A care home manager from Greenock is celebrating after being named the joint winner of a prestigious nursing leadership award. Barbara Lawson, Home Manager at Meallmore Ltd’s Kincaid House care home, has scooped the win for the coveted Sue Pembrey Award 2017, which recognises clinical leaders who play a vital role in enabling high quality, person centred care.
The committed manager, who has worked with Meallmore for six years, was nominated by the University of the West of Scotland, where she is currently studying for an MSc in Gerontology and Later Life studies.
She was praised by the Foundation of Nursing Studies – which announces the winners of the Award – for being a compassionate advocate for people with dementia and their families, who has established a caring culture in which staff and residents have flourished.
Speaking of her success, Barbara said: “I was honoured just to be nominated in the first place and I feel absolutely overwhelmed and excited to have won.
“This is a national and prestigious award, as Sue Pembrey herself was an outstanding nurse leader, so to follow in her footsteps is very humbling.
“As a care home manager, I think it’s vital to be visible and genuinely take an interest in people’s lives. I really enjoy chatting with the residents and their families, finding out about their experiences in the home and knowing that we have helped to provide the best possible care.
“I’m over the moon that all my efforts have been recognised but I couldn’t have done it without the team at Kincaid or without Meallmore. The company has always greatly encouraged me and even funded my studies, without which I would never have been in a position to receive this award.”
Gerry Hennessey, managing director of Meallmore Ltd, said: “In her various roles at Kincaid House, Barbara has always demonstrated a tremendous interest in people with dementia.
“Her win acknowledges the incredible job she does, day in day out, and her constant commitment to the residents, relatives and staff at the home.
“We’re thrilled that she has been recognised externally with this very well-deserved accolade and we’re sure she will have many more successes in the future.”
Barbara was presented with her award at a ceremony held in York on the 8th of December 2017.
She shares this year’s award with Freedom Nwokedi who is a clinical team leader with NAViGO Health and Social Care CIC.
