Our nurses win twice at Nursing Times Awards

Guy’s and St Thomas’ nurses who developed a ‘passport’ for asthma patients and a telephone assessment clinic for patients with suspected bowel cancer were winners at the prestigious Nursing Times Awards last night (Wednesday 29 October).

These national awards ‘showcase the superb innovations that are shaping and improving nurse-led care in the NHS and independent healthcare providers’. 

Guy’s and St Thomas’ nurses were also shortlisted in three other individual categories – clinical research nursing, enhancing patient dignity, and infection prevention – and twice for the team of the year award.

Clinical nurse specialist Karen Newell and colleagues won the respiratory nursing category for developing a special passport that helps asthma patients seek medical help in the event of an asthma attack.

Karen says: “Asthma patients are at their most vulnerable when they are having an asthma attack. They can feel completely out of control and so are likely to avoid seeking medical help. During an attack patients can find it difficult to talk, so the passports provide clinical staff with the appropriate information. The passport is saving lives because patients are now more likely to go to A&E when they need to.”

Colorectal consultant nurse Harriet Watson won the cancer nursing category after launching a telephone assessment clinic for patients with suspected bowel cancer.

She says: “Early diagnosis of bowel cancer improves the chance of survival and quality of life. Rather than waiting for an outpatient clinic with one of our surgeons, local GPs can now refer patients with suspected bowel cancer for a telephone appointment with me or a colleague. We assess the patient and book them in for the most appropriate test for their symptoms.”

Deputy Chief Nurse Yinglen Butt says: “I want to congratulate all our staff who were shortlisted with a special mention to our award winners. The most important thing is that their initiatives have already had a big impact on patient care.”