HullLive Health & Care Awards 2021 – Covid Hero Award finalist
Covid Hero Award finalist
Overton House is predominantly a home for people who live with dementia, at varying stages and some of whom display distressed behaviours.
Margaret Walker and her team at Overton House worked tirelessly over the pandemic to care for those with dementia, with not one resident in the home contracting the virus. Training and procedures were instantly rolled out, families were kept fully up-to-date, and they created a series of fun events and activities including their own in-house Hull Fair to ensure residents’ wellbeing.
Margaret is always there for the people in her care, being a calm, reassuring presence to those people with the most advanced dementia. Margaret and her Teams tireless incredible work ensured that throughout the whole of lockdown, not one resident in the home contacted covid. Margaret went above and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic, with her focus being safeguarding the services, her residents and staff despite an increase in workload.
From the very beginning of the pandemic Margaret was fully committed to protecting her residents and staff. She has always treated the residents with the utmost respect and dignity and always goes beyond the call of duty, not just for residents but her colleagues too.
As additional infection control measures were rolled out almost daily at the beginning of the pandemic, Margaret instigated training and procedures to help keep her staff updated with all the latest guidance from the government as they gained more knowledge of the virus (which often changed daily!). They introduced new PPE procedures and ensured that their staff attended covid specific training around the use of this.
Margaret worked many hard days of continuous face-to-face support with staff and external services. The pandemic bonded the team, making them stronger and more aware personally and professionally of the diverse needs of the residents who were caught in the middle of a frightening situation. Margaret pushed forward with the collaboration with the local community who responded with pictures of rainbows which were delivered along with treats and gifts for staff provided by local shops and HICA. These really helped keep staff morale high and staff motivated as they faced every new challenge, every new task being introduced and the inevitable increase in workload. They forged a very strong partnership with the GP surgery at Cottingham Medical and have partnered the home with a team of named paramedics who have supported them whilst doctors have been minimising house calls. This was illuminated during their whole home vaccination sessions where they demonstrated a professional and efficient system making the vaccination process seamless. For their help in the vaccination process, they received a letter of sincere thanks from the Primary Care Network for everything they did to help.
Their dedication has ensured staffing levels have remained steady throughout. Team Overton really pulled together and ensured that their residents are happy, settled and looked after. Many residents are in an advanced stage of dementia and staff have been able to keep them following their usual routines.
We are very proud of Margaret and her team for their dedication in keeping all their residents safe and ensuring their wellbeing during a very difficult time. Congratulations and well done on reaching the final of the Hull Live Health and Care Awards 2021!
Each Year Hull Live run their Health and Care awards to celebrate the hard work of individuals and teams within the health and care industry. We are delighted to announce that several of our staff members and teams have reached the final of the HullLive Health & Care Awards 2021!!!
Margaret Walker and her Team from Overton House are a finalist for the Covid Hero Award
Elm Tree Court are a finalist in the Category Care Home of the Year
Amanda Peacock, a carer from HICA ay Home is a finalist for Carer of the Year
The Final will be held as a live virtual event on June 22nd and more details can be found on the Hull Live Website; https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/local-news/here-are-your-healthcare-heroes-5438245
