'She came to work day in, day out': Care home manager with cancer is 'Employee of the Year'

A care home manager who continued working throughout her treatment for breast cancer has received a national award from her employers.

Diane Dunn, manager of in Nottinghamshire, was chosen from 1,900 colleagues at Heritage Care to be named 'Employee of the Year'.

Mark Milton, chief executive of Heritage Care, visited the care home to present Ms Dunn with her award in front of residents and staff. He said: "You have people who come to you and say they are not feeling 100 per cent because they have a cold or a sniffle.

"Di had a very serious health condition and despite that she came in day in, day out. There were occasions when she had treatment in the morning and came in here in the afternoon. There was no letting up of the standard in that time. It is not easy to run a care home for people with dementia."

'Working kept me ticking over'

Ms Dunn, aged 58, has been a registered nurse for 39 years and started her career working in NHS hospitals. In 2012, she joined Millbank Care Home in Newark-on-Trent.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, and despite her chemotherapy treatment, continued to lead a team of 45 and be responsible for the care of 32 residents.

In recognition of her inspirational work, Ms Dunn was presented with the 'Employee of the Year' trophy in June and was awarded a cheque for £250.

Commenting on the accolade, she said: "To win this award out of so many employees is amazing - I feel very humbled yet honoured to be chosen. Heritage Care are a great company to work for and everyone has been so very supportive throughout my illness, so to receive this award on top of this level of support is wonderful.

"Working as normal kept me ticking over and kept me focused on other things that were more important to me in life rather than a silly little lump."

She added: "My experience with cancer has given me a greater insight to the emotional effects that cancer can have on a person, their family and to be able to support them through this difficult time. It enabled me to prepare residents for the emotional side of the treatment plus support them during appointments. I was able to explain to staff how the treatment could affect the resident and what they needed to do if certain circumstances arose, as the medical support network is very different whilst under chemotherapy and radiotherapy."

'Relatives always speak very highly of her'

According to Mr Milton, being named Employee of the Year is an "excellent achievement."

He said: "Di has very extensive experience of working for the NHS and other social care providers. She came in when this care home was extensively remodelled and refurbished and we have had consistently good ratings from the regulator in that time.

"She has extensive experience and leadership qualities and her team has good links with the council and the community. Relatives always speak very highly of her."

Heritage Care, which runs Millbank Care Home, operates over 100 schemes and services for older people and people living with mental health problems and learning disabilities across the Midlands and South of England.

Millbank, rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in September 2016, is an intimate residential care home with 38 personalised rooms available to both single residents and couples.

Completely refurbished in 2013, the care home provides personalised care for older people and can offer support and care to those living with dementia.