Somerleigh Court wins Nursing Times Infection and Control Award

As part of the NHS Dorset Integrated Care Partnership, Somerleigh Court Nursing Home has won the Nursing Times Infection and Control Award 2024 for its Dorset Hydration Project – ‘Every drop, every cup, and every bite counts’.

The Hydration Project, a pilot which took place in eight care homes, six acute hospital wards and two community trust wards from April 2023, aimed to tackle the serious issue of dehydration in older people. 

The campaign aimed to raise awareness of the benefits of hydration and to actively increase fluid consumption amongst the elderly. It in turn led to wards and care homes reporting a reduction in patients with UTIs needing antibiotics, and falls requiring an ambulance.

Somerleigh Court staff dressed up as cows to highlight the campaign to residents, staff, and visitors to the home and they also set up a mobile trolley offering milkshakes, smoothies and ice-lollies to promote the many ways that fluid consumption can be increased.

Winning the award has delighted Sharon Hill, general manager, at the home. 

Somerleigh Court Nursing Times Awards Winners Back left to right: Thomas Chelam, Bathu Matthew, Midhun Raj, Sally Crabb, Steve Price Middle row left to right: Sam McCartney, Gina Ward, Ellen Williams, Sharon Hill, Sue Williams, Karen Pearson, Adrian Ulici (Image: Somerleigh Court Nursing Home) She said: “We were delighted to be part of this important, award-winning, campaign to promote and increase hydration amongst our residents.

"The results have been incredible with happier, healthier residents who are more willing to engage in activities, and a more positive atmosphere within the home. 

"Families of our residents have also reported their relatives are more energetic and alert and that their sleeping patterns have improved.”

The campaign beat 10 other finalists from across the country. 

Somerleigh Court Nursing Times Award winners Left to right starting from bottom row: Karen Pearson, Rachel Pearce, Sharon Hill, Tracey Mattraves, Emma McEvoy, Beverley Harris Left to right, top back row: Ann Brown, Tina Arnold (Image: Somerleigh Court Nursing Home)

Tina Arnold, Infection Prevention and Control Lead for NHS Dorset, added: “We are thrilled to win the Nursing Times Infection and Control Award 2024 for the Dorset Hydration Project. 

"It is a wonderful recognition of the unique approach, and success, of our campaign to increase hydration in older people in Dorset. 

"The award acknowledges the superb collaboration of our colleagues in care homes and hospital settings across the county and their determination to improve the daily lives of those that they look after. 

“The real win for us however is in seeing the increased health and wellbeing of our patients and residents and we will be continuing to promote the vital message of hydration across Dorset in the future.”