Annual Report 2010/2011 - Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution

A WELL-RUN BUSINESS 15
Improving
our homes
A Well-run
business
2010/2011 has been a very
busy year of implementing the
programme of capital works.
This has involved improving
Homes’ facilities, work in
connection with fire regulations,
upgrading dementia facilities
and, in the case of James
Terry Court, rebuilding the
Home. This work will continue
throughout 2011/2012.
Residents increasingly depend on lifts
to enable them to move around our
Homes. Each Home now has two lifts
so, if one is out of action, there is
an alternative.
Thanks to a generous grant from the
Masonic Samaritan Fund, we have
provided more ceiling hoists, helping
our frailer residents to be moved in a
secure and comfortable manner, and
reducing the risk of manual handling
injuries for our staff.
To improve provision for those with
dementia, we have been able to
provide secure gardens in eight
Homes so far, with the help of the
Association of Friends and Lodges.
More will follow next year.
We continue to make sure that fire
compartments are properly zoned,
fire doors are smoke-resistant, and
fire escapes are genuinely useable by
residents, to ensure their safety in the
event of fire.
At the heart of our current
programme is the rebuilding of James
Terry Court in Croydon. Residents
have patiently and curiously watched
from their windows as the new Home
is being built, and will soon move into
the first phase. The old Home had a
nursing wing which was difficult to
access, and the top floor was difficult
to operate. Some bariatric rooms have
been added to the new East Wing to
better cater for residents with obesity.
Wherever possible, residents in our
Homes now have en-suites with
showers, or at least individual
WC facilities.
Inspired by the ‘Reflections’
hairdressing facility at Scarbrough
Court, Northumberland, and with
a generous grant from the Grand
Stewards’ Lodge, several RMBI Homes
have transformed their hairdressing
salons. These are always one of
the busiest places in the Home,
and residents are enjoying the
improved facilities.
We continue to ensure that the
Homes are regularly maintained
and comply with health and safety
regulations, and we are making plans
to ensure they will meet the future
needs of our residents.
“I find it peaceful living here,
and friendly.”
A resident at Lord Harris Court,
Berkshire
In view of the current financial
climate it has been imperative
that the funds brought into the
RMBI, from fees and charitable
donations, are maximised to their
full potential to enable the RMBI
to continue to provide high quality
care to the people who use our
services.
The recently established role of
Assistant Director of Business
Efficiency has been instrumental in
enabling the RMBI to ensure that
all Home Managers operate their
budgets within an agreed framework
of income and expenditure limits,
without compromising the
standards of care provided.
This new function enables the RMBI
to provide a detailed business audit
which will improve the level of
budgetary awareness and optimise
the financial systems that are used
within the Home – a task that had
not been carried out previously.
To this end, a robust audit process
has been undertaken and action
plans formulated to support Home
Managers in managing their budgets,
ensuring all the correct systems are
used and protocols are fully utilised.
A programme of ongoing reviews
and further support will be developed,
as required, to support the local
management teams at the Homes,
although Home Managers are
encouraged to develop ownership
of all aspects of their budgets.
A high occupancy rate in our Homes
is essential for maximising income.
Home Managers are therefore
working in partnership with the entire
Care Operations Team, to achieve full
occupancy. This includes reviewing
fees in Homes that have consistent
occupancy issues, to ensure they are
competitive, while taking into account
best practice offered within RMBI
Homes and the wider care sector.
We will
review fees
to ensure
they are
competitive
“Being among friends and with carers who really do care
makes life at the Home really enjoyable.”
A resident at Prince Michael of Kent Court, Watford
We will refine budget-setting for
future years to ensure that all
RMBI Homes obtain best value for
money wherever possible and that
expenditure is controlled and reviewed
systematically.
RMBI ANNUAL REVIEW 2010–2011