MP’s celebrate first course certificates for new career pathway in person centred practice.
Birtley House had a very exciting evening on Friday 23rd January with Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey and Secretary of State for Health, and Anne Milton, MP for Guildford presenting the first Elizabeth Care certificates, following a course at the University of Surrey, to six successful candidates including Birtley House Lead Carer, Ola Szychulska.
The Elizabeth Care course is part of a project developed by 360 Forward that offers the first real career pathway for those wishing to specialise in person centred Health and Social Care of older people. Here is what people said:
"I have truly appreciated the opportunity to meet a wonderful group of inspirational people and the passion they share for achieving positive outcomes for those we care for. It is through the Elizabeth care/ 360 Forward initiatives that I have had the chance to regain focus and reflect; understanding what we do as a home, where we are now and where we would like to be. I have no doubt that in order to achieve positive outcomes for now and the future it is paramount that as a home we build & foster a positive culture, relationships and behaviours. The care sector is poorly funded, we live in an ageist society and bad news sells, however despite these obstacles we can achieve excellence in care. It’s the smallest things that can make the biggest difference. Care and care homes are a new chapter/ journey in life- where people with a little extra support can still achieve wonderful things and live a varied & fulfilling life. "
Lorna White, Parkwood Care Home Manager
An invited audience of over 50, including the Mayor of Waverley, Cllr Liz Wheatley and Prof Martin Green, CEO of Care England and several of Birtley House residents and staff, were there to see the ceremony and join in the celebrations. Jeremy Hunt congratulated all the candidates and said “I was delighted to visit Birtley House Nursing Home and take part in the presentations to students involved in the Surrey-based Elizabeth Care project. I want to make this the best country in the world to grow old – and that means continuing to do everything we can to improve a culture of compassionate care. This programme is a really important initiative and I look forward to seeing it develop further in the future.”
Anne Milton added her congratulations
Anne Milton, former Health Minister and local MP in Guildford said, “As someone who trained as a nurse and worked in the NHS for 25 years, I am so impressed with all that has been achieved. It was a huge pleasure to be at Birtley House and an honour to award the much deserved certificates to students. This course is about making sure that older people get the care they deserve and recognising the critical role staff play in making that happen. Well done to everyone for their inspiration in getting Elizabeth Care on the map And thanks to Birtley and Rosemary Hurtley of 360 Forward, who pioneered the course, for their support for the project.’