I studied nursing in Portugal and then moved to Spain to work on the frontline as a nurse in care homes. Subsequently I managed care homes and after completing my Msc in Palliative Care I moved to the UK to work in hospices.

Working in a care home

In 2019 I joined Nightingale Hammerson. Nightingale Hammerson runs two care homes with a range of services for older adults, including residential care, dementia care, nursing, rehabilitation, respite, and palliative care.

I led the care services through the pandemic, using innovative approaches to enhance the quality of life of residents. We won individual and team awards, including the Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Award and Best Care Home Provider.

Working in research – how we’re supporting older people and their families

“I am really passionate about improving care for residents, the wider community and their families. I believe in evidence-based care, and that research plays a pivotal role in demonstrating the importance of social care for the future of the ageing population worldwide.”

Over the years we have observed that older people move into care homes at a later stage in their lives, which means they are living for longer with care needs at home. Many families find themselves stepping into caregiving roles without the training or qualifications to navigate the complexities of ageing, leading to stress and uncertainty. At the end of 2023 I started leading the new Research and Innovation department under the name Reach by Nightingale Hammerson, aiming to support people to live better for longer at home, through providing practical advice online for free. You can find out more about the programme here.

With a strong research ethos, in the past year Nightingale Hammerson has engaged with over 20 different research studies, together with multiple universities across the country and internationally. I have been organising the Care Home Research Forum annually where researchers present their finding about the studies conducted in care homes. This is an international event that is live streamed to over 20 different countries worldwide.

Interested to find out more about Reach, take a look on LinkedIn 

Resources from the RCN

Take a look at the RCN’s Care Home Network and the resources available to you.