The Isle of Man’s Wound Formulary - a project developed with the aim of improving the treatment and management of wounds, such as leg ulcers and surgical wounds - was shortlisted in the ‘Team of the Year’ category at the Nursing Times Awards 2012.   The Awards, billed as the ‘Nursing Oscars’ are regarded as the most prestigious in the nursing profession.
 
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK, said: “We are sometimes too modest on the Island, often underestimating our achievements.  Reaching the short-list is a true accolade for our nurses and wider healthcare system – both public and private.  To be short-listed at a national level for their teamwork and implementation of best practice is exactly the recognition this team deserves for their hard work and dedication in improving care for patients.”
 
The team is made up of professionals from all sectors of healthcare in the Isle of Man, including Noble’s Hospital, Community Nursing, Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital, Hospice Isle of Man, the independent Nursing Home sector, and the Podiatry Service.  The team members are:
 
• Pam Fulton - Tissue Viability Specialist Nurse
• Diane Corrin - Inpatient Services Manager at Hospice Isle of Man
• Bernie Ross - Matron at Brookfields Nursing Home
• Caroline Swayne - District Nurse
• Jill Wilkinson - Registered Nurse at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital
• Julie Maddrell - Clinical Lead Podiatrist in Diabetes
• Elizabeth Whitty - Practice Nurse
• Vivien Craig - Registered Nurse at Hospice Isle of Man. 
 
The Team developed a wound care formulary (information on prescribable medicines to treat different wounds in varying scenarios), which was first launched in December 2007 and has since been implemented Island-wide.  The team continue their work, meeting regularly to review developments in wound care and management.  The second edition of the Formulary was launched in May of this year.  The Formulary ensures best practice with regards to wound care, being evidence-based from national guidance on wound care.  It means that consistent and high standards of care are available to patients, wherever they are being cared for, as well as improving the cost-effectiveness of wound care on the Island.
 
The project was short-listed because of its uniqueness and its ability to reach patients across all care settings, often regarded as difficult to achieve in healthcare.  The Nursing Times Awards exist to ensure that individual nurses and teams are both recognised and rewarded for work that raises the standard of nursing practice and health care throughout the British Islands.  There were almost 900 entries for the 2012 Awards and the team felt it a  phenomenal achievement to be short-listed.
 
Pam Fulton, who led the project, said: “It is wonderful to be recognised for the work that we have done.  To make changes like these in practice is not always easy, but when you are rewarded like this it makes it worthwhile, not only for ourselves but most importantly for our patients too.  We had a wonderful night at the Awards and it was great to be a part of this celebration of nursing care.”
 
The winner in each category was selected after all the short-listed nominees attended an intensive ‘Dragons’ Den’ presentation and question and answer session before a Judging Panel in London.  Three of the team, led by Pam Fulton, delivered a presentation to the panel, providing a background to the Isle of Man and the challenges faced by a small Island, whilst also explaining the importance of close co-operation by all agencies involved in caring for patients. 
 
Jenni Middleton, Editor of the Nursing Times said of the 2012 Awards: “Our shortlist is full of nurses and healthcare professionals who have gone above and beyond the remit of their day jobs to improve the care of patients, to reach hard to access groups, to enhance services and ensure safety.”