A new chapter at St Peter’s Park in Bexhill
St Peter’s Park is grateful to have been coronavirus-free since the beginning of the outbreak – a fact confirmed this week by tests on all 103 residents and team members coming back negative for COVID-19.
The team and residents at our care home in Bexhill, East Sussex aren’t letting coronavirus restrictions put a stop to fun and improvement plans, with a new manager and activities coordinator, plus an 18-bed dementia wing about to start construction.
A new registered manager for St Peter’s Park
Just three weeks before the start of lockdown Lisa Turner joined St Peter’s Park as registered manager, after 11 years managing her previous care home.
“With 35 independent living flats here, as well as 37 rooms in the care wing, I arrived excited about managing and developing St Peter’s Park. Of course, I never imagined that I’d be taking up the reins on the eve of lockdown!
“We’re extremely fortunate that we have had no COVID-19 cases at St Peter’s. And with a stable and consistent care team, I have no need to bring in agency staff. The team, residents and relatives have been fantastic, despite the restrictions and our strict hygiene and PPE procedures. We’ve found lots of new ways of keeping in touch with family. There have been many video messages, plus ‘missing you’ cards and even distanced conversations through patio doors or up to balconies.”
Building a specialist dementia wing
The St Peter’s Park team is keen to enhance the care it provides, and construction will soon start on its specialist dementia wing. The comfortable single rooms will share a big lounge and dining area, and have level access to secure outdoor space. The new wing will be staffed by an experienced dementia care team, and will offer exciting career development for some of the current St Peter’s team looking to branch out into specialist dementia care.
New activities co-ordinator
This week the latest new recruit to St Peter’s Park was experienced activities coordinator Paul McCormick, who’s arrived full of great ideas for the activities programme, during coronavirus and beyond.
Paul said:
“Interesting and meaningful activities – especially during lockdown – can make a world of difference to our residents. Seeing a foot tap to music, or a little smile during a craft session, is so rewarding, especially if it’s from someone who might not usually communicate much. We’re lucky here to have our own minibus, and I’m looking forward to helping our residents make the most of it to explore the local area.”
From June, St Peter’s will be re-introducing care home visits with a few stipulations to minimise the risk.
For more information about the care wing or independent living flats at St Peter’s Park retirement village call 0808 256 6038.
