The Island’s community nursing provision has been praised following a visit by Dr Crystal Oldman, Chief Executive of the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI).
Dr Oldman, who was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June, was joined by QNI project manager Mary Saunders during a two-day trip (August 3-4) organised by the Department of Health and Social Care in response to a positive review of the Island’s community nursing services in 2016 by the West Midlands Quality Review Service.
DHSC Director of Community Nursing Services Cath Quilliam instigated the visit with a view to building on the work currently being done and ensuring services continue to develop.
Also present were Tia Hall and Karen Leach, representing small island community nursing services in Jersey and Guernsey respectively.
The party visited community nursing bases and patients around the Island, with Dr Oldman and colleagues using the opportunity to assess and compare services with the UK, Jersey and Guernsey, while sharing innovations and good practice.
Speaking on the second day to Health and Social Care Minister Kate Beecroft MHK and senior department officials, Dr Oldman said she was impressed with community nursing in the Island, particularly the presence of 10 Queen’s Nurses – a qualification gained following a rigorous process and an indicator of quality, commitment and leadership.
She explained how she had spoken to a large number of nurses. They possessed a shared vision and purpose as well as a passion for serving their community and had a clear understanding of each other's roles which was not always seen elsewhere.
The Island was also praised for the positive learning environment it provided for student nurses, revealing that a UK student on placement on the Island couldn't speak highly enough of their experience.
Hospital discharge procedure was highlighted as a challenge common to both the Island and the UK.
Dr Crystal Oldman, Chief Executive of the Queen’s Nursing Institute, said: ‘Community nursing in the Isle of Man is in a good place – we’ve been pleased to meet nurses with a sense of purpose about what they do and how they serve their communities.
‘I’ve got some really good messages to take home to the QNI about the Isle of Man. What I’ve seen is fantastic – brilliantly led services and passionate, committed nurses in a whole variety of services.’
Cath Quilliam, Director of Community Nursing Services, said: ‘It has been a pleasure hosting the visit and sharing good practice and innovations in community nursing.’
Photo - Some of the Island’s Queen’s Nurses meet the visitors at Keyll Darree. From left: June Kelly, DHSC Health Visitor; Tia Hall, Operational Lead for Community Services in Jersey; Sue Wilson, DHSC Long Term Condition Coordinator; Karen Leach, Service Manager for Community Services in Guernsey; Mary Saunders, Queen’s Nursing Institute Project Manager; Dr Crystal Oldham, Queen’s Nursing Institute Chief Executive; Mandy Davies, Specialist Health Visitor for Vulnerable Adults; Margaret Swindlehurst, Service Lead for Adult Community Nursing; Helen Bridson, Occupational Health Service Manage; and Susan Dunajewski, Senior Nurse Practice Development.
