Heatherbrook makes the shortlist for Care Home of the Year

Company news

Oct 19, 2009

Heatherbrook nursing home fought off competition from over 100 other candidates to be shortlisted for the ‘Care Home of the Year’ award.

Heatherbrook nursing home fought off competition from over 100 other candidates to be shortlisted for the ‘Care Home of the Year’ award.  

The ‘Care Home of the Year’ contest, spearheaded by Caring Business, recognises excellence and teamwork by care providers. 

The  judges were  impressed by our innovative, proactive approach to dementia care which has resulted in an extremely low rate of hospital admissions for residents.  Residents receive regular and systematic reviews and care teams comprise specialists including a GP, consultant nurse, home manager, and pharmacist, with input from a consultant psychiatrist.  In the two years since the programme was introduced, residents’ medication has reduced by more than a third. 

Our service was also praised for giving residents access to experiences they may not normally have.   Sensory experiences include sound and smell therapy, a ‘themed room’ (currently styled as a Wild West saloon) and the colourful outdoor space.  Stimulating residents with activities and surroundings has been instrumental in dramatically reducing the levels of challenging behaviour previously displayed by some residents.

This specialist support is particularly valued by residents and their families.

Alison Graham, Heatherbrook manager, said: “Meeting the individual needs of our residents is our top priority, so we are delighted that Heatherbrook has been nationally recognised for the quality of its care.  To be shortlisted as a Care Home of the Year is a real achievement, and with the hard work of our fantastic staff we will strive to maintain these high standards.”