmas. All staff were given a little gift as a token of our appreciation, with further prizes given to those who've worked at Silver Trees for more than 5 years. We even invited their families for an extra surprise.
Inspection
March 2019
We were excited to show the CQC all the innovations we've put in place to-date during their recent unannounced inspection. It went very well, with the home rated Good in all areas inspected. You can download the full inspection report from the homepage.
Second Annual Managers Conference
March 2019
Held at Swn-Y-Mor, in Wales, all Handsale’s Home Managers once again got together to share best care practice from across England, Scotland & Wales. However, this time, they also got to see the largest Handsale Care Home in person and were able to share ideas around environment and activities together too.
Care for Leadership Programme
April 2019
We believe we have some of the best staff in care. That’s why in April 2019 we launched the Care for Leadership Programme, which allows our staff to train to become the outstanding Home Managers of the future. A custom built programme using the best guidance from Skills for Care, SCIE, NICE and others, this programme is available only to Handsale staff.