An internationally renowned North Wales care organisation is leading the way when it comes to resident well-being.
Pendine Park in Wrexham welcomed a trio trainee nurses from the Health Care Institute of Hyvinkää, in Finland, as part of a European exchange initiative, the Leonardo Da Vinci Mobility Programme.
The students are spending a five-week stint at Pendine because it excels when it comes to the happiness and well-being of their residents and it also leads the way when in providing enriching activities for them to do.
The programme’s International Co-ordinator, Terttu Aaltonen, said: “We are delighted that it is possible for us to send our teachers, students and supervisors to Pendine Park.
“Pendine Park take excellent care of their residents. It’s a good place for our students to come and learn.”
Third year nursing student Sara Ollikainen , 19, said: “Communication is something they do well here because they spend time and chat with the residents. I think that’s important.
“Of course you have to do the basic caring and nursing, but being with them and taking an interest in their lives is vital.
“When you have the time you should go and chat with them and ask them if they want something and if they are comfortable.
“We do it in Finland as well, but not as much. We are kind of in a hurry and we rush the whole morning, and then want. But instead of that if you can slow down and be with them more. There is more of an emphasis on it here, and you have more staff doing it.
“The residents are happier here, and they are nicer to us, maybe because of your culture.”
Fellow student Jenni Kauhanen, 23 who is in her second year said: “I want to move here. I love this place. But my fiancé is in Finland. I’ll have to ask him if he wants to move.
“The area is so beautiful I like the beautiful countryside and the food. I love the English breakfast, sausage bacon and egg. We don’t really have that in Finland.
“The employees at Pendine are so kind and nice to us. They are always talking and smiling. Pendine is a very happy place.
Third year student Janne Fagerland, 24 added: “I’ve really enjoyed my time here. People seemed really friendly, and I just like the whole culture over here. I like how you can just talk to a stranger and say hello. It’s a pretty friendly place.
“I like everything about Pendine. Everyone helps each other and you can see that the residents like it here. They have a lot of activities every day and that is really important.
“It’s important for mental health and wellbeing of the residents. That’s one thing we will try to do more of in Finland because t improves people’s quality of life.”
As part of the programme registered manager at Pendine Park Tracey Smith and nurse Josie De Guzman Nurse who lead in clinical practice and audits infection control will be going to Finland.
Tracey said: “We’re going to go and look round a hospital and a care facility to see how it differs from what we do here. Especially on the infection control side of things, because the infection rates are lower in Finland compared to other countries.
“It’s vitally important to share pest practice. We’re all learning all of the time and there are always things that can be improved. It’s about researching different things and seeing if they can be applied to your own setting. You can stand still. You’ve got to be constantly striving to improve.”
She added: “I have to say these three students from Finland have been brilliant. They’ve been so keen, eager to learn, enthusiastic and the staff have enjoyed working with them. I’m very pleased.”
