What’s happening at Ambient

Download the COVID Admissions PDF here.

(11th August 2020)

Due to the current situation with the Coronavirus most of our corporate offices around the country are unmanned.

Our staff are working remotely during office hours and doing all they can to support our operational services around the country at this difficult time.

This means that the quickest and easiest way to communicate with us is via email. If you have a general query then please email: hello@ambient.org.uk or use our contact form on this website.

If you do wish to talk to us then calls are being re-routed and diverted to our corporate support teams on our Head Office number: 020 8502 3933

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you and thank you for your patience.

(4 June 2020)

Tips for Keeping in Touch

You want your relatives and friends to be safe and well cared for during this pandemic and to help prevent risk of infection to them and others, including care staff. Staying away doesn’t have to mean losing contact. The Relatives and Residents Association have drawn together to create some tips for how families can continue to remain in touch with loved ones.

Use the following links to find out more:

http://www.relres.org/keep-in-touch/

https://www.relres.org/helpline/coronavirus/

Ambient Support fully endorse the joint statement from the Relatives & Residents Association and the National Care Forum, endorsed by the Care Provider Alliance, the Care Quality Commission and Skills for Care. Which sets out shared expectations and good practice relating to the importance of clear, open, transparent and regular communications during the COVID-19 crisis between care providers* and the families** of their residents.

Download the full statement here.

As such Ambient Support continues to commit to:

1. Keep family members informed about their own relatives Covid-19 status (suspected or confirmed)

2. Being as open and transparent as possible with family members about the situation in any of our services.

We have kept in touch with family members to update them as to the status of our services in respect of the virus and have provided assurances about the actions we continue to take to minimise risk to those that we support.

Our management teams are in regular contact with family members and are doing their utmost to facilitate regular contact between those we support, and their loved ones, be that via telephone, video conferencing, apps or distanced interactions.

We are ensuring that our social media pages are used as a way of keeping people connected and up to date with the daily life in our services and where appropriate (with consent) video messages.

We acknowledge that we all have a part to play in helping achieve honest and effective communications at this difficult time and would also draw to the attention of family members the asks from us as, originally articulated in the joint statement. Namely that family members:

• Ensure we have their up-do-date contact details

• Inform us promptly of any changes to these contact details

• Agree where possible that a ‘lead contact’ be established in a family, particularly when that family is large or indeed divided, (so there may be need for two lead contacts).

• Letting our services know of your preferred communication method and any other specifics on how best we might contact you.

• Recognise that this is a stressful and anxious time for families, those we support and our Ambient staff teams and that everyone is doing their very best in an unknown and difficult situation.

We will continue to work in the best interest of those that we support and our staff to minimise any risks to them and will always work towards following the latest guidance and best practice in a way that makes sense within our services.

We are open to feedback and suggestions on how we can all continue to work together to keep family members informed and those we support safe and well. If you wish to provide us with any feedback and suggestions on how we might can work together please email us at: hello@ambient.org.uk or use the Contact Us form on this website.

(4 June 2020)

Care Homes

In line with Government guidance, our care and support services across the country are working on their dynamic risk assessments to ensure that guidelines permitting visits between family members and those we support are adhered to and can go ahead safely in our Care Home services.

Allowing visits is a complex issue and requires us to carry out full Health & Safety, risk and feasibility assessments and is dependent on the type of service we operate, the environment we are operating in, the accessibility to suitable space, client group and staff resources.

As the pandemic situation is dynamic and ever changing we will always work within the latest guidance and advice that is provided to us by both the Government and local public health teams. This means that as guidance changes we are constantly required to reassess our response to allowing visits to services.

This means that for the latest visitor information for a specific Care Home that your family member or loved one is resident in  you will need to contact the Ambient Management team at the service directly.

There are a number of general principals which we work within when, where and if we are able to facilitate visits. These are:

·         Visits in general may be able to go ahead  with window visits or gardens and outdoor spaces and in some instances inside.

·         There will be no general access granted to the building for visitors including any need to use a toilet.

·          Visits will be time-limited to 30 minutes per visit and will need to be arranged in advance with the management team at the service.

