Pioneers: Recognising care innovators

The awards were an immense success, acknowledging individuals, teams, and companies. Each year, has witnessed a surge in entries from employers, care home staff, residents, and relatives nominating their peers, colleagues, and local services. Despite escalating work pressures, this year was a record for entries, reflecting the exceptional quality of care offered by care homes and the workforce’s skills and professionalism.

Care Innovation Award finalists

Of the 14 award categories the Care Innovation Award is one of the toughest as distinguishing between true innovation and incremental improvement is a challenge. These winners have capitalised on innovative ideas to increase retention, improve safety and develop careers in care.

Check out these innovative three care provider finalists…

• Increasing retention - HC-ONE Collective
• Improving safety - Calico House Respite, Ballieston Community Care
• Developing careers - Jody Marshall, Daviot Care Home, Meallmore

Increasing retention - HC-ONE Collective

Judges’ verdict: The service has been pro-active in its approach to innovation and by using the Quality Improvement Framework around psychoactive medication and review of their use in dementia patients, with the aim to reduce the use of these substances by 40%. Some of the services are using pain as a factor for stress and distress and the use of this medication and looking at the environment as a factor in changing to a low arousal environment.

With these changes, the services have noted a significant change in staff confidence which has resulted in staff retention and job satisfaction amongst the teams. Now working together to make a local protocol which can be piloted across the services. Steps so far have seen a reduction in the use of medication, which can only be beneficial for residents.

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Improving safety - Calico House Respite, Ballieston Community Care

Judges’ verdict: After identifying a lack of respite services, which offered a hotel experience for people with complex care needs, Calico House underwent an extensive internal refurbishment that would offer the resident a boutique hotel experience which put them at the heart of the service.

By working closely with the Care Technologist and a local company, assistive technology was installed which provided an enhanced resident support system thereby reducing the risk of falls and injuries coupled with a robust plan of care. Furthermore, they have invested in digital care planning allowing carers to access information in real time updates to see how the resident is enjoying their stay.

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Developing careers - Jody Marshall, Daviot Care Home, Meallmore

Judges’ verdict: Together with the Deputy Chairman, Jody has taken on the role of Chairman of Aberlour Men’s Shed and have made such a difference to men’s health in Scotland and in the local community. Jody is passionate about and tries to make a difference to his residents and always puts his team members before himself and his mantra is to “develop, train and educate the next generation.”

Jody looks after the catering and hospitality for the Meallmore Group and is responsible for IPC and nutrition. In the past year, Jody has built a team of dynamic chefs and housekeepers and has developed a career pathway called “The Academy of Care Kitchen Excellence” and is also currently in the process of opening a Men’s Shed in a care home.

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