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” is in line for a top industry award.
Registered nurse Geraint Morgan general manager of Hafod’s Ty Penrhos Care Home in Castlegate, Caerphilly says he gets as much satisfaction mentoring his staff and encouraging them to value themselves as he does from securing high standards of care for his elderly residents.
All the hard work has now paid off with a place in the final of one of Wales most prestigious industry events – the 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. They acknowledge the hard work and exceptional performances of those in the care sector.
The grandfather-of-three, who lives in Newport with wife Susan has beaten tough competition to be shortlisted for the Excellence in Leadership and Management category.
Geraint will now attend a glittering awards ceremony at City Hall in Cardiff on Friday, October 19 where the winners will be announced.
“I’m absolutely amazed,” he said.
“The staff will tell you I’m always pushing them forward for these awards, it’s really strange to have the tables turned!
It will be enough to just be there on the evening and I’m bringing some of the team along with me so we can all enjoy the experience together.”
Geraint, who has three grown-up children and three grandchildren, 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 a 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 the Wales Care Awards had gone from strength to strength.
He said: “This year’s ceremony is an even more special occasion because it marks the 15th anniversary of the Wales Care Awards and the 25th anniversary of Care Forum Wales and the event is now firmly established as one of the highlights in the Welsh social care calendar.
“The aim is to recognise the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines across Wales.
“The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor.
“If you don’t recognise the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and never recognise the value of the people who need the care in society.
“We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be lauded and applauded.”
