relatives newsletter

Relatives Newsletter - Pre-Purim edition 2008

Update from Leon Smith, Chief Executive

Many of us know that as we become older time can pass by more and more quickly! It’s hard to imagine that with Chanukah and the Christmas/New Year period just behind us we are now busy making arrangements for Passover – time most certainly does fly!

Our new Chairman, Mr Harvey Rosenblatt, is looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible at the relatives meeting on Sunday 6th April and I would urge you to attend in order that you can hear directly from him some of the exciting new plans that he has for the future of our Charity.

As ever, there have been lots of things happening here in the Home. Many of you will be aware that we have now changed our catering contractors, who took up this role on 7th January. They have therefore been in place for some 2 months. We would like to welcome Caterplus, who are already very familiar with the Jewish market, having a number of contracts in other homes and schools.

The Catering Manager is Geoff Bavister who is based in an office, together with the rest of his management team, located just opposite the Library. You will have a chance to meet Geoff and one of the directors of Caterplus at the forthcoming relatives meeting.

I am also pleased to welcome Mr Rafi Fuchs who will be joining us as our Religious Adviser in the middle of March. Rafi, who originally comes from Israel, has already spent time at the Home and has officiated at the Shabbat services on two occasions. An important part of his role will be officiating at all synagogue services throughout the year, and I am sure you will have the opportunity of meeting Rafi in the near future. His office is located just before you get to the Library on the left hand side of the corridor.

I mentioned at the beginning of this page arrangements for Passover. We are currently reviewing the way in which we are going to be conducting the Seders this year and we would be delighted to welcome relatives to join us. In order to cover our costs we will be making a charge for this and if you would like further details please contact Paul Joseph on 020 8673 3495 or PaulJoseph@nightingalehouse.org.uk

Events at the Home

Nightingale is, of course, very well known in the community for the wonderful care and facilities that it provides. It has also now gained a very good reputation within the London Borough of Wandsworth as a suitable venue to host small forum groups for disabled service users. We have hosted two such forums recently, which are open to our residents, with guest speakers from the Metropolitan Police and Wandsworth Social Services. Everyone is always very impressed with what they see at Nightingale and certainly the hospitality we offer.

OT Care Homes Conference

In January Nightingale hosted the first national care homes conference for Occupational Therapists. 44 delegates came from all over Britain, who were involved with care homes for the elderly in varying capacities, both in the private and public sector. The day was supported by myself as Head of Therapy here at Nightingale.

The aims of the day were to update knowledge of current practice initiatives and research methods, to contribute to decisions about future priorities as OTs, to gain knowledge of the expertise within the forum and to network with colleagues.

There were five OT speakers with specialist knowledge and experience of care homes, some of whom being authors of current practice and leading the way in influencing national changes in therapy and activity provision in care homes.

In addition there were 6 companies displaying their products from slide sheets to assistive technology equipment, supportive modular seating to bathing equipment. The range offered ideas and comparative equipment frequently utilised by OTs in care homes.

The feedback from delegates was very positive both about the content of the day and the setting. They found the tour around Nightingale very impressive, particularly the Multi Sensory room and the Arts and Crafts Centre. A number felt very encouraged as to what could be achieved and one person said ‘the day had made her decide to stay and work in her care home’ and that she would use the knowledge gained over the day to enhance her practice.

All our visitors were very well looked after, courtesy of the College of Occupational Therapists, with pastries on arrival and a delicious buffet lunch – someone stated that ‘the organisation and timings of the Nightingale staff, the venue, the caterers and the exhibitors was faultless. It was an excellent day’.

Anne Topping, Head of Therapy

Deputy Director of Nursing

Tooldeo Gooljar joined Nightingale at the end of December to work alongside Glenda Edwards (Deputy Director of Nursing). Prior to joining the social care sector Tooldeo worked in the NHS St George’s Mental Health Trust and has been involved in Training and Quality Management in the commercial sector.

He is a qualified RN and RMN and has a Diploma in Community Psychiatric Nursing.

The overall responsibility of the Residential and Nursing units is shared between Glenda and Tooldeo – Glenda responsible for Wine, Sherman and Sampson Floors and Tooldeo Birchlands, Main Building and Ronson.

Nightingale TV !

Thanks to a generous donor we are launching a new innovation in the shop area of reception. We will be installing a large plasma screen TV with streaming news, information about “what’s on at Nightingale”, forthcoming events…and lots more.

There will also be other changes taking place after Passover in the foyer, which is now looking a little tired and jaded and in need of an upgrade.

Wigmore Hall Concerts

Since 2003 residents, who are classical music lovers, have been attending the monthly hour long lunch time concerts put on by YCAT – Young Concert Artists Trust – at the Wigmore Hall. These concerts run from October to April

YCAT supports talented musicians starting out on their careers playing a wide variety of instruments, and kindly donates as many seats to Nightingale, including precious wheelchair spaces, as we need for each performance.

For the last two years the residents have agreed to show their appreciation to YCAT by making a small donation to YCAT at the start of each season.

