Prader Willi Syndrome

The weekend bought more snow making conditions for getting in to work even more difficult if not impossible. Robertsbridge was virtually cut off making it hard for staff at Bishops Croft to attend for their duty. A team of staff encamped for the weekend ensuring all shifts ran at a full staff compliment. Part time staff at Bishops Croft bid their hours and covered the night shifts when the night staff could not make it in. Staff at the 3 Hastings homes Bishops Lodge Bishops Corner and Bishops Way made huge efforts to ensure they got into work. They walked some distance and many stayed over at their respective homes. A contingency plan was put in place where a senior manager was allocated to attend a home if need be. The duty manager was not contacted over the weekend all homes dealt with any local situation.  

Monday now and there are signs of a let up with main roads clear and less problems anticipated.

The whole country has been affected by heavy snowfalls over the last few days. Airports trains buses taxis and roads grind to a halt. Schools and offices close. But, and it’s a big but (no, not mine), people in the healthcare industry go to amazing lengths to get in. Nurses walk miles to get in to Hospitals. Bishops Croft our home inland in the country and besieged by much snow has not been affected by staff not being able to attend. One night staff who lives 11miles away and does not drive was unable to get in. The home Manager and Deputy Manager shared the shift and stayed on site. The Home Manager (Joan) lives 15miles away through country lanes and the Deputy Manager (Christine) travel from Sittingbourne in Kent to Bishops Croft in Robertsbridge 35miles away. She left for her 7am start on Wednesday at 5:30am in 3″ of snow and was not late for work. Christine is always dedicated to the cause and loves her work.

Many other staff have shown unbelievable dedication: Night staff Dorothy drove to Bishops Croft from Heathfield and apologised for attending her Duty 5mins late. Sanchia Home Manager of Bishops Corner walked from Battle to Bishops Corner in St.Leonards. Many more staff have and are walking to their work places and taking an overnight bag in case the journey home not possible.

Staff attendance has been around 95%. Those not attending is usually down to being unable to get public transport. One member of staff off sick. This being genuine.

The residents and staff are having much fun in the gardens of the homes.

These staff are unsung hero’s who all are dedicated to supporting our residents who require specialist services. The management team thanks all its staff in the huge dedication shown to the service users and to their Home Managers and to New Directions.