Seafarers’ Care Home Head Celebrates 10 Years at the Helm
Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt OBE is celebrating ten successful years as Chief Executive at the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society care home in Banstead, Surrey.
The former Royal Navy officer has overseen a time of great change for the Society. The last decade has seen an ambitious raft of improvements to the home, including the installation of a dementia annexe, several royal visits and its 150th anniversary celebration in 2015.
During Brian’s time in charge the Society has also built on its reputation for the highest standards of care for its 68 residents and 28 tenants. It was recently rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which paid tribute to “a totally lovely place” and its “excellent staff”.
Commending the Society’s Belvedere House home, the CQC’s report said: “There was great teamwork with staff from all departments working well together. This helped make sure people lived life to the full – people enjoyed the home environment and gardens which were beautifully maintained”
The Society also scooped the Care Provider of the Year title at the Surrey Care Association Awards annual award ceremony, which was attended by more than 350 care professionals from the Surrey area. The category was for care providers that have demonstrated an exceptional approach to social care services and the ability to develop a capable, confident and skilled workforce to ensure the highest levels of care.
Belvedere House was commended for its enthusiasm and determination when identifying and meeting the needs of service users, carers, staff and the wider community and won through against stiff competition.
Chairman of the Society, Captain Duncan Glass, said: “Brian’s time in charge has coincided with heightened scrutiny for the care home movement and awareness among relatives and regulatory bodies of the need for transparency and the highest standards. He has been an inspirational figure for the Society’s 100 employees, who have worked tirelessly to improve on already high standards – and the fact that we have 98% occupancy rates and negligible staff turnover demonstrate that Belvedere House is a happy place to live and work.
“Crucially, Brian has also acted as an energetic ambassador, helping raise profile, awareness and funds at a time when charities must increase visibility in order to survive and grow their services.”
Commander Boxall-Hunt said: “It has been an honour to work with the Belvedere House team since 2006 and I have been particularly gratified at how the Society has evolved to meet the more sophisticated needs of our residents, whose average age has increased in that time. An example is our 36-bed dementia wing, which offers a range of groundbreaking therapies and treatments designed to enhance quality of life for those living with the condition.”
The Society has provided nursing care and accommodation to support elderly, sick or disabled seafarers, their widows and dependants since 1865.
Its purpose-built nursing care home is situated within 14 acres of leafy Surrey countryside and offers a full range of on-site services and accommodation, including nursing, respite and specialised dementia care and sheltered flats – which avoid the need for residents and couples to be apart or to transfer to other homes as their needs change.
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