Purley care home shortlisted for national award

A care home in Purley is celebrating after being shortlisted in the Care Home Awards 2022.

Care UK’s Amberley Lodge, on Downlands Road, has been shortlisted in the ‘Best Use of Technology and Digital Care’ category, which recognises the efforts of a care home improving care through digital technology.  

The Care Home Awards recognise and reward excellence and innovation in UK care home management, operation and delivery. The winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony in July. 

The team at Amberley Lodge have been recognised for their adoption and implementation of new technologies and techniques which have been designed to deliver the highest standard of care. 

Throughout the pandemic, the team at Amberley Lodge worked closely with its local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) to implement cutting-edge telemedicine technology to benefit both residents and team members. This allowed team members to continue working throughout the pandemic, secure in the knowledge that infection control was as good as it could possibly be.

Currently, the home is trialling an observations management innovation called VTech. Electronic device-based observations are made by team members and are connected via Bluetooth within the home. The ambition is to work with the CCG and the makers of VTech to link it to telemedicine, proxy repeat prescriptions, and consultations, so that one action triggers and addresses any number of resident requirements.

Telemedicine has allowed team members to contact the right health care professional in a timely manner – be that ambulance, local GPs, or out-of-hours doctors. This has reduced the time contacting 111 services and long periods of time waiting to be put through to a medical professional. 

Commenting on the care provided by Amberley Lodge, a resident’s relative said: “My Mum moved into Amberley Lodge in December 2021. Mum has dementia, and we were really struggling to meet her needs at home. The manager and the home team at Amberley are experts in dementia care and dementia nursing care. I visited many other nursing/care homes and the team at Amberley are by far the most knowledgeable, understanding, and caring I have dealt with.”

Azalea Moses, Home Manager at Amberley Lodge, said: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in the ‘Best Use of Technology and Digital Care’ category at this years’ Care Home Awards for our approach to technology and digital care. 

“At Amberley Lodge, we are always looking for new ways to further develop the care we provide. With new innovations and technology constantly evolving, it’s important that the care sector remains up to date with the best possible practices. 

“Being shortlisted is testament to the team’s hard work and innovative thinking to ensure every resident leads a happy and fulfilling life. It is truly encouraging to observe the interactions between residents and team members, and I’m thrilled they are being recognised for the difference they make each day to residents’ wellbeing through thoughtful care and valued attention.

“We’d like to wish everyone shortlisted good luck – we have our fingers crossed for the final in July!”

Amberley Lodge has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as respite, and end of life care.

To find out more about Amberley Lodge, please call please call 02086 880999 or email Home Manager, Azalea Moses, at azalea.moses@careuk.com or visit careuk.com/amberley-lodge.