Nightingale

Long-time Nightingale chief is to stand down

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:10:19 +0100

Nightingale Hammerson chief executive Leon Smith will step down at the end of 2013 after more than 40 years with the care home charity. He will become an external ambassador for Nightingale.

Mr Smith has helped the charity to become a leader in the provision of dementia care — Nightingale’s state-of-the-art £6.5 million dementia wing was opened in 2011. The search for his successor is under way.

“Nightingale Hammerson has been a huge part of my life and after 40 years I feel that it is time to hand over the reins to someone else,” Mr Smith said. “My new role is going to be very important in the coming period.”

How Nightingale inspired 'Marigold Hotel'

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:00:49 +0000

Author and screenwriter Deborah Moggach has told Nightingale supporters that visits to the south London home had inspired her to write a novel about the elderly, These Foolish Things — on which the hit movie, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, was based.

Ms Moggach was guest speaker at a Nightingale literary lunch at Claridge’s in central London on Monday. Her talk included anecdotes about the making of the film and her experiences in Hollywood.

The lunch raised £100,000 for Nightingale and its newly merged partner, Hammerson House in north-west London, some of whose backers were among an attendance of 250-plus.

Care chiefs press Cameron over welfare reform delays

Jessica Elgot — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:12:20 +0100

Fundamental reforms to address a crisis in the care of the elderly have been delayed again, despite pleas from charity chiefs.

The Jewish Care and Nightingale Hammerson chief executives, Simon Morris and Leon Smith, were among the 78 signatories of a letter to David Cameron this week, calling on him to urgently address "the devastating impact of years of failure to reform".

The letter continued: "While we know decisions, particularly on the funding of care, will be difficult, they must be made now. Older and disabled people and their families cannot wait and will not accept half-measures."

Last year's Dilnot Commission proposed a cap of between £35,000 and £50,000 on the amount elderly people pay towards their care. Those with assets of under £100,000 would not contribute. Under the current system, many people have to sell their homes to fund their care. Implementing the Dilnot recommendations would cost an extra £1.7 billion annually.

But Wednesday's Queen's Speech made no mention of financial reform, frustrating campaigners. It left Mr Smith fearing "that this government, like the last government, will feel this whole issue is too big to handle. Something must happen, but I am not optimistic.The current funding regime is no longer sustainable."

Mr Morris pointed out: "Every day at Jewish Care we are made aware of the massive pressure brought to bear on individuals and their families. We will continue to do everything that we can to ensure that this matter remains high on the political agenda."

Nightingale merger formalised

Thu, 03 May 2012 18:32:49 +0100

The merger of the Nightingale and Hammerson care homes was formalised on Monday. The homes will retain their individual identities but share a governance structure.

"This is a move that will bring considerable benefit to both homes, as well as to the community at large," said Nightingale (and now Nightingale Hammerson) chair, Harvey Rosenblatt.

"Both organisations bring a wealth of experience to the partnership, as well as a common ethos that places the utmost importance on providing pioneering care."

Hammerson co-chair and Nightingale Hammerson trustee Tony Michaels believed the partnership would be "fantastic news for residents, their relatives and the whole Jewish community in and around London.

"The UK's population is ageing and in the coming years we will be examining how we can design our accommodation to fit the needs of these changing demographics."

Duncan Smith keeps £1m Nightingale dinner date

Barry Toberman — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:35:51 +0000

With a little help from his hosts, Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith managed to fulfil his speaking engagement at Nightingale's key fundraiser and an event with David Cameron on the same night.

Addressing the 500-plus guests at the south London home's biennial dinner at Guildhall on Monday, Mr Duncan Smith apologised for the brevity of his stay. But he reasoned that, if asked to dinner by the Prime Minister, it was difficult to say no, even if the food at the Nightingale function might be preferable.

To accommodate his double booking, the organisers moved his speech forward to a pre-meal slot, where Mr Duncan Smith lavished praise on Nightingale - which he has visited twice - describing the Clapham establishment as "a fantastic concept" and "a care home like few others".

With people living longer, social care funding was a major issue and Nightingale demonstrated how to run a good home, treating residents with "the respect that we would expect ourselves".

