Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 12:35 PM
To: Thomas Chambers
Subject: IL Newsletter, 27th November
| Hello Thomas Welcome to this week's Independent Living newsletter. If you prefer, you can read it online, by clicking this link Contents: 1. Charity Pay – What You Think 2. Martyn Sibley, Doing His Personal Best 3. Moving & Handling - How? 4. Terry Lifts' Lifestyle Choice 5. Older Citizens and the NHS 6. Latest Product News """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 1. Charity Pay – What You Think Last week's newsletter started off with an article comparing rates of pay at the top of the "charity" sector with the realities of life for a disproportionate number of working people with a disability, on minimum wage or less. Perhaps, like me, you have noticed a recent flurry of media activity from within the third sector, attempting to justify the high levels of remuneration. We had Mencap's chief exec in the Guardian (the article that triggered my piece), and she has been joined by Sir Stephen Bubb from Acevo, who explains that charity leaders have actually taken a "restrained approach" to pay, as this year's increase only averaged 3.2 percent. Meanwhile, Joe Saxton from the consultancy nfpSynergy points to the fact that chief executive pay has risen in line with income, and is therefore not "out of control". I thought you would like to know that these apologists are completely out of step with opinion amongst Independent Living newsletter readers. I've had a number of people getting in touch on this subject, and not a single one thought charities should be paying such big salaries. To give you a flavour, here are a couple of quotes. "I [..] work on a full-time and unpaid basis for my charity which is staffed entirely by volunteers and due to the diversity of the issues addressed by the charity, it regrettably receives no financial assistance from development grants. Needless to say, all members of the management committee (most of whom are disabled) gain their satisfaction by realising that they are helping towards supporting and improving the lifestyles of other disabled people and carers. Surely this is the definition of charity!!" That contributor asked to remain anonymous, but what follows is from Kieran McMahon, director of Disability Stockport, who is very happy to nail his colours to the mast: "The whole purpose of charities is that we do things differently and that we do the things that people want us to do for them. How about all charities ask their membership (you know, the people they work for) how much they should pay all staff? This way we might see front line people getting a rise and those at the top will have to stop apeing the global rip-off that CEO salaries has become... If any of the CEOs of charities who earn more than six figures want to move over - I have no doubt there are plenty of highly skilled and capable people willing to do their job for half the amount. My view is that it is an industry myth (to put it mildly) that the more you pay, the better the candidate." I think he sums it up rather nicely. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 2. Martyn Sibley, Doing His Personal Best A few days ago, I had the privilege of talking to Martyn Sibley, Britain's Personal Best ambassador, who describes himself as a regular guy who happens to have a disability called spinal muscular atrophy, which means that he can't walk, lift anything heavier than a book, or shower himself. He's never let this prevent him from doing what he wants with his life, and he currently runs his own business, including the online lifestyle magazine Disability Horizons; lives independently in London; and spends a lot of time working to break down the barriers that can prevent people with a disability from living and working as they choose. He turned 30 this year, and decided to mark the occasion with his girlfriend Kasia, by travelling from John O'Groats to Lands End by power chair and bicycle, respectively. That epic trip formed the starting point of the interview, but I was also interested to get his views on life with a disability in Britain today; the future for that much-vaunted Paralympic spirit of summer 2012; and the creeping ghettoisation of disability activism. You can listen to our discussion here. And while I am pursuing an audio theme, I was delighted to be invited to provide a monthly roundup of disability-related news on "Eyes on the County", a new weekly magazine programme hosted by Philip Anderson on Stafford FM. My first contribution took in low pay for disabled workers and carers; the WOW Petition; Sirus Automotive and their exuberant blogger, Kelly Gordon. You can listen here, and catch the show as it is broadcast, on a Friday evening at 7 PM """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 3. Moving & Handling – How? There are some subjects that I return to regularly, simply because they have such importance for so many people, and one of these is moving and handling. Specifically, using equipment such as hoists and slings, in order to transfer people who are unable to move independently, so as to minimise the risk of injury to either party. I have looked in the past at the difference between training and equipment provided for paid care assistants and informal carers – the latter often being expected to manage in circumstances that wouldn't be tolerated by any employer with half an eye on the risk of legal action by staff injured in the course of their duties. So I was particularly struck by the account that follows from somebody newly employed as a care worker: "I have been working as a Social Care worker for one month, in a large, well-known organisation, and frankly I'm appalled at the 'Moving & Handling' training, or rather lack of it. An hour or so at best, of formal practical training with a 'qualified' trainer. It's all very well saying, "this is the hoist, this is how it works", and an arbitrary demo using a co-worker as a 'dummy service user'. What I really needed to know was... how do we hoist someone into a bath, onto a commode, onto a toilet, onto a shower trolley? What happens if a service user slips through a sling etc etc. We are supposed to work in pairs when hoisting, but this doesn't always happen. Every Care Worker there seems to have their own way of doing things, and some are headless chickens. As I've never worked in Social Care before, I question whether I am ready to be 'let loose' so to speak. I'm very capable, but induction and training has been shoddy at best. I have been a supernumary for three weeks, which has caused me to be the subject of hostility from some colleagues, who made it plain that I should be made to 'get on with it'; but only to take the heat off themselves! I hate cliche, but I gave up a well-paid job to do this work because I'm passionate about it, but the training has been dire. Now I'm the subject of an investigation, by deed of being present during a serious hoisting accident caused by a senior colleague. I despair..." Hardly the most auspicious start to a new career, and I wonder how widespread the writer's experience is? Perhaps you can let me know, if you have any insight, either as a care worker, manager or service user. All the usual means are available - you can email me, send a message on our Facebook page or Twitter @IndLiving, or phone 0208 133 0628. