UHNM wins at Nursing Times Awards

University Hospitals North Midlands Older Adults Diversional Therapists have been announced as the winners of the 'The Care of Older People' category at the prestigious 2024 Nursing Times Awards.
 
Following a rigorous judging process, The Diversional Therapist Team at UHNM emerged as the winner of Nursing Times’  ‘The Care of Older People Award’ in recognition of their work providing bespoke activities aimed at maintaining the mobility of patients on the Royal Stoke University Hospital’s older adult wards. 

UHNM’s six diversional therapists work on the elderly care wards and have one-on-one time with a patient to help keep them mobile. The therapists encourage patients to get out of bed to play board games, watch a TV programme, go for a coffee and have a walk.

The judges praised this project as an excellent example of a nurse-led, patient-centred innovation, noting its introduction of a unique role and meaningful activities for older patients. The judges were impressed by the commitment and passion shown by the team to improve outcomes for older people on acute wards and to empower patients and staff to be creative, confident, valued and engaged; impacting care and experience in a positive way. 

Speaking about the award, Lee-ann Boardman, Matron for older adults at UHNM, said: “What an honour for our team to receive this prestigious award. The team deserve this win, they have worked so hard to develop their new roles and they have all taken it in their stride. Since the team have been in post, patients falls have dropped dramatically and patient experience has improved.

“I’m looking forward to the team growing and expanding over the coming months, creating even more opportunities for our patients. It’s an exciting time in Older adults!”

Ann-Marie Riley, Chief Nurse at UHNM added: “The Diversional Therapist Team at UHNM are transforming patient experience for our older adults. This is such a great service that is helping our patient’s to stay mobile and active while in hospital, promoting independence, maintaining ability all while reducing in patient falls on our older adults wards.

“We are all really proud of everyone involved, they really deserve this recognition.” 

The annual awards celebrate nursing and midwifery’s achievements in improving patient care and sharing best practice, highlighting the brilliant work of staff across a huge array of health and social care settings.