Care England Savings, Solutions, and Sustainability features Nilaqua

Here is a link to the digital magazine, alternatively below is the transcript: https://www.caremanagementmatters.co.uk/savings-solutions-and-sustainability-issue-3/

How to achieve eco patient hygiene and sustainable goals in your setting

Jessica Efford, Managing Director at Waterless Limited, explores how care providers can deliver sustainable outcomes for their businesses, without compromising on delivering high-quality, person-centred care, whilst reducing costs.

In recent years, the Government and some households have changed their mindset to make their homes greener in terms of vehicle emissions, less waste, and cleaner energy. In the social care sector, ‘green plans’ are being implemented to ensure the settings in which care is provided produce as little carbon as possible, are energy efficient, and use renewable energy sources wherever possible. But providers may overlook how greener principles can be implemented in the delivery of personal care to care home residents.

Seeking Clarity

So, how can we make this easier and highlight genuine products that help reduce carbon, save money, and deliver exceptional personal care? First of all, let’s start with the pitfall of ‘green washiing’ – this is where claims are either misleading, or false, to get you to purchase products and services based on green-tinted glasses. For example, ‘Designed in the UK’ and ‘Formulated in the UK’ does not mean ‘Manufactured in the UK’, so emissions will remain high. This also acts as a detriment to the local economy, stopping the stimulation of job availability and business development.

The term ‘Fully recyclable’ plastic is also quite a stretch as this mainly suggests the material is a plastic that is recyclable. Most are not, and that’s not good eneough. Even after the Government has incentivised recycled material, products are still being made from 100% virgin polymer plastics without any recycled material. We should look towards 100% recycled or biodegradable plastic alternatives, such as sugar cane, for example.

Reducing costs

Now you are aware of some of the less genuine claims, let’s look at costs. If you are a manager, it is important to loook at the total ‘cost of use’ not just the cost of the product. When we look at personal care consumables and solutions, a lot of the time items appear cheaper, but you will find they are not a concentrate, or are several millilitres (ml) less, an example being aerosol free, skin cleansing foam, available from Nilaqua, a Waterless Limited brand. Although this is more expensive than aerosol-based products, you only pump 0.5ml per pump and target specific areas. In the end, you are saving 50% of costs by using only one bottle, instead of two aerosols.

With waste becoming more stringent, it is also important to look at waste management. Are products recyclable, how much space do they take up, are they single use, will I need to pay to dispose of more waste? Elsewhere, do you offer cycle to work schemes; are you using renewable energy? These changes often make a big difference, and in some cases do not cost much or any more. Walk and cycle to work schemes promote healthier lifestyles for your staff and may leave them feeling fresher for the day ahead. You do not necessarily have to provide a bike, but you could offer an area to change and wash, or a water bottle etc. These are great ways to support the environment, but they don’t directly impact on the people being cared for.

Managing time

Staff time is critical – it is the largest cost for care providers, averaging at around 67% of total costs, and staff need to be able to complete their jobs efficiently and effectively. It is not helpful implementing product changes that are going to increase time spent on the delivery of personal care, especially given the workforce challenges currently faced by care providers. Products that can save you time as well as money are always worth considering. Some simple examples include rinse free cleaning and biodegradable wipes and concentrate floor cleaners and sanitisers, but what about personal care?

In terms of personal care products, Waterless Limited has been pioneering water saving, eco alternatives since 2009. Nilaqua provides a range of eco personal care products, which have been tested by experts and proven to be cheaper when considering the cost of use, including the cost of energy, water, and care delivery time. The products also reduce emissions.

