West Oak Care Home
Welcome to the relaxed and happy atmosphere of West Oak
We provide first-class 24-hour nursing care alongside expert care for people with dementia in our Memory Lane Community.
Our team of highly-qualified and attentive staff really focus on the individual needs of our residents with a tailored care plan for each person.
And our dedication can be seen across the board - in our cooking, hospitality and organising activities for our residents.
West Oak is a purpose built care home with gardens in a quiet residential area in the market town of Wokingham, Berkshire.
We think you'll find we're ideally suited to meet your needs now and in the future to ensure you get the most from your retirement years.
We look forward to welcoming you for a visit.
Address: Murray Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 2TA
General Manager: Sara Gallagher
Contact: West Oak Care Home
Tel: 01189 795 100
Finalists at the Great British Care Awards
Two West Oak staff have reached the final stage of The Great British Care Awards, and will attend the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in London on 11th May. They are Denise Hoare: RMN, who won the South East regional award for Dignity in Care, and Andrina Andrews in the Home Trainer category. They are both thrilled to have made it this far, and are looking forward to the evening. Home manager, Sara Gallagher said, "It is great that Denise and Andrina have been recognised for their achievements. They are both passionate about care of the elderly, and really deserve to win".
Barchester Care Awards Finalist
Domestic Assistant Christopher Isherwood was amazed to hear that he is a finalist in the Barchester Care Awards in the Learner of the Year category. Chris has worked at West Oak Care Home for over three years and has never had a day off sick in that time. He is always cheerful and friendly, often putting himself out to help others. Chris has recently achieved an NVQ2 Award in Housekeeping through the Barchester Healthcare Learning and Development School. Home Trainer, Andrina Andrews said, "Chris has had to work really hard to complete his vocational qualification, and is thrilled to have passed! Everyone in the home supports him and is really pleased about his good news." After learning that he would be attending the Awards Ceremony in Birmingham on 17th May, Chris was lost for words, but his smile said it all! Manager Sara Gallagher and Andrina Andrews will accompany Chris to support him on the night. Sara said, "We are all hoping that Chris will win. He absolutely deserves to!"
Barchester Care Awards Semi-Finalists
Staff at West Oak were thrilled to discover that they had made it through to the semi-finals of the Barchester Healthcare Care Awards 2012. None of the successful staff were aware that they had been nominated for their special efforts to care for residents at the home, so the news came as a lovely surprise. Many nominations for individuals and teams were made by residents, relatives and other staff within the home. In fact, West Oak had the highest number of nominations compared to other Barchester Healthcare homes in this region. Of course, not everyone can win, but we are delighted that so many were recognised! The semi-finalists are: - Pat Bromley - Care worker of the Year, Chris Isherwood -Apprentice of the Year Gill Fry - Administration Champion of the Year, Kelly Clifford, Dawn Davies and Louise Brant - Activities Champions of the Year and from The Elms Unit Hostess Team: Sunita Biyani and Claudia Chalmers - Hospitality Champions of the Year.
A LOT OF GOOD EGGS FOUND AT LOCAL CARE HOME
Staff, residents and their guests at Barchester's West Oak care home, in Wokingham, celebrated Easter with an Easter Egg Hunt, Raffle and a Sing-a-long with Pianist, Trudi Craig. Raffle items included an oversized Easter Egg and a home made Easter Cake donated by staff at the home. General Manager, Sara Gallagher said: "As always, we've all been looking forward to Easter. It's such a nice time of the year - the residents love all the colourful Easter eggs and the fun of searching for them. It's really been an eggs-cellent day!" Our pianist, Trudi is a regular Friday feature, and her entertaining musical sessions are much loved by everyone at West Oak.
Farewell toasts to West Oak Care Home staff
Staff and residents at West Oak have wished a happy retirement to a popular nurse of 18 years, Mrs Patsy Stone and bid a fond farewell to their chef of seven years, Ewelina Tarka. Mrs Stone, 77, started work at the home in 1993. She will stay on in a voluntary capacity, while Miss Tarka, 31, is returning to her native Poland. Mrs Stone has been involved in nursing for more than 50 years and last year was honoured with a bouquet of flowers and a certificate by the home for the help and support she has been providing to elderly people.
