T: 01323 646149 | info@carlislelodge.co.uk
Due to retirement we two vacancies we need to fill. We need an activities CO- Ordinator as soon as possible to work 25 hours a week to include every Saturday or alternate weekends. Experience preferred but not essential as full training will be given. We will also need a weekend cook from March to work 6 hours Saturday and 6 hours Sunday each week and to be flexible to cover shifts for the Chef Manager as and when required. Experience is essential with a good knowledge of food hygiene, allergies and individual dietary needs. If either of these positions interest to you, please give Mandi a call at the home on 01323 646149
This is an article taken from Sussex Live this week
The owner and matron of a nursing home in Eastbourne is retiring after joining in 1990.
You need lots of compassion, a sense of kindness and a sense of fun. It is also important to remember that it is not only our residents but also their families that need support.”
In terms of the balance between managing the home and caring for people, Diane said she never wanted to change her title from matron to manager.
She said, “I see myself primarily as a nurse, not someone who sits behind a desk. But I have never been a stern matron.
“I see the residents every day and having a sense of fun means that I am sometimes compared to Hattie Jacques, which is fine with me!”
Diane’s decision has come from the fact she had cancer last year. Although it was successfully treated, she said it made her realise ‘how precious life is’.
Now she is looking forward to long dog walks, holidays with her wife Veronica, and taking up piano and golf lessons.
She said, “My treatment meant that I was off for three months and during that time my deputy Simone coped amazingly well. She will be taking over as matron, and I have absolute faith in her and the rest of the team.”
Simone Mills said, “I have enjoyed my time working alongside matron and I have learned a lot.
“I will be very sad to see her go but I will continue to uphold the unique ethos that makes Carlisle Lodge the kind, homely, warm nursing it is.”
A spokesperson for the staff said, “It has been a privilege to work with matron. She is supportive to residents and staff in every way possible. This place is her baby. She is a warm, caring, loving person and that shows throughout our beautiful home which is our second family.”
Diane will still own the home and pop in once a week but management of the home will go to Simone Mills.
A mysterious new addition appeared on the mantelpiece in the lounge this morning.
The blue ball (that matches surprisingly well with the ornaments) was at first a mystery!
It is, of course, a new Alexa for the residents to make different musical choices on command.
It is currently playing Frank Sinatra naturally !
I think we may just have to remind residents its Alexa, not Amanda, Alex or Alexis !
One of our lovely residents, Maureen recieved a jigsaw as a gift for christmas from relatives. She was so pleased to see it was a picture of her great grandaughter in New Zealand who she is yet to see in the flesh due to the pandemic!
Her face says it all !
Thank you to everyone who supported and donated to the 'Box full of rainbows'.
We were delighted to receive 34 boxes of gifts and goodies for all of the staff to thanks us for our hard work and commitment during the Covid-19 pandemic.
After 32 years of loyal service as a Care Assistant, Maggie Melluish hung up her tunic and is looking forward to spending more time with her family in her retirement.
We will all miss you, but after 32 years you deserve a fantastic retirement.
As we are still awaiting further guidance from the government regarding allowing visitors back into the nursing home, we have introduced safe 'garden visits'. This has allowed the residents to 'see' their families but at a safe distance for all. If you would like any further information please do no hesitate to contact us.
COVID-19 Coronavirus 24.03.20
New restrictions on visits and future communications
In the light of the Prime Minister’s address yesterday evening and the government’s much tighter restrictions on people leaving their homes, we regret that we must now close our doors to all visits unless your relative is at the very end of their life.
We understand that this must be an anxious time for all our residents’ families and friends, but such measures have been imposed on us by the government for a very good reason – to protect us all in these extraordinary and uncertain times. It is our understanding that they will be reviewed on a regular basis.
Please be reassured that we will continue to give your loved one the best possible care. They may not be able to see you in person for the duration of these restrictions, but they can still enjoy warmth, love and friendship in the company of their other family here at Carlisle Lodge.
In the meantime, you can keep in contact with your relative via phone and ‘visit’ them virtually via video calling, but please call to arrange dates and times for these. In addition, we will be giving regular wellbeing updates to the relatives of our residents who are unable to make or receive calls.
Moving forward, and as information and guidance from the government is being updated regularly, we will continue to inform you of all information regarding our responses to these measures and any changes to the care we provide.
Thank you all for your understanding at this difficult time.
Carlisle Lodge staff celebrating Matron Diane Lawson's 30 years service.