The dinner raised more than £1 million towards running costs and essential upgrades. Financial matters were to the fore in chairman Harvey Rosenblatt's remarks.

"Despite the parlous state of our economy and the woeful inadequacy of local authority funding, we are optimistic about Nightingale's future and its role in the community," he stressed. "As they say in the advertising world: 'Good things are happening.'"

Dementia sufferers account for 75 per cent of the home's 200 residents and Mr Rosenblatt said: "We firmly believe that people with dementia, like all older people, can still enjoy life. This sentiment drives our agenda."

To this end, the Wohl Wing, opened by the Prince of Wales in July, offered "a truly exceptional facility that incorporates the very latest research in dementia care. Adjacent to this, we were very proud to simultaneously open a beautiful synagogue and a unique reminiscence garden which provides residents with a simple walking route along which there are many colourful reminders of days gone by."

The upcoming merger with Hammerson House, in Hampstead Garden Suburb, would increase Nightingale's communal responsibilities and Mr Rosenblatt hoped the formalities would be completed early next year. "We believe there is a high level of synergy between the two organisations, both of which have an excellent reputation for providing high quality care. The combined organisation will house approaching 300 residents and employ 400 staff."

A film was screened illustrating how Nightingale enables residents to enjoy a fulfilling existence and Nicola Malin gave a moving account of how the home had reinvigorated her 97-year-old father, Morris.

Speaking afterwards, she explained that Mr Malin had worked in American military intelligence and was seconded to the Ministry of Defence. He had pursued an "incredibly independent" life, socialising with younger people.

Initially, he was unhappy at Nightingale, "but he adapted and now he is". Three years on, "the quality of his life has improved immeasurably. Everyone on the staff is his friend. It means that I don't have to worry about him 24 hours a day. I know he is being looked after fantastically well."

Charles sings the praises of Nightingale

Jessica Elgot — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:59:03 +0100

Opening the Wohl Wing at Nightingale on Wednesday, the Prince of Wales was so impressed by the home's care for the elderly that he said he was "booking early to avoid disappointment".

The £6.5 million dementia care unit will take in 40 residents next month at the south London establishment. The design of the dementia wing is based on the latest research into the condition and is reflected in its colours, fabrics and signage.

In the company of chief executive Leon Smith and chairman Harvey Rosenblatt, the prince toured the new unit's sensory gardens, admiring reminiscence items such as a red phone box and a Morris Minor car. He also saw the "memory box" outside each resident's room, containing family photographs and other personal items.

At a reception for supporters, he said that visiting Nightingale - and attending the previous evening's Board of Deputies 250th anniversary reception - had been "an opportunity not only to pay tribute to the contribution of the Jewish community as a whole, but to highlight the remarkable philanthropy by members of the community. So many causes could not be sustained without such longstanding generosity." The prince had opened Nightingale 35 years ago.

He also met residents including Betty Malinsky, who recently turned 101. The prince was surprised to learn from Mr Rosenblatt that there are 10,000 people aged 100 or more living in the UK, 12 of them at Nightingale.

"My grandmother herself lived to 100," he said, "and I do miss her every day.

"But so many centenarians keeps my ma very busy writing telegrams."

Among other residents he chatted to was Betty Weinberg, who was chopping asparagus to make soup. "I told him how I make the soup and he said it smelt delicious, but he didn't think asparagus was in season." Dorothy Silverstone presented the prince with a hand-drawn picture of the Queen Mother. "He was a delightful chap, very easy-going and gentle," she said. "I'd like to try and draw him next."

Mr Rosenblatt was pleased to have shown the prince how Nightingale offered "a more purposeful and stimulating existence for our residents. We are determined to ensure our residents with dementia can still live life to the full."

Sainbury's boss gets the Nightingale tills ringing

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:40:46 +0100

Nightingale supporters gathered at a London West End venue to check out the reasons behind the success of Sainsbury's.

Addressing the inaugural Young Nightingale business lunch, company chairman David Tyler discussed the fundamentals in running a major supermarket chain - customer service, good quality products and competitive prices. Sainsbury's earns £60 million on an average day.

He also touched on the difficulties retailers face in a harsh economic climate.

Outside of his business life, Mr Tyler is actively involved in Nightingale as a trustee of the south London home.

