Sharing successes at Advantage Healthcare
Steph Mohan, Service Development Director in our complex care division, has shared a story which reinforces that no matter how tough it can be at times, our staff make a real difference where it matters. Catherine Wilkins and Fiona Fairclough at Advantage Healthcare pulled out all the stops to make a client’s final days as good as they could be – but the result was better than anyone could have expected.
Catherine shared the news, saying, “I received a referral from a local hospice who have been supporting a young mum of two boys whilst she has been in Papworth. They informed us that this lady is complex palliative and wanted to spend the last few weeks at home with her children, we were asked if we could turn this around in three days.
“After many calls, encouraging, prompting and cajoling we managed to put a team together 24/7 and found clinical staff to produce the documentation required. A huge effort has been made by many professionals from the primary, secondary and community sectors along with our staff to make this happen.
“Most important of all, our carer was there waiting to take on the huge responsibility of looking after Juliet, something that a whole army of hospital teams have been doing up until now.
“Seven weeks on and we have been informed by Papworth Hospital that they haven’t seen Juliet look so well and we must be providing great care. Juliet is now being put on a lung transplant register, this is the best news and shows there are miracles.”
Steph told us, “This news, coupled with Sally Wheeler, Caroline McPherson and Christine Brooks reaching the Great British Care Award finalists and Leanne Henderson’s mock inspection result of ‘outstanding’ in the Wales branch – the first in Advantage Healthcare’s history of mock inspections – has really made me proud of what we are achieving in a challenging period of change, on every level! Well done all.”
Well-said Steph, it sounds like the whole Advantage Healthcare team is making a real difference to the lives of everyone they support.
The Dunes team remembers Sara Benvin
Sandra Walker has shared with us the details of a moving remembrance service held by the team at The Dunes Extra Care scheme in Redcar for their manager, Sara Benvin. A long-time and very much respected member of the Comfort Call family, Sara had been with the business for more than 15 years. 
After starting as a care worker in Hartlepool, Sara progressed to being a registered manager for domiciliary care before joining the Redcar Extra Care schemes in 2016. Sadly, Sara passed away suddenly earlier this month whist still an active member of the Comfort Call team.
In celebration of Sara’s life, the team held a small service this week in the gardens of the scheme, attended by staff, service users and their families. Even colleagues that Sara had worked with previously – during her employment with Comfort Call and Careline Homecare – made time to join and remember the part Sara played in their lives.
The order of service started with a song and a reading, and all who attended where given a yellow rose to lay on a bench dedicated to Sara’s memory in the scheme’s garden. In sharing memories of Sara’s impact on her colleagues and service users during the service, Amanda Stirling said, “Sara really could light up a room with her smile and her laugh was infectious.”
Amanda continued, “The one thing that always stands out about Sara is she made time for everyone. No matter what she was doing, she was always prepared to talk if that’s what was needed or to just listen. Sara loved working in the care sector, it was never a job for her it was a vocation. She has touched the lives of so many that it’s fair to say she made a difference and will continue to make a difference through us her friends and colleagues.”
We couldn’t have put it any better Amanda, it’s clear just how much of an impression Sara left on everyone she worked with.
Spook-tacular decorations at Aspen Gardens
Sandra Walker, Regional Manager at Comfort call shared some pictures of some amazing Halloween decorations at Aspen Gardens. Service users at the scheme took time to make some creepy crafts ready for the 31st.
We think they look frightfully good, well done everyone.
Big birthdays across the City & County family
Firstly, Vicky Judge, Registered Manager at Advantage Healthcare in the North West shared a picture this week of a perfect party. Their client Daniel had a birthday party last week, with all of the care staff did a collection for the fantastic birthday cake.
The team even made food in branch to make sure the celebration was a complete success. Great work everyone – Daniel certainly looks like he enjoyed the effort everybody put in.
Lisa Spencer, Care Coordinator at Poppy House in Ashton-under-Lyne has also asked us to share the branch’s best wishes for Jean Appleton – one of their senior carers – who turns 60 this week.
Lisa told us, “I thought Jean deserves a mention as she does lot for our community group and occasionally even travels to different branches in a supporting role. We decorated our office for her and presented her big bottle of vodka as well as Pandora bracelet.”
Happy birthday Jean, it looks like you had a fantastic day.
Supreme service from Sally Smith
Marie Parrish and the team at Advantage Healthcare in Peterborough wanted to share their appreciation for their considerate colleague Sally, who is marking eleven years with the business this week.
Marie told us, “Sally, we know you have worked hard for this accomplishment and we truly appreciate your dedication. She has seem the business change many times, and she has always stayed loyal to us and her clients.”
“Sally is always offering to help when is available. She has been working with one of our clients for over seven years and the relationship between them is amazing. We would like Sally to know we are so proud to have her as part of our work family. We hope that you keep up the good work for many years to come.”
We couldn’t agree more Marie. Thank you for everything you’ve done – and continue to do – for your colleagues and clients over the years Sally!
Stoptober – It’s never too late to quit smoking
If you have been smoking for a long time, you may wonder whether it’s worth trying to stop after so many years. The fact is, it’s never too late to enjoy the health benefits of stopping.
What happens when you quit?
The sooner you quit, the sooner you’ll notice the changes to your body and health. Look at what happens when you quit for good.
| After 8 hours | Your oxygen levels are recovering, and the harmful carbon monoxide levels in your blood with have reduced by half. |
| After 48 hours | All carbon monoxide is flushed out. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste and smell are improving. |
| After 72 hours | If you notice that breathing feels easier, it’s because your bronchial tubes have started to relax. Also your energy levels will be increasing. |
| After 2 to 12 weeks | Blood will be pumping through to your heart and muscles much better because your circulation will have improved. |
| After 3 to 9 months | Any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will be improving as your lung function increases by up to 10%. |
| After 1 year | Great news! Your risk of heart attack will have halved compared with a smoker’s. |
| After 10 years | More great news! Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker’s. |
If you haven’t stopped smoking yet, there is still time!
Why not join the thousands of people stopping smoking this October.
The key to success if to never give up trying.
Support to get started…
- NHS Smokefree – offers free support in the form of an app, personal quit plan, email support, telephone helpline support and Facebook support group.
- British Lung Foundation – the website offers information about the health effects of tobacco use and programmes to help people quit.
- Don’t forget to visit LifeWorks, our employee assistance programme for online resources to help you stop smoking.
Meet the Complete Care Amegreen team today
If you’re at the British Association of Brain Injury & Complex Case Management conference in Birmingham today, then why not make your way to stand 26 and say hello to Jody Tierney and Lisa Ruffell from Complete Care Amegreen?
Jody recently joined the team as a Care Service Manager responsible for on-boarding new business, and together with head nurse Lisa, is already at her first event flying the Complete Care Amegreen flag.
Not only are Jody and Lisa excited to be at BABICM’s 25th Anniversary today seeing everyone face to face after so long, but by paying them a visit you could also be in with the chance of winning a bottle of fizz!
