Community Nursing innovators receive national recognition
Rachael Gill (left) with Dame Elizabeth Anionwu at the Queen’s Nursing Institute’s annual awards ceremony
The Queen’s Nursing Institute has published summary reports of all the nurse-led innovation projects that have taken place in 2022-23.
The QNI has a very successful track record of supporting nurses who have ideas to improve the health of individuals, families and communities.
The projects are delivered in small cohorts to enable shared learning and to provide intensive personal support.
Projects typically last 12 months but most of them continue beyond the original project year, having demonstrated proof of concept.
The most recent innovation projects have been grouped into three streams:
The NGS (Innovation) Elsie Wagg Scholarships: These projects, supported by the National Garden Scheme, are centred on how gardens can improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. They show how theoretical principles can be translated into nursing practice that has direct and lasting benefit on people in a number of settings, including GP surgeries and residential care. Read the report here.
Personalised Care projects, funded by NHS England: The QNI has worked closely with NHS England to support the personalised care agenda in a community nursing context and these projects provide significant evidence of the benefits that can be achieved in practice. Read the report here.
Self-funded Projects: Any healthcare provider organisation that employs community nurses can apply to the QNI to deliver projects in partnership. These examples show how nurses, with the support of their employers and with the expert model provided by the QNI, can achieve significant improvements in patient outcomes. Professional and personal development is also a key outcome for the project leaders. Read the report here.
All of the project leaders received certificates at the recent QNI Awards Ceremony held in London on December 8, recognising the scope of their achievements in community nursing.
Dr Amanda Young, QNI Director of Nursing Programmes (Innovation and Policy) said: “These projects demonstrate a huge range of innovative practice by nurses working in the community, social care and primary care.
“Working with the QNI, nurses are empowered to lead their projects and develop imaginative and sustainable solutions in care delivery, with benefits that go far beyond the initial project idea.”