Two Bermuda residential care homes have won recognition.

Westmeath Residential and Nursing Care Home and the Dorothy Crane Nursing Home achieved certification from the Bermuda National Standards Committee and are now on their way towards full accreditation.

Sharon Swan, director of nursing at Westmeath, said: “Certification shows we have the infrastructure for continuous improvement, so we can always do better.

“It’s good for the residents and their families and the staff and Bermuda. It is something to be proud of.

“I think it helps to ensure that the residents are getting high-quality care and they have a say, because we do surveys of the clients, their families and their staff.”

Dionne Woolridge, administrator at the Dorothy Crane Nursing Home, added: “It has been a lot of work, but what it means is that the loved ones of clients can rest assured that their family members are getting the best care in Bermuda.”

In addition to the residential facilities, BNSC reaccredited the Employee Assistance Programme for the next four years, while The Adult Education School was certified for the first stage of the BNSC two-phase accreditation programme.

The Minister of Social Development and Sport, Michael Weeks, attended the event at O’Hara House in Hamilton.

He said: “I would encourage all local charities and human service groups in Bermuda to continue to participate in this demanding process of accreditation and certification to ensure that the level of care in our community is on par with international standards of quality of care.”

The residential programme was spearheaded by the Bermuda National Standards Committee, which worked with Age Concern and the Bermuda Government to create the first initiative of its kind on the island.

BNSC chairman David Lang said: “At a time when the Bermuda population is ageing rapidly, such signs of progress will have a meaningful impact in our community”.

The second phase of the scheme will include on-site assessments from international peer reviewers from the Council on Accreditation in the United States.

BNSC manager Nadine Lapsley-Dyer said: “The process was rigorous and the awardees and their respective representatives worked hard to self-evaluate their current practices of care while at times being introduced to other practices.

“The experience was extremely rewarding and we are very grateful for the support of local compliance officers and other healthcare professionals who comprised the local peer reviewer teams.”

The BNSC has awarded accreditation to 13 organisations in Bermuda and provided certification to sixteen others.