·         Appropriate PPE should be worn.

·         Social distancing measures must be adhered to for the whole of the visit.

·         Visits will only be permitted if the service is COVID free (i.e. at least 28 days since any resident / tenant first became symptomatic.)

·         There will be a limit on the number of people in the visiting party with a maximum of 2 people from the same household.

·         All visitors must be 16 years +.

·         Temperature checks of visitors may be taken before a visit can proceed.

·         Visits must be booked in advance.  Arranged visits cannot be guaranteed and may be subject to change.

Supported Living

Effective from 4^th November 2020 all on-site visits (including gardens) by family and friends to Supported Living services will no longer be possible in line with government guidance and national lockdown rules.

We will be monitoring all developments in relation to the pandemic and will advise you as soon as we are able to resume visits on-site as restrictions and transmission rates decline or government guidance is changed or updated for those living in Supported Living services.

e.g. in local parks), in line with lockdown guidance. However, this will be risk assessed on a case-by-case basis with particular reference to each person’s capability to adhere to social distancing requirements.

If off-site visits cannot be accommodated in this way, our teams  will do their very best to ensure ‘virtual visits’ for family members via ‘Facetime’, ‘WhatsApp,’ ‘Messenger’ or by telephone to ensure you remain connected with your loved ones.

In exceptional circumstances, where the restrictions on visiting are likely to have an extreme effect on the wellbeing of someone we support, we will review individual arrangements with the family, social worker and relevant health professionals.

Please contact local Ambient support teams at the service you are connected with if you have any questions or queries.

(10 November 2020)

Ambient Support is committed to ensuring that we protect the health, safety and wellbeing of both the people the we support and our staff teams.

This means that across our services and offices Ambient staff are following the latest Government and Public Health England (PHE) Guidance to work in ways that ensure we minimise any risks to those we support and our staff during this crisis.

Offices
Our coproate and regional offices are currently closed to visitors and only essential staff access visits are taking place.  Our corporate staff teams have been provided with the equipment and resources which enable them to work from home.

Operational Services
Each of our operational services have a fully site specific COVID 19 Risk Assessment in place.  If you wish to find out more about the specific operating practices at a site or service that a relative or loved one is resident at or receiving support from, then please send an email for the attention of our Health & Safety Manager to: hello@ambient.org.uk We will endeavour to get back to you as quickly as possible.

(8 June 2020)

Download the Ambient Support Protocol for Contractors document.

Chair of Remuneration Committee

• Joined the Board of Ambient Support as Chair in August 2020.
• Senior social policy journalist with management skills and high-level governance experience.
• Public Services Editor for The Guardian since 2004, overseeing multi-media organisation’s interface with public services in both editorial and commercial contexts.
• Previously Editor of Society Guardian, responsible for weekly supplement and editorial team. Prior to that, Social Affairs Correspondent/Editor for The Guardian, responsible for day-to-day coverage of issues including NHS policy and finance.
• Held several non-executive positions including Recovery Focus group of mental health and addiction charities founded by Richmond Fellowship; NDTi (National Development Team for Inclusion); 2Care; Mental Health Media and Housing 21.
• Holds a BA in Economic History from Exeter University and a Diploma in Journalism from City University.

Member of Quality Improvement & Safety Committee
Member of Organisational Development & Resources Committee
Member of Remuneration Committee

• Joined the Board of Ambient Support (formerly Heritage Care) in October 2013 and appointed Deputy Chair in July 2017. Also appointed as a Trustee in October 2013 until December 2016.
• Margaret currently chairs a NICE/SCIE working group which is developing guidance on care and support for older people with learning disabilities.
• Previously Director of UK Service Development at the British Red Cross where she oversaw transfer of four care homes to Ambient Support and played a lead role in developing the Society’s health and social care offer as well as the organisation’s policy and advocacy strategy. Prior to that was Deputy Chief Executive of the Refugee Council.
• Worked in the NHS for a number of years managing and developing services for people with learning disabilities, older people and community health services.
• Strong experience in the voluntary sector including as Chair of Camden MIND. Currently Chair of Governors of a primary school and trustee of Phase Worldwide, an international charity.

