Balhousie Care Group reaches finals in two prestigious Scottish Care awards

Balhousie Care Group reaches finals in two prestigious Scottish Care awards

Two team members of leading care provider, Balhousie Care Group have received the latest in a line of nominations, reaching the finals in two awards categories for the prestigious Scottish Care Awards.

Lorna Menzies, Home Administrator at Balhousie Coupar Angus in Perthshire, has been nominated for the Ancillary and Support Staff Award. Orlando Aguilon, Deputy Home Manager at Balhousie Ruthven Towers in Auchterarder, also in Perthshire, is a finalist in the Nurse of the Year category.

Recognition for their hard work and commitment follows news of Balhousie Care Group reaching the finals in two categories for the Courier Business Awards, coming up at the end of this month.

Both Lorna and Orlando were also honoured for their dedication in the Balhousie Care Group Chairman’s Awards earlier this year, as part of the company’s 30th birthday celebrations.

Lorna has worked at Balhousie Coupar Angus for over 5 years and her colleagues find it’s easy to forget that she is the Home Administrator. The many things she does for the home, residents, their families and the team go way beyond her day job.

Lorna’s Home Manager, Morag Shea said: "Lorna has built amazing relationships with residents and their families, getting to know them from day one. She is a friend to all the residents, support for the care staff and boon to management. Lorna is so much more than an administrator; she is the glue that holds the place together.”

Orlando Aguilon has worked for Balhousie Ruthven Towers in Auchterarder for 13 years. According to his colleagues, Orlando’s influence within the home has built a culture of consistently high care for residents with a calm, caring demeanour. He is committed to ongoing education, always researching the latest advances in nursing care, which he then shares with his team.

Balhousie Ruthven Towers Home Manager, Kirsty Smith said: “In the years that Orlando has progressed from nurse to clinical lead nurse to Deputy Manager of Balhousie Ruthven Towers he has become the backbone of the home. Orlando’s influence on our home is profound. Residents’ families, always ask for him to discuss their relatives’ well-being, because he exudes trust and approachability.”

Deputy CEO, John Kirk said: “The Scottish Care Awards are a fantastic celebration of everything that’s great about social care. It is particularly special to see our very own Balhousie Care Group finalists, Orlando and Lorna, recognised for their incredible work at their respective Balhousie homes.”

Balhousie Care Group Chairman, Lieven Baten said: “I am delighted to see two of our staff honoured as finalists in the esteemed Scottish Care Awards. It is vitally important that the unstinting devotion our staff give to the residents in their care, is highlighted and celebrated.”

The Scottish Care Awards winners will be announced at an evening Awards Ceremony, hosted by Pop Idol Winner Michelle McManus and Scottish Care CEO, Dr Donald Macaskill. This will take place on the evening of Friday 18 November at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow.

 For more information visit www.balhousiecare.co.uk

< ENDS >

For media enquiries please contact Melanie Brockway on melanie.brockway@balhousiecare.co.uk or call 07492 163614.

Notes to Editors

About Balhousie Care Group

Balhousie Care Group was formed 30 years ago to fill a gap in quality residential care in North East Scotland. Today, with 26 homes in the area, it is one of the leading providers of care for the elderly in Scotland, providing care to almost 1000 residents.

Owned by AcalisCare, Balhousie Care prides itself on its person-centred approach to care. Putting people right at the forefront of everything they do; it’s inclusive of everyone. They capture this philosophy through the roll out of ‘Together We’re Great’, an initiative which recognises the skills, talents, attributes and support areas for each and every person involved in the organisation. Together We’re Great aims to value individuality and promote excellence across the organisation.

A Participation Charter - a first-of-its-kind in the care home sector - commits to residents getting a bigger say than ever in the care they receive, from writing care home policies to recruiting staff.

Balhousie Care Group is the recipient of numerous awards. These include three Scottish Care Awards, a 2021 Great British Care Award, a 2022 s1Jobs Shine Award, 2019 Growth Business of the Year at The Courier Business Awards and 2019 Growth Business of the Year in the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce STAR Awards.