Mansfield nurse in team of national award-winners

Elaine Bodle was part of a team from Barlborough NHS Treatment Centre to be awarded the innovation and improvement award, one of three honours for the staff in a scheme open to thousands of clinicians and healthcare workers throughout England.

Under the medical leadership of Marco La Malfa, the centre’s medical director, and lead orthopaedic surgeon Gyorgy Lovasz, the centre has evolved its ground-breaking work in hip replacement surgery to now include day surgery as an option for knee replacement patients.

Elaine, who is head of nursing, said: “Pain management, post-surgery, has always been more complex with knees. We have been able to create a pathway that enables patients to leave hospital on the same day.

“We shared the results of our research and planning at a presentation to local GPs and musculoskeletal services and they were impressed and happy with the developments. Patients report high levels of satisfaction and low levels of pain.”

Cathy Woods, the centre’s safeguarding lead, led a team that received the award for Patient Focus for promoting patient dignity and choice.

Cathy said: “We are passionate about providing a service that is compassionate and person-centred. We started by surveying each patient who underwent surgery, over a six-month period. After analysing the results, a group of patients were invited to join a co-design team to create solutions.

“Patients told us that, during ward rounds, they sometimes felt confused and forgot questions they wanted to ask. Now every patient has a short question sheet and a pen to keep by their bed so, whenever a question comes to them, they can write it down.”

The final award was picked up by administrator Melanie Biggin, who has worked at the centre from the day it opened. Judges named her Unsung Hero for her 15 years of hard work and compassion.

Hospital director Steve Booker said: “Mel will stop everything to help a patient or a visitor who is distressed, confused or lonely. Her empathy and care for everyone who comes into the centre reflects the ethos of Barlborough NHS Treatment Centre.”