SUMMARY

The Kate Granger Awards for Compassionate Care honour individuals, teams or organisations for ambitious ways of delivering care. This article looks at some of the shortlisted nurse-led care innovations – among them a young people’s cancer unit, a miscarriage specialist nurse, a matron bridging the gap between the NHS and local care homes, and Dr Granger herself. Author Jennifer Trueland is a freelance journalist.

The motto of the teenage and young adult service at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is ‘young person first, cancer diagnosis second’. And that, explains Teenage Cancer Trust lead nurse Nicky Pettitt, includes the people important to them, be it family, friends, or others. ‘We try to provide truly holistic care, looking at young people’s needs,’ she says. ‘It includes high quality cancer care, but it is much more than that.’ The 11-bed ward and day unit for 16-24 year olds last month won the team category of the Kate Granger Awards for Compassionate Care. According to Dr Granger, it is hard to define compassionate care, although easier to note its absence. ‘It is the “little things” that add up to make you feel cared for, and able to trust the healthcare professional looking after you,’ she says. She should know. She has terminal cancer, so has experience of being   a caregiver and patient.

Surprise award

Dr Granger, who with husband Chris Pointon chose the award winners, received a surprise award herself for her social media campaign #hellomynameis, which encourages health professionals to introduce themselves to patients at every contact. She told Nursing Standard she was impressed by the entries. ‘There are so many people providing amazing patient-centred care that focuses on the people behind the disease or condition.’ That certainly applies to   Ms Pettitt and her team, which includes another specialist nurse, social workers, a specialist teacher

A winning combination The Compassionate Care awards put the spotlight on innovative practice. Jennifer Trueland reports and a youth support worker. They focus on helping patients get on with their lives as much as possible, timing admissions and blood tests to take account of exams, graduations and 21st birthdays. Celebrations – including weddings – have been held in the

unit if the young person is unable to go home. There is open visiting, free wi-fi, extensive IT facilities and, crucially, a ‘mobiles on’ policy. ‘Compassionate care is about seeing people as people,’ says   Ms Pettitt. ‘The “hello my name is” campaign has got it right. Nurses

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NEIL O’CONNOR

‘It is about understanding and allowing someone to grieve. Sometimes that involves sitting in a room with someone and letting them talk – or not talk. Sometimes it involves a hug, or holding someone’s hand.’ Her patients agree. One nominator praised her for ‘giving

Dr Granger adds that these crucial ‘little things’ include ‘making sure you are on the same level as your patient physically when you are talking, use of touch to reassure, giving a sense of time, acknowledging a person’s fears and anxieties, and open and honest communication’. Such skills are

PATIENT-CENTRED CARE FOCUSES ON THE PERSON BEHIND A DISEASE OR CONDITION me the time to sit and cry about my losses, not just label me’. Nurses have an advantage when it comes to providing compassionate care, Ms Ellard believes, because of their intimate relationship with patients. ‘You have to gauge it, but it is knowing when it is okay to touch or hug someone. An important part is being yourself, being honest, and being open.’

Working together

invade people’s private space, so it is only right we give a little of ourselves, within professional boundaries. It is about befriending, but not being a friend. We are people looking after people – which is why I came into nursing.’ Annmaria Ellard was shortlisted for the individual award. The miscarriage specialist nurse at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust suspects she comes across as formidable rather than kind. ‘I am passionate about my job, but I didn’t think I was doing anything special.’ She was nominated by patients from the trust’s miscarriage clinic. Providing compassionate care has a lot to do with continuity, she says, and with being a good communicator. ‘I am a familiar face. The woman knows that she does not have to explain everything.

Teenage and young adult service nurses Delphine Beddali (left) and Nicky Pettitt (right) won the inaugural Kate Granger award in March 2014. Dr Granger (centre), who pioneered the ‘hello my name is’ campaign, presented the award

Compassion needs to extend to patients’ families and to colleagues, which earned a place on the shortlist for admissions avoidance matron Jo Murray. She bridges the gap between the NHS and local nursing and care homes, helping to improve care and communication and understanding between the sectors. ‘Traditionally, nursing and care homes were a bit isolated and sent a high percentage of patients to acute hospitals. If we can improve the way they work with community nurse and GP teams, they would send fewer patients,’ says Ms Murray, who has been working for Sussex Community NHS Trust for around 18 months. She identifies and meets training and support needs in care and nursing homes and helps colleagues understand their requirements. ‘Care home staff might not have had much access to training,’ she says. ‘They might not feel confident about using syringe drivers, for example.’ Part of being compassionate is having an ‘open door’ relationship with the homes, she says. ‘It is also about spending time with people, being approachable, and ensuring people do not feel rushed.’

inherent in many nurses, but can be taught and learned, she says. ‘As a patient I appreciate those compassionate attributes more than clinical skills. This week I have been very unwell and feeling distressed and frustrated by everything. My consultant oncologist simply gave me a hug. It helped to make me feel better, safe and cared for’ NS

On the Compassionate Care Awards shortlist Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust – established two nurse-led Medically Fit for Discharge wards. Spiral Health Community Interest Company – developed a nurse-led rehabilitation unit at Bispham Hospital near Blackpool where patient preferences are prioritised. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust – launched Barbara’s Story, a film about an 85-year-old woman, and a teaching session to raise staff awareness of dementia being rolled out across the country. Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – Two midwives developed the bereavement midwife role to support families. Jonathan Mann Centre at the Homerton University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – provides specialist HIV NHS care to around 1,000 people, more than half of whom are women.

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A winning combination.

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