Our Care
We offer nursing care in a safe, comfortable and happy environment. We have a close working relationship with our local medical teams, who support us brilliantly on a daily basis. Showing we have the high standards required in a pandemic we have recently had a CQC infection control inspection which we passed, showing we are keeping our residents safe and well-cared for.
Types of Care available at Alverstoke House
NURSING
Alverstoke House nurses are fully supported by a team of care assistants, who work closely alongside the nurses to ensure personal care is delivered according to every person’s individual care plan.Our care and support team are not only employed for their skills and experience but for their compassionate natures too.
PALLIATIVE
We listen to your wishes and are here to support you and your loved ones. Palliative care is for those who are in the last months or years of life. If you, or your loved one has an incurable illness, palliative care manages the pain and other afflicting symptoms.
Our end of life care enables us to help you, or your loved one to live as comfortably as possible and to ensure, without compromise, that you, or your loved one passes away with respect and dignity.
RESPITE
Flexible, temporary care when you need it most. We work with you to tailor the care you, or your loved one may need during your stay with us. Alverstoke House provides residents with a comfortable and relaxing stay whether this is on a short-term basis or as a permanent resident.
Our respite offering is is from two to six weeks and you, or your loved one will receive a personalised care plan during your stay, however long or short.
CONVALESCENCE
Perhaps you, or your loved one have had an operation, or have been unwell and need to stay somewhere for a few weeks to recover. We can offer you the extra help and care that you need with day-to-day aspects until you are able to return to your own home. We can provide both planned respite care for the elderly and emergency respite care.
RESIDENTIAL
We have some rooms which suit residential care and can be used by residents who are more mobile and don’t have a lot of nursing requirements but are secure in the knowledge that they will be looked after at Alverstoke House should their Health decline.
Stay with us for 4 weeks but only pay for 3, and experience for yourself the fantastic facilities, delicious home-cooked meals, and wellbeing activities.
Respite For Carers
We appreciate that full-time carers who look after a family member or friend may need a break, or just need some additional help from time to time. The care we offer our short-term residents is the same high-quality standard as our permanent residents receive. It is good to know that you or loved one will continue to be well looked after during this time.
Our Team
Andrew Hudson Service Provider
Ongoing training for our team is a priority, to ensure they are confident in their skills and offer the best care to our residents. We have a training lead in house to support training. I recently completed my Diploma Level 5 in Health and Social Care. My assessed dissertation focused on the impact of the Pandemic on Elderly Nursing Care, which involved conducting a survey of families and residents. The findings continue to be used to enhance the well-being of residents, and their families.
On a personal level I enjoy playing our grand piano to the residents and also enjoy swimming in the sea from Stokes Bay. I have previously swum to the Isle of Wight three times, raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, Oakley Waterman Caravan Foundation, and the last time swimming there and back raising funds for Aspire, a charity supporting those affected by spinal injuries.
My Goal is to ensure excellent levels of care at Alverstoke House and ensure person centred care and personalised well-being support for all residents escpecially at the end of life.
Katie Smith (RGN) Deputy Manager
I have been Deputy Manager at Alvestoke House since March 2023, previously I worked at Solent Cliffs Nursing Home for 7.5 years.
I have worked in a number of nursing fields in my career however my particular passion is caring for the elderly and have done this for the last 1o years.
I have been a qualified nurse since 2007 completing my training in Cornwall where I was born and raised and visit frequently where my parents still live.
I completed my Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing Practice in 2012 in my own time whilst working full time and raising my children. I was then put forward for my NVQ Level 5 in Health and Social Care in 2018 and have used this to build my knowledge and skills to become a Deputy Manager in which I am very proud of and strive to ensure I meet the homes expectations.
My passion outside of work is my children in which I have 4; we love to spend time at the beach, going on bike rides and being out in the fresh air.
I thrive to support the residents of the home to ensure they are well cared for and supported with all of their activities of daily living. I work alongside the staff of the home to ensure they are trained and supported to give the care in which our residents and their families expect.
Heidi Collins Registered Manager
I started work at Alverstoke House in 1994 as a carer when I was 18. I stayed here for 3 years then left to work at QAH to gain more experience before applying for my nurse training. I worked on the surgical and the breast care wards. I stayed at QAH until 2001 when I was transferred to Haslar Hospital where I worked alongside the military before the NHS staff were moved over.
I also worked on the surgical and breast care ward at Haslar hospital.
I started my nurse training in 2004 through the open university. Whilst studying and doing placements I was also working in my usual work place. I finished my nurse training in 2008 and specialized in breast care. Unfortunately, Haslar closed in 2009, going back to QAH was not an option due to having a young son. So, Rose Cook the then matron at Alverstoke house took me back as a part time RGN working 3 lates a week.
due to child care, I had no option but to just work weekends, which I did for 5 years. Now my boys are older and settled at school I am able to increase my hours and work during the week again.
I completed my NVQ level 5 in Health and Social Care in July 2021 and after working as Deputy Manager for a year have now stepped up to managing the home. My passion is
Other Staff Members
Nurses
Care Assistants
Catering Staff
Domestics
(critically important with IPC and Covid)
Well Being
Maintenance
Maintenance hero Steve Bernice
Variety & Choice
Whilst first class support services come as standard, we understand the importance of regular activities to enrich residents lives, which stimulate the mind, provide enjoyment and create friendships. Some of the activities our residents enjoy are potting plants in the garden, baking cakes, playing bowls in the garden, going to the beach for an ice-cream. Residents are asked what Well-being activities they wish to do and these are then organised either in groups or individually depending on preference.
We hold parties for residents and families throughout the year. We encourage visits from the local community and ensure that these are done in a Covid safe way.
Homely Environment
Alverstoke House aims to provide clients with a happy,
homely environment in which their care, comfort and well-being is of prime importance.
Hospitality
We also appreciate the necessity of providing enjoyable meal times which cater for dietary requirements, provide variety, nutrition and sustenance. Residents are asked daily what they wish to eat with a choice of meal and our chef provides alternative choices should the resident not like the choices available. As residents often are not feeling well we endeavour to provide whatever tasty treats they wish for.
Over the 32 years since opening, Alverstoke House has integrated into the local community providing care for many local residents and a lot of our current residents are through referral. We have built up an excellent reputation in the local area.
"I have worked at Alverstoke House Nursing Home for 16 years, since I was 19 years old. I started as a carer and enjoyed that job role for 9 years. Then a job became available in the kitchen, having always loved cooking I took the job. I retrained on the job and now have my Food Hygiene and supervisor Level 3 and Cooking & Catering NVQ. Having worked as a carer first, this helps me understand the needs and wishes of the residents much more. We offer a wide variety of Choice for Breakfast, Lunch and Supper including hot and cold foods, which gives the residents as much choice as possible."
Gemma - Head Chef