Press Releases

Press Release: 13 February 2007

NO LONGER PREPARED TO TAKE A CHANCE ON LIFE –
“WE WANT LIVE-IN NURSING” SAY THE ELDERLY

(A valid response to Panorama’s ‘Please Look After Mum’ – aired 12 Feb 2007, BBC1)

Panorama’s ‘Please Look After Mum’ programme, which aired yesterday evening, highlighted the systematic neglect and abuse in some nursing homes; a damning report that follows the recent admission from Health Minister, Ivan Lewis, which claimed that some people are effectively being starved in nursing homes. This paints a less than rosy picture for the elderly; and the Government’s official ‘Dignity for Older People’ campaign could take up to two years to show any effects. However, new independent research findings show the elderly have their own views on the subject and are not prepared to wait or take a chance on life.

The findings now in their second phase have produced an overwhelming response from the elderly, the majority preferring to opt for live-in nursing at home. The independent research conducted by TNS Face to Face Services on behalf of Consultus Care & Nursing Agency in February 2007, with 437 adults aged 75 and over has reaffirmed the elderly’s views: an overwhelming 88% preferring to be nursed in their own homes and 87% agreeing that live in nursing should not only be made more readily available, but that there should be more information available on the live-in nursing option so they can make an informed choice.

The research raises questions concerning the issue of alternative care – many of the elderly being forced to sell their homes to fund their care without being informed of all the options. Some might say live-in nursing is the only choice. Official inspectors’ reports highlight that more than 2,000 care homes failed to meet minimum nutrition requirements (*1) – those affected costing the NHS a further 7.3 billion a year. Therefore live-in nursing is perhaps a more viable option for the Government as people cared for on a one to one basis in their own home, receive a higher quality of care and at are at less risk of becoming ill. Notwithstanding the fact that in many cases it’s psychologically a better option for some patients, especially if a nursing home might mean being separated from their loved ones.

The question remains, is live-in nursing an affordable option for elderly? The answer is yes. The ‘NHS Continuing Care Scheme' does provide funding for those who need either long term or palliative care outside of hospital through a panel of local health advisors. However access to funding is dependent on a ‘postcode lottery’ as eligibility criteria are set by each local Primary Care Trusts (PCT’s) or health board.

Kevin May, Registered Manager of Consultus, comments: “What we would advise to children of elderly parents facing a situation of nursing at home or nursing in an institution is to press hard for your rights. PCTs are duty bound to take patients’ wishes into account. If, for instance, it would cause your loved one distress to be in a nursing home or a hospice when a high degree of nursing could quite easily be given at home then speak to the hospital, your GP, the District Nurse – make sure having a live-in nurse at your parent’s home is firmly on the agenda.”

“There are also options available to local PCT's, to offer live-in nursing as an alternative, which are beneficial to the NHS system, enabling clients to leave hospital earlier and preventing bed blocking or even patient admission. The Acute Trusts which administer the General Hospitals charge the PCT's a higher fee if the patient being cared for in hospital has a certain condition or is over a certain age – in some cases higher than costs for live-in nursing.”

A recent Consultus-commissioned study of five South East region PCTs also yielded stark cost comparisons for NHS funded patients needing palliative care, with the NHS saving up to £1,347 per week by booking a nurse to tend a terminally ill patient in the patient’s own home (*2).

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For further information on Consultus Care and Nursing Agency please contact Kevin May on 01732 355 231 or visit www.consultuscare.com.

For press enquiries, images and interviews with Consultus and the elderly currently receiving live-in nursing please contact Siobhan McGeady at Seriously Bright on 020 8180 1585 or email siobhan@seriouslybright.com. A full research report with REGIONAL breakdown can be forwarded to media on request.

Notes to Editors:

*1 Figures from official Government inspectors published in December 2005
*2 Cost comparison eg. Average cost to PCT

Palliative Care & Hospice Care	Per occupied Bed Week	Live-in Nurse (partial duty*)	Difference per week	24/7 Live-in Nurse/Week	Difference per week
Hospital in-patient palliative care	£2,450	£1,103	£1,347	£2,983	-£533
Average Hospice cost	£1,701	£1,103	£598	£2,983	-£1,282

* 10 hours work per day, on-site 24 hours in case of need

The table shows an NHS saving of up to £1,347 per week by booking a live-in nurse to tend a terminally ill patient in the patient’s own home. Suitability of Live-in nursing depends on factors including the patient’s condition, the home environment and family support network.

