New faces at our Hayling Island care homes
Managing our care homes in Hayling Island and across England is an extremely responsible job. You are responsible for the day-to-day management of your care or nursing home, leading your team to deliver the best care to your residents.
A new registered manager
Naomi Edge joined us in October 2019 to lead the team at not one, but two care homes on Hayling Island in Hampshire, Gorseway Manor Care Home and Gorseway Nursing Home.
With a strong track record and extensive experience in care homes, Naomi was the ideal person to develop a positive culture involving everyone in both homes.
She previously managed a nursing home near Portsmouth specialising in caring for people with challenging behaviours associated with complex neurological, physical and mental health needs.
A new deputy manager
Naomi was joined in June 2020 by Colette Knight as her deputy manager. Colette has built up extensive experience at lots of large nursing homes.
Naomi said:
Colette and I worked together for three years at my previous care home and our working styles really complement each other. Like me, Colette has a proven track-record, which is why I’m delighted that she’s joined the Gorseway team. Since joining us she’s really rolled up her sleeves and got stuck in – she’s a great addition to the team.
Creating a positive place for residents and team members
Naomi has worked closely with the Care Quality Commission to devise a detailed and inclusive action plan for improvements at our Hayling Island care homes.
One of the things I’m absolutely clear about is that this plan must be owned by everyone. The plan affects every member of the team, so every single person needs to take responsibility for its delivery. That’s why team members have put their input into the plan. They all have ideas and suggestions for improvements.
We are making positive changes from the ground up. There’s a real collective feeling of wanting this place to work. I am updating the CQC on our progress and they have been very positive about our work so far.
We’re using tried and trusted Quality Improvement methods. Training the team in how to run and monitor projects will mean we can all measure and track our progress. Together we will create a positive and nurturing home for residents and team members.
Building relationships with local partners
Naomi is forging closer relationships with key local public sector and community partners, such as Hampshire County Council and the local Clinical Commissioning Group’s care homes team.
The action plan includes additional experiential training for the team, covering aspects of care such as dignity, respect, end of life care and safeguarding. The local hospice will also be coming into Gorseway to support the team on end of life care.
And as one of the dementia care homes on Hayling Island, the Gorseway team is also planning to draw on the experience of the local Dementia Friends group to enhance their practical and emotional dementia care and support.
Better communication with families
Regular communication with residents’ relatives is another critical part of the Gorseway improvement plan. When COVID-19 restrictions meant visitors weren’t coming into our Hayling Island care homes in person, Naomi held Zoom calls to share progress and CQC feedback with families.
Other key aspects of the Gorseway action plan are risk management and reviews of all records and information held about each resident. Each day one or two residents’ care plans, family contact details, kitchen and laundry records are reviewed thoroughly to make sure the team is giving that resident the exact care and support they need.
Naomi added:
Like other care homes in Hayling Island and across the country, 2020 has been a challenging year. But we are committed to supporting our lovely residents and are determined to give them the best care possible. Our plan and the support of the CQC give us the framework to make positive changes here.
