A ward at Royal Hampshire County Hospital is celebrating after winning national acclaim for its care of older people.
The award winning team from Clifton Ward picked up the accolade of best 'Care of older people' at the national Nursing Times 2014 award ceremony in London's Grosvenor House Hotel on 29th October.
Clifton Ward Sister, Rhian Cross was at the event to accept the award, she said: "Being there last night as a finalist was an incredible experience and the feeling of winning the award is unforgettable!
"On Clifton we are passionate about providing excellent care and rehabilitation to older people, and we've sought new ways to empower our patients and listen to them. We love seeing the way our approach benefits our patients and are so excited to have won such a prestigious award."
Clifton Ward is an acute rehabilitation ward for older people. The Clifton team won the award for the training they gave to all of the staff who are involved in caring for patients on the ward – from the doctors, nurses and therapists, to the housekeepers.
Rhian explained: "Older people can deteriorate when they are in hospital and away from their usual surroundings and routine. This can sometimes result in them being in hospital for longer and lead to difficulties coping at home after they are discharged.
"It's all about helping patients prepare for life at home. So while we are helping patients with everyday tasks such as washing and dressing, we're talking to them about how they will cope at home and what support is available to them. This helps our patients take an active role in their recovery and helps them prepare for their return to routine daily life."
Donna Green, chief nurse at Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust, the organisation that runs the hospitals in Basingstoke, Winchester and Andover said: "Caring for elderly patients can be very difficult because they often have complex needs and don't have just one condition to treat, but as the Clifton team has shown, it can often be the most rewarding too. I am very proud of the team."
Chief Executive of the Foundation Trust, Mary Edwards added: "I find most of the staff working in our Foundation Trust are very humble when it comes to accepting praise, and although there is always more we can do, it's important that all our staff take a moment to enjoy this national recognition for our Foundation Trust."
Winchester MP Steve Brine said: "I was delighted to hear that Clifton ward has won this national award. The team must be thrilled and I offer them all my congratulations."
Clifton Ward was shortlisted along with six other contenders for the award. Clifton Ward also recently won the 'Wonderful Workforce Solution of the Year' category at the regional Health Education Wessex Shine Awards. The work was originally supported by the health foundation SHINE programme.
