This Month's Articles: Health and Safety rules, Festive retail therapy is a tonic for retailers, Finding value for money in not for profit, Pinders Healthcare Design Awards 2010 |
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Health and Safety rules.... |
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As we slip and slide our way into a New Year, it is worth reflecting on a shiny new Christmas present for the care sector revealed in the last month of 2009. |
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Surprisingly, and, no doubt, despite spending a not inconsiderable sum of taxpayers' money on redrafting the legislation (the Care Standards Act 2000 is to be repealed and replaced with the Health and Social Care Act 2008), the Care Quality Commission’s new compliance guidance notes on revising standards were launched without great fanfare or accolade. They simply appeared within the public domain, seemingly with more of a whimper than a bang. |
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The title, 'Essential Standards of Quality and Safety', is applied to 28 outcomes ranging from "respecting and involving people who use services" to "notifications – notice of changes”. Interestingly, apart from requiring operators to be re-registered under the new Act, at which point the authority may require more 'evidence', there is no obvious requirement for pre-existing homes (those registered by 30 September 2010) to change. |
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However, from a valuation point of view, it is Outcome 10, "safety and suitability of premises", which attracts main attention. The preamble to this outcome states that "the registered person must ensure that service users and others having access to premises where a regulated activity is carried on are protected against the risks associated with unsafe or unsuitable premises". Quality standards seemingly no longer require en suite facilities or minimum communal space per resident, as long as the people who use these services, and those who work in or visit them, are "in safe, accessible surroundings that promote their wellbeing". |
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Although still subject to parliamentary approval, the new regulations are likely take effect from October this year. However, it does appear that, in general, the market is now being left to drive forward its own physical standards as we move further into the 21st century, a situation that forward-thinking developers and practitioners have long since embraced. |
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And finally, as if increased attention from the Inland Revenue weren't enough, professional practices such as dental and general practices are also being required to be registered - but not until April 2011 and April 2012 respectively. |
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For further information please contact us or see the CQC website: www.cqc.org.uk |
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| Article by Pinders Director Steve Marriott |
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Festive retail therapy is a tonic for retailers
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Trading updates from a number of the major retailers on the High Street suggest that 2009 was a bumper Christmas for retail. |
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| A last minute rush in festive shopping delivered the best retail sales growth for eight years in December, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Like-for-like sales rose 4.2% in December as consumer confidence returned to the High Street. |
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Helped by the cold snap that engulfed the country, demand for warm winter gear propelled clothing sales to their highest growth rate for nearly six years. This was further supplemented by shoppers cutting back on foreign holidays and taking advantage of lower interest rates. |
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January and February are traditionally the quietest months on the High Street and 2010 is predicted to be no different. However, the retail sector is optimistic that solid Christmas sales have provided a good base to drive trade forward in early 2010. |
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That said, the pace of recovery throughout the year is expected to be slow, and consumer confidence in the economic environment remains fragile, as demonstrated by the loss of some recognised chains on the High Street. With unemployment expected to peak at 9.9% in 2010, coupled with modest estimated GDP growth of 1.3%, these latest results are to be treated with caution, and experts have predicted a delay in a lasting recovery for UK retailers until 2011. |
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| Article by Pinders Director Wendy Webber |
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Finding value for money in not for profit |
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Our specialist healthcare consultancy team continues to work closely with a number of key charities and housing associations, offering strategic advice within the not-for-profit sector. The current climate has presented a fresh raft of challenges to homes in this sector, where in many cases shortfalls in donations have exposed trading weaknesses. The team currently advises on all aspects, from the realisation of development potential on site to benchmarking of key items within the home. |
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We are currently advising The Royal British Legion, who are seeking to dispose of their home in Rhayader, Mid Wales, as a going concern, whilst at the same time safeguarding the interests of their members and residents. The challenge here lies in satisfying the requirements of the Charity Commission to obtain best value, whilst at the same time achieving a realistic and sustainable position for a home that is currently trading at a deficit, albeit with realistic opportunity to increase income and reduce costs. |
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Genuinely interested parties may obtain further information from Simon Bird on 01908 350500. |
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| Article by Pinders Director Simon Bird |
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Pinders Healthcare Design Awards 2010 |
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The prestigious Awards are now entering their second decade and the 2010 Luncheon will once again be held at Lord’s Cricket Ground on 25th March 2010, where we expect up to 500 guests to take the opportunity to network with some of the biggest names in the industry. |
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There are six Award categories, each of which seeks to acknowledge the contribution made by home owners, designers and architects to the well-being and quality of life for those in their care. The categories encompass all aspects of care provision, including developments for the elderly and infirm as well as specialist homes for those with disabilities, and care establishments of all sizes, types and locations are encouraged to take part. |
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Whilst architectural standards and innovation are key factors, the overriding test for any project has to be the degree to which it has recognised the needs and desires of the residents and incorporated these into the final design. The judges look to reward quality of care, achieved through quality of design, rather than design alone. |
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Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be ordered by contacting Pinders on 01908 350500. |
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