The Fed welcomed a high-profile visitor to Heathlands Village in September when the Chief Nursing Officer for England, Professor Jane Cummings, stopped by to meet staff and people living there and view the Prestwich charity’s facilities,

The Professor’s visit to the village was at the suggestion of the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership as it is one of the Partnership’s aspiring Greater Manchester Teaching Care Homes.

The Fed’s CEO, Mark Cunningham, remarked: “This is a great chance for a world-renowned nurse to see how great our care home is; how fantastic our staff are and the outstanding level of care that we provide.”

Mr Cunningham led the tour of Heathlands Village, including ‘Beach House’ – the recently opened state-of-the-art residential household for people living with dementia.

Professor Cummings was also treated to an early inspection of the newly-renovated Dr Simon Jenkins Nursing Unit, opened just 24 hours earlier.

After reviewing the extensive services offered by The Fed, Professor Cummings who is also Executive Director of NHS England, joined a group of residents who were taking part in a Motiview cycling session.

The Fed is currently piloting a unique cycling project which encourages residents to increase their physical activity and improve their mobility and sleep.

The bikes, linked to a large television screen, allow cyclists to travel through well-known tourist locations, along country lanes – and even familiar Manchester streets – all from the comfort of the homes’ activity centre.

Tina Long, Chief Nurse for Greater Manchester Health and Social Partnership, said, “Professor Cummings found her visit to Heathlands Village very valuable and enjoyable. It was evident that the care your residents receive is excellent – and the care and compassion of your staff was there for all to see.”

The Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership is made up of local NHS organisations and councils, as well as people from NHS England and NHS Improvement, emergency services, the voluntary sector, Healthwatch and others including the Mayor of Greater Manchester.

The Partnership oversees the devolution of health and social care services and aims is to achieve the biggest, fastest improvement to the health and wellbeing of the region.