Southern Healthcare, which has four nursing homes across Devon, invited ninety-two team members who had achieved 5 years or more of service to an evening of celebration in Dawlish to thank them for their commitment to the company.
Members of staff travelled from Parkwood House in Plymouth, The Seaton in East Devon, The Old Rectory in Exeter, and Sefton Hall in Dawlish to join the party which included entertainment by The Craig Milverton Quartet. In appreciation of their attendance, Geoffrey Cox, Managing Director and Margot Whittaker, Director of Nursing and Compliance at Southern Healthcare, presented each guest with a bag of goodies with those who achieved long service milestones during the year also receiving certificates as well as a gift voucher and a letter awarding them additional annual leave.
Amongst those receiving a special mention was Margot Whittaker who was rewarded both for her service and her work in developing the Advanced Social Care Nursing Diploma in conjunction with the University of Bolton.
Also recognised for their contributions to care either locally, regionally, or nationally, were Emma Seal, Manager of The Seaton, Kerrie Haughey of Parkwood House in Plymouth, Lisa Burge, George Silimon and Penny Truswell of Sefton Hall in Dawlish, and Andy Cowling from The Old Rectory, in Exeter.
A further accolade went to Lorna Smith, the Home Manager of Parkwood House in Plymouth. Parkwood achieved a Platinum Award in the Eden Alternative care philosophy audit along with a Level One outcome from the Meaningful Care Matters ‘Butterfly’ audit, making it one of only a small number of homes in the country to achieve this high award.
Geoffrey Cox closed the evening by thanking everyone for attending and for the incredible work they do. He remarked on how well team members support each other and residents to continue to lead vibrant, meaningful, and fulfilling lives notwithstanding any challenges they may have.