Showing posts tagged with: Health and Social Care
Autism 'begins long before birth'
Scientists say they have new evidence that autism begins in the womb.
Patchy changes in the developing brain long before birth may cause symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), research suggests.
The study, in the New England Journal of Medicine, raises hopes that better understanding of the brain may improve the lives of children with autism.
It reinforces the need for early identification and treatment, says a University of California team.
Click here to read the full article.
Social Care Workers given £8m training boost
Social care workers given £8m training boost
The Welsh government said it wanted to boost the esteem in which social work and care was held in the public eye.
Training for social care workers in Wales has been given a boost with news of an £8m grant.
The money announced by the Welsh government is part of a package worth £11.6m for this financial year.
The social care workforce development programme aims to increase the take-up of training across the whole social care sector.
Great news that the Welsh government have recognised the importance of investing in training - fingers crossed the English government will soon follow suit. We at Routes Healthcare believe training is so important and continue to invest heavily in our team -Reg Storey Routes Healthcare Training Dept.
Posted by: Reg Storey on March 27th, 2014 @ 10:11 AM
Smoking bans cut asthma and premature births by 10%, study says
Laws banning smoking in public places have had a positive impact on child health, an international study in the Lancet suggests.
Researchers found a 10% reduction in premature births and severe childhood asthma attacks within a year of smoke-free laws being introduced.
A research team analysed 11 previous studies from North America and Europe.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said smoking bans benefitted adults and children.
Click here to read the full article.
More wonderful feedback for Routes Healthcare Bradford!
"I just wanted to give you some positive feedback with regard to Sue, she has worked with a male service user today who requires a lot of input due to the nature of his illness and behaviour issues.
My observations of Sue’s practice is exemplary, she demonstrates patience, sensitivity and a very sound knowledge of dementia care, just wanted to say well done. I have spoken to Sue today and given her the positive feedback."
Shirley, Respite Care Co-ordinator
Health atlas allows online search of risk by area
A new online map of England and Wales allows people to enter their postcode and find their community's risk of developing 14 conditions, such as heart disease and lung cancer.
The map presents population-wide health information for England and Wales.
The researchers at Imperial College London pointed out that it could not be used to see an individual's risk.
It indicated an area's health risk, relative to the average for England and Wales, they stressed.
To read more click here.
Multiple sclerosis discovery may explain gender gap
A key difference in the brains of male and female MS patients may explain why more women than men get the disease, a study suggests.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in the US found higher levels of protein S1PR2 in tests on the brains of female mice and dead women with MS than in male equivalents.
Four times more women than men are currently diagnosed with MS.
Experts said the finding was "really interesting".
MS affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, which causes problems with muscle movement, balance and vision. It is a major cause of disability, and affects about 100,000 people in the UK.
To read the full article click here.
Alzheimer's research in 'major step' towards blood test
British scientists have made a "major step forward" in developing a blood test to predict the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Research in more than 1,000 people has identified a set of proteins in the blood which can predict the start of the dementia with 87% accuracy.
The findings, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, will be used to improve trials for new dementia drugs.
Experts warned that the test was not yet ready for doctors' surgeries.
Research into treatments for Alzheimer's disease has been plagued by failure. Between 2002 and 2012, 99.6% of trials aimed at preventing or reversing the disease flopped.
Doctors believe the failure is down to treating patients when it is already too late, since symptoms appear around a decade after the start of the disease.
Identifying patients earlier is one of the priorities for dementia research.
To read the full article please click here.
Statins: Millions more to get drugs in controversial plans
Doctors have been told to offer cholesterol-lowering statins to millions more people in a massive and controversial expansion in prescribing.
Four in 10 adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are now eligible for statins, even though many are at low risk of a heart attack or stroke.
The medicines regulator, NICE, says it will save lives.
There has been vocal opposition to the plans, and doctors' leaders said they had no confidence in the decision.
But all sides of the debate say people who are already taking statins should continue to take their medication.
Major issue
Cardiovascular disease - which includes heart attacks and strokes - is the UK's biggest killer.
It claims 180,000 lives a year and is behind one in three deaths.
Statins reduce the build-up of fatty-plaques that lead to blockages in blood vessels.
To read more, please click here.
Dementia patients 'face unfair care tax'
Dementia patients in the UK face a "care tax" because they are left to sort out much of the care they need themselves, experts say.
The Alzheimer's Society found that on average, the equivalent of £32,242 a year was spent on care per patient.
But the researchers said on average only a third - £10,784 - came from NHS or council funds, leaving a shortfall.
The charity said it was unfair as those with cancer or heart problems got their care free on the NHS.
To read the full article please click here.
Lack of vitamin D may 'raise dementia risk'
People lacking in vitamin D have a higher risk of developing dementia report several media outlets, including BBC News and The Independent.
