Staff at a Hastings care home have been praised by the town’s MP for their thoughtfulness and dedication to caring for residents.
Amber Rudd, the home secretary and MP for Hastings and Rye, read in the Hastings Observer how Kellie Carter and Kimberly Mann from Hastings Court care home on The Ridge had given up their evenings off to accompany a devoted couple on a special evening out.
John and Celia Mortimer, both in their late 80s, were treated to a ‘date night’ at the Sussex Exchange after Kellie overheard them discussing how much they would like to go out to dinner.
The couple, who’ve been married for more than 60 years, moved into Hastings Court in January 2016 after John’s Parkinson’s disease and Celia’s deafness made living at home too difficult.
In personal letters to the caring staff members, Ms Rudd congratulated them on their work and said she was “pleased to know that we have such compassionate staff in our local care homes.”
“To give up your night off to treat this couple to a special evening is so compassionate of you,” said Ms Rudd. “I cannot commend your kindness enough.”
Kellie and Kimberly were thrilled to have their efforts recognised by the town’s MP but said as far as they are concerned they’re just doing their job.
“We were so surprised to get the letters,” says Kellie. “It was wonderful to know she’d read the story and felt moved enough to write to us. But care here is all about helping people to live as they want to live, to carry on making special memories, and if that means going the extra mile then we’ll do it.”
Hastings Court is a purpose built, 80 bed care home on the outskirts of Hastings that provides person-centred residential, nursing and dementia care.
Registered general manager Georgina Gamble, who also received recognition from Ms Rudd, says: “We are delighted that our MP has acknowledged the lengths we will go to, to give our residents quality of life. I am very proud of Kellie, Kimberly and the whole of my team.”