Independent research highlights conducted before the airing of the Panorama programme by TNS Face to Face Services (November 2006 and February 2007)

Research questions	February 2007	November 2006
The possibility of going into a nursing home concerns some people	57%	58%
Prefer to be nursed in own home	88%	88%
Prefer to convalesce in own home	91%	91%
Agree live-in nursing should be made more available	87%	89%
Agree more information should be made available	87%	89%

Press Release: 10 January 2007

RESEARCH OFFERS HOPE TO THE GROWING NUMBER OF REGISTERED NURSES UNABLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT

Government cutbacks on NHS staff have been felt heavily by qualified nurses looking to obtain positions within the health service. However, new independent research carried out with the elderly may hold out a ray of hope for frustrated and skilled nurses who are currently out of the employment loop.

The independent research was conducted during November by TNS Face to Face Services (formerly RSGB) on behalf of Consultus Care & Nursing Agency, among adults aged 75 and over. The results have revealed an overwhelmingly strong preference for live-in nursing: 88% (of adults aged 75 and over) preferring to receive long-term nursing care at home compared to 7% who would prefer a nursing home. At a time when nurses who have been let down by government overspending are in need of opportunities to utilise their skills, this is encouraging news.

The research also raises questions pertaining to the plight of the elderly, many of whom are currently forced into nursing homes without other options being made available to them. In this sense, perhaps the results of the research are an answer to both a current political and social dilemma being faced in the UK – by nurses and the elderly themselves. This obvious demand for live-in nursing care would also ensure that at least some of the estimated 600 million spent on health care training by the government in 2005 is not wasted: Consultus giving well-trained staff an opportunity to build on their skills rather than nurses choosing alternative career paths.

Kevin May, Registered Manager of Consultus Care & Nursing Agency, comments: “This research, which is the first of its kind, has underlined the strong views held by the elderly about where they choose to be nursed. Paradoxically at a time when Trusts hit worst by the NHS budget crisis are cutting back on nurses, there is a real demand for live-in nurses. These skilled health care workers are able to give our clients the 24/7 nursing care that they clearly want, whilst a choice of working weeks enables more nurses to remain in the profession that they have chosen. The reality is that live-in Nursing can provide an economical solution to both patients and nurses.”

For further information on Consultus Care & Nursing Agency please contact Kevin May on 01732 355231 or visit www.consultuscare.com.

Notes to Editors

Research highlights

After a spell in hospital 91% of over-75s said they would prefer to convalesce in their own home compared with 1% who would choose a hospital ward.
87% agreed that live-in nursing should be more readily available through the NHS and 89% agreed that more information should be made available.
The possibility of going into a nursing home concerned most people with over a third feeling very concerned.

A full research report can be forwarded for information to press.

Comment on live-in nursing as an option/case study will also be available from registered nurses employed by Consultus.

Press Contact

For press enquiries and images please contact Siobhan McGeady at Seriously Bright on 020 8180 1585 or email siobhan@seriouslybright.com.

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Press release: 10 January 2007

NEW INDEPENDENT RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS FACT THAT ELDERLY WOULD CHOOSE LIVE-IN NURSING

As professionals, doctors faced with making recommendations as to what is best for their elderly patients when in need of full time nursing care, face a dilemma. However, recent independent research carried out with older people has shown that this group has very clear views on the subject.

The research, which was conducted during November 2006 by TNS Face to Face Services (formerly RSGB) on behalf of Consultus Care and Nursing Agency with a national sample of adults aged 75 and over, has revealed an overwhelmingly strong preference for live-in nursing: 88% (of adults aged 75 and over) preferring to receive long-term nursing care at home, compared to only 7% who would prefer a nursing home.

The results signal a clear message from the elderly, this route having possible knock on effects for a health service facing serious problems; perhaps in terms of the reduction in bed blocking; the positive psychological effects for the patient from staying in the familiar surroundings of their own home; and of course the provision of an alternative career option for nurses in need of employment outside of the ailing NHS system.