NNUH shortlisted for two Nursing Times Awards

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) is a finalist for two prestigious national awards which showcase the excellent work nurses carry out every day.

NNUH has been shortlisted in the Excellence in Supporting Staff Wellbeing category for breaking down barriers to mental health in the work place. NNUH is also one of the finalists in the Learning Disability Nursing category for a project to improve care for patients with learning disabilities and autism.

The Nursing Times Awards profile good practice and innovations that have been implemented by frontline staff and celebrate organisations commitment to achieving excellence.

NNUH ran an initiative aimed at improving the wellbeing and mental health of the Trust’s nursing staff with the aim of improving the quality and delivery of patient services. The project focused on staff engagement, rapid access to services and introduced an in-house Clinical Psychologist. The team has made an important contribution to reducing the stigma of mental health within the Trust, for example through training opportunities and a one-stop shop for advice. The initiative has reduced staff absence related to mental ill health; during July to December 2011, 17% of the total Trust sickness absence was related to mental ill health and during January to June 2012 this was reduced by 3% to 14%.

Wendy Goode, Workplace Health and Wellbeing Manager said: “Being shortlisted has given us a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate how important mental health wellbeing is to our nurses and the impact it has on patient care.”

NNUH has also been shortlisted for implementing a new risk assessment for patients with a learning disability or autism who are admitted to hospital. The aim was to ensure that these patients receive a rapid risk assessment and then the recommended package of care tailored to their needs. Overall the initiative has improved the experience for patients with learning disabilities or autism, with shorter stays in hospital, faster recovery for patients and improved safety.

Dawn Collins Assistant Director of Nursing said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for the Nursing Times Learning Disability Nursing category in its first year. Our hospital and its staff have totally embraced the systems that have been developed to improve care and safety for this vulnerable group and we are incredibly proud of them. This nomination will help to ensure that the learning disability profile remains high on all clinical and health agendas.”

NNUH is one of 132 finalists in 17 categories which include a range of specialities including cancer, respiratory, learning disabilities and mental health. The winners of the 2012 Nursing Times Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on 31 October.