Diabetes nurse shortlisted for prestigious award

An innovative new diabetes nursing role at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has been short listed for the Midlands and East Anglian final of the prestigious 2004 NHS Health and Social Care awards.

The hospital's diabetes in-patient facilitator nurse, Esther Walden, has been shortlisted for the Chronic Disease Management award from more than 1,500 entries down to a final shortlist of just three and on June 9 she will find out if she has won at an awards ceremony in Birmingham. 

Esther's role is to identify patients with diabetes who have in-patient treatment and to work with them and staff to ensure their diabetes is well controlled and does not delay their discharge from hospital.

Her work has seen the length of stay for in-patients with diabetes in some areas (especially surgery) drop from 4.3 days to just 2.73 days.  Her work has seen improved patient satisfaction and also saves the hospital up to 2,750 bed days a year by avoiding delayed patient discharge. 

The new role was initially funded by the Norwich and Norfolk Diabetes Trust and has been so successful, it is now funded by the NHS.

Esther said; “My role is to try and reduce diabetes-related bed occupancy and improve staff knowledge of diabetes management.  Whilst at times it has been an uphill struggle creating and implementing a new post, it has been both challenging and rewarding.”

NHS chief executive Nigel Crisp said: “The standard of applications was very high and I would like to extend my congratulations to you and the colleagues involved in your project, on your achievement of being one of the top three in your category in your region. There were a record number of entries for this year's awards and all applications have been through a rigorous, three-stage assessment process, led by regional and national experts in each field.” 

• The NHS Health and Social Care awards ceremony took place on Wednesday 9th June at The Centennial Centre, Birmingham.
• Media contacts: Andrew Stronach or Hayley Gerrard on 01603 287200