Sara Gallagher - General Manager
Sara is responsible for all aspects of the day to day management of the home. She has worked in this role since November 2006, and really enjoys the challenge. Sara started out working as a care assistant. She then trained to become a Registered Nurse, gaining experience in trauma and orthopaedics at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, before returning to the care home sector. She is passionate about elderly care and always happy to show off the home to visitors.
Ronnie Tan - Deputy Manager
Ronnie supports Sara in the day to day running of the home, and manages the home in her absence. Ronnie has worked at West Oak since 1999, first as a Charge Nurse, then as Deputy. He is a much loved character in the home, and is multi-talented, often standing in for the Chef and creating a Chinese feast for residents and staff alike. Ronnie also loves to organise a party, so is a great asset when it comes to celebrations in the home.
Olena Frovola - Administrator
Olena is responsible for the administrative aspects of running the home. Olena joined the home in August 2011, and has proved herself to be a dedicated and caring member of staff. She welcomes visitors to the home, and is always happy to help residents and their families.
Gill Fry - Administrative Assistant
Supports Olena in the administration office. Gill has worked at West oak since March 2007. She is a really caring individual and always pays attention to detail. Gill always does her best to help in any way that she can, and has recently been recognised for her efforts by reaching the semi-finals of the Barchester Care Awards.
Sunita Biyani - Hostess
Supports residents and welcomes visitors to the home with her friendly and helpful presence. Sunita's caring manner makes her universally popular with residents, relatives and staff. She is the mainstay of the Hostess team in our Memory Lane Unit, and has recently reached the semi-finals of the Barchester Care Awards.
Denise Hoare - Head of Memory Lane
Ensures that residents of Memory Lane receive the care and support that they need. Denise has many years experience in mental health nursing. She has a passion for dementia care, and will often be the person who finds the 'key' to reach individuals in her care.
John Mears - Maintenance Manager
Ensures that the home and equipment is always kept in good working order. John loves to help others, and will go out of his way to do so. He has a great sense of humour, and uses this to establish great relationships with residents in the home. He often goes out of his way to ensure that resident's requests are anticipated and met.
Daniel Borusowski - Housekeeper
Dan has worked in various roles at West Oak since 2005, and has recently been promoted to Housekeeper. He takes great pride in his work, and goes to great lengths to ensure that the home is clean and welcoming for residents and their visitors. Dan loves to help people, and often goes out of his way to do that 'little something' to brighten someone's day.
Corrine Newland - Head of Elderly Frail
Corrine supports residents and welcomes visitors to the home with her friendly and helpful presence. She also supports staff to obtain vocational qualifications. Corrine has many years experience in elderly care, and has worked at West Oak since 2002. She has recently embarked on a project based Leadership qualification through the Barchester Business School, and will use this to further enhance resident care in the home.
Andrina Andrews - Home Trainer
Provides and supports a range of training for all staff in the home, including vocational qualifications. Andrina has worked her way up through the ranks, since starting work at West Oak in 2001. She is passionate and dedicated in ensuring excellent training for all staff, also often helping out in other homes. Andrina has just started a Leadership project with the Barchester Business School, and is really excited about implementing her project.
Michelle Feasey - Head Chef
Provides a varied and nutritious menu for residents, and is happy to adapt menus for individual needs and preferences. Michelle has many years of catering and caring experience, which she puts to good use in the home. She is also just starting her Barchester Business School Leadership project, and is thrilled to be offered this opportunity.
Lottie - Catering Quality Control
Lottie lives with the home manager, and works full time alongside her. Her main duties are ensuring that the entrance to the kitchen is constantly supervised, and that the quality of food remains high – of course she is required to taste sample dishes to be sure of this! Lottie also likes to visit residents to be stroked and admired, and helpfully pick up the odd stray crumb while she is there. Her remaining time is spent snoozing in reception and welcoming visitors to the home.