FEATURE ARTICLES

Heating can account for a significant annual cost with the ongoing issues of maintenance and potential breakdowns. Guy Ransom, commercial director for Finn Geotherm, explains the benefits of renewable heating and why it needn’t be such a challenge

By choosing the right specialist supplier with access to the right design technology and skills, bathroom implementation will be more effective and successful, says Malcolm Farmiloe, founder and group director, Gainsborough Healthcare Group

Whether you are building, refurbishing or developing dementia-friendly care home environments, make sure your choices for walls and floors meet legal requirements as well as enhancing quality of life for service users, says Julie Hillhouse, specifications consultant for Altro

Organisations that are looking to expand their care services should be mitigating risk through analysis and proper planning in order to protect the business and those it cares for long term, says Laura Williams, business development accountant, d&t chartered accountants

The Care Show, which will be held at Birmingham NEC from 9-10 October, is dedicated to bringing you new products, services, inspiration and innovation to support you in improving the lives of those in your care and assist you in running your care business

Mark Jackson, key account manager care sector at Forbo Flooring Systems, discusses the importance of dementia friendly interiors and why specifying floor coverings that adhere to core design principles will help ensure the environment is safe

Up to date guidance and recommendations for the prevention of Legionaire’s disease are as important as ever. David Fatscher, head of sustainability at the BSI, discusses the revised risk assessment standard, with technical content provided by Graham Thompson, Oculius Consulting and John Lee, Legionella Ltd

The environment can have a significant role in reducing the risk of falls in elderly people, says Saskia Poller, specialist occupational therapist and education and training lead for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Falls Prevention Service

Tom Lumsden, a partner at CooperBurnett LLP, looks at the advantages and the disadvantages of taking on a leasehold care home and discusses some of the most common and important issues that should be considered by operators

Nicky Whittaker, business account manager within the professional division at Miele, answers key questions on the challenges care homes face when it comes to purchasing new laundry equipment and looks at key infection control considerations

Selling a care home has its own unique challenges and processes. The state of the business and who you sell it to will greatly affect the value and outcome of the sale, says Matthew Hernon, account manager, Dynamis

Chris Callow, head of policy for fire safety regulation, London Fire Brigade, describes how a series of detailed care home inspections identified some serious fire safety failures, which are likely to be common to other care homes across the country

In our regular legal update, Tom Lumsden, a partner at CooperBurnett LLP, considers the potential pitfalls of a long lease, which can affect those who own sheltered housing accommodation as well owners of residential care homes

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are due to be replaced by a new legal process, which will be known as Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS). Steven Richards, a director for Edge Training & Consultancy, provides practical information on the future changes

Kevin Potter, business development manager for hot water solutions at Hamworthy Heating, looks at critical factors in the safe supply of hot water, how they are interconnected and how potential problems can be overcome

The lack of an effective toileting routine has knock on consequences that have an impact on the health and wellbeing of residents and members of staff as well as on laundry bills and other running costs, says Robin Tuffley, marketing manager, Closomat

Requests for records from relatives or solicitors can be confusing and intimidating, but once you know the rules relating to their disclosure, compliance with the legislation need not be complicated, says Kristy Gouldsmith, managing director, Sapphire Consulting Group

Following several serious incidents involving opening lift landing doors, Nick Mellor, managing director of the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA), answers some key questions on what care home managers need to know to keep residents safe

Nicholas Parrish, managing director at Wightman & Parrish, discusses some of the fundamental issues associated with Care Quality Commission non-compliance in relation to care equipment and provides guidance for care homes on best practice

In a new, regular market update, Mike Short, founder and director of CSI Market Intelligence, provides an overview of the sector in relation to new homes opening and home closures, past and present and considers future patterns and how to motivate positive change