Earlier this year on 12th June 2014 it was one of the
hottest days of the year and myself along with many Bangor University student nurses
made our way to Llandudno for the much anticipated 1000lives NHS Wales National
Learning Event. We were lucky enough to get a place on the day after much
excitement and support from our lecturer Angela Williams and we could not wait
to see Dr Kate Granger amongst others talk at the big event.
Llandudno Beach
We were all sat on large round tables which were covered in free
pens, post-it notes and our agenda for the day (……….. FREE PENS, every students dream!). Once the
room had filled up the event was opened by Dr Alan Wilson, Director of
1000lives improvement who then introduced Professor Mathew Makin, Medical
Director of BCUHB to introduce the main theme of the day, Prudent Healthcare.
Professor Mathew Makin speaking at
todays event
Prudent Healthcare is something I am aware of but never really
thought about before today so I was keen to learn as much as I could. Following
a talk from Professor Marcus Longley and Dr Tony Calland I was surprised to learn
that in a study conducted about ENT GP referrals, only 2% of the patients referred
and admitted to hospital actually needed ENT treatment and of course this is of
detriment to both the patient and the NHS in terms of wasting time and money.
The main focus of the talk was on the need for better communication with service
users to make sure they are getting what is needed and not wasted.
We were asked to do some group work and discuss the different
aspects of Prudent Healthcare based on three questions. We were all in
agreement that the main focus should be to work WITH the patient and involve
them as much as possible in their own care (co-produce). We also discussed
educating all healthcare professionals to new procedures/using alternative
medicines where possible & appropriate.
In my group we worked together to
define prudent healthcare as “Working in partnership with the patient to
empower them, to give advice and help educate patients about their healthcare
and ensure that their individual needs are met, ensuring efficiency in
healthcare provision to reduce waste.”
Our group work on Prudent Healthcare
As a student Nurse I have taken so much from today and have a much
broader understanding of prudent healthcare which I now need to apply to
practice. For me it’s all about patient centred care and educating myself so
that I can do the very best for each and every individual without the need for
waste. I have been both inspired and humbled by the passion and determination
of today’s speakers including the wonderful Dr Kate Granger who I was lucky
enough to meet and learn about her inspirational campaign #hellomynameis.
Dr Kate Granger and our students at
today’s event
I would like to finish with two quotes used today that I believe will
stay with me throughout my nursing career…
“Treat the whole of the patient,
not the hole in the patient…”
“The good Physician treats the disease. The great Physician
treats the patient who has the disease” William Olsen
#hellomynameisSTEPH
and I am looking forward to embarking on my first full clinical placement in
September