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 4. Terry Lifts' Lifestyle Choice Once an unthinkably expensive statement of wealth reserved for the rich and famous, home lifts are now recognised by home owners, social care professionals and house builders as an affordable and practical way of future-proofing homes so residents can stay put well into retirement and live in independence. Terry Lifts have recently launched the new space-saving Lifestyle home lift that will add a touch of luxury to the home without breaking the bank. The Terry Lifestyle Lift combines all that you would expect in quality and comfort at home with the latest technological advances to help enable independent living. You can see the stylish new lift, and read more about it, here. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 5. Older Citizens and the NHS Contradictory news stories that provide a mixed picture of the health and well-being of older people in Britain. First, some research from Stannah, the stairlift people, shows that the over 65s are overwhelmingly happy with the care they receive from the NHS. Considering the relentless tide of negative NHS-related news stories, it is heartening to read that so many people are finding their own experience to be good. You can read more here. At the same time, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published its annual State of Care report, which highlights the growth of "avoidable" emergency hospital admissions amongst older people. These admissions could be avoided, because they relate to problems that are manageable, treatable or preventable in the community, or that could actually be caused by poor care or neglect - such as pressure sores, bone fractures or dehydration. The number of older people aged 65 and over admitted as an emergency with 'avoidable' conditions is up from 374,000 in 2007/8 to 530,000 in 2012/13. And this increase is greater than the increase in the growth of the population. The increase in the numbers of people aged 75 and over being admitted as an emergency with these conditions is even greater, with a quarter of emergency admissions in this age group potentially avoidable in 2012/13. During 2012/13, more than nine per cent of people aged 75 and over across England experienced at least one emergency hospital admission for an avoidable condition (in 2007/08 it was about seven per cent). And finally, a piece of information that reminds us that – no doubt very largely due to better healthcare – significantly greater numbers of people are living to celebrate their 100th birthday. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there are currently 12,320 centenarians in England and Wales, compared to just 2560 in 1982. For many of these, reduced mobility is an issue, so having appropriate aids, such as a manual wheelchair, powerchair or scooter, can make a critical difference to maintaining independence and quality-of-life. We've heard a lot about loneliness amongst older people recently, with the news that many GP appointments are motivated by feelings of isolation, rather than medical need, and the launch this week by Esther Rantzen of a new free telephone helpline for older people who feel isolated – so the importance of equipment that can enable someone who might otherwise be housebound to get out and about, can't be overestimated. Karma Mobility offers some useful advice: "Choosing the right wheelchair or powerchair can be daunting and finding a retailer who can give you the correct assessment and advice is vital - this is what we are here to help with. For example, self propelled wheelchairs are suitable for those who want to and can propel a wheelchair on their own, without assistance, whereas a transit wheelchair is best for those who are unable to propel themselves and need assistance. Powerchairs can, depending on the type, be driven on the road as well as the pavement, and are ideal for people who want to retain their independence but may not have the strength to manage a self propelled wheelchair. Karma retailers are trained to provide independent advice on choosing a good wheelchair or powerchair for individual requirements." You can see some of their range on their showcase page, and more on the choice of aids available in our mobility section. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 6. Latest Product News Some snippets of product news to around off this week's newsletter. Pressalit Care, who have specialised in adapted bathrooms for care homes, hospitals and other institutions for over 35 years, have just launched a range of washbasins designed for use in bathroom adaptations in the home. You can see more about Matrix basins here. Squirrel Medical have a new mattress which employs their unique technology to improve circulation. The Diamond Life Circulation mattress fits on any bed as a replacement for the existing mattress, and it can increase lymphatic circulation by up to 200%. You can see more about it here. AKW has safe bathroom heating options which are particularly suitable for social housing and care home environments, where it is extremely important to avoid any risk of scalding, while at the same time ensuring that the bathroom is warm and comfortable. More information can be found here. Don't forget you can access all the news as soon as it is uploaded in our News Centre. Our Visitors Forum is the place to start a debate about any topic that interests you. Previous newsletters are archived here. Our Facebook page is regularly updated with the latest developments on the site, and is also somewhere that you can share your opinions with us. Or if you want to make it pithy, send us a tweet! @IndLiving Until next time, all good wishes, Frances -- Frances Leckie Editor E: editor@independentliving.co.uk t: +44 (0) 208 133 0628 Skype: francesleckie w: http://www.independentliving.co.uk This newsletter was sent to thomaschambers@eircom.net. If you prefer not to receive future copies, just reply asking to be removed from the list, and it will be done! |
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