Belong Macclesfield chef crowned winner of prestigious care award

15/11/2017

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A specialist chef from Belong Macclesfield has been crowned winner of the ‘Care Home Cook’ Great North West Care Award and has earned a place in the national final. Her ‘food first’ approach has contributed significantly to improved appetites, wellbeing and weight gain amongst the village’s residents, including those with more advanced health needs.

Chloe Thorley, aged 29, from Bollington, has been recognised for her commitment to ensuring that residents are stimulated by their taste buds and has provided training to the wider care team. This resulted in praise in the village’s recent Care Quality Commission report for its approach to providing a range of tasty and nutritional meals.

Other successes include the reduction in the use of oral nutrition supplements (ONS), such as Complan, Fortisip or Ensure, which has been held up as a beacon by local health professionals. Only one out of the 72 residents living in the village use ONS (1%) compared to 57% of residents at a local care home with comparable customer profile. Chloe is passionate about sharing her approach with others and leads on inducting new catering managers in the organisation.

Belong Macclesfield General Manager, Caroline Ray, said: “I am thrilled that Chloe’s hard work has been recognised by being honoured with a Great North West Care Award. We have seen the positive outcomes of her ‘food first approach’ in the documented weight gains of our residents and minimal usage of oral supplement drinks, which has been praised by our local dietician and GP. Chloe brings boundless positive energy and enthusiasm to her role and fully deserves this success!”

The national award winners will be announced at a Gala Evening on 16th March 2018.

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