Care home staff become health champions in city pilot

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, visited Newbridge House to learn about the Health Protection Champion initiative; she is pictured with Natalie Davies, City of Wolverhampton Council Senior Public Health Specialist, Gina Shaw, Infection Prevention Nurse, and Nicola Whittingham, Owner and Registered Manager.

A pilot scheme is supporting care home providers in Wolverhampton to strengthen how they prevent and manage infectious illness – helping to protect both residents and staff.

The Care Home Health Protection Champion 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.

The project is being delivered by specialist nurses from The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, working alongside the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Health team. The initial phase has focused on vaccination, with the Champions helping residents and relatives make informed decisions about vaccines.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “Care home residents are among the most vulnerable people in our city. Many are older and live with ongoing health conditions, which can make it harder for their bodies to fight off infections.

“As a result, illnesses that might be mild for others can have a more serious impact, leading to hospital admissions and additional pressure on health and care services.

“To help address this, we are working directly with care homes to develop a network of Health Protection Champions – care home staff who can take a lead role in promoting good health protection practices and support informed health decisions.

“They will act as a trusted source of information for colleagues, residents, and families, which in turn will help reduce the spread of infectious illness, protect residents’ health, and create a more confident and resilient care workforce.”

The pilot has seen strong engagement across the city, with 49 care homes taking part and 64 Health Protection Champions already recruited.

Nicola Whittingham, Registered Manager of Newbridge House in Tettenhall, said: “As a care home owner and registered manager, I have experience of the effects of infectious diseases and the impact they can have on the vulnerable individuals we care for.

“For example, vaccination is essential for limiting severity of flu during winter. This pilot has provided specialist training so that Health Protection Champions can lead better conversations about vaccinations with staff and residents to dispel myths and promote informed decision making. As a care home manager, I feel it is my responsibility to take on this role to ensure residents, their families and staff are protected.

“We also work in collaboration with the Infection Control Team to ensure we have the best possible measures to prevent harm through infection.”

Gina Shaw, Infection Prevention Nurse with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, added: “This pilot shows how working in partnership can 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.”

Following evaluation of the first phase of the pilot, there are plans to further expand and develop the Health Protection Champion approach.