Terrific trio – three Suffolk care homes shortlisted for prestigious awards

Three care homes in Suffolk are celebrating after being shortlisted in the Suffolk Care Awards 2022. The awards recognise excellence and innovation within the region’s care sector and the local communities that support them.

Care UK is celebrating three nominations - the dementia team at Davers Court (Bury St Edmunds) has been nominated for an award, whilst Hartismere Place (Eye) and Asterbury Place (Ipswich) have been shortlisted for awards recognising the efforts of individual team members.

Davers Court – ‘End of Life Care’

The Davers Court dementia team has been recognised for their exceptional level of support, providing maximum care and comfort to residents living with dementia who also require end of life care.

Working closely with relatives, the team strives to create a personalised environment for each resident, tailored to their likes and preferences. Independence is promoted as much as possible, with the team practising special methods that enable residents to communicate as much as possible during the later stages – further retaining their dignity and autonomy.

Hartismere Place – ‘Having Fun in Adversity’

Carol Nice, Lifestyle Lead at Hartismere Place, is in the running to win the ‘Having Fun in Adversity’ category, which recognises her efforts to maintain the morale of residents, relatives and fellow team members throughout the continued challenges faced by care homes in the past few years.

Residents at Hartismere Place agree that Carol is as much a friend as a carer, with one resident saying, “I have avoided saying nice by name, nice by nature because this must have been said so often, but it is still nonetheless true”.

Asterbury Place – ‘Innovative Practice’

Receptionist and Lead Administrator for Asterbury Place, John Masullo, has been nominated for the ‘Innovative Practice’ award, highlighting his integral role within the home and his commitment to implementing innovative practices to improve services.

Throughout the pandemic, John went above and beyond to ensure loved ones still had as much opportunity to visit residents as they could. He helped to train close relatives as Essential Care Givers, allowing residents to stay in contact with their loved ones and ensuring families remained involved with care plans. He even went above and beyond to surprise a resident with a video call with their favourite celebrity!

Sally Shadbolt, Home Manager at Davers Court added: “We’re incredibly proud of our team at Davers Court and of those nominated alongside us at other homes. Everyone works tirelessly to ensure that all residents are respectfully supported to achieve independence and personal goals, and that their relatives are supported in equal measure. 

“The comfort, wellbeing and happiness of residents is always the top priority. From helping residents decorate their rooms, to arranging celebrity phone calls and planning exciting trips – all team members go to the nth degree to ensure residents are fulfilled.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you, and well done, to everyone who made the shortlist this year. Those working in care - in whatever capacity - make a huge impact on peoples’ lives, and it is heart-warming to see that their hard work is deservedly rewarded.”

Care UK’s Suffolk homes have been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives. The homes provide full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care and boast facilities including their very own cinemas and hair salons.

To find out more, please visit www.careuk.com/suffolk.