Carmarthenshire Care Home Provider Joins John’s Campaign

HC-One, the third largest care home operator in the UK which runs Llys Newydd Care Home in Carmarthenshire, has joined John’s Campaign, which is calling for the right of people with dementia to be supported by their family carers. John’s campaign works to enable more people to visit and help care for their relatives in medical and social care services at the times of day that work best for everyone.

John’s Campaign was founded as a result of the experiences of Dr John Gerrard and his family following his time in hospital with dementia in 2014. His daughter Nicci Gerrard and friend Julia Jones are campaigning for the right of family members of people with dementia to be allowed to actively support their loved ones when they are in hospitals or care homes.

The single simple principle of John’s Campaign according to its founders is that: “We should not enforce disconnection between relatives and those who need care.” Behind its simple statement of purpose lies the belief that relatives should not just be tolerated but should be welcomed, and that a collaboration between the patients and all connected with them is crucial to their health and their wellbeing.

HC-One, is pledging to support John’s Campaign across all its homes by:

actively encouraging relatives to visit at times suitable for Residents, whether this be early morning, late evening or even overnight

providing refreshments and suitable accommodation for visiting relatives to make it easier for them to spend time with their loved ones.

Across the country HC-One run more than 200 care homes that provide residential, nursing, dementia and specialist care. The care homes operated by HC-One support and care for more than 10,000 residents and employ nearly 14,000 caring colleagues.

HC-One is proud to support John’s Campaign as it seeks to ensure everyone who needs care is treated with dignity. HC-One strives to be the first choice care home in the community and welcomes friends and family to visit day or night so that they can maintain positive relationships with their loved ones.

Dr Chai Patel CBE FRCP, CEO and Chairman of HC-One, said:

“I am very much looking forward to working with John’s Campaign on an issue that is so close to the ethos of HC-One. We strive to provide the kindest care and welcoming relatives and loved ones into our homes is a crucial part of that. John’s Campaign highlights the very important issue of maintaining the connection between people with dementia and their families. Working closely together with relatives and loved ones is one of the best ways to maintain the health and wellbeing of our Residents.

Nicci Gerrard, Co-Founder of John’s Campaign, said:

“We are delighted to have HC-One on board with our campaign. It is very encouraging to see a care provider of HC-One’s size commit to safeguarding those who need care, and to be open and accountable to family members. They join a long list of organisations who are committed to helping those in care and this is another positive step for our campaign.”