News and views about events from local Nottingham Care Home provider, Eastgate Care.

Next came Madeline Perkins at Melbourne House in Aspley, she had a big family gathering and of course a huge cake!

This year  Peggy Bestwick at Alexandra House reached her 100^th year  Peggy had a Thanksgiving Service at the Home, given by a Minister she hadn't seen for 15 years.

Peggy who used to have a hairdressing business in Eastwood believes the secret of her longevity is 'fresh air, good food and a belief in God' 

Barclays has been engaged with our professional support teams over the last few months progressing our funding requirements for our care home business.

We now have in place a well structured funding for our future expansion of building a new care home each year for the next five years, within 30 minutes drive time of our Nottingham head office and training centre.

Pictured right the latest development from Eastgate Care, Canal Vue at Ilkeston, which will become a 66 bedroomed nursing home in December 2013.

 Park House Care Home Launch into Cycling, providing 3 bicycles for staff to use free of charge, helping personnel to get to 'work' and home again.

This is the first of the Eastgate Care Homes to pilot the plan supporting Nottingham City's programme to reduce the local authority’s carbon foot print.

The initial uptake was fantastic, staff quickly recognising the fitness aspect and how cost effective cycling is, they immediately adopted the three original bikes, 3 more bikes were ordered and have been adopted, with 4 more requests.

Staff are now thinking 'Cycle', Eastgate is incredibly impressed by everyones interest in cycling and will provide safety/winter coats for all our staff cyclists.

White Swan Head Office and training centre,               centrally positioned for transport links.

Head Office: Eastgate Ltd. The White Swan, Church Street, Old Basford, Nottingham NG6 0GD                         Telephone: 0843 216 2843

At Park House 50% of staff already walk to work, other staff lift -share, some use public transport and 2 members cycle (now 4 & growing!)

All the Eastgate Care Homes are well located to link with the bus, train and tram and head office is just 100 metres from the Phoenix Park tram stop, the company is currently proactive in minimising its carbon usage for transportation. Eastgate aims to roll out the 'cycle to work' scheme across its 4 Notts Care Homes following the pilot at Park House, Bulwell. 

'Lets not forget its healthy to cycle'

Grateful relatives of two former residents of a care home in Eastwood have given rich praise to staff, describing them as 'true angels'.

Ann Parkin and Ann Birkin say they can not speak highly enough of the team at Alexandra House Nursing Home on Wroughton Court.

Ms Parkins late mum, Alma Oscroft was at the home for two years and Mrs Birkins late husband Tony for three weeks and they both said the quality of care was 'second to none'.

The ladies said the staff could not do enough to make their late loved ones' lives happier and more comfortable 'It’s the carers and the nursing staff there, they are fantastic' said Ms Parkin.

'You can tell that they actually genuinely do care for the residents'.

They take the time to get to know them and sit down and talk to them'.

'When there were times my mum couldn’t sleep at night, Megan, the night nurse, would go and make her a hot during and then sit and talk to her, she was a true angel'

The 63 year old said her mother died with 'dignity', thanks to the quality of care.

'Often when I visited the staff would say to me 'just pop out for a minute while I freshen her up to make her more comfortable', said Ms Parkin. 'They were just so good like that.

 'She died with grace and dignity and peace round her'

Mrs Birkins husband Tony, had cancer and moved to Alexandra House for respite care after a fall at home left him unable to walk. 'They were just fantastic' said Mrs Birkin. 'They were always there for him, constantly looking after him. All the staff were marvellous'.

'He only had three weeks in there but he loved it. He was so happy, never once did he ask to come home'.

The ladies said that staff went 'the extra mile', organising a raffle and afternoon tea each Mother’s Day, making Easter Bonnets, handing out gifts at Christmas and organising summer fetes.

And when it was someone’s birthday, the cook would always bake them a cake, they said.

Mrs Birkin said: 'When you're at home and you can’t cope, it’s nice to know that you can get somewhere where they really do care.

 'We want people to know that if they are in the same position as us there are nice places out there. 'It was like 'home from home.'

GOOD COMPANY - Care Home Manager, Marie Duke Parker

HOME PRAISE Alexandra House Nursing Home in Wroughton Court is 'like home from home'

'You can tell that they actually genuinely do care for the residents'

Activity Coordinator Lorraine with resident.

Care Home Manager Jacqui Inglis explained what the gold standard entailed and what it meant for both staff and residents.

It has ensured that our residents have a voice and a choice and the benefits of advanced planning. We have reduced hospital admissions and offer excellence in symptom control.

GSFC has meant that communications with all other disciplines has occurred & all the team feel more confident, discuss the needs of residents & GSFC is at the centre of care for us.

We have a proactive approach,improved knowledge and are able to observe the signs quicker & react accordingly so that people can be as comfortable as possible during their final hours.

Key team members pictured left; Michelle Whiley, Care Home Manager -Jacqui Inglis & Kate Fox

It is a team and family approach including us all - kitchen staff, laundry staff, care staff, nursing etc

'Everyday wishes count' & residents are able to have an everyday wish list with things we can facilitate for them. We can .

'Park House is the Best Place for Care in the region, its as good as you will get anywhere' said Mark Wilson

One on One Care is often needed and delivered with understanding by Park House Staff

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Mark Wilson (End of Life Care Facilitor - right) detailed what he had seen during the process of achieving the accreditation;

So much work has gone into achieving the Gold Standard by all the staff at every level. The nursing staff took it on board and committed from the outset and the non-qualified staff ensured that it was implemented as part of daily practice. Staff have always shown an interest and a desire to improve and the careful planning implemented means the best quality of care is offered.

Park House is where the residents choose to be as their last place of stay which is a great accolade.

You only have to read the cards of thanks from relatives, where their loved ones have spent their last days with us, to understand that they receive the ultimate care and consideration right up to the end.

'To each and everyone of the lovely staff at Park House, thank you for looking after our Mum Lorna, for the short time she was with you'

Pictured Left - Kate Fox and Michelle Whiley go to London for the Gold Standard Presentation.

Sue Clifford - Eastgate Operations Manager thanked everyone on behalf of James Day & Eastgate Care.

On the site of the old Bridge Inn pub there will be a new purpose built Eastgate Care Home, - Canal Vue - with modern facilities and large en-suite rooms at this waterside location,

providing a much needed Care facility in this area and providing jobs for at least 50 people.

Our pioneers and team leaders, Kate Fox and Michelle Whiley, (pictured right) recently headed to the London Ceremony to gain the Gold Standard Award.

Justly deserved following 18 months of managing the Gold Standard Project at Park House Care Home, they joined an elite group to gain this accreditation.

To be accredited, the home had to show that it met the criteria in 20 different areas, ranging from leadership and support to dignity and respect, as well as submit a portfolio of evidence.

This accreditation process is endorsed by all major care homes’ organisations and supported by Age UK.  It is also now recognized as excellent by the Skills Academy for Social Care.

Congratulations go to all the team (Pictured below)  who pride themselves on the excellent care provided to residents.

- They provide the right care, at the right time in the right place  -

As one of the first Nursing Care Homes in Nottingham to receive this, Park House home gained their accreditation, as part of the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) in Care Homes Quality Hallmark Awards.

 Staff at the Belle Vue Lodge Care Home celebrate their success on welcoming their 55th resident to be cared for.

Occupancy has been running high over the last few months at the Belle Vue, with the 55th resident joining our home last week making it a Full House by Friday.

 Pictured right Assitstan Manager Clare Mc Nuff & Manager Lisa Crewe, join in the cheers.

Well done to all the team for their regular hard work & commitment to making a pleasant environment for residents to live in.