Star Awards 2021: Chairman’s Award for notable contribution to the local health and social care system – Paula Arlington, Lead Nurse for Quality in Care Homes

October 21, 2021

Paula Arlington started her NHS career at Rowley as a healthcare assistant in 1999.

In order to pursue a career in nursing she went to university in 2004. Upon qualification she worked in care homes and in 2010 worked for a short period at Russells Hall focussing on renal cardiology and diabetes.

She came back to our Trust in 2012 and worked as a community nurse. She then undertook her community nursing practitioner degree and became an autonomous practitioner and held an independent prescribing qualification.

In 2016 Paula joined the community outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy team driving the development of intravenous antibiotics in the community, a service she developed for two years.

In 2018 she was successful in securing the better care funded post as lead nurse for quality and safety in care homes, working with Sandwell MBC and our Trust. This post was the first of its kind in Sandwell and has led the way.

Paula has built up strong relationships with care home managers and she is the go to person for advice and support which stood her in good stead when managing the pandemic.

During the peak of the pandemic, much of the council’s front line services were not patient facing and it was our winner who would be available and working alongside the care homes.

Paula supported the management of outbreaks and provided expert advice regarding PPE requirements.

She even delivered essential supplies and provided a crucial bridge between public health and the care homes.

The number of COVID related deaths in care homes was sadly devastating. But Sandwell had the lowest regionally and nationally.