WIRRAL CARE HOME WELCOMES NEW MANAGER WITH A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE
WIRRAL CARE HOME WELCOMES NEW MANAGER WITH A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE
A Wirral care home has welcomed a new manager whose fascinating career started out at 16, training in the same hospital as a famous hip-surgeon.
The Hazelwell, a residential, nursing, palliative and respite care home in Heswall, has appointed the extremely well-qualified Kathryn McGuinness into their top leadership role as care home manager, and is looking forward to benefitting from her rich career and life-experience.
Kathryn, who has had a varied and successful career in the world of nursing and caring, realised it was the career for her when at 16 she worked as a cadet nurse at Wrightington Hospital where Professor John Charnley, MBE, was based. The pioneer orthopaedic surgeon transformed modern medicine’ s approach to hip replacement operations from his work in 1962 with the introduction of the modern artificial joint. A hip replacement is now one of the most common operations in the UK.
After going on to train at Ormskirk hospital in Lancashire, Kathryn’ s career has seen her move to hospitals around the country in different prestigious roles, including orthopaedic trauma, A & E, a senior sister for NHS Direct, and an assessor for a drug and alcohol charity.
Kathryn has even won awards for her work and when she was lead research nurse in a diabetes project she was presented with a Welsh Office award presented by the Secretary of Health for Wales, Jane Hunt.
In more recent years, Kathryn has worked for residential homes, starting as a matron in a small care home in Birkdale, then moving to Gillibrand Hall in Chorley where she stayed for nearly five years.
Her last post before joining The Hazelwell was peripatetic regional manager for a group of homes in Lancashire where she concentrated particularly on turning one failing home on the verge of closure around to receiving a great Care Quality Commission inspection and being at near maximum capacity.
In Kathryn’ s new role she will be heading up the staff team at The Hazelwell, a luxury care home situated on the former site of the Cleaver Hospital.
The 55-bed care home opened in July, 2016 and has been rated as‘ good’ by the CQC, the independent regulator of health and social services in England.
Kathryn, who now lives in Rainford near St Helens, said:“ I saw The Hazelwell and all it had to offer and I fell in love with the place. I was over the moon to get the post.
“ I’ m really excited to be a part of the excellent team at The Hazelwell and to share what I have learned throughout my career to continue to make The Hazelwell the best care home it can possibly be.
“ I had no idea when I started out as a cadet nurse at 16 where my career would take me, but I’ m so happy when I think of the journey I’ ve been on and how it has led me here.”
Outside of work, Kathryn’ s interests are as varied as her career, breeding horses, playing basketball and studying nutrition.
For more information about The Hazelwell contact Kathryn on 0151 342 9654, email info @ thehazelwell. com or visit www. thehazelwell. com wirrallife. com 19