Manager Wins West Midlands Covid-19 Excellence Award
Much has been made of the outstanding efforts of many in the NHS and care sector during the challenging time of the coronavirus, with individuals and staff teams going above and beyond to combat the threat and keep others safe and well. It takes something truly special though to be recognized above many others, for a level of dedication and courage and contribution on the frontline. Debbie Rowley, Home Manager of St Giles Care Home, Birmingham is one such hero.
The annual West Midlands Care Association Excellence in Care Awards ceremony was held via a Zoom call on Friday 17th July, and Debbie was announced as the winner in the COVID Hero category!
Debbie was nominated by Emma Miles, Regional Manager for Avery Healthcare, in a detailed recommendation, with supporting comments from Julia Phillips, Joint Strategic Commissioner (Older People and Dementia) at Solihull Council.
Julia particularly praised Debbie for proactively working with local hospital commissioners to establish a unit that could safely meet the needs of COVID positive discharges from hospital. “St Giles is seen as a trusted provider and partner, delivering not only an intermediate care service for Solihull, but also providing 18 nursing beds which are always well used. During COVID, Debbie has led St Giles staff to set up a unit that could safely meet the needs of COVID-positive discharges from hospital, working with the Council and the local CCG, and ensuring they had mitigated all risks of transmission from this unit to other parts of the home.”
She continued, “From my perspective, Debbie has fully met all of the expectations in relation to the mobilisation of the COVID discharge-to-assess unit, and I feel that the success of this service has been down to her planning, management, drive and commitment.”
Emma Miles also commented, “It was a really lovely surprise for Debbie, and the whole team were over the moon that she had won the COVID Hero award. Debbie has been amazing throughout the COVID crisis and has gone above and beyond to ensure COVID positive individuals from the community have had a safe space following their hospital admission to be nursed back to health, recuperate and return home.”
Debbie was overwhelmed with the personal recognition but said that she could not have got through this without a good team around her. “I am overwhelmed and really touched by the award, and would like to thank my team and senior management, as I would not have been able to get through this COVID crisis without them and their support.”
