Care home in Southsea tops turbulent year with an honour for its meticulous Covid-secure plans

Seaview Residential Care Home, in Festing Grove, was named Care Home of the Year by independent company Safe2Stay.

Manager Kacee May took over last year – and since then not only has the home dealt with the challenges of coronavirus, it has gone on to achieve a five star hygiene rating and pull in its first accolade.

Kacee said: ‘Throughout the dark times of the past year, hundreds of care homes have been working tirelessly to ensure that all residents and all staff stay safe, and can continue to enjoy life as best as possible.

‘But all at Seaview have gone above and beyond.’

The home, which is rated Good in all areas by regulator Care Quality Commission, has 13 residents and employs 15 people.

The awards, run by disinfecting and sanitising firm Safe2Stay, looked at all different industries and how they have implemented Covid-secure plans. Thirty honours were handed out by a panel of four experts.

Kacee added: ‘I have been the manager for only five months, and it’s been a whirlwind, what with a new home, new staff, new residents on top of Covid.

‘We are delighted to be recognised for the hard work, and dedication, we have put in to provide a safe, Covid-secure home.

‘Our plans have allowed us to continue to offer home visits to families, this has allowed us to ensure the loving connection was maintained in the safest way.

‘This has also allowed us to protect the mental well-being of our residents.’

Kacee said she put the success down to her team.

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She said: ‘This is a massive achievement – not only for myself as the new manager – but also the hard work and resilience to change from all my staff.

‘Over the past five months we have been through some tough times, but we all pulled together and achieved what could be the most rewarding award there could be.

‘It has really meant a lot to not only me, but all my staff.

‘It has been one emotional rollercoaster, but with the support of each other we have pulled through.’

Elaine Harding, Safe2Stay operations director, said: ‘2020 wasn’t easy and we wanted to finish the year recognising businesses for the hard work they had put into their Covid-secure plans.

‘Seaview was selected as our Care Home of the Year as their attention to detail was meticulous.’

Others businesses to win awards include Greggs, which was named Food Manufacturer of the Year, and Losehill House Hotel and Spa, in the Peak District, which was named Luxury Hotel of the Year.

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