A study found people severely lacking in the sunshine vitamin were twice as likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease compared with people with healthy levels (50nmol/l or more).
The findings are based on a study of more than 1,650 people aged 65 and above who were followed over a period of about six years to see if they developed dementia.
Researchers found the higher the vitamin D deficiency, the higher the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
They found severe vitamin D deficiency (less than 25nmol/l) is associated with approximately twice the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Moderately low levels of vitamin D (between 25nmol/l and 50nmol/l) are associated with a 50% increase in risk.
This study was able to show an association between low levels of vitamin D and the risk of developing dementia. But it does not prove that vitamin D deficiency causes the disease.
Other factors that can increase the risk of developing dementia, including a poor diet, lack of activity and general poor health, can also cause a low vitamin D level.
More research is needed to establish whether eating vitamin D-rich foods, such as oily fish, or taking vitamin D supplements could delay or even prevent dementia.
NHS whistleblowing 'problems persist'
Whistleblowers still face real problems in speaking out in the health service - despite the push to create a more open culture, campaigners say.
Promoting whistleblowing was a key recommendation of the public inquiry into the Stafford Hospital scandal.
A number of steps have since been taken in England, but Patients First warned that a "culture of fear" still existed.
It has produced a dossier of 70 cases, highlighting problems like bullying and mismanagement of complaints.
The document is being handed in as part of Patients First's submission to an independent review of whistleblowing, which was set up by the Department of Health in England and is being led by Sir Robert Francis, who was in charge of the Stafford public inquiry.
To read the full article please click here.
Weight loss surgery reduces diabetes risk
Weight loss surgery can dramatically reduce the odds of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a major study.
Doctors followed nearly 5,000 people as part of a trial to assess the health impact of the procedure.
The results, published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal, showed an 80% reduction in type 2 diabetes in those having surgery.
The UK NHS is considering offering the procedure to tens of thousands of people to prevent diabetes.
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are closely tied - the bigger someone is, the greater the risk of the condition.
The inability to control blood sugar levels can result in blindness, amputations and nerve damage.
Around a tenth of NHS budgets are spent on managing the condition.
To read more about this please click here.
Routes Healthcare and 6 Steps End of Life Training!
Very well done to Reg Storey (Trainer) and Mamie Lomax Care Co-ordinator from the Blackpool Branch of Routes who have now successfully completed the 6 Steps End of Life Training with Trinity Hospice.
They will be awarded their qualification over the coming weeks and will be able to roll out the training after consultation with Branch Managers and the Training Department.
Routes Healthcare "Dream Team" Testimonial
I am very impressed with Alex's caring and professional attitude towards my husband, Michael. She always maintains his dignity and has a cheerful and sunny disposition. Last week-end he had an issue and she refused to leave him until he was a little better. This way above and beyond her expected duties and it meant that she didn't get a break before going to her next client.
This morning you sent us the "dream team" - Alex and Vicky. These are Michael's and my favourite carers they both truly do care. They are professional and efficient and make the experience as pleasant as possible for him.
Some patients 'struggling to book with GP', watchdog says
Too many patients are struggling to book GP appointments in England, the health watchdog has told the BBC.
Patients at one in six surgeries have problems booking appointments, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said after an inspection of 336 practices.
The watchdog also raised concerns over variations in how serious incidents were reported and investigated.
Prof Steve Field, the CQC's chief inspector of GPs, said most practices offered safe and effective care.
"We believe that the vast majority of GP surgeries in England are providing good care for their patients but unfortunately the vast majority are being let down by a small minority and unfortunately, we have seen some examples in our pilot phase of some really poor care," he said.
"What I want is that all patients have access to really good care wherever they are and we will make sure that happens."
The CQC said some practices did not have robust and consistent systems for reporting incidents, or a culture of identifying where things had gone wrong and learning from them.
To read more please click here.
Suicide risk reduced after talk therapy, study suggests
Talk therapy sessions can help reduce the risk of suicide among high-risk groups, suggests a US study.
Researchers from John Hopkins University tracked more than 5,000 Danish people who had attempted suicide and later received psychosocial counselling.
They found suicides went down by 26% after five years, compared to people who had no therapy sessions.
To read more please click here.
Huddles 'help children's hospital care'
It's good to talk, we're always told. And now child health expert Dr Peter Lachman says "huddles" - informal meetings of hospital staff - are a simple way of improving children's hospital care.
A lot can be said for good communication - it's a simple art which if done properly can build and maintain strong relationships, improve efficiency and most of all, improve outcomes.
Done badly, it can cause uncertainty and confusion.
In healthcare, good communication is essential if we are to ensure best practice and offer patients, regardless of postcode, access to safe, high quality care at the earliest opportunity.
To read more please click here.
