Cathy, Team Leader of the Complex Care Service within Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, has been described by colleagues as inspirational, having developed and established a community-based service to deliver leg ulcer, wound, and catheter care to the people of Dundee.
Starting with a clear plan, she began by networking with local GPs and Practice Managers to identify the best locations for services and the staff who could deliver the service. She developed business plans using her own knowledge and research of the local community and their health needs. With person centred care at its heart, this first of its kind project in Scotland has become a national gold standard which Cathy has showcased to both national and European health improvement conference delegates.
Recognising the importance of learning and continuous development, Cathy focused on empowering the nursing staff who deliver the service. Ensuring protected learning time guaranteed staff understood that their learning was being prioritised and valued. Cathy sees her role not only to run the service but also to motivate and inspire the team to do its best and maintain their own wellbeing. With the team behind her, they have increased capacity and ultimately reduced readmissions to hospital.
With Cathy shortly to retire, her colleagues speak of her service as the positive legacy she will pass on to the future nurses of Dundee.
Praising Cathy for her focus on learning, Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland Director said: “By creating a positive learning environment, Cathy has ensured the nursing staff and students in her team develop and thrive. Practice-based learning is fundamental to maintaining the nursing workforce and, with her new service, she has created a high-quality learning environment where all involved feel supported and empowered to deliver high quality patient care”.
Congratulations to the runner up, the Care When It Counts Team from Musselburgh Primary Care Centre in NHS Lothian, and the Senior Mental Health Nurses from Cunningham House, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, who were highly commended.
Thanks to our sponsors of this award, NHS Education for Scotland (NES). With their support, we were able to go all out and truly celebrate all of our finalists and their contribution to the health and care of the people of Scotland.
