Priory sponsors important report

Last night at The House of Commons, Norman Lamb MP kindly hosted the launch of the innvoative Depression, Disability and Employment report.

For the first time a mental health charity and a disability charity have come together, supported by the private sector, to collaborate on a report to explore whether viewing depression in terms of disability had the potential to improve people's opportunities for employment and other forms of social participation.

A staggering 97% of the people who took part in the research said that depression/anxiety had a substantial effect on their day to day activites; and 79% viewed their depression as a disability.

The report makes recommendations to policy makers, commissioners, front-line health and social service providers, employers, voluntary sector organisations and people living with depression.

Visiting our new homes

I visited Cairnmartin last week and it's looking great. The gardens and landscaping are progressing really well and we're looking forward to getting the home registered and welcoming our first clients.

I emt with the community lead at Westwinds Estate, Newtownards and we're getting a lot of support there for our new home. Hopefully a lot of local people will apply for jobs. Thanks Jimmy for all your support.

Sharon Butler
MD Priory Care Homes

Congratulations to Dr Dan!!

Everyone at Priory Group is very proud of our Driector of Dementia Services, Dr Daniel Nightingale, who has been nominated for two major awards. He is on the shortlist for a lifetime achievement award at the National Dementia Care Awards. These awards recognise and reward those who have dome most to help and care for people with dementia. Dr Dan has also been nominated in the Northern Ireland ICHP Awards for Training Initiative. Well done and fingers crossed for a big win!

I'd also like to welcome Lindsey Price to our progressive team. Lindsey will be managing our Cooper House care home in Bradford.

Sharom Butler
MD Priory Care Homes

Busy time at Priory Care Homes

It is a really busy time at Priory Care Homes. Priory Group has sponsored the Northern Ireland Care Awards with IHCP and we are looking forward to a great night and I really hope some of our team win an award - they certainly deserve it!

Dan Nightingale, Peter Gathercole, Diana Milner and I attended the first conference held by SJB Associates - it was a great day in the North East and we look forward to participating and hopefully speaking at the conference again next year. Thank you Diana, Peter, and Dan for your input.

Been to Amberley House in Stoke on Trent today. The Sensory room looks really good - the team has developed a themed Halloween room which looks great - well done to everyone.

We had a lovely visit, spending time in the gardens with some clients and having tea with them. It's great just to relax for a short time!

Sharon Butler
MD Priory Care Homes

Going back to my roots for latest care homes

I am very excited about the upcoming developments in Northern Ireland. Our new home in Banbridge will open later this month. Deborah Campbell, the new manager is raring to go and looking forward to welcoming the first clients into our lovely new home.

Cairnmartin will also be opening soon on Ballygomartin Road, Belfast. Fiona Gray is our manager here. I am particularly excited about this home as I attended the local Cairnmartin Second School and nursed at Ards Hospital so I know the area and the people very well.

By the end of 2010 we hope to have 17 homes in Northern Ireland, providing around 1200 beds.

Sharon Butler
MD Priory Care Homes