[W]endi Harrison, an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinical Nurse Specialist at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) has won the Richard Driscoll Award for IBD Nurse Excellence 2017 on Friday 17 November.
The IBD Nurse Excellence Recognition Programme started earlier this year to identify and recognise IBD nurses or teams which have developed an innovative project to improve patient care for people who suffer with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
The innovative project, that won Wendi first prize, offers patients a Rapid Access Imaging Clinic at Furness General Hospital (FGH.) This is a unique clinic for potential patients and those who have been diagnosed with IBD. Wendi worked with Consultant Gastrointestinal Radiologist, Dr Nigel Grunshaw, who initiated the idea using his expertise in ultrasound scanning. This has transformed the service for patients by providing a one-stop clinic, a rapid access imaging clinic and a telephone advice line, enabling patients get the support they need when they need it, reducing waiting time and improving outcomes.
Wendi Harrison, IBD Clinical Nurse Specialist at UHMBT said: “It was an honour to receive this award for the outstanding change I have made to patients journeys that use the Gastroenterology services at UHMBT. I have a good team around me, including Dietitians and Radiology staff who understand the nature of the disease and how it affects patient’s lives and I thank them for supporting me in setting up
this service.”
Sue Smith, Executive Chief Nurse at UHMBT said; “This is a great achievement and a reflection of the efforts that Wendi and the teams have made in the creation of the Rapid Access Imaging Clinic. A real commitment to improve quality, safety and experience for our patients has resulted in some amazing work and it’s great that this has been recognised.”
