Quality private nursing Care Homes in

Inside this issue: Eastgate Update 1 Staff Developments 2 Residents News 3 Adult Services 4 Summer 2010

Eastgate Care Transforms Old White Swan

Old Basford a facility that would serve the community. Design, Finance and Health Professionals from the gath- The old White Swan in Bas- ered to celebrate the opening. ford became the New White Swan, as it was transformed Eastgate owns and manages 3 purpose built Nottingham into the Training Centre Care Homes, Alexandra and Offices of Eastgate House at Eastwood, Mel- Care. The Head office prem- bourne House, Aspley and ises provide room for ad- Park House at Bulwell. ministrative services which had previously been at Park The training facilities are House Care Home. The available for hire and are Sheriff Opens Eastgate Head Office at The White Swan company believes that ideal for those wishing to undertake training off-site, to proper Training Facilities previous association with maximise learning potential, are essential to ensure staff The Sheriff (during his last this landmark building as especially medical organisa- development and motiva- year in Office) came to open the premises and a ‘local haunt’ and con- tions. tion. spoke to the guests of his gratulated Eastgate on the successful conversion into

Development News Unrecognizable!

Mandy Bowers, carer at Mel- on time, allowing unob- bourne house, used to go to the structed care of our exist- White Swan as one of the ing residents’ ‘stopping off’ points, during a night out in Nottingham. In This brings the total num- those days Mandy was relieved to ber of beds for nursing/ move on to the next meeting palliative care/ place, as the White Swan was a convalescence to a total of dark and dingy pub. 142 across the three Not- Mandy recently came into the tingham Care Homes. A White Swan for an Eastgate new dementia unit is Training Course on wound care, planned for completion in run by Marilyn Andrews and was early 2011 in the amazed at the bright up-lifting Park House Expansion and redecoration area of Nottingham. surroundings giving a real wow factor. The Training was held in the large upstairs training room Eastgate Care, has added pose built Unit. (pictured back page) where, in 25 new en-suite rooms to former days, Mandy had her its Care Home portfolio, at Owner Mr. Day comment- wedding reception in 1988! the Park House Bulwell ed ‘We have been im- Mandy has worked for Eastgate location. Park House of- pressed with the efficient for 3 years and arranged for the fers specialist palliative team from Wynbrook recent visit by the Sheriff of Not- care and now has 56 places Housing who completed a tingham, Leon Unczur, to visit for residents in this pur- very professional finish, Melbourne House for the cele- The White Swan—Basford bration of a residents 100th birth- day. Quality private nursing Care Homes in Nottinghamshire — Contact Head Office on 0843 216 2843 visit our website at www.eastgate-care.co.uk Page 2 Eastgate News Volume 1, Issue 1

Staff Development

Human Resources Lead the Way Human Resources

Susan joined us earlier this awards. The new Recruit- year and is an experienced ment policy ensures we em- ‘Susan's work HR Manager with over 21 ploy only the best! philosophy is years experience in human Susan is keen on animals strongly based on resources. Susan originates and has 7 Jack Russells and principles and ethics from Leicester but has lived to ensure a fair and also owns horses, her daugh- most of her life in Notting- pleasant working ter competes at ‘eventing’ ham. environment, trust throughout the country. in the human’ Already Susan has helped the resource function company by developing Hu- being paramount’ man Resources policies and procedures and implement- Susan Young ing a new Staff Handbook HR Manager leading to team member of the month and long service

New Activities Coordinator Joins Public Relations Helps Promote Busi- ness Caroline moved to Notting- tivity Coordinators role and ham 2 years ago and was Caroline is rising to the chal- lenge. Marketing Professional attracted to the Care Indus- try by her interest in peo- Julie Elliott has been For those who just want to ple, their backgrounds and enlisted to raise the sit and chat Caroline is able what they have to say. She profile of our care homes to spend time giving direct relates to all age groups within the local and wider contact with her special car- and has settled in well at community. ing nature and even treat Park House, now getting to them to a hand massage. know all the residents and Carolyn Downing For a long time Eastgate Knitting is back on the Agen- managing to engage with Activities Coordinator has developed high da and keeps fingers and the more reserved ones too. Park House quality facilities and minds busy, so we could all Trying to include all people services for the 3 Care have scarves for Christmas! Homes, but has not been of different abilities and Caroline likes to keep active now the weather is fine it able to ‘spread the word’ interests is the really de- and is developing chair is ideal for outside trips about the successes of manding aspect of the Ac- based exercises for residents, and plans further afield the Staff and the services are being devised. provided for residents. Customer Liaison Is Key Julie will use her wide ranging business skills to share some of the original Sue Clifford brings her many in their quest to maintain Outside of work Sue enjoys and outstanding ideas years experience as a Care occupancy. walking with her two dogs, Home Manager and as a Reg- she has recently joined a among the large team of Sue enjoys work and is very istered Nurse with her to the dance class and is learn- diversified staff and assist keen to play a part in contin- Eastgate team. The main fo- ing tap dancing and is a us in the Public Relations ually improving care within cus in the new role will be novice horse rider too. role. the homes and in supporting assisting individuals and Julie also originates from others in achieving their families in the transition Nottingham. goals. from home to residential care and supporting the managers

Quality private nursing Care Homes in Nottinghamshire — Contact Head Office on 0843 216 2843 visit our website at www.eastgate-care.co.uk Eastgate News Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 3

