Care home 'champions' promote illness prevention

A pilot scheme is supporting care home providers in Wolverhampton to strengthen how they prevent and manage infectious illness.

The city council said it was working with sites to develop a network of Health Protection Champions, or care home staff who could "take a lead role in promoting good health protection practices".

About 50 homes were taking part in the pilot, the authority said, with its public health team working alongside nurses from The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.

The initial phase has focused on vaccination, with residents and relatives being helped to make informed choices.

Following evaluation, there were plans to expand the approach, the council said.

The project aims to build knowledge and confidence among staff, residents and families "around common infectious diseases, how infections spread, and what steps can be taken to reduce risk".

Cabinet member for health, wellbeing and community Obaida Ahmed said people in the roles would act "as a trusted source of information".

Registered manager of Newbridge House in Tettenhall Nicola Whittingham stated vaccination was "essential" for limiting the severity of flu during winter.

She added the pilot had provided training so champions could "lead better conversations about vaccinations with staff and residents to dispel myths and promote informed decision-making".

Infection prevention nurse Gina Shaw said the scheme showed how working in partnership could "improve health outcomes in care settings".

"By embedding skills and leadership within care homes, the Health Protection Champion project is building long‑term capacity to protect residents, staff, and the wider health system in Wolverhampton."

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