24 September 2020

An honest interview with Ruben, General Manager at Bucklesham Grange Care Home

We caught up with our General Manager at Bucklesham Grange Care Home on Bucklesham Road, Ruben Hidalgo, to find out what his role entails and what makes him proud to work at our industry-leading, residential and dementia home.

What does the role of General Manager entail?

Being a General Manager is a huge responsibility, but unlike some industries, working in the care sector as a General Manager is a very rewarding and fulfilling role. You are responsible for the safety of the whole home, and that includes the residents and the team.

Part of my role is to ensure that all residents care needs are met in a person and relationship-centred way, as well as establishing a good relationship with their families and healthcare professionals who are involved in their care. I also have a duty to ensure that all regulatory and statutory requirements are met within the home. I believe the most significant part of a Manager’s role is to ensure that the residents feel happy and safe in the home and you can only achieve this if you put passion, love and care into what you do.

What does a usual day at Bucklesham Grange Care Home look like for you?

No two days are ever the same as a General Manager of a care home. I start the day by walking around the communities to say hello to everyone. I like to see a smile from everyone’s face and encourage the team to be the best they can be. I then ensure any important calls and emails are taken care of, and attend a variety of meetings throughout the day.

The health, safety and wellbeing of residents is always our top priority and centres around everything we do. At Bucklesham Grange, the love and support of each team member to each resident is enormous and the team regularly go the extra mile to care for the residents.

What safety measures do you have in place to protect residents and team?

We are testing the residents and team regularly; all team members also have their temperature checked prior to starting each shift and are constantly wearing PPE. We are also applying the principle of social distancing, providing on-going Covid-19 training to the team and are undergoing strict handwashing and cleaning procedures to ensure every one’s safety.

How do you keep residents connected with their loved ones?

We are currently facilitating garden visits for residents and their loved ones in our comfortable visiting suite. In terms of a more permanent visiting solution in preparation for the colder months, we have decided to install glass partitions in indoor visiting areas at Bucklesham Grange and we are currently awaiting an installation date. We have purchased several iPads to support our residents to have regular video calls with their friends and family and we have also installed an app called Rels App. This app allows families and residents to send each other messages, pictures and videos which can be replayed again at a later date.

What makes you proud to work at Bucklesham Grange Care Home?

I have an outstanding team at the home that always go above and beyond. The dedication of the team at Bucklesham Grange and their commitment to their role makes me feel very proud of them, and proud to be part of the Hallmark Care Homes’ family.

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