Osborne Lodge Care Home staff win Nursing Times award for role in NHS-led hydration project

CARE home staff in New Milton have won a national award for their pioneering work in combating infections.

Workers at Osborne Lodge Care Home won the Infection Prevention and Control Award at the recent Nursing Times awards.

They were also recognised, along with staff from Adamscourt care home in Bournemouth, for their work in tackling dehydration among residents.

The project, which was set up to help prevent and reduce infections, was hailed as a success and will be rolled out nationally.

A spokesperson for the award judges said: "The Dorset hydration project aims to improve hydration among older people, reducing urinary tract infections, falls, and antibiotic use, while supporting national goals on antimicrobial resistance.

“The judges were impressed by the initiative’s engaging, multidisciplinary approach and its clear benefits for patients, staff, and relatives.

“A fun and engaging project but with a serious message that was clearly focused on patient outcomes.

“The team's passion and holistic vision left a lasting impact, making this innovative work a model for widespread adoption and transforming care across communities."

Vauxian Care Home Group regional manager, Beverly Harris, said: “We are so proud of both care homes, they are a wonderful team of individuals who dedicate themselves to providing excellent care and a beautiful home life for our residents. We are delighted with this project and look forward to many more innovative projects.”

The Nursing Times awards, hosted by celebrity Emma Willis, brought together more than 1,300 people from the nursing community to highlight “innovative, patient-focused” nursing.