A project team who have been working hard to reduce the number of care home residents across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight being admitted to hospital have won an award at the South-East Nursing and Midwifery Green Week Awards.
As part of the South-East Nursing and Midwifery Green Week (18th -22nd March 2024), a virtual awards ceremony was held on Friday 22 March. These awards were to recognise the exceptional contribution of Nurses and Midwives to sustainability in the South East.
Beverley George and Lynne Birt at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight have won in the category of ‘Keeping People Healthy’ for their quality improvement project. The project aims to reduce the number of people in care homes being admitted to hospital.
It was identified that the highest number of calls from care home residents to a telemedicine service were related to Urinary Tract Infections, chest infections and general deterioration. As a result of this virtual champions groups were put in place to help deal with the most common issues. This included, falls, nutrition & hydration, end of life, safeguarding, infection control, dementia, tissue viability and oral health.
Since the introduction of the virtual champions, there has been a significant reduction in calls to the telemedicine service and hospital admissions.
Laura-Jane Osbaldeston, Interim Head of Quality Primary and Local Care, Urgent and Emergency Care and Planned Care at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight said: “It is fantastic that Bev and Lynne’s quality improvement project has been recognised by this NHS England Regional Award. We are really proud of their achievement and the positive changes they have made to the lives of people living and working in residential care.”
Beverley George, Quality Improvement Lead for Care Homes & Community at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight said: “This project has made it possible for more residents to be cared for in their care home where they feel comfortable surrounded by their own things and avoid an unnecessary stay in hospital.
“We are honoured to win this award and we are looking forward to getting more of our care homes involved in the project as it moves forward.”