Winner in the Best Kept Communal Gardens Competition 2023

The award was presented to Summerlands Care home by Councillor Sandy Ellis on Sunday 22nd October at the Town Hall in Boltro Road

“A garden dedicated to the pleasure of relaxing, engaging, and enjoying the wildlife.  The care and commitment given to the gardens is reflected in the planting & design, creating a sense of belonging among friends and neighbours”.


Clinical Research Support Award (NIHR)

Summerlands participated in the AFRI-c-Study - a controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of air filtration systems in preventing respiratory infections (such as coughs, colds and flu) and COVID-19 among care home residents in England.  The AFRI-c (Air Filters to Prevent Respiratory Infections including COVID-19 in Care Homes) study, which received funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), is led by researchers at the University of Bristol.

Angela was nominated for the excellent support she gave to the study:

"Angela supported the research delivery team during the conduct of the AFRl-c study. Angela responded to emails in a timely manner and was very responsive in actioning research activities. The team are aware of the challenges and pressures care homes are under but despite this the study was successful and the care home participated in their first research study. The outcome of this study will make a difference to care home residents across the world."

 


Summerlands care home wins national award for providing outstanding palliative and end of life care

Summerlands has been awarded a national Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award for its delivery of end-of-life care during the pandemic.

The Award, which recognises health and social care providers delivering quality care in the final year of life, were presented at the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Conference and Awards ceremony on 7 October 2022 in London.

Summerlands is one of 75 care homes, hospitals, hospices, primary care practices, retirement villages, and domiciliary care agencies, that received the prestigious GSF quality hallmark across the country during the ceremony.

The Gold Standards Framework Centre provides expert training for frontline staff in health and social care, to enable a ‘gold standard’ of care for people nearing end of life.

Before the pandemic hit, GSF provided face-to-face workshops, but have successfully adapted and moved online to adhere to COVID-19 regulations. The training has been a huge success and has supported both families and patients to discuss end of life care planning and what matters to them.

Lowela Alcazaren, Registered Manager: “We are delighted to have completed the GSF reaccreditation assessment and to be awarded Platinum Status.  My team, irrespective of role, are committed to the ongoing development of GSF and that the residents receive the highest standards of care and support, focusing on helping them to remain as independent as possible.”

 

Julie Armstrong-Wilson, Lead Nurse for GSF said: “Congratulations to all organisations that have successfully achieved accreditation and reaccreditation. The last two years have been an incredibly difficult time for all health and social care providers and taking the time to complete their GSF accreditation is to be commended. Good quality end of life care has never been more important, especially due to the impact of the pandemic we have all faced. Witnessing so many centres signing up to learn more and gain GSF accreditation so they too can support people at the end of life is fantastic to see.”


Great British Care Awards National Winners 2022 announced

The finals were held on 18th March 2022 and Amber McAdam was highly commended.  This is what the judges said:

Amber McAdam, Summerland Care Home

Highly commended for an outstanding performance and delivery of care. Amber clearly puts her residents at the centre of everything she does, even streaming her own wedding live into the home. Amber delighted judges with her effervescent personality and can-do attitude. She is passionate about enabling others to perform her role. She felt blessed to work within her role, and that shone throughout. Once seen and never forgotten!

 


The Great British Care Awards 2021 – Regionals

 

Summerlands were finalists for the Care Home Team Award, The Care Home Worker, The Care Home Chef, and the Care Home Activities Award.  The award Ceremony was held on 6th November 2021 at the Hilton Brighton Metropole.  We were delighted to announce that Amber McAdam won the award for the Care Home Activities Organiser.


Leaders in Care Awards – Finalists 2021

Summerlands was shortlisted in the Care Home Design of the year award 2021 for it’s high standard in garden design.  The accessible paths allow residents and families freedom to explore the beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees – a wonderful sensory experience.

 


Covid Free Home

The virus was evolving and infection rates rapidly increasing from January 2020; it was the manager’s proactive approach that has been a contributory factor in response to COVID19.

A decision not everyone agreed with initially was to lock down the home weeks before the government’s advice. PPE was sourced and purchased at the home’s own expense as the normal supplier informed that all their stocks were being held for the NHS. PPE purchased included FP3 face masks, gloves, aprons, cleaning, and sanitizing products.

The manager produced a pandemic preparedness plan which was emailed out to all family members of the residents. A communication programme was set up where families could book facetime, WhatsApp or a conversation over the telephone. Regular updates were sent to families along with newsletters and photos.

But the manager’s motivation came from an infection control perspective, and she spent time training staff and putting best practices in the home. Any staff who felt unwell did not come into work and management and ancillary staff trained in care, covered shifts as well as kitchen and laundry duties. Perhaps the fact that no agency staff were deployed during the pandemic was also a factor in keeping COVID out?

Before the government PCR testing was rolled out, the provider purchased Sure Screen rapid 15-minute lateral flow tests for residents and staff and visitors. This gave peace of mind for anyone who felt unwell, and it also allowed visitors to see a loved one at the end of life.

When the home re-opened for about six weeks, a ground floor bedroom was used for family visits and as access was via the garden, the relative did not walk through the home. Stringent cleaning was carried out between visits.

During this period, the weather was glorious and the bi-folding doors leading on the terrace were open throughout the day allowing plenty of fresh air into the home. Summerlands has a wonderful garden and residents spent many hours sitting, eating and drinking outside.

We used the government grant to buy a handwashing unit at the front of the home, an outdoor bubble as well as screening for indoor visits. The manager continued with strict control measures where staff had a designated changing area, uniforms laundered on-site and handwashing, hand sanitising became normal practice. Plans and systems were continually evolving, and senior staff undertook training in wound management and diabetes injections before the home locked down, so community nurses were only required if necessary.

Throughout the anxieties and worries, we kept our sense of humour, and we even arranged a surprise hen party for a member of staff. This proved to be an amazing evening and the laughter and fun proved to be just what the staff team needed.

It was a team effort and thank you bonus was given to the staff for their superb efforts in keeping the deadly virus out.

It has been a success that we have managed no COVID related deaths so far. But we know it isn’t over.


Mims Davies MP Visits Summerlands

On Friday 7th May 2021, we were delighted to welcome Mims Davies to Summerlands who brought a bottle of the House of Commons Champagne which was won during the Covid-heroes zoom celebration in March. After chatting with some residents in the garden, Mims presented Lowela with the bottle of champagne and a beautiful bunch of flowers.


Covid Heroes

We were thrilled to receive a letter from Mims Davies MP congratulating Summerlands for being nominated for a Covid Heroes Certificate.

This was for all the hard work by the manager and her staff team for keeping our residents safe and well during the pandemic.

A zoom celebration was held on 5th March and Summerlands was invited to celebrate with all the Mid Sussex Covid Heroes.

During the evening, Mims Davies announced that Summerlands was the special category winner and to finish the celebrations, Summerlands won a bottle of House of Commons champagne!


Best Care Newcomer Award

We celebrated Amber winning the “Best Care Newcomer Award” at a gala evening at the Hilton Hotel in Brighton in November 2019. What the judges said : “Amber is a true Ambassador to take care to the next level. She is passionate, dynamic and insightful with an inner drive to treat people with dignity and respect”

Sean & Deborah were finalists in the “Care Employer Award”.