They are one of only two providers to win this prestigious award two years in a row.

This accolade comes during the backdrop of the pandemic and national staffing shortages, making the win an even bigger achievement for all Cornerstone staff.

Cornerstone have two homes in Hampshire, South Africa Lodge in Waterlooville, along with Kitnocks House in Botley, and opened a third home, Marula Lodge in Camberley, Surrey earlier this year. All three homes care for people with challenging behaviours associated with complex neurological and mental health needs.

The judges noted “Cornerstone continued with impressive growth, despite Covid. It focused on and rewarded its teams through pay increases and paying full wages even if shielding or isolating. The chief executive and senior team were based at a care home during the pandemic to provide support, showing that the leadership team is people-focused and not just growth focused.”

Faced with stiff competition this year CEO, Johann van Zyl, said it’s been a challenging year for the sector and this is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.

“I’m so proud of our team, to have won Complex Care Provider again this year is further proof that their care and dedication is the best in the UK. Faced with the challenge of a global pandemic, they pulled together and continued to enrich the lives of our resident.”

“This win is also due to the flexibility and support of my colleagues in the Executive Management Team”, he added, “We were able to swiftly increase pay rates, make bonus payments and change sickness policy to keep our staff motivated and to ensure continuity of our high quality service.

The HealthInvestor Awards 2021 took place on the 13 September, at a ceremony in the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

The judges were looking for organisations and individuals that have made an outstanding contribution to healthcare in 2020/21 and represent the leading players in the market.

The judges were inspired by Cornerstone’s “solid growth” and “impressive increase in bed numbers”.

They were also keen to point out company’s “excellent business processes and performance in an underserved part of the market”. Along with acknowledging the “excellent specialist care provided to a very vulnerable set of individuals with a mixed set of mental and physical needs.”

Cornerstone Healthcare is the only operator in the southeast of England whose main focus is specialist nursing care for people with challenging behaviours as a result of neurological or mental health needs.

Two further homes – in Bristol and Somerset – are in the developmental phase and will be in operation from 2022 onwards. This will take the company’s bed capacity to 355.

Johann added; “At times like these, when everyone in the sector is under so much pressure, it really is an honour to be presented with this award for the second year in a row.”