Inner City Gloucester respiratory nurse claims top award

An inspirational nurse who is working improve respiratory care for people living in Gloucester has won an award for high quality patient care.

Sonia Silk, who is based out of Gloucester Health Access Centre, was announced as winner of the Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists Excellence Award for Outstanding Contribution to Respiratory Care at the ARNS Conference in Leeds.

The award, voted for by peers and patients recognises the individuals and teams who deliver excellent care above and beyond expectations.

After being nominated by a colleague at Partners in Health, Sonia, who is the Respiratory Champion for Inner City Primary Care Network (PCN – groups of GP practices working together with community services), was invited to the awards where she gave a presentation alongside other finalists, before an audience vote decided the winner.

The respiratory project, led by Sonia, and supported by the PCN Business Manager Leighla Davenport, aims to improve access to services in Gloucester City, including holding extra clinics at weekends, training health colleagues to support those with complex respiratory conditions and supporting staff to help audit patients’ symptoms to spot those at increased risk and treat them quickly.

Working in a community where more than 80 different languages are spoken and where 50% of the patient population are among the most deprived in the county, Sonia’s role as respiratory champion has been essential in helping to improve health outcomes.

Under Sonia’s guidance patients can now benefit from weekend clinics helping those who cannot access primary care services during the week gain the support and care they need.

Dr Emma Crutchlow and Dr Sasha Bennett, Clinical Directors of the Gloucester Inner City PCN, said: “As our PCN Respiratory Nurse Champion and Quality Improvement lead, Sonia is committed to ensuring our respiratory patients receive a high quality of care. Addressing health inequalities and providing equity of care by taking a population health management approach is essential to Sonia’s role in reducing the life expectancy gap that many of our patients experience in the inner city.

“Sonia has become a mentor for many and her passion for respiratory care inspires those who work with her, we are delighted her hard work has been recognised with a national award.”

Helen Goodey, Director of Primary Care and Place at NHS Gloucestershire, said: “Sonia and the Inner City PCN are making a huge difference to the patients they care for and it is great to see them recognised by colleagues, patients and respiratory specialists.

“Respiratory support and care is one of our key priorities and we know the impact it has on local people. The community led approach in Gloucester City is making a real difference to those living with often-complex conditions and is helping transform the way we work. Sonia should be rightly proud of winning this accolade.

“It is clear the PCN work hard to deliver outstanding care, with Sonia providing superb leadership and encouragement to the project overall.”

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk