The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) has appointed Sal Barton as home manager of Apple Trees Care Centre in Grantham, Lincolnshire.

Apple Trees is a purpose-built 64-bed care home, opened in 2014, offering residential, reablement and dementia care across four designated households each with its own kitchen and lounges. All bedrooms are en suite.

Barton is an experienced registered nurse who previously worked at Apple Trees during the pandemic as head of unit, while also managing the trust’s Covid-19 hospital discharge unit. Barton joined the trust in December 2016 as deputy manager at Beckside nursing care home, one of 14 OSJCT homes in Lincolnshire. Over the past six years, she has worked in several OSJCT care homes. Earlier in her career, Sal worked as a staff nurse on local hospital wards.

Barton said: “I’m thrilled to be working with such a dedicated, committed and passionate team. After working here on an interim basis, it is wonderful to return. It’s touching to be thanked by residents’ family members for the care we provide in an OSJCT home. I’m always grateful that they trust in me, and the team, to look after their loved one, especially at sensitive times, such as end of life. I feel proud and honoured to be involved in making a difference to someone’s life, whether that’s for a few weeks or a few years.”