Queen gives OBE to director at veterans' care homes

Pauline Shaw, director of care at The Royal Star & Garter Homes, which runs two care homes for military veterans, has said she is ‘over the moon’ at being awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List.

The award was made in recognition of her services to military veterans.

The charity has two care homes based in Solihull and Surbiton and Ms Shaw’s role at the charity since 2002 has earned her a reputation for excellence.

Mrs Shaw said: “I am deeply honoured to receive an OBE. I’m still in shock but over the moon!"

As a nurse, Pauline Shaw has worked in clinical practice and health and social care since 1982. Having introduced the charity’s dementia care model by working with consultancy Dementia Care Matters, under her leadership, both homes won awards for dementia care and the The Royal Star & Garter Home - Solihull was rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission in July 2017.

Last July, the Solihull home was awarded Kite Mark Level 1 status by Dementia Care Matters. Level 1 is the highest accolade achievable through Dementia Care Matters’ National ‘Butterfly Home Quality of Life National Accreditation Kitemark’ awards. It indicates that a home is demonstrating 'exceptional person-centred dementia care' and only one per cent of care homes within the UK achieve a Level 1 distinction.

Mrs Shaw added: “There are so many people who have supported me over the years and to whom I owe a huge debt of gratitude, not least the wonderful residents, my friends and colleagues at The Royal Star & Garter Homes and my family. I hope that having these important letters after my name will help to reinforce my messages about improving care for older people.”

The Royal Star & Garter Homes was founded in 1916 to care for the severely injured young men returning from the battlegrounds of the First World War. It provides specialist care in homes to disabled ex-servicemen and women, and their spouses, with nursing, dementia and therapeutic care.

As well as her work for the charity, Mrs Shaw has worked on a NICE committee to develop dementia care guidelines and as a trustee with The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust.

Andy Cole, chief executive at The Royal Star & Garter Homes, said: “Pauline is an inspiration to our staff, volunteers and residents for her passion, professionalism and sheer determination to make our homes the best.

“Pauline works tirelessly to ensure our residents always receive excellent care and that the charity continues to develop new ideas. I’m so delighted that Pauline’s many years of dedication has been acknowledged by this hugely prestigious award – it is very well deserved.”

The chief executive said the charity is now looking to build more new homes around the country to provide specialist nursing care for disabled ex-service people including dementia care facilities and plans to open a third home in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire this year.

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