Essential solutions

The following five essential solutions for care homes will save money (up yo 50%) and contribute to the green pledges you may wish to make in support of the CQC’s new quality statements:

1. Shampoo wraps. Swap single use, plastic shampoo caps, made abroad, to UK-made biodegradable shampoo wraps, which can be microwaved to a comfortable temperature and are versatile for washing around sutures and long hair.
2. Incontinence cleansers. Swap incontinence aerosols, to dual use aerosol free, dermatologically tested body and incontinence cleansers, allowing you to purchase fewer products.
3. Foaming soap. Do you know the difference between foaming soap and liquid? This is a classic case of appearing cheaper. Foaming soap lasts twice as long as liquid soap. As foam appears bigger, users do not over pump the bottles.
4. Eco refill dispensers. There is not always time and knowledge to blend and mix sachets to create the perfectly dosed surface spray or hand soap. However, there is no excuse to not use bulk refills when it comes to alcohol free hand sanitiser and foaming hand soap. When you break down the cost of five litres, you will find it is often less than one pence per wash,
5. Wet wipes. They clog drains, break macerators, and take years to break down. We always recommend an aerosol free skin cleansing foam instead. However, if you insist on wet wipes, try bamboo patient cleansing wipes in 100- or 500- wipe tubs (remember that bulk buying is cheaper). With pull through tub tids to stop the wipes drying out, further waste can be reduced by using eco refills to replace the wipes inside the tubs. This avoids binning the plastic and the eco refills are much cheaper, ensuring you can be environmentally friendly without incurring costs.

Sustainable outcomes

Business effects from switching to Nilaqua include streamlining time spent completing personal care tasks, such as washing hair, by up to 50% compared to traditional methods. In addition, switching to Nilaqua eradicates the need for additional products, such as moisturisers – using alcohol-based gels reduces energy, water, and waste costs, achieved by not turning on that metered shower, running a bath, or binning hundreds of large wet wipes and then paying to have the waste removed from site.

These simple switches can reduce the total cost of providing personal care by up to 50%. They also promote and eco-friendlier care service whilst enhancing personal care delivery and comfort to residents. At this point, it’s important to hear first-hand from those who have switched and made advances in their sustainability journey.

“We trialled Nilaqua’s Towel Off Shampoo and Body Washes as the eco option and this was hugely successful, showing a reduction in stress, aggression, and time. We recommend Nilaqua for these situations, not only from an eco perspective but for the health and wellbeing of our residents.” Castlemeadow Care.

“Just wanted to update you on the use of the shampoo wraps this morning in our namaste session. It went down amazingly and was so easy to use! Lauren and I were very impressed and are keen to see this implemented for our use within our home.” Reminiscence Co-ordinator, Llys Cyncoed Care Home

“Your products have been a great hit and have worked wonders. Two people living with dementia and four people at the end of life have been able to have a good wash and hair wash without causing any distress or discomfort. The shampoo has made a huge difference in promoting both dignity and respect. The families are now looking to purchase from you. Thank you so very much for sharing such excellent and innovative products with care providers.” Jo Ardrey, Apple Homecare.

A study into hair care in the NHS

Waterless Limited in partnership with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, has explored the eco options of patient care, aiming towards net zero. In this study, we looked at the impact of switching shampoo caps and traditional methods with Nilaqua’s Towel Off Shampoo.

The study concluded that Nilaqua is the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for patient bathing in terms of plastic waste, local economy impact, water use, and CO2 emissions. The full study is available on request.

Person-centred focus

Finally, it is all very well being eco friendly as a service, but it has to also benefit the people in receipt of care. They need to feel clean, be comfortable with any switches, and the fragrance needs to be to their taste. People deserve the best at all stages of life, especially when it comes to care. Nobody wants to use the product that has a medicinal feel or smell. These little touches create a comforting pleasant experience and more importantly, help to restore dignity and reduce the resource needed to deliver personal care, which can be intimidating and uncomfortable for some residients.

Care England has negotiated a 20% discount to use at www.nilaqua.co.uk, just enter the code ‘CareEngland24’ at checkout.

In addition, Nilaqua is stocked by all reputable distributors to the sector for those who wish to purchase via their usual consumable suppliers

Jessica Efford is Managing Director at Waterless Limited.

Email: sales@waterlessltd.co.uk