Pennine Acute nurses highly commended in Gastrointestinal Nursing Awards

Gastroenterology Nurse Specialists Lynne Kendrick and Rosemary Wilson

A Gastroenterology team at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has been highly commended in a national nursing award.

The team, who specialise in dealing with patients with digestive and liver disorders, were chosen as one of the finalists in the British Journal of Nursing Gastrointestinal Nursing Awards.

Gastroenterology Nurse Specialists, Lynne Kendrick and Rosemary Wilson, who form the specialist team were highly commended for providing outstanding nurse-led care in the GI innovation category. The award acknowledges new initiatives or services that have demonstrated excellence in patient care.

Rosemary said: “We were both surprised and proud to be nominated for the award. To be highly commended for our service is fantastic recognition.”

The pair set up the team two years ago to provide specialist care for patients with liver problems, many of whom struggle with their illness.

Lynne explains: “Our main objective when we set up the service was to help educate patients about their illness and reduce hospital admissions. We wanted to show patients how to take ownership of their illness and teach them about their disease and medication, so that they can manage their condition better at home.

“Previously, there was no specific service for liver patients. They would often come to the A&E department when their condition had deteriorated, which would mean an admission into hospital. This can now be reduced by earlier intervention and prognosis.”

Patients now have access to nurse-led clinics at North Manchester General Hospital, The Royal Oldham and Rochdale Infirmary where they are offered a full assessment and face-to-face advice on their condition. The team also offer specialist services including day case abdominal paracentesis, which removes excess fluid from the abdominal area of patients suffering from conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver.

The new service has had a successful start and the team now treat over 300 patients. Hospital admissions have decreased as a result of the specialist services offered and this in turn has helped to reduce treatment costs and bed occupancy.

The team is continually trying to improve the service and is looking to introduce a ‘passport’ for patients which they will carry with them on all hospital visits. It is hoped that this initiative will give staff immediate access to the patient’s records, whatever site they are treated at across the Trust. With rising numbers of patients suffering from liver complaints, the service has proven to be a welcome addition to the specialist services offered by the Trust.