27th June 2008
Home Manager Appointed for New Solihull Care Home
The Royal Star & Garter Homes for Disabled Ex-Service Men & Women have appointed a Home Manager for their new care home opening in Solihull, West Midlands, in late summer.
Diane Rudge was born and bred in Birmingham. She always wanted to be a nurse, and at 18 years of age she started her general nursing training at Selly Oak Hospital, then moved to Rubery Hill Hospital for psychiatric training. It was here that she met her husband, Stephen, who was a pupil in the same group.
Since completing training she has continuously been in health care, joining the independent sector in the late 1990s, and has worked for several large care providers such as The Priory Group, Sunrise, and Craegmoor Healthcare. Of particular relevance to her new role was the 7-year period Diane spent with Shaw Healthcare which she describes as very happy years. She started as a Home Manager and rose to become General Manager for Ledbury Community Health & Care Centre - the first public-private partnership for Hereford Primary Care Trust and Shaw Healthcare.
Work at The Royal Star & Garter Homes' Solihull site began in the latter part of 2006, and the Home will open to residents in late summer this year. It will accommodate 60 residents, all elderly disabled ex-Service men and women or the widows, spouses and partners of ex-Service people in large, ensuite bed sitting rooms. The new Home will also include a specialist 15-room wing for those with dementia.
Other facilities include a large dining room, a cafe & bar, therapy and activity rooms for group activities and exercise, library, and a sizeable garden with a separate sensory garden, all set in beautiful and accessible surroundings next to a park.
Diane comments: "The Solihull Home is purpose-built and focused totally on the needs of residents which is a real plus. The Royal Star & Garter Charity has a reputation for providing high quality care and facilities, and our Richmond home has recently been awarded an excellent 3 star quality rating from the Commission for Social Care Inspection - the top rating possible. We aim to repeat this success at our Solihull Home in due course and I am looking forward to creating a strong team with a professional commitment to first-class customer care to help us achieve this".