News from Milford Care

Care home worker Jim Watt and colleague Julia Davies have each won a coveted regional award in recognition of their work with Milford Care Group residents.

Jim, who works at Milford House near Belper, was praised for his “passion and enthusiasm” by judges for The Great East Midlands Care Awards 2011.

Naming him winner of the Care Home Worker Award, the judges were “impressed with his empathy for those in his care, and his passion for delivering the very best service.” And they concluded: “Every care home should have a Jim.”

Julia, who won the Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award, is Milford Care Group’s Nurse Quality Manager. Based at Milford Care’s head office in Belper, but also visiting the group’s other homes in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, she was said by the judges to be “passionate about delivering the highest possible standards of care. Her specialism in End of Life Care is an area she holds very close to her heart.”

Offering support to residents and their families, Julia is a member of the Macmillan Life Enhancing Care Programme steering group, and her work in this area is, said the judges, “highly regarded.” They added: “Her passion and commitment and innovation to care is inspirational.”

In all, three Milford Care employees received awards. Jessan Malagad, who is based at the group’s Ernehale Lodge home in Arnold, Nottinghamshire, won the Dementia Carer Award. The judges described him as being “highly motivated and dedicated.” They said: “He is very committed to developing his own practice and that of others in the area of dementia. He realises the specialist needs for people with dementia and strives to improve the care they receive.”

Julia, Jim and Jessan will all be invited to attend the national finals in London next spring.

Milford Care Group manager Pierre Falleth commented: “We are extremely proud of our award winners. They are truly excellent at what they do and well deserve their awards.

“We are particularly delighted for them because recognition of the devotion that goes into social care and the continuing development of quality practice is absolutely priceless. It offers invaluable encouragement not just to the winners but to their colleagues as well.”

The East Midlands gala award evening was held at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham where the awards were presented by broadcaster Vanessa Feltz. The event was part of the Great British Care Awards which celebrate excellence in different aspects of social care.

We are extremely proud to announce that Milford House has achieved the Bronze Standard Dignity Award, making them one of the first homes in Amber Valley to be recognised for their commitment to promoting Dignity in the Care home.

As you may be aware, the Dignity Challenge Bronze award was launched during 2011 for care establishments to aim towards and here at Milford House we were very keen to take part in the challenge.  Dignity is a huge subject and its values are largely centred on providing person centred care to each and every individual, including choices not only in care delivery but in the running of what is ‘their’ home.  At Milford House  we involve the residents in everything ranging from staff selection, food choices, decoration, activities and  outings to name but a few, this is in addition to the usual day to day choices i.e. bath times, retiring to bed etc.

Jim Watt (recent winner of East Midlands Care Home worker award) represented Milford house at the Showcase event on 1st November to collect the Home’s certificate.

Milford House carer in the final for the National Care Awards 2011

The National Care Awards has been the long-term care sector's premier awards event since 1999, promoting excellence and appealing to a wide range of individuals and organisations.

Following interviews in London by the National Care Awards judges, Jim Watt, carer at Milford House, was selected to attend the final in London.

Jim Watt was nominated by Milford House for his outstanding passion and commitment for the work he does and the way in which this is delivered. Jim worked for Milford House many years ago and his name came up again only this year in early March when we were recruiting. The following day a letter appeared from Jim requesting a return to us having re-trained in a Health and Social care NVQ2 in order to apply!

Jim joined us as a care assistant in Mid March and it was immediately clear that his passion and enthusiasm was still there.  Since joining us Jim has actively assisted in every project, taking roles in our Dignity Challenge Bronze award application, our Sales and Marketing team, setting up structured Resident/Relative meetings and working on the action plan, assisting with a Dementia Awareness Day. All of these being way beyond the call of duty for a care assistant.  In barely 5 months Jim has also completed him Common Induction Standards which is extremely detailed and thorough, he has also completed Fire, Manual Handling, Safeguarding, COSHH, Continence, MCA/DOLS, End of life training and has a Dementia training day booked!

There is not one resident or relative who has not commented on Jim’s ability to care, his patience, his understanding, his diverse approach, his professionalism and his sense of humour.

Jim is without doubt the type of person that every Care Home Manager wishes to have under their wing as a  role model to promote the home to anyone experiencing it whether it be Residents, Relatives requiring peace of mind or Professionals looking for quality placements.

Jim intends to continue to work and excel in care delivery at Milford House until he retires, nobody could be more deserving of this award.

Sharon Price – Manager, Milford House.