1. Optimise Workforce
Care for staff as individuals i.e. if staff suffer hardship or personal problems the company writes to them to offer help.
Annual ‘family fun’ days for all staff & their families.
Bonuses for loyalty & gaining qualifications.
English classes
Set shift patterns
Positive risk-taking ethos.
‘Taster’ shifts for potential new starters
Explore becoming a ‘teaching care home’
Buddy schemes for new managers and an induction programme that creates a network of support from peers
2 COMMENTS
Over 40% of care home staff leave their job within a year of taking up post and 60% within two years, according to a National Care Forum survey of over 37,000 people.
The NCF said such high turnover threatened implementation of recent Government reforms for the sector. It has surveyed its members for the last five years. The 2008 figures on staff leaving have increased to 42.3% from 34.5% in 2007, and to 61.5% from 53.9% that left in two years.
However there was wide variation in vacancy rates from the 15 organisations that reported them – overall an average of 8.7% – down from 9.1% in Average sickness absence (based on 20 organisations) had also fallen to 4.7% – down from 5.2% the year before.
A total of 35 organisations took part in the survey – a 64% response rate. Over 40% of the respondents are care workers with 2.6% (829) registered nurses.
‘The most disturbing result is the loss of so many care workers in the first year or two of work,’ noted Des Kelly, executive director of the NCF.
‘We don’t yet know enough about why they leave or where they go,’ he said. ‘As we enter a period of unprecedented change to deliver the policy of more personalised care and support services, a stable and well-trained workforce is crucial to success. Paying attention to staff retention, satisfaction and motivation is therefore absolutely essential.’

2. Develop a positive safety-focused, person-centred culture
Implement a ‘good care model’ e.g. KCR (Kindness, Comfort, Respect)
Monthly staff awards
Staff & Management Forums
Residents and Family Forums
Host local mums and toddlers group
Partnership with a local primary school
Host a discussion on “If I woke up in a perfect care home, how would I know?”
GP & Care Home initiatives e.g. event form to be completed for all emergency admissions by care home manager & GP to facilitate shared learning

3. Improve systems & processes
To reduce falls:
SAFETY walks (S – Surface; A – Availability of Aids; F – Falls Risk,
E – Evaluation; T – Tell; Y – Your initials)
‘Call, don’t fall’ signs
To reduce pressure ulcers:
SSKIN Bundle (S – Surface S – Skin inspection K - Keep moving I – Incontinence
N – Nutrition)
‘React to Red’
To reduce risk of medication errors:
Distribute fresh water to residents before the medication round
Where possible, administer medication later in the day
Record use of PRN medication on the MAR chart so stock levels can be maintained
Printed MAR charts
Request copies of the original medication information leaflet when a medication is first supplied via MDS
Store medication in a locked cupboard in the resident’s own room (rather than a trolley).
Distribute fresh water to residents before the medication round
Use of tabards to minimise interruptions
Where possible, administer medication later in the day
Record use of PRN medication on the MAR chart so stock levels can be maintained
Printed MAR charts
Request copies of the original medication information leaflet when a medication is first supplied via MDS
Store medication in a locked cupboard in the resident’s own room (rather than a trolley).