HC-One’s Dementia Care team have won the ‘Best Dementia Care Team Award’ at the 13th National Dementia Care Awards 2023 which took place during a gala awards lunch at Winchester Cathedral on Thursday 13th July.
HC-One’s Dementia Care team consists of Dementia Care Managers Annette Banks, James Ridley, Katy Jenks and Natasha Wilson, led by Tracey Carter, Head of Dementia Care.
The team provide direct clinical support, advice, mentoring and supervision to HC-One’s portfolio of 180 dementia care communities, supporting Care Home Colleagues to enable Residents to live their best lives and support their families and friends in maintaining positive, loving relationships.
The National Dementia Care Awards promote awareness and raise the status of all of those who work in dementia care. The HC-One Dementia Care team were selected as the winner of the ‘Best Dementia Care Team Award’ category as the team has demonstrated that they are a dementia-focused close-knit team who have developed and maintained an outstanding standard of care within care homes at HC-One. The team have shown evidence of excellent and sustained teamwork which has resulted in positive outcomes for Residents living with Dementia, combined with innovation as well as a strong sense of person-centred care.
The role of Dementia Care Manager (DCM) was introduced at the end of 2021 and the team operate a referral pathway process, enabling Colleagues across HC-One to refer directly into them for support and advice. After initial triage and a consultation call with the referrer, each case is allocated to a named DCM, who work with the home to plan and deliver the right type and range of support required to meet the individual needs of the home and the Residents living there.
In a relatively short period of time, this approach has enabled the team to influence strategic and cultural change, embed evidence-based practice, identify, share and celebrate good practice and help to facilitate and grow innovation, which is resulting in meaningful outcomes for Residents and those who support them.
The team are subject matter experts and also provide clinical advice, recommendations and support to all other teams and stakeholders across HC-One, including Learning & Development, Quality Improvement, Clinical Governance and Regulatory Compliance.
Tracey Carter, Head of Dementia Care at HC-One commented:
“What an amazing achievement, I am incredibly proud of all of our Dementia Care team at HC-One who go above and beyond for our Residents each day and we are delighted to win this prestigious award.
“Our Dementia team are highly trained, experienced and an exceptionally resourceful team who are always available to offer advice and support. They have made a significant difference to those living with dementia in our care homes and to Colleagues who require support.”
Professor Graham Stokes, Director of Dementia Care Services at HC-One said:
“Through our dementia care model, we strive to give people living with dementia the care they need and the life they want.
“It is important to recognise those who work tirelessly to provide outstanding care and support Residents to live their best lives, and I’m delighted that HC-One’s Dementia Care team has been recognised through these awards.”