These concerts are also attended by the general public, residents from Hammerson House and a group of Chelsea Pensioners in their scarlet uniforms.

For further information contact Sophie Flower, Activities Coordinator for Birchlands (SophieFlower@nightingalehouse.org.uk)

Multicultural Day

Towards the end of last year we were approached by staff who wanted to arrange an inclusive social event for all of our employees. The organising committee arranged a “multicultural day” which was well supported by some 100 staff members and their families.

There was plenty of international cuisine to sample, performances of traditional songs and music, and a fashion parade of so many vibrant national costumes.

Judaica Shop

With Passover in mind, please remember to look at our Judaica Shop. If there is something specific that you want then contact Sarah Hall on 020 8673 3495
(SarahHall@nightingalehouse.org.uk) who will only be too pleased to help

Contacting us by phone

In order to allow residents to enjoy uninterrupted mealtimes and for staff to give our residents maximum quality time in the mornings please try and avoid calling the units at certain times when staff are at their busiest.

The preferred times to call are between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon or after 1.30pm avoiding suppertime at 6.30 pm.

Your cooperation is very much appreciated.

Ram Awatar, Director of Clinical Services

Surveys

A sample survey of Nightingale residents was carried out in October 2007.

A total of 47 residents were surveyed from the Residential and Nursing Units. Residents were asked to comment on their perception of the quality of service that we are offering in relation to choice, care services, medical and clinical services, dignity and respect, religious activities, activities, volunteering, and a variety of other services.

Whilst the clear conclusion was that overall the residents are very happy with the service they are receiving there were a few points that needed addressing and an action plan has been formulated to review these issues.

Dry Cleaning

Because of new and complex Health & Safety legislation in respect of dry cleaning equipment, effective from 1st April 2008 we are closing down our dry cleaning operation and this service to residents will no longer be available in-house. All residents have been notified of this.

We have however made arrangements with a local dry cleaners who will provide a complete service including collection and delivery at a very reasonable cost.

Mary Glynn, Housekeeper

Funday Sunday 2008 !

Make a note in your diary – this year’s “Funday Sunday” will be taking place at Nightingale on Sunday 22nd June

Preparations have started already to make this event even bigger and better than before!!

Bi-Annual Relatives Meeting

You will see from the agenda enclosed with this Newsletter that our first bi-annual relatives meeting for 2008 will be taking place on Sunday 6th April. We would like to see as many of you who can make that date.

It is always an informative meeting and this time you will have the opportunity to meet our new Chairman, Harvey Rosenblatt, who will be speaking about our development plans for the future.

No fear Nightingales!

A team of staff from Ronson Floor, together with Dr Brian Aarons, represented Nightingale at the annual Inter-Charity Bowling Tournament organised by Maccabi. Against the might of the larger communal charities, “No fear Nightingales” took 1st Prize. We’ll be back again next year to defend the title.

Do please feel free to admire the trophy proudly displayed in the foyer showcase near to the big clock!!

The 8th Nightingale Film Festival

The Nightingale Film Festival is now in its 8th year thanks to the innovation of Nightingale resident Peter Jacobs. The Festival is running from 23rd March to 30th March, showing a variety of films from the BAFTA and Oscar award winning La Vie en Rose to the classic Anything Goes.

For further information pick up a leaflet from Nightingale reception.

Fire Instructions for visitors

At the suggestion of the Relatives Steering Group we are attaching a summary sheet of fire instructions for visitors. Should you have any questions or queries, then please do not hesitate to contact Paul Joseph on 020 8673 3495 or (PaulJoseph@nightingalehouse.org.uk)

Fire Instructions for Nightingale Visitors

General Comments for all visitors:

Establish where the fire alarm indicator panel is situated for the area where you will normally be visiting.
Note that the Assembly points are: The Front Drive – The Gardens – The GLC (Upper) Car Park - The Rear (Staff) Car Park

If you see a Fire:

Raise the alarm. Operate a Fire Alarm Call Point if there is one close by
If you do not see a Fire Alarm Call Point immediately, use the nearest phone to contact Reception
Leave the building by the nearest Assembly point if you are not with Residents
If you are with Residents, wait for a member of staff to join you and take instruction from them.

When the Fire Alarm sounds:

Check the Nearest Fire Alarm Panel to see where the problem is.

Proceed as follows:

If the alarm is not in your area:

Do not take any further action.

If the alarm is in your area:

If you are with Residents, wait for a member of staff to join you and take instruction from them.
If you are not with residents, leave the building by going to the nearest Assembly point.

Do not re-enter the building until the Fire Alarm bells stop ringing.
When the fire alarm bells stop ringing, the alarm is over.

Dining with residents

We are always pleased to accommodate, space allowing, if you wish to join your relative for a meal for which there is a charge of £5.00.

We do, however, have the need to ensure that staff are not required to handle cash and for this reason as from 1st April if you do wish to eat with your relative could you please purchase a voucher from the Caterplus office located on the Ground Floor of the Gerald Lipton Centre (opposite the Library).

The voucher should then be presented to the catering staff in the dining room where you wish to eat.