Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust’s Public Health Team has been shortlisted for an award, recognising its work in addressing health inequalities for people suffering from mental illness.
The team has been shortlisted for a prestigious Nursing Times Award in the Public Health Nursing category.
The award recognises the important role the nursing profession plays in promoting and protecting public health.
CNTW’s Public Health Team has been recognised for implementing national screening programme pathways for long stay patients in the Trust.
People living with severe mental illness, learning disabilities or autism face significant health inequalities, with a life expectancy 15 to 20 years lower than the general population.
The Public Health Team developed and implemented bespoke pathways for long-stay inpatients. Pathways were established for the five national screening programmes: bowel, breast, cervical, abdominal aortic aneurysm and diabetic eye screening, and the NHS England pilot pathway for targeted lung health checks.
The programme works by first identifying inpatients who are eligible to prevent any missed opportunities. Patients are also supported to participate in screening programmes.
To support these pathways, staff receive training to understand, promote the screening work and encourage participation.
Training is also provided to screening hubs to raise awareness of mental health conditions, ensuring they can work effectively with patients.
Partnership working has been essential in moving towards the goal of reducing health inequalities.
Kate McBride, Physical Health & Wellbeing Lead at CNTW, has led on the programme alongside Health Improvement Specialist Sally Faulkner and administration officer Mattea Ross.
Kate said: “We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for our work on implementing the national screening pathways for our long stay patient group. We are committed to addressing health inequalities for our patients and raising awareness of this disparity. It’s an honour to be recognised among such talented nurses.”
The focus remains on continually improving quality and increasing screening uptake to ensure better health outcomes for this vulnerable population.
The team continues to develop the pathways and aims to roll it out Trust-wide.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on Wednesday 23rd October.