Matron Diane Lawson celebrated 30 years at Carlisle Lodge with a surprise party given by the staff, residents and relatives. Diane came to work at Carlisle Lodge as a Staff Nurse in October 1989, became Deputy Matron in January 1990 and then was promoted to Matron in August 1990. Diane said that there had been many changes over the last 30 years, but the one constant factor had been the fantastic support that she had received from her staff team which had helped to make Carlisle Lodge the lovely home that it is today.
Our residents and their relatives had a wonderful day celebrating Christmas 2018 together. A lovely traditional Christmas lunch cooked by our Chef Manager Jo, followed by a visit from Father Christmas and then entertainment by Julie Terry before finishing off with tea and Christmas cake made by our weekend chef Liz. A great day was had by all.
What a lovely afternoon we had at Birling Gap for afternoon tea. The gin tasting was a bonus!
As well as mandatory training and study days some staff also undertake much bigger academic projects to improve their knowledge and understanding. This benefits the whole home and its residents and is a considerable commitment. So well done to HCA Estelle Morgan who recently acheived the NVQ 3 Diploma in Health and Social care with Sussex Downs College.
Thank you to everyone that attended our MacMillan coffee morning last Friday and kindly donated. We raised well over £200 towards this great cause. Residents and their loved ones enjoyed this social event and it was nice to see some faces from the past too. Thank you to everyone that helped on the day and helped by baking.
We are taking part in the Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday 28th September, 10 am -12 noon.
Our new activites co-ordinator, Maria, will be available to meet.
Maria comes to us with a wealth of experience and creativity and ideas. We now have a full and varied programme of activities 7 days a week. Residents are really enjoying new activities.
Please support MacMillan if you can by visiting and donating.
Our latest CQC inspection showed that 2 areas required improvement and our overall rating went from "good" to "requires improvement"
Here is what we have done to address these issues:
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) assessments have been reviewed for all residents and applications for a DoLS made where needed. Staff have been updated on the Mental Capacity Act and DoLS and care plans have also been reviewed and updated.
The monthly management audit now reviews DoLS and we are reviewing our DoLS and mental capacity assessments as part of a larger software review.
Matron had to go through a process of re-applying for her nursing registration and removed herself from clinical duties during this time. All nursing shifts were covered by our own Nurses. Matron wrote to residents and relatives to explain and apologise.
Nursing registrations are now checked at time of yearly renewal
To read our full CQC report please click on the link on the home page
As many of our residents and their loved ones will know, our Matron Diane Lawson had a heart attack earlier in the year. However she has been back at work for some time and recently completed a 6 mile sponsored walk ( in the heatwave) So far she has raised £385 in aid of British Heart Foundation and Cardiac Rehabilitation locally. Well done to Matron and thank you to everyone that sponsored her!
Carlisle Lodge Nursing Home has recently received some lovely reviews from residents and their families on www. carehome.co.uk . The home currently has the highest review score in Eastbourne, with a score of 9.8 out of 10.
" Every effort has been made to accomodate my uncles changing needs in order that he can maintain the best quality of life possible"
"Excellent care provided by selfless, dedicated staff"
"Highly dedicated and cohesive nursing, care and domestic staff under the excellent management and leadership skills of the Matron"
" I cannot recommend Carlisle Lodge highly enough"
"Mum moved to Carlisle Lodge in April 2014 and her quality of life improved immediately"
Like everyone our residents love to celebrate Christmas with family and friends and Carlisle Lodge Christmas party is an ideal time to share this special time. Our residents and their loved ones enjoyed a traditional Christmas meal and drinks, live entertainment and a raffle in our newly refurbished lounge and conservatory.
We currently have newly refurbished good sized en-suite rooms available at Carlisle Lodge for those needing long term or respite nursing care. Room 10 is on the ground floor with easy access to all the communal areas. Room 14 is on the first floor and suitable for those wanting a quiet location, large sash windows to watch the world to go by from. Lift access to all floors. Please contact us to find out more or to have a look around and a chat.
Several of our staff at Carlisle Lodge have completed many years of service here. This gives fantastic continuity of care to our Nursing Home residents as staff really get to know residents and how they like things done. However not many can match carer Maggie Melluish, who recently completed an amazing 30 years of service. Maggie is pictured with our Matron, Diane Lawson, who has also been at Carlisle Lodge an amazing 27 years. Well done Maggie!
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