'Take care complaints more seriously,' regulator says
Complaints about health and social care should be taken more seriously, says the Care Quality Commission regulator.
Its report said there was a wide variation in the way complaints were handled across the NHS, primary care and adult social care services in England.
Too often people were met with a "defensive culture", the report said.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has welcomed the move to improve care and said progress had been made.
To read the full article please click here.
Domiciliary Care/Home Care - HCA Job in Blackpool
Domiciliary Care/Home Care - HCA Job in Blackpool
Our expert recruiters at Routes Healthcare Blackpool are recruiting Healthcare support workers to work days and evenings, delivering care to clients in their own home at different time slots throughout the day and evening. Successful candidates will have a minimum of 6 months experience with evidence of relevant professional qualifications along with proof of practical assessments such as supporting with daily living tasks, nutrition, continence care and social interaction.
Routes Healthcare Blackpool are recruiting!
Community Care - Healthcare Assistants
Blackpool Area
Our expert recruiters at Routes Healthcare Blackpool are recruiting Healthcare support workers to work days and nights delivering care and support in a clients own home. Successful candidates will have a minimum of 6 months experience with evidence of relevant professional qualifications along with proof of practical assessments such as supporting with daily living tasks, nutrition, continence care and social interaction.
Local councils to spend an extra £308m on adult social care services
This new revenue allows for increased flexibility as part of the historic local government finance settlement seeing spending increase by more than two per cent.
Charity encourages families to talk about old age
Too many people avoid talking about getting old, particularly conversations about end-of-life care, suggests a survey by Independent Age, a charity for older people.
Care services facing cuts this year
Care services are facing cuts this year as rises in council tax have failed to plug the gaps in budgets in England, town hall chiefs are warning.
The government allowed councils to increase council tax by 2% this year to spend on care - and most have done so. But, according to a survey of all 151 social care directors, there is still a shortfall of nearly £1bn.
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Dementia 2020 Conference
Our Clinical Governance Nurse, Cath Townley, recently attended the Dementia 2020 conference to find out more about the governments national campaign to fight dementia.
Drug 'may slow' Alzheimer's brain death
CQC warns of cuts to social care in England
A&E units are struggling to cope because social care services that help elderly people have been cut so much that they are reaching a “tipping point”, England’s care regulator is to warn.
Dementia now leading cause of death
Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, has overtaken heart disease as the leading cause of death in England and Wales, latest figures reveal.
NHS £8bn budget plan 'not enough', say hospital bosses
Patients in England will see rising waiting times, rationing and cuts in the number of staff unless the NHS gets more money, health bosses say.
Pregnant women and new mums in mental health funding boost
Twenty areas across England are to receive funding to provide more support for pregnant women and new mothers with severe mental health problems.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)
Make safeguaarding everyone's business this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day!
Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and we want to support all care workers to uphold the safety and dignity of the elders they care for.
Recruitment Fair
Come along and join our recruitment team from Preston & Blackpool at Lancashire Jobcentre on Thursday 7 September 2017.
Branch RGN
Are you looking for a passionate, fun, supportive team to join?
If so, we would love to hear from you. As one of the foremost providers of specialist care in the North, we are recruiting a branch RGN to join our community team.
Jack gets back on his feet!
A man who was left bedbound after being diagnosed with a tumour in his lung has praised physiotherapists and care workers for getting him back on his feet.
Are you looking for a passionate, fun, supportive team to join?
If so, we would love to hear from you. As one of the foremost providers of specialist care in the North, we are recruiting a branch RGN in Blackpool & Bradford and a Care Coordinator to join our community teams.
Rochdale Jobs Fair
Looking for a job or work experience? Come along and join our recruitment team from Rochdale at Queen Elizabeht Hall on Thursday 21st September.
Fantastic Feedback
We have recently received some fantastic feedback from Abdullah Jami who worked as a carer for our Tameside branch. The feedback we receive is so valuable to us and whilst there is always room for improvement this feedback left us feeling incredibly proud. Read More
Blackpool & Preston Jobs Fair
Our Recruitment Team would like to say a big thank to everyone who attended our Jobs Fair at Lancaster Job Centre on Thursday 7th September 2017. Read More
Recruitment Day
Do you have experience in the Healthcare sector? Do you live in Tameside, Glossop or Stockport? Do you want to join an ever-growing, friendly team? Then come along to our Recruitment Day. Read More
September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month
In the UK approximately 19,500 women a year are diagnosed with Gynaecological cancer. Read More
Rochdale Jobs Fair
Our Recruitment Team from Rochdale would like to say a huge thank to everyone who attended our Jobs Fair at Queen Elizabeth Hall on Thursday 21st September 2017. Read more
Blackpool’s Lunch and Learn
Thank you to our field workers who attended our lunch and learn on Thursday. The event was to launch our VR headset. Read More
Newcastle Fair
Our Recruitment Team from Newcastle would like to thank everyone who attended our Recruitment Fair at Northumbria University on Tuesday 26th September. Read more
New Job Opportunity in Newcastle
Are you looking for a passionate, fun, supportive team to join?
