The new MP for Solihull West and Shirley has praised a care home in his constituency following a visit on Friday 9 August.
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst was given a tour of Royal Star & Garter, where he learned about the work of the charity and spent time with residents and staff, during the visit. He later said the Home “is a shining example of how we should be doing social care in this country.”
Royal Star & Garter provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia. The charity also has Homes in Surbiton and High Wycombe, and has launched several new services reaching out into the community.
Having joined the Army as a medical doctor, Dr Shastri-Hurst is himself a veteran, and says he is a “passionate advocate” of the Armed Forces.
The MP met Royal Star & Garter Chief Executive Andy Cole and Home Manager Katie McCauley. They discussed the award-winning dementia and nursing care provided at the Home, and new services which tackle loneliness and isolation among the veteran community in the area. This includes Day Care, Lunch Club and a free-to-use Telephone Friendship Service.
Dr Shastri-Hurst also learned about the Veteran Friendly Framework, a nationwide project designed to deliver improved health and wellbeing outcomes to the 25,000 veterans living in care homes across England. It is a collaboration between Royal Star & Garter, Royal British Legion and the NHS Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA – an NHS flagship Armed Forces programme), with funding support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
The Conservative MP was taken on a tour of the CQC-Outstanding Home, chatting to residents and other veterans, joined in in a game of skittles, and spoke to staff.
Afterwards, he said: “Royal Star & Garter in Solihull is a fantastic Home. I’ve been hearing about all the incredible work they do here, and it’s a really great facility. What struck me was the high-quality of care they provide, it’s a cut above so many other institutions. And having that golden thread that runs through the military service – that sense of camaraderie and community – really comes through here among the residents. You really get a sense of belonging and place. I think it’s a shining example of how we should be doing social care in this country.”
Royal Star & Garter’s Chief Executive Andy Cole said: “It’s a privilege to welcome Dr Shastri-Hurst to our Home so soon after he was elected. We were delighted to show him the fantastic work we do, and also tell him about other services we are running, and the positive impact these are having on the lives of people living in his constituency and across the country.”
During the visit Mr Shastri-Hurst was accompanied by Cllr Samantha Gethen, who represents the St Alphege Ward at Solihull Borough Council.
Royal Star & Garter in Solihull is welcoming new residents. For more information on this, the new services it provides, or to work at the Home, go to www.starandgarter.org/solihull