"Nightingale is a charity close to my heart," he said. "My mother has been a volunteer at Nightingale for nearly 40 years and she was the one who introduced me to the charity. I would encourage anyone who hasn't been to the home to go and see the wonderful facilities it has to offer to the community."

The lunch raised more than £16,000 and thanking guests, Nightingale chair Harvey Rosenblatt said: "It is fantastic to see so many young people here today."

Nightingale in the money

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:40:33 +0100

The contingent running for south London care home Nightingale included Sam Vickers (4:50), whose mother Marion Davids is a Nightingale resident. "The atmosphere was incredible and along with the many family and friends there, the crowds cheered me through every mile," he said. "I feel so proud of my achievement and the money I raised for Nightingale. I said I would never run it again, but who knows?"

For Dena Ryness (5:42) it was a fourth completed marathon. "Unfortunately, I hadn't fully recovered from a kickboxing injury I sustained a few weeks ago, which really slowed me down. However, I enjoyed every second of it. No other experience compares to running alongside 37,000 people on a sunny day, with the iconic sights of London as a backdrop."

Jo Grant, Jacqui Levere and Ilana Pizer Mason also ran for Nightingale, contributing to a fundraising total of £12,000-plus.

Nightingale chief executive Leon Smith said: "We make sure that no-body is ever turned away purely on the grounds of finance and it is fundraising activities like this that allows us to continue to do so."

How to cater for 200 at Pesach? Ask Nightingale

Jessica Elgot — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:54:39 +0100

Nearly 25 kilos of matzah meal, more than 650 boxes of matzah, 6,000 eggs and 180 bottles of Palwin No 10 will help feed 200 Nightingale residents in what chief executive Leon Smith believes is "the biggest Pesach operation in the country".

The south London home runs six Seders, requiring hundreds of new utensils, including 180 Seder plates. Pesach preparation involves the specialist cleaning of six dining rooms, a huge kitchen, café and staff dining room.

Mr Smith oversees much of the process, along with deputy catering manager Rita Hunter. "We start planning Pesach straight after Chanucah, ordering food, planning menus and cleaning," he explained. "Food costs increase by up to 15 per cent.

"Staff training is really important, because most of them are not Jewish. So we have to make sure people understand the story and why we need to do what we do.

"They work extra hours and we get in specialists to clean the light fittings and windows. The kitchen is deep cleaned by a company which works overnight. It's mayhem in here the day before - all the utensils are replaced and we kasher everything with boiling water."

Making sure residents felt comfortable during the upheaval was vitally important, Ms Hunter added.

"After the actual care, the most important thing to them is food. They are not shy in sharing their opinions of it.

"A change in diet can be difficult for residents who are very frail. They might not 'get on' with matzah. So we make rolls from potato flour."

The different Seders "depend on what residents feel able to do", Mr Smith explained. "The most active will have a full Seder, the ones with severe dementia get Seder 'highlights'."

Another issue was that religious observance varied greatly among residents.

"We are a microcosm of the community, so some are very religious and some just feel comfortable in this environment. Last year I was sat next to a lady who said it was the first Seder she had been to since she was a child."

The home needs to raise extra money to cover the expense of Pesach and makes a seasonal appeal for donations.

As with other welfare organisations, Nightingale is facing the threat of funding cuts from local authorities. "Some want to cut as much as six per cent of their funding for residents and it's just not sustainable," Mr Smith said. "It's still very much up in the air, although it should have been agreed on April 1. The only reason we can afford to keep expanding is the generosity of the community."

Around two-thirds of the residents have dementia and the average age is 89. A £6.5 million dementia facility for 40 residents, the Wohl Wing, is nearing completion and is set for its official opening in July.

Dementia charity appeal

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:30:19 +0100

The Rosh Hashanah appeal of Nightingale, the UK's largest care home, focuses on the needs of the growing number of residents with dementia.

Two-thirds of residents at the south London establishment are dementia sufferers, a figure in line with the national trend. Nightingale provides training for dementia nurses and specialist equipment residents can use on a daily basis.

Chief executive Leon Smith said: "Dementia is a matter that we should all be concerned with because we will all grow old. We are asking members of the community to ensure that people will not have to compromise on the level of care they deserve."