Clinical Director Frank Cummins recognised in Healthcare Heroes Awards
Knight Frank’s Healthcare Heroes Awards were announced this week, with ten standout winners named for their work during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, including our Clinical Director Frank Cummins.
Submissions for the first Healthcare Heroes Awards focused on individuals who had shown tremendous leadership, empathy and compassion throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as well as leading efforts around infection control and commitment to creative thinking to ensure social care residents and customers felt safe and secure.
Julian Evans, Head of Healthcare at Knight Frank, commented: “We are thrilled to acknowledge the amazing people that work within the social care sector, this year more than ever. Care providers have managed the COVID-19 pandemic brilliantly, particularly given challenges including lack of testing and PPE, and we received many nominations on behalf of some truly outstanding people working within the sector.
“Our Healthcare Heroes Awards showcase those inspirational individuals who have been undertaking exemplary work in the most difficult of circumstances and have recognised some richly deserved winners.”
Frank, who was nominated for this award by Caring Homes CEO Paul Jeffery has been the backbone of the company Coronavirus Steering Group since it formed in early March, he is the ‘go to’ person for just about everyone on all things clinical across our portfolio of 69 homes. He deals with everything with unceasing good humour, in his calm, knowledgeable, reassuring and straight-talking way which is highly valued.
Frank has been Clinical Director at Caring Homes for 15 years but started out working for the NHS in elderly care so knows what it is like out on the floor. He has continued to safely visit our Homes throughout the pandemic to ensure things are running smoothly and has a lot of admiration for those who have been caring for Covid-19 patients during this time.
At Caring Homes, under Frank’s expert eye, we have introduced more than 80 pieces of guidance since the pandemic began, new policies and procedures covering testing, visiting, PPE, admissions, isolation of staff and residents where necessary. These have been updated in line with Government Guidelines – with separate versions for our Scottish Homes and those in Jersey and the Isle of Man.
He has also co-written The Layperson’s Guide to Coronavirus – a comprehensive document available to all our employees which is constantly refreshed and sets out everything in an easily accessible and understandable way. For our stakeholders there is an evidence file clearly documenting everything the company has been doing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Of course, Frank isn’t a one-man band and says he has just been doing his job alongside the other 4300 employees of Caring Homes and colleagues across the sector providing the best quality healthcare and support to those we care for and their families.
Frank has been keeping a Covid-19 diary, he says it has been a great learning experience, not just for him but for us all and, unfortunately, it still isn’t over just yet.
“Covid could well be with us for a few years and it has certainly been an eye-opening few months,” he said. “As a company we have worked hard to maintain our core values, taking a stance and sticking to it - most importantly to protect our residents and colleagues and keep them safe.
“I can see that because of this pandemic people will change their aspirations and wishes, looking first and foremost for good health for themselves and for their families.”
Congratulations Frank.