If so, we would love to hear from you. As one of the foremost providers of specialist care in the North East, we are looking for an experienced Recruitment Coordinator to join our team in Newcastle.
WELL DONE!!!!
Congratulations to Tracy, Sabrina, Paula, Nicola, Saffia and Helen.....
Fantastic Feedback
Well done to our Kirklees carers- Sarah, Sharney, Janine and Mark who have recently received some lovely feedback from one of our clients regarding the fantastic care they have been providing to them. Read More
Raising Awareness of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition. This means that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time. For the month of November Routes Healthcare will be raising awareness of Parkinson’s Disease. Read More
New Fleece's!!
Check out our new fantastic fleece's. I think you can all agree that our carer from Rochdale Codie looks fabulous!
Recruitment Fair
Come along today and say hello to our recruitment team at Bradford University’s Careers Fair. We will give you all the details about our current vacancies and what it’s like to work for Routes Healthcare. Read More
Salford CQC inspection achieves a Good
Our Salford branch have recently had their CQC inspection and we are pleased to report they achieved a Good in all areas.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) are an independent body who have been set up to make sure health and social care services, such as Routes Healthcare, provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care. They do this by monitoring, inspecting and regulating services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety. They then publish their findings, including performance ratings to help people choose care.
The inspection was carried out on Thursday 7th September 2017 with Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led being the areas inspected. All areas of office and client administration was reviewed and feedback received from clients and staff.
Burnley achieve a GOOD in their CQC inspection
The inspection took place in October over two days with Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led being the areas inspected. All areas of office and client administration was reviewed and feedback received from clients and staff.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) are an independent body who have been set up to make sure health and social care services, such as Routes Healthcare, provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care. They do this by monitoring, inspecting and regulating services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety. They then publish their findings, including performance ratings to help people choose care.
Well done to Holly & her team!
Christmas Toy Collection
Routes Healthcare Tameside will be collecting donations for the Children's ward at Tameside Hospital. They are looking for toys to give to the children who will be in hospital over the Christmas period. Read More
Food Bank
Thank you so much to our care staff who have generously donated food to our Newcastle branch. The picture below shows the fantastic progress the branch has made so far.
If you would like to donate, there is still time! Please bring all donations to our Newcastle branch.
Raising Awareness of Dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders, that is, conditions affecting the brain. There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common. Some people may have a combination of types of dementia. Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.
Christmas Toy Collection
A BIG thank you to everyone who donated to our Christmas Toy Collection. With your help, our Tameside branch has collected 29 toys for the Children's Ward at Tameside Hospital.
Preston has moved
Routes Healthcare Preston are pleased to announce they have moved to their new offices located at Preston Technology Centre, Office G03, Marsh Lane, Preston, PR1 8UQ.
This week we were delighted to welcome our HCA Saffron into our new location. Please feel free to visit us in our new office.
Recruitment Opportunity in Newcastle
A huge THANK YOU to all our fantastic field and branch staff!
A huge THANK YOU to all our fantastic field and branch staff who have battled through the adverse weather conditions over the past few days. Stories are snowballing in of the amazing commitment you and your colleagues have shown through the challenging weather this week. Thank you for continuing to deliver a fantastic service to our clients even when the weather gets in the way!
Don’t forget if you know someone who deserves the ‘Excellence in Care Award’ for making a difference let us know! They will the EIC award and a £100 voucher send your nomination to; HR@routeshealthcare.com
A Career in Care - Jessica's Story
Meet the Superheroes at Routes Healthcare!
In the spotlight is Jessica from our Manchester Branch. Jessica helps with administration in our office and also does our Community Runs.
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Recent Posts
- A Career in Care - Jessica's Story
- Routes Blog 2020!
- Liverpool CQC inspection achieves a Good
- A huge THANK YOU to all our fantastic field and branch staff!
- Recruitment Opportunity in Newcastle
- Preston has moved
- Tameside's Christmas Toy Collection
- Certificate of Inspiration
- Tameside receive an OUTSTANDING in Care
Most Popular Posts
- Healthcare Assistants wanted in Blackpool to care for a gentleman and lady with spinal injuries
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- Routes Healthcare need experienced childminders across the North West of England
- Accounts & Payroll Trainee Vacancy Routes Healthcare - Macclesfield
- Social Worker Struck Off
- Routes Healthcare Blackpool is committed to the modern apprenticeship scheme
- Routes Childcare - The local company with the Worldwide experience!
- Cancer 'Smart Bomb' Successfully Tested in US
- Personalisation 'at high risk of failure', Norman Lamb told
