BOSS of a care home in Basingstoke has been named as one of the best in the country. 

Barchester's St Thomas Care Home in Basingstoke is celebrating as its managing director has reached the final stages of the Social Care Leadership Awards 2022. 

Natasha Lazovic has been shortlisted in the Executive Care Home Leader category and both staff and residents at the care home are very proud. 

Organised by Care Talk magazine, the Social Care Leadership Awards are designed to showcase excellence in senior leadership in the social care sector and the winners will be announced at a ceremony at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square on Wednesday, October 19.

READ MORE: The Crown Old Basing, in Basingstoke, awarded Tripadvisor 2022 Travellers' Choice

Originally from Serbia, Natasha trained as a nurse and came to the UK in 1994, achieving her UK registration in 1996. 

Natasha said: “I was so shocked when I heard I had been short-listed, I had no idea I had even been nominated. I feel very proud to be a finalist, it makes me feel rather emotional actually, it is lovely to be recognised for doing the job I love.

"I guess it means I must be doing something right! I’m touched that people took the time to nominate me and very thankful indeed.”

She previously has worked in various care settings, including in both the NHS and the private part in different parts of the UK and London. Natasha joined Barchester in 2014 in charge of 10 homes and progressed from senior regional director to divisional director.

Fast forward to today, she is now managing director of Barchester’s South Division looking after 80 homes.

SEE ALSO: Permission sought to build swimming pool in back garden​

Dr Pete Calveley, Barchester Healthcare’s CEO, said: “This nomination is very well deserved.  I have had the pleasure of knowing and working alongside Natasha for over 17 years. She is exceptionally hard-working and dedicated to her teams and residents.  She is an incredible leader and already very much a winner in my eyes.”

St Thomas Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, that aims to deliver high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals.