Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care has thanked Social Care staff for their incredible compassion, dedication and flexibility in this week’s Adult Social Care Update and has said that she will make it her mission to make sure the social care sector is properly recognised, supported and built upon in a post-pandemic world.
Writing to introduce this week’s Adult Social Care edition, Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care wrote: “Thanks to your incredible compassion, dedication and flexibility, you have supported, protected and comforted our love ones, at a time when they were most vulnerable.”
“The gratitude we owe you is immense, and the professional pride you have shown in dealing with such an extended period of commitment and hard work is acknowledged by those you have cared for. I am proud to count myself as a member of the social care workforce, and my personal thanks goes to each and every one of you.
“In the darkest days of the pandemic, when care home visits weren’t possible, we relied on you to support the mental, as well as physical, wellbeing of residents. More than a year on, with visiting restrictions relaxed, we found ourselves in the midst of Care Home Open Week and a new sense of confidence, optimism and reconnection with local communities.
“Your commitment, in homes and other care settings, to the highest standards of infection prevention and control, has been a vital contributing factor, as has the take up of vaccination appointments by many colleagues. If you haven’t booked yours yet, please do so now and help us preserve these hard-won freedoms.
“I know opening up to the outside world means as much to you as it does the people you care for. You too have coped with the pressures of isolation, illness and restricted routines. It’s my mission to make sure you amazing work is properly recognised, supported and built upon in a post-pandemic world. The recently launched Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Awards are one small part of that and I look forward to announcing more worthy winners soon. Use the links below to submit your nominations for exceptional care colleagues.
“Coronavirus has proved how vital it is to establish closer collaboration between health and care services. This approach has already saved lives and protected others. It absolutely must become the bedrock of social care reforms, which you and I can help bring about.
“Your professionalism has been outstanding. I want to harness that experience, and work with you to shape a social care system truly supportive of our diverse, dynamic and constantly evolving communities.
“Your work has protected you, your colleagues and those you care for in the present, to give us hope for a better future. We will strive to make that hope a reality for everyone. Together.”