CareDocs, one of the UK’s leading person centred software providers for care and nursing homes, has welcomed Andrew Samuel as its new IT manager.
Andrew brings extensive experience within IT, having previously worked for Nexus Open Systems, techrelate and many others.
Most notably, Andrew was listed in the New Years Honours 2023 and received the British Empire Medal for his work in supporting his local community throughout the pandemic.
Having spent many years volunteering for charities, namely being part of the team that reopened a local theatre in Taunton, known as The Brewhouse, after it fell into administration, Andrew was nominated for this award after creating a support group of volunteers to support vulnerable people in his community during the pandemic.
“I created a support group of volunteers to offer any assistance that people may need,” he said. “I set up a central telephone number and built a small army of volunteers to answer phones, collect prescriptions, shop, dog walk, mow grass… you name it.
“We hand delivered thousands of leaflets with our telephone number so people know how to get in touch. I also decided to write an online software application to log calls and track each request through to fruition.”
All of which took place within the first two weeks of the first lockdown. Andrew also decided to open a shop, the Wilton & Sherford Community Shop, in his local area to support a number of elderly and vulnerable people.
Locating a venue, registering a community interest company, raising grants, hiring staff and created a robust operating procedure that aligned with Covid restrictions amongst other things. He opened the shop to the public only two weeks after he had the initial idea. The support group set up by Andrew took nearly 2,000 calls and the shop generated around £12,500 over the course of 40 days.
General Manager at CareDocs, Alan Pocock, added: “We’re so pleased to have Andrew join the team. He will be an integral part of propelling CareDocs into the future of digital healthcare.
“We’re very lucky to have someone join us who is so caring and passionate, and will add to the passion CareDocs has for supporting UK care homes into the work we do.”