'It’s great to share the difference we have made to the patients'

The Infection Prevention and Control Nurses at the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust entered the 2009 Nursing Times Awards with the concept of focusing the roles within the infection prevention and control team in order to deliver the most effective service for both patients and staff.

There are two roles which stand out in making this concept successful, the role of IPC practice educator provides support and role modelling for staff at the bedside directly improving patient care by working through clinical competencies and enabling staff to have an awareness of their skills and the impact of this on their patients.

“We know so many nurses read the Nursing Times, it’s great to win this award and to be able to share the way we have made such a difference to the patients that we see.”

The IPC patient liaison nurse role gives patients a dedicated specialist available to address their individual care needs, specifically in relation to Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and also extending this service to cover additional infections, for example Clostridium difficile , patients give extremely positive feedback about this role and value the service provided.

These roles raise confidence in the healthcare system, reduce anxiety and promote ownership by clinical staff in their care practices.

These IPC specific roles are now embedded within the trust and have been a significant factor in the reducing infection rates.

Winning the Infection Control Nursing Times Award was a significant morale boost to the Infection Control team.  Although senior level trust staff have been extremely supportive in financing and resourcing the ICT winning this award has added a very solid (glamorous) seal of approval to this support. In addition, ward staff, support services and middle managers have also realised through this award what can be achieved through focused effort and investment in specialist patient care.

One of the team summed it up by saying “We know so many nurses read the Nursing Times, it’s great to win this award and to be able to share the way we have made such a difference to the patients that we see.”

The Infection Prevention and Control Nurses team at the Royal Free hospital

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