A PASSIONATE and hardworking nurse who has played a pivotal role in turning around the fortunes of a failing care home is in line for a national award.
Terrie-Ann Chidley, 31, has been hailed for “going the extra mile” when it comes to caring for residents at Ely Court Care Home in Cardiff where she took on the role of lead clinician last year.
The mum-of-two, along with manager Rebecca Roberts, was brought in by the new owners Care Inn Ltd and have vastly improved the reputation of the home in nursing circles.
Terrie-Ann, who lives in Ely, has been praised for training and developing the existing staff so that they provide the best possible standard of care, as well as being singled out for the vital support she provides residents coming to the end of their lives.
This has led to her being shortlisted for the Independent Sector Nurse of the Year Award sponsored by Ontex Healthcare, in the 15th annual Wales Care Awards which takes place at City Hall in Cardiff on Friday, October 19.
Terrie-Ann said: “The nomination came as a complete shock. I don’t think I do anything different to what any other nurse should be doing.
“It’s all about person centred care, making sure they’re at the heart of it. If they’re not happy then you’re not doing your job properly.
“When we arrived this was a failing home with a poor reputation. We’ve managed to change the mindset of people.
“We were under quite direct scrutiny from the start. The home had so many issues and was meant to close down.
“We’ve worked hard with the team here. The staff are excellent but needed better management. We’ve all turned it around together.”
Terrie-Ann, who is a qualified mental health nurse after studying at Cardiff University, said: “I had no intention of working with old people or children but I started working in a care home as a stop gap and I fell in love with my job.”
Rebecca Roberts home manager said: “Terrie-Ann is a credit to the profession, she will always go the extra mile to protect these vulnerable people.”
Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor.
“We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be lauded and applauded.”
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