The man who puts patients right at ease
DOCTOR WELCOMES LAUNCH OF HEALTH AWARDS
The man who helps deal with emergency patients has praised the superb team around him.
And he applauded the Best of Health Awards for the way they recognise excellence in the profession.
Dr Jonathan Hurley is a consultant in emergency medicine, based at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
He spoke out after the launch of this year’s Sunderland Echo Best of Health Awards to describe the difference the competition makes.
But he also told of his own work, and that of the dedicated team around him.
He started in August last year but remained in the region for the whole of his training.
The Blyth born and bred doctor provides advice to medical teams, as well as looking after patients.
There’s 15 nursing staff in his department as well as up to 10 doctors at peak times on any one day.
“If we are really busy, we will get about 300 to 350 patients in a 24-hour period,” said Dr Hurley.
His section can be dealing with anything from minor issues such as chest infections, arm and leg injuries, through to people who need resuscitating.
And when asked what gives him most satisfaction in his work, he said: “It is seeing the difference we can make in a short term.
“It is about the medical aspect of making people better but it is also about how we can reduce people’s fears and anxieties about what is wrong with them.
“Often, although medicine is not an exact science, sometimes we can tell the patient exactly what is wrong.”
Dr Hurley added: “There is no way that we can reduce the number of patients but we can make the shifts easier.”
But one way of making a difference is through the Sunderland Best of Health Awards, he said.
“For staff to be recognised, it is nice. It does not change us, but that recognition shows that their efforts are appreciated and make a difference.”
Inhissparetime,hesaid,he enjoys getting out into the vast open spaces close to his him.
Dr Hurley praised his fellow workers and said: “In my opinion, we have one of the strongest teams around. We have a wide range of experience and skills across our nursing staff, our nursing practitioners and doctors.”
Sponsors for this year’s awards are South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, mydentist, and NHS Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group.
We want to find excellence in all aspects of health care.
Whether it is doctors, nurses, dentists or other health professionals, we want entries in all categories of this year’s competition.
To nominate, just send your name, address and telephone number, as well as your email address, if applicable. Remember to include the category you are putting your nominated cause into.