BUPA CARE SERVICES CELEBRATES ACHIEVEMENTS OF STAFF AT ONE LIFE AWARDS

Activity co-ordinators and chef managers are amongst those from Bupa Care Services who have been honoured at Bupa’s One Life Annual Excellence Awards 2010. Activity co-ordinators Carol Higgins and Patricia McLaggan, and carer Amy McDonald all from Craigbank Care Home in Glasgow, won Annual Excellence Awards for organising a special trip for ex-forces residents to mark Remembrance Sunday. The team made arrangements for residents to attend and participate in the Remembrance Parade at the Cenotaph in Glasgow. To make the residents’ day particularly special, they researched and made contact with the residents’’ old regiments in order to source medals, regimental hats and sashes. Carers attended the parade in their own time to support the residents, who shared their stories with fellow servicemen during an emotional and poignant day. Susan MacDonald, home manager at Craigbank Care Home said; “The team could have arranged the usual celebration in our home, but decided to help residents who had shown an interest in going to pay their respects. They wanted our residents to be recognised for their military efforts, and felt that the best tribute would be for them to be able to join their fellow servicemen on this special day of remembrance. I’m thrilled that they have been recognised by Bupa One Life for going the extra mile.” Resident Robert Johnson, 84 said; “It really meant a lot to me that I was able to go to the Cenotaph and join in with the Remembrance Parade, and I would like to thank the girls for their efforts. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to join my comrades on such a special and emotional day.” Bupa One Life is a global scheme that recognises and rewards employees for service excellence and business improvement ideas. The annual awards are an opportunity to celebrate the most outstanding achievements members of staff around the world. . Oliver Thomas, care homes director said; “It is fantastic to see staff members from Bupa Care Services have been recognised for their dedication and commitment to our residents and to making a difference in our homes. They are a true inspiration to all of us.” Other winners included: Anthony Easey, regional support chef manager at Fieldway Nursing and Residential Home in Surrey was recognised with an Annual Excellence One Life Award for his commitment to activities within the home as well as his charity fundraising. Anthony has created several clubs within the home to engage residents, as well as organising a summer fete. Through Anthony’s efforts, Fieldway raised £1600 for Cancer Research and organised a party for the residents for the official handover of the cheque. Angela Hodges, senior activity co-ordinator at Seabrooke Manor Residential and Nursing Home in Essex was recognised for her commitment to developing the quality of life for residents with dementia within her home. She transformed a corridor into ‘Saxon Street’, where the walls are painted to look like the various shops that would have been found on a high street including a barber shop, a pub, a bakery and a sweet shop. Sensory items have been added to the walls so that residents with dementia are able to touch and feel as they walk along the corridor. The specialist nursing team at The Gables Specialist Nursing Home in Peterborough were recognised for their achievements in the care of dementia residents. Along with their One Life Award, they have also been recently recognised by the International Journal of Palliative Care and the Nursing in Practice Awards. This year’s One Life Annual Excellence Awards took place at the Royal Opera House on Friday 25 June.