At 19, Elaine commenced my RGN training at Ormskirk and District Hospital, qualifying three years later. She remained at Ormskirk in general nursing until leaving to have her first child. She returned 8 months later, in 1988, to part-time work in both the private sector and the NHS as an RGN. As the children grew, her hours increased within a general nursing home for the elderly.

Elaine enjoyed this area of work with the elderly. It has many challenges, many frustrations, but many, many rewards.

As guidelines and legislation have changed within Manual Handling, these have had a huge impact on nursing and residential care homes and community care. Priorities and expectations of staff and clients have changed and evolved.

Over the years, Elaine was promoted to Deputy Matron within the nursing home working day shifts and night shifts. As part of my new role, I undertook training as a Manual Handling Trainer with Pam Rose Associates in 2001. This enabled her to undertake all the in-house training for the extended group of nursing homes in which she worked. This promoted an improved standard of care for the clients as a result of their safer handling and a better awareness and knowledge for staff.

In 2004 Elaine began teaching Manual Handling with Pam Rose Associates outside of her workplace, going into rest homes, nursing homes and community care agencies. People’s attitudes varied from complete compliance to rejection and fear of the advancing regulations.

Over the last 3 years of teaching with Pam Rose Associates, I have found a lot of enjoyment and gained valuable, problem solving experience.

As well as updating her nursing skills to maintain her professional development, Elaine has undertaken an NVQ Level 4 Registered Managers Award as part of her further promotion to Nursing Home Manager. Her combined role as Nurse Manager and Manual Handling Trainer complement each other well, enabling her to deliver a standard of training that is workable and appropriate.

Elaine’s skills enable her to maintain and implement correct policies and procedures within the home. As a manager, she is able to influence the practice of Manual Handling with more authority, making compliance more achievable, therefore ensuring safer working practice, which benefits everyone. As a trainer, all her skills are brought into the teaching sessions, giving a working approach to the subject, emphasising the strengths and weaknesses of each group, resulting in a good outcome and understanding.

Registered with the NMC
Member of the RCN
Manual Handling Key Trainer