Senior care home nurse recognised with gold social care award
Care home nurse Jemma Sharratt has been given a top government award in recognition of her dedication to care quality, education, research, and leadership in social care nursing.
Ms Sharratt has been presented with the Chief Nurse Adult Social Care Gold Award by the chief nurse for adult social care in England, Professor Deborah Sturdy.
“I really relish the opportunity to introduce new students to the rewards of working in a social care setting”
Jemma Sharratt
Ms Sharratt is nurse manager at the Belong Atherton Care Village in Greater Manchester, where she leads a team of nurses providing specialist nursing and dementia support to the care home residents.
She is credited with working to develop career pathways for student nurses, including by introducing the trainee nurse associate role in conjunction with the University of Salford.
She is also working on development of guidance around the administration of liquid medication for care home residents, and has led Belong Atherton to achieve a platinum accreditation for end-of-life care.
Ms Sharratt said: “I am honoured to do the work I do but to be recognised by Deborah Sturdy is truly remarkable.
“I love my job and really relish the opportunity to introduce new students to the rewards of working in a social care setting.
“I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to develop my career with Belong and to be part such a forward-thinking organisation,” she added.
England’s chief nurse for social care surprised Ms Sharratt with the award during a visit to the Chester Belong Care Village.
Professor Sturdy was there to find out more about the ‘household model’ used at the Belong care homes, which allows small groups of care home residents to live together in family-sized groups.
Professor Sturdy said: “It was fantastic to meet Jemma and Belong’s team of passionate leaders – their enthusiasm and compassion was palpable.
“Jemma’s practice development work is heartening to see, and equally, a first-hand experience of the household model was inspiring,” she added.
Earlier this year, Ms Sharratt was also awarded the Social Care Nursing Award at the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards in March.
