A care home manager who held senior roles in the NHS for 27 years before moving into social care with ambitions of “making a difference” has scooped a coveted industry award.
Registered nurse Geraint Morgan, general manager of Hafod’s Ty Penrhos Care Home in Castlegate, Caerphilly, has won a prestigious silver award in the Excellence in Leadership and Management category, sponsored by Christie & Co, at this year’s Wales Care Awards 2018.
Now in their 15th year, the national awards are organised by care industry champions Care Forum Wales which is also toasting 25 years’ of service this year. Sponsored this year by Onyx Healthcare, they acknowledge the hard work and exceptional performances of those in the care sector.
Geraint, a grandfather-of-three, who lives in Newport with wife Susan, collected his award at a glittering awards ceremony held at City Hall in Cardiff.
He said: “I’m absolutely amazed.
“The staff will tell you I’m always pushing them forward for these awards, it’s really strange to have the tables turned!”
Geraint, who has three grown-up children, grew up in Aberdare and attended Aberdare Boys Grammar School. He completed his nursing training at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport followed by a degree in nursing and a Masters at the University of Wales College of Medicine.
His last NHS role was helping to establish local health boards in Caerphilly before he took on a secondment with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales. After this, Geraint moved into the independent sector and took on a variety of senior management roles at care homes.
Geraint said: “It was definitely the right career for me. What I love doing is encouraging and coaching staff to make a difference to people’s lives.
“If you were to ask my team what I say at the end of our daily meeting they will tell you ‘let’s make somebody’s life better today’. That’s what it’s all about.
“It’s a very rewarding job. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last two years at Ty Penrhos Care Home and am very proud that it’s now considered one of the best in the area.
“I’ve been working with and encouraging people to value those living with dementia and giving staff the opportunity to put their ideas into practice. I’m getting a great deal of job satisfaction. It can be long hours and as the general manager you have to be available to provide advice and support to the staff which can run into the evenings and overnight as we are a 24-hour, 7 day a week service. But I wouldn’t change it.”
Nominating Geraint for his award, Karen Heard, clinical nurse manager, described him as a “role model” to staff.
“Since coming into post Geraint has improved the team spirit and quality of care provision throughout the home with his leadership skills. Geraint is respected by his staff and this has definitely been earned.”
Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “There are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists have receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.
“I trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights in the months and years to come.
“This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales.
“We take our hats off to them.”
