Nursing duo’s pride after win
An award-winning healthcare duo, who have managed the introduction of a joined-up team that delivers stepped-up care to some of the city’s most vulnerable people, have spoken of their pride at securing a Sunderland Echo Best of Health Award.
Lisa Kempster and Diane Kirton, both safe care leads, who have helped embed a new Recovery at Home service, which sees a new integrated team delivering care to deal with acute episodes in the healthcare needs of some of Sunderland’s frailest people, were named Community Nurses of the Year at the Sunderland Echo Best of Health Awards last month.
The two trained nurses, who split their time between managing the roll-out of Recovery at Home, and working in the community as part of the delivery team, said the programme – which was launched two years ago – is changing lives in the city.
Lisa, who was previously based at Grindon, before moving to the new care hub in Leechmere, said: “Recovery at Home is delivering care that is really helping some of the city’s most poorly people.
“The speed at which we are able to respond to the health or social care needs means we can keep people at home, where they would much rather be, and this in turn means they get better faster.
“They can be supported on an ongoing basis if needed by Community Integrated Teams, who work in very tight geographical areas, to deliver responsive support on an ongoing basis, to those with long-term health conditions. The outcome is much more person-centred care.”
Recovery at Home is part of All Together Better, a ‘vanguard’ programme funded by NHS England to trial new ways of delivering care to help alleviate pressure on both health and social care resources, while also improving the quality of support people receive.
The 24/7 service is designed to prevent people from being admitted to hospital unnecessarily, or staying in longer than they need to. Care is provided to people in the community, with a team of professionals administering the support that person needs at home.
The rapid response service means that people can be safely discharged from hospital and receive a care package that is tailored to both their health and social care needs.
Diane, who also headed up a team of healthcare professionals in Grindon before moving to Recovery at Home, said: “The fact that teams of health and social care professionals were based separately meant there was a delay between identifying a need, and that care being provided.
“Now, we can speak to colleagues directly – because we are all based in one place – and quickly put in place whatever intervention is needed to prevent someone’s condition worsening and them requiring hospital treatment.”
The team has been visited by health trusts up and down the country, keen to learn from the work being done in Sunderland.
This, alongside winning the Best of Health Award, has been a highlight for Lisa and Diane, who say it is nice to see their work recognised.
“You’re just doing your job, so you don’t really think it is special or that it stands out. So having outsiders recognise the work you are doing is lovely, really,” said Lisa.
“We were totally gobsmacked,” added Diane. “You don’t ever expect to win these awards, and even being nominated was fantastic. It was completely unexpected.
“So many people have played a part in making Recovery at Home the success it is today, and it is great recognition for all of them.
“It’s taken a lot of work and great deal of backing from the senior teams behind the programme, and there is still further to go, as we are always spotting more opportunities and evolving, but winning the award shows how far we have come in a relatively short amount of time. It’s great.”
“You’re just doing your job, so you don’t really think it is special” LISA KEMPSTER