Hampton nurse wins place in national care finals

Home news

Oct 29, 2014

Outstanding care and a passion for dignity and respect has led judges to select a nurse from Care UK’s Laurel Dene care home as a finalist for a prestigious national award.

Joana Martins has reached the finals in the Registered Nurse category of the National Care Awards. The awards are Britain’s largest and longest-established care awards and the panel of independent judges seek to highlight the highest standard of care and innovation.

Since joining the team at Laurel Dene in 2012, Joana has worked closely with the team and their manager to build on the high levels of care in the home, enabling residents to increase their levels of wellbeing and independence.

Kathy Harman, home manager at Laurel Dene, said: “Dignity is central to all that we do here; this is, after all, each resident’s home. Joana and the team work to ensure that every resident has the individual care they need, delivered in the way they would wish it to be.

“The team are also passionately committed to ensuring that residents are as independent as possible. Joana has spent time taking on additional training to care for people who have experienced strokes and this has helped some residents to gain a far greater quality of life, movement and independence; some have been able to move back home or into sheltered housing.”

Joana sees care as not being just for the residents, but also for their relatives and friends. Kathy said: “She and the team try to make to make friends and relatives as comfortable as possible when they come to visit and to make them feel that it is their house as well.”

Joana said: “I love my job as it gives me the opportunity to improve people’s wellbeing, and I am fortunate to work with a dedicated and committed team.

“I was delighted to hear that the judges had selected me to go through to the finals and I am now preparing to meet the judging panel.”

The winner will be announced at the National Care Awards Ceremony on Friday 28 November at Hilton London Metropole Hotel.