Described by her colleagues as a care home manager with a passion for improving the care and services offered to the residents of the Nightingale Care Home which is owned by Sterling Care Homes Ltd. These improvements are clearly evidenced in her nominations for her work on food, fluid and nutrition (FFN). Working with NHS dieticians and being open to learning from nutritional audits, Arlene has completely overhauled food provision within the home, developing the whole team to be upskilled in FFN. Her holistic approach has also seen her develop the environments where food is served, creating innovative calming spaces for residents. Arlene also involves residents in decisions about menus and encouraging them to join staff on trips to the shops to buy the food that will be served. Other initiatives introduced by Arlene support physical fitness with adapted spin classes, yoga, and themed activities for events such as Wimbledon. Her nominators note that Arlene has turned this care home around despite the challenges of the pandemic and the wider challenges of recruitment and retention of staff.
Arlene is keen to note that her staff work with her and not for her, she is always seen in the same uniform as her team and often assists care. Her staff are supported to contribute to the ongoing improvements within the home. Arlene is keen to raise the profile of holistic care home nursing and the positive outcomes it can achieve.
Commenting on Arleen’s award win, Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland Director said: “With increasing clinical need, the impact and importance of nursing in social care, to ensure residents receive high quality, safe care, should never be underestimated. I am proud to congratulate Arlene on her award. She truly embodies not only the skills and competencies required, but the passion for caring for her residents”.
Runners up in the Care Home Nursing Award were Laura MacDonald and Kim Barron, Advanced Nurse Practitioners from Erskine and Kamila Rzepka, staff nurse from Culdathel Care Home.
