Care worker Karina’s happy to join effort at reopened home
SWANSEA Council has brought the former Parkway care home in Sketty back into commission to create additional residential social care beds and ease pressure on the NHS as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
This has seen the council help to get people out of hospital more quickly and assist those who need a bit more short-term help when they are finding it difficult to remain independently at home.
It has also brought new opportunities for council staff to put their skills to good use.
Among those to apply to work is Karina Quin, who successfully applied for the post of senior residential care officer.
Karina has been a care worker for the last 14 years at Ty Waunarlwydd, a council-run home and day centre that specialises in care for people with dementia. She said: “I enjoy the job although since the coronavirus began it has been very daunting at times.
“But I have remained professional and organised at all times and by using the correct PPE (personal protection equipment) our new staff team at Parkway will help the residents get through this.
“These are difficult times but I was pleased to get this role as last year I completed my QCF level 5 in leadership and management and gained confidence, so when the opportunity came up to become a senior at Parkway I applied.
“In my new role I will be able to transfer my skills and share with my new team my experiences and knowledge to provide the highest level of care possible.
“I enjoyed working at Ty Waunarlwydd for 14 years both in the residential home and the day centre where I have worked for the last seven years caring for people with dementia, providing meaningful activities and encouraging our service users to learn new skills for example, baking, sewing and knitting.
“I also carried out home assessments, attended meetings, I presented staff training including supervisions and appraisals so this opportunity at Parkway is the next step in my career.”
Various departments from across Swansea Council pulled out all the stops to open the home in a matter of weeks.
Councillor Clive Lloyd, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for adult social care and health services, said: “I would like to thank staff who are transferring across to Parkway so that we are able to provide these additional social care beds and help those people who are well enough to leave hospital but not quite ready to go home.
“I am full of admiration for all of our care workers, both in council care homes and those in the private sector, for the skilled job they do.”