Broomgrove has had the privilege of encouraging hundreds of people to follow a career in nursing. Recently we were thrilled to find out about the military career of Shaun Garratty. He actually started at Broomgrove as a domestic but was provided with the support and training to pursue an amazing future.

He said: “In 1989 I found myself unemployed following a failed business venture and sought employment via the job centre in Sheffield. At the time there was very limited vacancies, however, I was offered an interview for a domestic post by Broomgrove’s then matron/ manager Ms Sheila Smith. I accepted the post and quickly established a good working rapport with my colleagues. A few months later, I was asked if I would like to work as a carer. The matron offered me support and training for the role. I became a health care assistant and found that I got a great deal of satisfaction from the work. A registered nurse colleague suggested that I would make a good nurse! I then went to night school every Tuesday for a year on a pre-nursing course and was accepted to commence my nurse training at the Sheffield and North Trentham College of Nursing and Midwifery. I left Broomgrove to embark on my new vocation. I joined the Territorial Army after meeting a nurse that was in the ‘TA’. When I qualified as a registered nurse, receiving a diploma from Sheffield Hallam University, I worked in the NHS and part-time with the Army. I then went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and – after my officer training – passed out as a nursing officer! Eventually achieving the rank of captain. I have now been a qualified nurse for 26 years and spent 17 years in the TA as a nursing officer. All this happened because if the opportunities I was given at Broomgrove! Not bad for a lad from the back-to-back slum houses of the Park, Sheffield ! Thank you Broomgrove! Shaun Garratty Capt RN (A) Dip V”

We’re so thrilled to play a part in Shaun’s amazing story!

She survived the Sheffield Blitz and at 101 years old she became Broomgrove Nursing Home’s first resident to get the Corona vaccine.

Joyce Green, who had her first jab last Friday (January 8^th), said she was immensely proud to be number one and was extra proud “as I even had it before the Queen”!

30 care home residents and 50 staff have now received their first jabs at Dore Medical Surgery.

Broomgrove Manager Donna Pierpoint said it was a fantastic feeling to finally start to see some light at the end of the tunnel. 

“Though it’s early days and we’ve all got to have a second jab in a few weeks time, it felt like a weight had been lifted from us. The jab was totally painless and the whole operation was incredibly well managed by NHS staff.

“We all felt well after and I would absolutely encourage anyone and everyone to have the vaccine.”

Queen Elizabeth had her jab the day after Joyce Green – on Saturday, January 9^th.

Broomgrove will do all in its power to continue face-to-face visits throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.

We were one of the first homes of its type in the country to allow a return to family members visiting residents in June following the original lockdown in March. 

Broomgrove believes the mental wellbeing benefits provided by face-to-face visits, far outweigh the risks providing things are done in a safe manner and follow strict guidance.

The home was one of the first in the region to utilize technology to allow residents to communicate with relatives, but it didn’t work for everyone.

Donna Pierpoint, the manager at Broomgrove Care Home, said: “Many residents took very quickly to using Skype and Facetime and other technology, but others didn’t. The original lockdown proved there really is no replacement for face-to-face visits and we’re determined to continue.

“Planning and managing them in a safe manner is hard but these visits are so important. Relatives have been incredibly supportive of our decision.”

All relatives visiting Broomgrove Nursing Home are required to use PPE, complete risk assessments, social distance and follow strict infection control guidance.

“I think many people forget that many of our residents are some of the strongest people on the planet”, Donna Pierpoint added. 

“They lived through the harshness of World War Two and the Sheffield Blitz. They deserve dignity and respect. A care home shouldn’t be a prison.”

There have been no cases of Covid 19 so far at Broomgrove Nursing Home.

After six months in lockdown it was a celebration tinged with more than emotion than usual. 

Broomgrove Care Home residents lined up to say goodbye to four young care home staff that have landed places at university. 

The employees – that have cared for residents throughout lockdown – are all pursuing further education within the healthcare industry.

Their send-off, which was scaled down because of Covid, was no less emotional with residents presenting cards, gifts and messages of good will for their future.

Many of the students won’t be leaving altogether – some will continue to work at Broomgrove Nursing Home and do ‘bank’ shifts in between their studies.

The four leavers were Lucy Greetham who’s going on to study nursing at Sheffield Hallam University; Charlotte Widlake who’s studying nursing at Sheffield Hallam University; Sam Livingstone who’s studying nursing at the University of Sheffield and Rehna Naqvi who’s studying midwifery at Edge Hill University.

Donna Pierpoint, the manager at Broomgrove Care Home, said: “If anything this year’s sendoff was all the more emotional as closer bonds have been formed because of lockdown. But residents are so keen for the young people to do well in their careers and were very determined to give them a good send off. It was a lovely event.”