Residents news

Memory Lane Forum. Dressed in her Sun- day Best, she went to see Melbourne House is built on Saunders of the River in the sight of one of the former original sepia. ‘It cost just 6d largest cinemas in the area – and the usherette came round called The Forum. Local resi- with ice creams’ Happy mem- dent with us who remembers ories live on with many of our visiting the cinema for its local people. first showing – Jeanne Pep- The Forum cinema was per knocked down some years Jeanne remembers visiting ago, and in its place stands the cinema which we believe Melbourne House Care is sometime during 1933. It The Old Forum Cinema Home, completed by East- all made a great impression gate in September 1995 . on Jeanne who can vividly remember this special outing all those decades ago, when -

Aunt Isobel took her to The Melbourne House Care Home

Greenhouse Sparks Residents Gardening Club at Alexandra House

between them they have A nearby local resident had Barry said ‘Our residents managed to grow a whole the foresight to donate a are benefitting from this range of vegetables; toma- small portable greenhouse activity and they are able toes, green beans, cour- and with the enthusiasm to take part in a hobby gettes - many from seed. and inventiveness of Activi- which they truly enjoy, Lettuces have already been ties Coordinator Lorraine they can benefit from be- enjoyed and the ‘home Rose, the Gardening Club ing outdoors and to be able grown’ potatoes are nearly was set up earlier this year. to produce something is a ready for the table. Colour is real plus. We hope this Some Alex House residents added with a variety of pot project will continue for already had an interest in plants, tubs and hanging many years to come’. gardening and were keen to baskets with some plants have an outlet for their being donated. The dedication of Alex knowledge. Ten residents House Care workers ena- Care Home Manager Sally participate in the group and bled this venture to ‘get off the ground’ because in addition to Lorraine’s or- ganising skills, further help was needed for daily watering and the loan of Ray Plants Lettuce garden tools. Sheila Fletcher deserves a special mention, she has brought her gardening knowledge and commitment to this project.

Growing from Seed

Donations of unwanted plants and garden tools can always find a Home at Alex House Gardening club! Melbourne House, Aspley Lane, Nottm, NG8 3AF, Tel—01159 294787

Quality private nursing Care Homes in Nottinghamshire — Contact Head Office on 0843 216 2843 visit our website at www.eastgate-care.co.uk Adult Services Update ‘Government regulations ………...

Melbourne and Park House Open Up To Dementia …….have forced care organisations to Melbourne and Park House provide a structured activ- will have feelings of guilt, place more staff have recently em- ity programme and main- anxiety and sorrow. They emphasis on barked on the rigorous task tain existing skills to carry may see their loved ones fail cosmetic services of preparing for Dementia out normal daily activities to recognise them as the Registration. and allow for differing disease progresses and in and facilities; sadly levels of independence. some cases they may see a potential residents Our programme is to take a change of personality. and their families small percentage of demen- In caring for people with tia residents who will fit in dementia it is really im- It is understood that ; have been led to with the residents we cur- portant that we know ‘Family and friends when believe that these rently have and who will about their lives, about forced to let go of their car- services constitute enjoy living at the home. their likes and dislikes, ing role need less separation quality care. Its This helps them integrate families and friends. All and more integration into with care home life. this information will help the care homes community’ about far more than the staff care for them and offering choices of When residents are admitted In order to be registered for allow them to lead as ful- services, it’s about dementia some small envi- filling a life as possible. our staff will make the tran- ronmental changes at the sition to the care home as what we do and say Care Homes have been im- We at Melbourne House smooth as possible. We are that makes a person plemented, to make it even understand the difficulties committed to provide a in a care home feel faced when dealing both more safe and secure . Our quality service, this is re- part of the staff have received extensive physically and emotionally flected by the amount of training in dementia care with dementia sufferers training and staff selection. community’ and that families need With the support of the De- and there is an on-going Writes Julia Pitkin – support too. We recognize mentia Outreach Team from programme in place. Trainer in Dementia Care that many families strug- Nottingham City, and other Our main focus in caring for gle to care for the demen- Health Care Professionals people with dementia is to tia sufferer at home and we feel prepared to achieve this.

Dementia Activities Training For Care Workers Care Homes; Alexandra House, 191 Nottingham Road, The following workshop was Wroughton Court, successfully run at the new Eastwood, Nottm , NG16 White Swan Training 3GP facilities in Basford by training manager Marilyn Tel—01773 530601 Andrew; Park House, This workshop is designed to compliment the existing Road, Bulwell, programmes by exploring the New Eastgate Training Facilities Nottm, NG6 8SB vital role carers have in Tel—01159 771363 stimulating the individual they care for. The objectives are met copies of exercises Melbourne House, through a mixture of provide portfolio This course enables attendees structured input from the evidence for Care Aspley Lane, Aspley, to link activity ideas with the tutor , small and large Level 2 Nottm, NG8 3AF needs of the individuals to group work , case studies This course will be Tel—01159 294787 promote and develop a and exercises. person centred care scheduled again in the approach. This workshop is for autumn. Contact Head Office carers working in a Marilyn Andrew at Head The White Swan residential setting. Office, (details below) if Old Basford Detailed course notes and you want to know more Nottm, NG6 OGD or reserve a place. Email : care.enquiries @eastgatecare.co.uk

Quality private nursing Care Homes in Nottinghamshire — Contact Head Office on 0843 216 2843 visit our website at www.eastgate-care.co.uk