New specialist dementia care home for Yeovil

PEOPLE have reacted with delight to the announcement that a new dementia care home is to open in Yeovil after months of campaigning.

The home, to be known as Chestnut Lodge, is expected to open in the near future and will initially offer nursing care for up to 24 people living with dementia, with more rooms becoming available later in the year.

The property was purpose-built as a care home in 2010 and is currently undergoing a comprehensive re-fit by award-winning dementia care specialists Camelot Care.

The new manager is Graham Oakes, who is currently serving as leader of the town council.

He said: “We know Chestnut Lodge will be filling a significant gap in care provision for the people of Yeovil, and have already received a high level of interest. Dementia is a condition that affects so many families and when the decision is taken that residential care is the best way forward for a loved one, families want to know they will be supported to live their best life – which is exactly what we intend to do.”

Graham originally trained as a nurse at Yeovil Hospital and spent 10 years with the NHS, largely in geriatric care, before changing track to become a care home manager in 1994, motivated by a desire to deliver ongoing care to the vulnerable people he was supporting.

He has since worked in a variety of roles in different parts of the country within both the home care and the care home sector.

He comes to Chestnut Lodge from a care home in Bridport, Dorset, which was rated ‘Outstanding’ by CQC under his management, and he has also worked as a regional care director for a major healthcare group, as well as being involved in turnaround work.

Graham added: “We are recruiting a new top-notch team to deliver the best quality care to the people we’ll be supporting, and are keen to hear from individuals who might like to join us.

“Depending on the role, experience in the care sector is sometimes less important than the character and motivation of the applicant so anyone who thinks they might enjoy working as part of our team should feel free to contact me and find out more.”

Scottish care provider Meallmore Ltd has announced its new senior team as Cillian Hennessey takes over as managing director. Cillian takes over the top job from Gerry Hennessey, who has retired from his role after 35 years. Gerry and his brother Aidan were founding directors when Meallmore was established in 1987. Gerry will remain as chairman, while Cillian takes over the running of operations. Cillian, who joined the family business in 2010 as area manager after working as an investment surveyor, will be supported by the existing executive team and directors group. Rachel Gothard has been appointed to the newly created role of people and culture director and Hazel O’Rourke was promoted to quality director. Together they will continue to support Meallmore’s operations director Mary Preston, regional director CarolAnne Foote, property director Michael Gillespie and finance director Gavin MacKenzie.

Avery Healthcare Group has appointed two experienced leaders to its executive team. Lorna Rose has been appointed chief executive officer. Lorna (pictured) has been a managing director with Barchester Healthcare for the last seven years where she has been a member of the executive team and responsible for the operational leadership of 80 care homes. Prior to that she was a national director for Bupa where she was in various senior roles for 18 years. Lisa Soper has also been promoted to chief operating officer. She is a qualified social worker with more than 35 years of experience in the health and social care sector. As part of the restructure, John Strowbridge, one of the founding directors, will also transition from chief executive officer to the role of executive chairman.