2018 North West Enterprise Awards

8 SME NEWS / NorthWest Enterprise Awards 2018 , Based inKendal, a small town, in the heart of the South Lake districtWestmorlandHomecare provides homecare to people living throughout the region in their own homes, ranging from coastal cottages to fellside farms. As part of our overviewof a selection of winners fromthis year’s NorthWest Enterprise Awards we profile the firmand offer an overviewof the hardwork and dedication that has helped lead it to being awarded one of these prestigious accolades. Best Homecare Provider 2018 - Cumbria Established in 2017 by two doctors, Dr Chris Moss and Dr Joshua Macaulay, Westmorland Homecare came about because the pair were increasingly frustrated with seeing older people admitted to hospital, often enduring long stays when they should have been discharged home but, due to lack of adequate, high calibre care, patients were forced to stay in hospital. Today, the firm is preventing hospital admissions by identifying conditions swiftly and collaborating with a range of healthcare professionals including GPs and district nursing teams. When a client is admitted the team at Westmorland Homecare work with other agencies to enable a swift discharge, putting in extra visits and additional training for the firm’s care team, if it is required. Thanks to this collaborative, supportive approach, the firm’s reputation as the industry leading homecare provider has been rapidly gained through a professional and enthusiastic team of care staff, supported by an office team who each have dedicated roles to ensure both staff and clients are adequately provided for. External recognition in the form of the North West Enterprise Award for Best Homecare Provider – Cumbria has been enthusiastically received by our clients, their families, our staff and our local community. Being recognised for the industry leading care that the team at Westmorland Homecare deliver is important, as it raises awareness about the award- Westmorland Homecare NWE18023 winning services that the firm has to offer. Just as important as receiving awards is being proud to be part of a strong community and get involved, whether it is with the Civic Society for the restoration work we have done on our 16th century or for having the best carnival float in the town parade. This sense of pride and place is what adds to the camaraderie across the whole team. Working in homecare often entails long hours of lone working, to remedy this Westmorland Homecare ensure they host quarterly team dinners and company meetings. This brings everyone together and increases the sense of belonging, encourages active participation in “Being able to keep communities and families together, keeping traditions and family values alive are core to how we plan, develop and operate our homecare service” – Dr Joshua Macaulay. “We recruit local people, not all of whom come from a health and social care background, many are changing careers to do something they truly believe in. It will give them a genuine career path and enable them to be proud of supporting people in their community” – Dr Chris Moss.