Celebrating 20 years as a market leader Boots Care Services provides services designed to help staff in Care Homes deliver the best possible care for their service users.

The system has been developed to give service providers a simple to use medication storage, handling and administration system. The system complies with all relevant legislation and good practice. Boots MDS has many benefits for both care homes and service users. All medicines are packed into separate packs, allowing the service user to retain the freedom to take their own medication. Medicines are placed in separate compartments allowing the service user to be given the correct medicine and dose at the correct time. Reminder cards are included to ensure that the service provider does not forget any medicines that are not packed in the MDS system (ie: liquids). The time spent completing the drug round is reduced, which means that service providers have more time to spend caring for the service users. The system comes with all the paperwork necessary to ensure that clear audit trails are available to prove that the home is operating to the highest government standards.

Along with the system, support is available via specific modules of training covering various topics including; the use of the system, detailed information regarding common medicines, side effects and dosages.

Further support is provided via our Care of Medicines range of training, which is fully accredited to the National Minimum Standards and meets the key learning requirements for both care regulators and the Skills For Care authority. Don’t worry if Boots does not provide your medication dispensing service you can still find a suitable course among The Care of Medicines range, including a specialist course if you work in Domiciliary Care.

For more details on how we can help you with your individual care and training needs please email us at care@boots.co.uk, or call on 0115 949 4047 and ask for the Care Services team.

You can view our DVD on laundry hygiene at this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIJ-TQaimT4

British Gas Business provides over 1,000,000 business supply points with their
energy needs.
With a long established reputation for customer service, British Gas Business is
completely committed to the business sector and strives to provide the services
and expertise that the modern business environment demands.
In partnership with the National Care Association, British Gas Business
guarantees to beat the renewal price your current electricity supplier offers
you. As a customer of British Gas Business you will also be entitled to a number
of fantastic offers through our loyalty scheme ‘Purchase Power’ which include:
60% off AA membership, 40% off Parcelforce, 30% off Royal Mail Sameday
and £100 discount on Dyno-Secure intruder alarm installations.

Care Asset Management is one of the country’s leading independent specialists in Inheritance Tax Planning, Investment Management, Retirement and Care Fee Funding. Care Asset Management is a founder member of the Later Life Adviser Accreditation scheme launched by the Financial Services Skills Council in April 2008. Later Life Adviser Accreditation will become the benchmark for quality in advising older clients. Care Asset Management are the appointed specialist advisers on care fee funding to a number of local, regional and national organisations which include the National Care Association. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Is a non profit making, public information and advisory service specialising in issues relating to funding long term care for older people. CareAware’s objective is to improve public understanding and knowledge about the care system, to reinforce the rights and choices of the individual and to assist the public on the complex issues associated with care provision.

CareAware’s ‘Advocacy Service’ is designed to ensure that the resident and their family have access to all independent help and information they will need in dealing with a long term care need. It also assists you, the care providers, in meeting the advocacy requirement of National Minimum Care Standards.

CHIS have been the National Care Association's preferred insurance provider since 2005. A partnership of which we are very proud. We and our insurance partners recognise the benefit of National Care Association membership, it is only quality care businesses which belong to the National Care Association and the National Care Association ensure their members are better informed, educated and so better insurance risks.
CHIS represents more National Care Association members than any other insurance broker. The reason we do so is for a number of reasons including:
* Most competitive premiums, making sure you achieve real value for money;
* Outstanding service - you may wish to read the testimonials on our web site, www.chis.net - these include comments such as:
"It's like having your big brother fighting your corner for you"
"I have never had, or expected, such assistance at a time of crisis as I received from CHIS"
"CHIS almost make insurance exciting!"
* Management of claims to ensure you achieve the maximum benefit available;
* Risk management services, including our www.carerisk.co.uk website;
* Overall, the best value for money specifically negotiated for National Care Association members.

And then for our insurance section can we have:
As the National Care Association's recommended insurance provider, you can rest assured in using CHIS for your care home insurance needs and/or PrimeCare Insurance for your domiciliary care insurance needs you will be getting the very best value for money and the service we know you need and deserve.
To enable us to quote for your business, we simply need your:
* Name and business name with postcode
* National Care Association membership number
* Insurance renewal date
* Buildings sum insured
* Contents sum insured
* Residents effects sum insured
* Annual revenue
* Business interruption indemnity period - 12, 18, 24 or 36 months
(we recommend a minimum 24 month indemnity period)
* Claims experience over the last 5 years
Sending it through to simon@chis.net, or faxing it through on 01273
819646 or by post to CHIS, Freepost Plus RRBB-UKRL-JXJX, 129 Edward Street, BRIGHTON BN2 0JL.

Once we have that information from you, we will access your regulator's report and arrange quotations for you from our exclusive insurers - Hiscox, Ansvar, Fortis and Inter-Hannover.
If you, at any time, have any questions relating to any insurance matter, we're only a phone call away - 01273 645920.

Electrolux Laundry Systems is a leading supplier of professional laundry solutions worldwide.

With a comprehensive range of equipment including washer extractors, dryers and finishing equipment, Electrolux Laundry Systems tailors solutions to the specific needs of individual care home organisations.