Chair of Business Improvement & Financial Performance Committee

• Joined the Board of Ambient Support (formerly Heritage Care) in August 2015 and appointed Treasurer in March 2017.
• Currently Director of Finance at Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, leading the Finance, IM&T, Informatics, Estates, Programme Management and Transformation functions across the Trust.
• Extensive experience at Board and Director level in the NHS and within the private sector.
• Non-Executive Director at Edinburgh Leisure and Lay Member of Court at Stirling University.
• Chartered Accountant (ICAS), past President and Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (FHFMA).

Member of Business Improvement & Financial Performance Committee

• Appointed to the Board of Ambient Support (formerly Heritage Care) in December 2018.
• Barrister with over 15 years’ experience specialising in competition law, public/administrative law, public procurement law, EU law and sectoral regulation.
• Particular experience of advising and representing charities and third sector organisations, and in helping public bodies develop new models of service provision (e.g. mutuals).
• Member of the Attorney General’s ‘A’ Panel of Counsel to the Crown, the highest tier of barristers providing advice and representation to central government departments.
• Holds Practitioner’s Certificate in Data Protection.

Member of Quality Improvement & Safety Committee

• Appointed to the Board of Ambient Support (formerly Heritage Care) in June 2019.
• Co-founding Managing Director of 1st Choice Properties Ltd, a lettings and property management business, started in 1994 and sold in 2019.
• Currently a voluntary Nursing Assistant at St Clare Hospice, Harlow and a Carer Trainer for Carers in Hertfordshire, assisting with interviewing candidates for the BSc & MSc Nursing and Social Care degree courses at the University of Hertfordshire.
• A registered Financial Advisor with responsibility for arranging mortgages, pensions and life assurance policies. Holds a Certificate in Financial Services obtained from The Chartered Insurance Institute.

Member of Quality Improvement & Safety Committee

• Appointed to the Board of Ambient Support (formerly Heritage Care) in June 2019.
• Currently Head of Quality and Governance and Data Protection Officer at The Private Clinic Harley Street Limited. Also Lead Governance Consultant for London Central and West Unscheduled Care Collaboratives.
• Lead Specialist Clinical and Professional Advisor to the Care Quality Commission.
• Previously Quality and Mental Health Care Advisory Consultant at Care-Port Advisory Services and held other lead roles within various NHS Trusts and Commissioning units.
• Established Certa Care Services providing advice and support to health care organisations to ensure their compliance with the Care Quality Commission and other regulators.
• Holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring from the Chartered Management Institute, Certified Manager of Quality/Organisational Excellence (American Society of Quality).
• Also holds Master of Business Administration, Certificate in Quality Management and BSc in Sociology/Psychology (HONs) from University of West Indies as well as a Certificate in Mental Health Nursing from St Ann’s Hospital, Trinidad and Tobago.

Member of Business Improvement & Financial Performance Committee

• Appointed to the Board of Ambient Support (formerly Heritage Care) in June 2019.
• Experienced Medical Director and General Practitioner with substantial leadership, strategic and operational background in both NHS healthcare service provision and NHS commissioning.
• Head of Clinical Governance for Lantum, an online healthcare recruitment platform. Also a sessional GP in south east London and provides advisory services in Clinical Governance, Quality and Digital Health.
• Previously Clinical Director (Business Development) for Tunstall Healthcare UK, Executive Medical Director at SELDOC, Deputy Medical Director for NHS England, North West London Region and held Clinical Lead positions for Bexley CCG and North Lambeth Practice Based Commissioning Collaborative.
• A member of the core team at One HealthTech, a volunteer-led community that champions diversity in health technology.

Chair of Organisational Development & Resources Committee
Member of Remuneration Committee

• Appointed to the Board of Ambient Support (formerly Heritage Care) in June 2017.
• Currently Director of Human Resources for Tesco Stores, and has worked in management roles with Tesco since 2000 after joining as a Graduate Trainee in 1998.
• Leading an HR Transformation Programme, Risk & Compliance for HR and HR Operations and has experience within Operations, IT and Customer Service.

