Coronation Street stars present Care Innovator award to Meridian Healthcare employee

Sharon Wood, quality assurance manager has been recognised by the Great North West Care Awards for her new approach to dementia care.

The employee was awarded Care Innovator 2012 by Coronation Street actors Julie Hesmondhaigh and David Neilson at the Blackpool awards ceremony.

Miss Wood has come up with ways of improving the lives of older people with dementia and her innovative approach has been introduced at in Ashton.

HARMONY is the programme Miss Wood has developed by taking best practice from around the country, blended with her expertise in training and knowledge of caring for older people.

The scheme has been supported by staff and families from Kingsfield along with local Tameside healthcare professionals.

Miss Wood said: “Whilst the main aim of the programme is to ensure a better quality of life for our residents, we’ve also seen some interesting results amongst residents at Kingsfield. Residents are eating more, sleeping better and we’ve even seen some reductions in the use of anti-psychotic drugs.”