We understand the difference between visibly clean linen and hygienically clean linen. This is why we are considered experts in the field of laundry processes within the care sector. What’s more, our solutions and recommended processes meet all industry regulations and guidelines.

Laundry is required throughout a care home for uniforms, bed linen, mops and cloths, as well as patient clothing. Good laundry practice plays an essential role in patient comfort, whilst protecting employees in their place of work.

It is vital to remember that laundry is also a potential carrier of healthcare acquired infections. Therefore, it is vital that measures are taken to ensure hygiene levels are maintained.

Electrolux Laundry Systems can offer you a free audit of your current laundry equipment and processes. Our quick hygiene audit enables us to understand your current procedures and to recommend ways to improve the process, not just in terms of laundry equipment but more importantly with regards to the process itself.

For more information about Electrolux Laundry Systems’ range of products and services, or to enquire about a free laundry audit, please contact our sales team on 08444 631261.

Useful information on Good Laundry Practice

Useful information on Hygiene

As innovators in the field of dedicated fire alarm listening technology, Fireco have built a reputation as a company that has grown by listening to marketplace demands and by reflecting on the significant advances in EU legislation.

Fireco's products and services have been developed in response to legislative changes such as the forthcoming RRO (Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order), which have introduced new responsibilities beyond the workplace such as employers' legal obligations for fire risk assessment and under the terms of the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) providing access for all.

Established for over a decade, Fireco are the Brighton-based designers and manufacturers of Dorgard, the acoustically activated fire door hold-open device, that's designed to save peoples' lives and protect buildings whilst allowing freedom of access.

Until October 2006 GRP Finance was known as G R Patrick & Company (Finance) Ltd and was part of the G R Patrick Group, a name synonymous with the care sector for many years and well known to National Care Association members. Following the split up of the Group at that time, GRP Finance has continued to flourish as an independent finance broker, providing specialist mortgages and business development loans to the care home market.

With over 20 years’ experience, GRP Finance is a Preferred Business partner of the National Care Association and is able to use its considerable expertise to arrange competitive funding packages tailored to suit individual care home owners. As a broker it has access to all the major banks and other principal lenders and is able to make informed comparisons while sourcing the most appropriate financing. Consequently GRP Finance can save home owners both time and money - as well as considerable frustration - at a time when funding is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.

As director Richard Nunn observed, “Over the last 18 months GRP Finance has established itself under its changed identity and build on its many years of experience. It continues to grow and we look forward to the opportunities ahead, serving our many clients in the care sector and developing our close relationship with the National Care Association.”

IPA Purchasing - the appointed purchasing consortia to the National Care Association.

• Free Purchasing Service & No minimum contract period ... as we are confident in our ability to deliver the best savings and supplier service you can have
• Discounted prices with more than 300 suppliers
• Continuous Price Analyses to monitor and control your costs without compromising on quality
• Quality and Food Safety Approved Supplies guaranteed in our Due Diligence Contract
• Monitored Supplier and Delivery Performance to ensure accurate service
• Assigned Product Sourcing Specialists dedicated to deal with all of your enquiries and resolve any invoice or supplier issues if they should occur
• Frequent Customer Care dialogues and visits to make sure you are 100% happy
• Training by the suppliers and Extended Warranties from manufacturers
• Comparative Performance Reports give a clear indication of the effect of food policy decisions
• Supplies Sourcing Service for products you require on a more infrequent basis.
• Supplier Offers and Promotions with Samples sent out monthly so you are informed first hand of the best deals
• Option of Central Billing Scheme to pay all of your monthly invoices from different suppliers in one payment.
• Points Reward Scheme to earn money while purchasing. Points can be redeemed at the end of the year either by a credit note against your account or a cheque.

With IPA you can Save up to %50 on your invoices with leading catering, clinical & medical, furniture, equipment, uniform, utility and many other suppliers.

See a selection of the most popular suppliers:
3663 • Brakes • Dairy Crest • KFF • NCB Foodservice • Bunzl • Cannon • Intacare • Johnson Diversey • Aid Call • Care Shop • Meltemi • Badgemaster • & many more ...

IPA Cleaning & Hygiene – a new division of IPA Purchasing IPA has combined its buying power and industry expertise to create a comprehensive catalogue of high quality products, at competitive prices.

IPA Purchasing is a customer-centric business with over 18 years’ experience within a multitude of sectors. Using our courier partner, TNT, we aim to continue to deliver our customers the best prices, promotions, customer service and quality through IPA Cleaning & Hygiene.

Why buy through IPA Cleaning & Hygiene?
• Fantastic prices, high quality products and excellent customer service from a business you already know.
• Bulk savings.
• Monthly product promotions.
• Buying reports and IPA recommendations.
• COSHH and product training.

IPA Cleaning & Hygiene Product Brochure July 2012

IPA NON FOOD Product Brochure September 2012

Required Systems produce quality management systems for the care sector. We have a complete set of new systems to deliver compliance with the new CQC outcomes including compliance audit tool to replace AQAA and a new infection control manual.

We're workplace safety consultants renowned for our practical, cost effective health and safety risk assessment and management advice.

Our workplace health and safety advice will help safeguard your employees, your reputation, your business. And your peace of mind.

Contact: Bettina Ratcliffe CMIOSH MIIRSM
Managing Director