Member of Business Improvement & Financial Performance Committee
Member of Organisational Development & Resources Committee

• Appointed to the Ambient Support (formerly Heritage Care) Board in June 2018.
• Experienced CEO with strategic, commercial and operational track record in the healthcare industry, and currently runs own healthcare consultancy.
• Previously held CEO positions at St Vincent’s Healthcare Group and Viapath Group.
• Prior to this held senior Director roles at Spire Healthcare/ Bupa Hospitals and St Martin’s Healthcare (The London Bridge Hospital).
• Began early career in healthcare with the NHS General Management Training Scheme and spent four years in middle management roles at the NHS before joining Bupa.
• Holds a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Leicester, a Diploma in Health Economics from the University of Aberdeen and a Masters in Business Administration from the Cranfield School of Management.

Member of Quality Improvement & Safety Committee
Member of Business Improvement & Financial Performance Committee

• Appointed to the Ambient Support (formerly Heritage Care) Board from January 2017.
• Trustee of Ambient Support Creative Arts Project from 2004 to 2013.
• Qualified Nurse in Mental Health (RMN). Trained at St Augustine’s Hospital, Canterbury and worked as a staff nurse.
• Community Support Worker for the Burgess Autistic Trust. Retired March 2016.
• Previously worked for MIND as a Day Centre Manager at Stepping Stones and as a Sessional Worker at Hayes Grove Priory.

Member of Business Improvement & Financial Performance Committee

• Appointed to the Board of Ambient Support (formerly Heritage Care) in December 2018.
• Currently Deputy Director of Digital and Technology Strategy for the UK Department of Health.
• Experience working in private industry in digital design, including developing online media for magazines as well as digitising systems for Nuffield Health’s consumer gyms and hospital ‘Self-Pay’ businesses.
• Worked as a Senior Reporter before developing a passion and understanding of the mechanics of online publishing and moving into digital industry.

Chair of Quality Improvement & Safety Committee

• Appointed to the Board of Ambient Support (formerly Heritage Care) in June 2019.
• Currently Director of Quality and Assurance at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, having been Director of Nursing previously, with responsibility for professional nursing, midwifery and allied health professional practice. Responsibility for litigation, complaints and claims, risk and compliance, board assurance framework, patient safety and quality improvement, regulatory and statutory compliance e.g. CQC.
• Previous experiences as Chief Nurse, Director of Quality and Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Kent Community Health NHS Trust.
• Also previously held roles as Chief Operating Officer, various general management and Director positions, including, in nursing and midwifery practice, across acute and community sectors.
• Trustee for Keech Hospice since 2010 with focus on clinical care and strategy and quality & safety as well as volunteering at the hospice.]
• Holds an MA in Health Care Law, an MA in Management Studies, Post Graduate Diploma in Management, Advanced Diploma in Midwifery, Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife.

Member of Quality Improvement & Safety Committee
Member of Organisational Development & Resources Committee

• Joined the Board of Ambient Support (formerly Heritage Care) in July 2011.
• Acting as co-optee to Amber Housing from January 2017.
• Appointed as a Trustee of Ambient Support in April 2013 and as a Director of Amber Housing from October 2014 to December 2016.
• Extensive experience in strategic communications, marketing, training and development. Has worked across the NHS, government, commerce and charities. Designed and delivered training and development at all levels.
• Formerly Regional Head of Communications with the Department of Health and Public Relations Manager at the London Borough of Bromley.
• Experience at Board level, senior management and of running her own business.
• Former Member and Chair of Governors of a local primary school.

Member of Business Improvement & Financial Performance Committee

• Appointed to the Board of Ambient Support (formerly Heritage Care) in June 2017.
• Acting as co-optee to Amber Housing from May 2018.
• Established his own business consultancy giving advice to local businesses and has assisted with partnership arrangements between not for profit and commercial businesses.
• Retired international business executive with extensive experience at Director and Senior Management level within Rolls-Royce and British Aerospace and other associated companies.
• Holds BSc (Hons) Production Engineering from Aston University and an MBA from Cranfield University. Has also been through the Columbia Senior Executive Program.