Care Home colleagues pick up awards for great service

Company news

Dec 20, 2011

A competition to identify the very best service from people working in Care UK's residential care homes has attracted a record number of entries and some outstanding and heart warming winners.

The awards are designed to recognise excellence, celebrate success and share best practice with colleagues across the company. This year, the judges received a record number of nominations - a true reflection of the dedication, expertise and innovation of people working in Care UK’s 85 homes and day centres.

Managing Director Toby Siddall said: “This really was an exceptional year. Across the company, we have dedicated people who give their best, day after day, to ensure residents and service users enjoy genuinely person-centred care that helps them maintain their independence and interests.”

Award winners included:

Fulfilling Lives - Elaine Carruthers, manager of the Orchard Centre, Epsom. Judges praised the 24/7 day centre for people over 50 with dementia, as having the atmosphere of a club. Elaine said: “I was delighted to receive the award on behalf of my team. They always work to keep our services users independent and active, they work to build the trust and confidence of the relatives and share with them their knowledge of making life better for people with dementia.”

Innovation of the Year – Denise Findley, the Willows, Middlesbrough. Judges praised the project which keeps residents active and fulfilled through swimming at the local pool. Denise said: “The benefits to residents have been wonderful and include increased mobility, reduced agitation and improved sleep. To see the freedom and sheer relaxation on the faces of our residents when they swim is delightful.”

Outstanding Community Involvement - Diana Wiltshire, Mitchell House, Poole. Judges praised Diana and her team’s commitment to enriching their residents’ lives by making the home the hub of the community. Accepting the Outstanding Community Involvement Award, Diana said: “We are all delighted with the award and we would like to dedicate it to all of the wonderful individuals, groups and companies who have helped us to make every day a special day for our residents.”

Nurse of the Year Award - Daisy Mathew, Manor Lodge, and Mike Parris, Little Holland Hall. Judges found it impossible to separate these two exceptional and talented nurses, both of whom have been praised by their managers, residents’ relatives and local health practitioners for their caring and highly professional delivery of end-of-life care.

Manager of the Year Award - Bernard Mawoyo, Manor Lodge.  Judges praised Bernard’s commitment to genuinely person-centred care and his work it include relatives in the life of the home.

Excellence in Dementia Care Award – Clara Court. Judges were impressed by the Clara Court team’s work keeping up residents’ life skills and independence by engaging them in day-to-day activities and hobbies such as growing vegetables, which has led to increased mobility and a reduction in the need for medication.

Outstanding Quality Care Award – Ellesmere House. Judges praised the consistently high standards of care and documentation at the home that recently received ‘Excellent’ reports from the CQC and Kensington and Chelsea Borough Dignity Champion.

Inspiring Activity Based Care – Hollins Park. Judges were impressed that, at Hollins Park, everyone, including the maintenance, catering and administrative staff as well care staff, gets involved in creating stimulating and life-enhancing activities for residents at the home.

Outstanding Contribution – Carys Done, Pinetum. Judges were impressed with Carys’ dedication to the home’s residents, their relatives and her colleagues. Home Manager Tracy Simpson said: “I have seen her sit with relatives, comforting them and giving them excellent advice, for half an hour at a time, even though she is extraordinarily busy. Many of the complimentary letters we receive point out the bond Carys formed with residents and their families.”

Environment of the Year – Laurel Dene care home. Richard Pearman, Care UK’s Business Development Director, said: “Visiting Laurel Dene is always a pleasure. It is managed with the care and attention of a prized personal possession and one cannot help but feel that it is a home that is well-loved and cared for.”

Carer of the Year – Vera Pryce, Elizabeth Lodge. Judges praised Vera’s compassion and commitment to residents and their relatives, visiting them even when an illness meant that they had to go into hospital.

Sales and Marketing Award – Lennox House. Judges praised the strong relationship Florence Clarke and her team has built up with their public sector partners, providing a service people in Islington could be proud of.

Care Supporter of the Year – Mircea Pasca, Elmstead House.  Mircea is the home’s maintenance man and judges praised his commitment to finding ways to enhance the residents’ happiness through creating a sensory room, gazebo and outside spaces as well as creating backdrops for the home’s events and themed evenings.

Outstanding Customer Service Award – Elizabeth Lodge. The team showed very high levels of customer care, providing lots of opportunities and methods of feedback for residents and relatives. Manager Peter Slaney had also devised a series of regular afternoon and evening surgeries, similar to those run by MPs, held by him and the clinical lead nurse, to answer more complex questions in a private and relaxed atmosphere.

Outstanding Customer Service Support – Aston Hunter. Aston’s introduction of monthly telephone meetings to discuss accounts and his calm and methodical manner has won him great respect across the business.