Exemplar Health Care, a leading provider of nursing care for adults with complex needs, has achieved the latest milestone on its journey of care delivery. Having opened ten new homes over the last year, the leading complex care provider is now proud to be supporting 1,000 individuals.
Since opening its first care home in Rotherham in 2003 – the CQC ‘Outstanding’ rated Greenside Court – Exemplar Health Care has expanded across the North and Midlands to address the unmet need for community based, nurse-led complex care services.
Exemplar Health Care supports adults living with a range of conditions including neuro-disabilities, brain injuries, spinal injuries, mental ill-health, physical disabilities, and complex dementia. 60% of the people it supports have previously faced challenges in alternative placement.
Through two decades of commitment to excellence, Exemplar Health Care has solidified itself as a trusted and valued partner to the people they support, their loved ones, and to Commissioners, with this latest milestone underlining the benefits of their unique model. Each Exemplar Health Care home operates a small group living model, with homes split in distinct communities of around ten to 14 residents per community.
Each home focuses on providing person-centred care and rehabilitation to maximise independence, build everyday living skills, and empower people to live as fulfilled lives as possible. This is exemplified by the Service User Ambassador and Service User Council initiatives which provide meaningful opportunities for residents to play an active role in the running of their home and in the organisation’s decision making.
The Council has become central to Exemplar Health Care’s operations. Meeting monthly, Council members propose new ideas for policies or initiatives, ensuring they have a shared voice that helps shape the organisation. The Council has been at the forefront of initiatives including the creation of a holiday policy, a new resident app, and supporting the design process for Exemplar Health Care’s new-build homes. They have also overseen organising competitions, such as the ‘Exemplar Elite Games’ and ‘Exemplar’s Got Talent’.
Above all, during its 20-year history, Exemplar Health Care has focused on making a meaningful difference to the lives of the people it supports, and its care teams. This year is no exception, with notable moments including:
- Kavanagh Place become Exemplar Health Care’s second home to achieve the Huntingdon’s Disease Association ‘Quality Assured’ status. Just seven homes in the country hold this accreditation.
- Alex, who lives at Havenmere care home in Immingham, was supported to attend the five-day Download Festival, demonstrating Exemplar Health Care’s commitment to ensuring the people it support can continue to do the things they love. Alex commented, “If it wasn’t for the carers taking me, I wouldn’t be able to go and have the amazing time I did. They looked after me so well and words can never explain how thankful I am.”
- Barnsley Health Care Assistant, Philip Bulpin, used his 3D printing skills to adapt an Xbox controller for a resident with limited mobility following a stroke. The unique controller design enabled the resident to continue engaging in their video gaming passion, and underlines Exemplar Health Care’s commitment to going the extra mile to make every day better.
- 45 Exemplar Health Care colleagues from across four regions have been selected as finalists at the 2023 Great British Care Awards, including Sheryl Adams, from Cheshire Springs, who is nominated as ‘Newcomer of the Year’. Sheryl formed a strong bond with one of the first people she supported, working with on their rehabilitation from being unable to undertake personal care or make a drink, to being able to return to live at home, shop independently, and cook for her three children – all in just six months.
Having opened ten homes over the last year, Exemplar Health Care now operates 47 complex nursing homes and employees more than 4,500 people. Earlier this year, the provider confirmed these openings formed part of an ambitious growth plan to bring much needed complex nursing care services to more locations across England.
Steve Melton, CEO of Exemplar Health Care, said:
“Today’s milestone serves as a testament to the trust placed in us by Commissioners, individuals, and their families and reflects the dedication, expertise, and passion of our highly skilled team.
“Every day I hear incredible success stories from our homes. From individuals being rehabilitated so they can return home, those who have been able to achieve an education goal, or people simply living the lives they want to lead, our teams are making a real difference to so many people.
“As we look ahead, I have every confidence that Exemplar Health Care will continue to lead the way in providing exceptional support to individuals living with complex needs. We are pushing forward with our exciting expansion plans so we can support more people in more communities; continuing to evolve our therapeutic and clinical offers, so that individuals in our homes benefit from consistent and comprehensive expert support from our own teams; and we are empowering the people we support to have a greater say in how our homes and organisation works for them.
“I am exceptionally grateful to everyone who has played a part in Exemplar Health Care’s journey to date, and to every individual who has entrusted us with their care. Our teams continue to strive for excellence, and we are excited for the the future and the opportunity to positively transform more lives.”
Dearnevale resident, Rob, is one of Exemplar Health Care’s longest standing residents. He said:
“I like living at Dearnevale because it is my home. I have built a new family here. I can do what I want to do, and I feel looked after and safe at Dearnevale.”
With 16 years’ experience working for Exemplar Health Care, Christine Mann, Heath Care Assistant, is one of the organisation’s longest serving employees. She commented:
“I started off when we had just one unit open and now we’ve grown to a 44 bed home. The thing I enjoy most about coming to work is spending time with our service users, everything I do is for them. I retire next year but I still plan to come back in to see them all regularly for a coffee and a catch up. Dearnevale has become a home away from home and we’re all a big family.”
Christine retires in February after 16 years’ service at Exemplar Health Care. She’s accompanied Rob on many holidays, including Blackpool, Great Yarmouth and Centreparcs. Previously Christine was a Registered Manager at another local care home.