The team at Forth Bay Care Home in Fife is celebrating a special milestone as Fiona marks a decade as Home Manager.
Fiona’s dedication to the care profession spans over two decades, a journey that began with a childhood passion and has flourished into a career marked by growth and countless rewarding moments. Since a young age, Fiona has been drawn to the idea of helping others, watching iconic TV shows like Casualty and Soldier Soldier, she had her heart set on becoming a nurse or medic.
She started as a newly qualified Staff Nurse at Forth Bay in 2001, where she initially worked in the mental health unit and soon transferred to the frail elderly unit, later earning promotions to Charge Nurse, Deputy Manager, and eventually Home Manager in 2015.
As Home Manager, Fiona oversees the care of residents, supports and advises both relatives and the care team, and ensures that policies are followed, remaining dedicated throughout to meeting the highest standards possible. After only 3 years in the role, Fiona’s outstanding leadership was recognised when she became a finalist of the Scottish Care Manager / Leadership award in 2018, a testament to her passion to make a positive impact. Reflecting on her role, Fiona commented, “The care profession is constantly evolving and brings many challenges on a daily basis – no 2 days are ever the same. I enjoy being there to support our residents and team members through the good days and the bad ones. Seeing residents smiling and enjoying life is so rewarding!”
Throughout her years of service, Fiona has built many cherished memories, with one particularly standing out. She remembered a resident who came to the home following a stroke, arriving to the home in a stretcher due to mobility issues, and how, after 18 months, Fiona and her team were overjoyed to watch her walk out of the home, ready to return to her native Switzerland and begin a new chapter in her life.
Of course, no journey is without its challenges. In 2017, the home faced a devastating fire that caused significant damage to the building. “It was a time of crisis but as the Home Manager, it was my job to get the team through it and ensure our residents were safe and cared for,” Fiona recalled. Despite the hardships, Fiona’s leadership ensured that the home continued to provide the highest level of care during such a difficult time.
Looking ahead, Fiona is determined to continue her work with the same level of passion and commitment and, in her own words, “do what we do best – Care from the heart!”
Forth Bay provides nursing and dementia care on a permanent or short stay basis. If you are looking for a care home and want to find out more about our home, call 01259 693 009.
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