ICCI Healthcare Bursary Judges Meet Shortlisted Five

JUDGING for the Insurance Corporation Healthcare Bursary has taken place and the winning projects will be announced this week (6 November) at a special luncheon for entrants and previous winners.

Eleven entries were received from across HSSD, which were then shortlisted to five. Each of the entrants presented their project to a judging panel consisting of HSSD deputy chief officer Richard Evans, Insurance Corporation managing director Glyn Smith, HSSD HR business partner Anita Gaudion, Insurance Corporation HR and PR executive Michelle Arundale and HSSD HR advisor Heather West.

‘Insurance Corporation has been running the bursary since 1991, this year I was able to join my colleague, Michelle, and senior representatives from HSSD on the panel to hear for myself the incredible projects being suggested from a broad cross-section of health and social services staff. To experience for myself the passion for which these health professional speak about their work was very humbling and I’m so pleased that we have been able to choose two projects for the £2,000 and £1,000 prizes that will truly have a positive impact on health and social care provision in the Bailiwick.’ Glyn Smith, Managing Director.

The shortlisted five were:

ACTIVITY LEVELS IN THE ELDERLY – A PILOT STUDY

Nancy Golland advanced physiotherapist; Judy Moore lecturer in healthcare studies; Olwen Bain-Brehaut ward sister at Le Marchant Ward.

Aim: To implement the introduction of new measures that promote increased mobility and increased activity during the day for elderly inpatients during inpatient admissions on Le Marchant Ward. To enhance patient’s programmes with trial of an activity recording computerised monitor – Activpal. This technology will enable us to assess whether increased activity and mobility levels as an inpatient on Le Marchant Ward has a positive effect on overall outcome for patients.

Increased intensity of activity and mobility may result in reduced length of stay with patients recovering or improving their level of function sooner requiring fewer days in hospital. Sustaining benefits made as an inpatient may also carry over into improved wellness on discharge that can assist in the prevention of longer-term health issues.

PILOT PROJECT TO IMPLEMENT THE AMBER CARE BUNDLE

Karen Leach, service manager community health and wellbeing.

Aim: To improve end of life care for people by implementing the AMBER care bundle within two pilot sites within the Princess Elizabeth Hospital. The AMBER care bundle provides a systematic approach to manage the care of hospital patients who are facing an uncertain recovery and who are at risk of dying in the next one to two months. It is an intervention that can fit within any care pathway or diagnostic group for patients whose recovery is uncertain.

It does not change a patient's treatment or care - it helps staff to realise when they should talk with the patients about what treatment and care they would prefer should the worst happen. It is a simple tool which combines identification questions, four clinical interventions and systematic monitoring that can be applied in adult ward settings.

The AMBER care bundle contributes to people being treated with dignity and respect and enables them to receive consistent information from their healthcare team. It helps people and their carers to be fully involved in making decisions and knowing what is happening with their care.

TO DEVELOP AN ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE AND DEMONSTRATE ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN THE OLDER ADULTS COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH TEAM

Susan Steer, occupational therapist older adults mental health team.

Aim: Living Well with Dementia: A National Strategy (2009) highlight how improvements can be made to community services so that they are responsive to the person’s individual needs. Utilising assistive technology (sensors etc) is one way to achieve this by keeping someone safe and living independently and reducing increasing pressures on dementia care services.

The project is to develop a resource pack of assistive technology to use in helping assess people living with dementia. The technology will be easily accessible for assessment training and demonstration purpose so that the team can support the person’s choice to remain in their home.

INTRODUCTION OF AN INSULIN PASSPORT

Alison Place, diabetes speciality nurse

Aim: To introduce a document called an insulin passport in accordance with NPSA guidelines (UK). The problems currently (nationwide): a) insulin users are frequently dispensed the right insulin but in the wrong pen device b) occasionally the wrong insulin type is dispensed specific problem (locally): There is often a delay in the repeat prescribing of insulin within the surgeries.

The proposed solution: an insulin passport. This will be: a) credit card sized and laminated, to be kept conveniently in the wallet b) a patient held record facilitating the accurate and timely dispensing of essential medication c) a 'prompt' for surgeries, pharmacies and paramedics enabling appropriate intervention, both elective and emergency.

SAFE AS HOUSES

Tobin Cook, deputy chief environmental health officer; Catherine Rirsch, environmental health officer

Aim: Development of a mobile friendly website ‘Safe as Houses’ to educate and inform landlords and tenants about basic housing standards expected in local properties. This would be a simple, free, visual reference point accessible to all. An information and direct referral portal for internal stakeholders eg Housing, Social Security, Fire Department etc and external stakeholders eg the public, Citizens Advice Bureau, landlords, letting agencies etc. The site will use simple visual references and descriptions eg embedded videos, photographs etc to depict acceptable and unacceptable standards. It is hope that increased knowledge and referrals will improve housing conditions and provide early intervention to reduce housing-associated physical and mental health conditions as well as reducing housing related accidents.

The presentation will take place midday on 6 November at The Venue in the presence of Deputy Bailiff Richard McMahon and will also be an opportunity for the audience to hear from last year’s winners and runner-up.

Caption: (L-R) Michelle Arundale, Glyn Smith, Richard Evans, Anita Gaudion, Heather West.