Lead Nurse wins Outstanding Service Award by Queen’s Nursing Institute
A nurse in Manchester has been recognised for her innovative practice at a ceremony in London where she received an award from the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI).
Julie Mullings, Lead Nurse for Tissue Viability at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), received the Outstanding Service Award from the QNI for her work; going above and beyond her role to improve and implement strategies that supports positive outcomes for patients with complex or non-healing wounds.
Julie, who has been a nurse for 30 years, was presented with her award by Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, the first sickle-cell and thalassemia nurse specialist in the UK. On her award, she said:
“Elizabeth is such an important figurehead in nursing, it was an honour to get an award from her.
“We were very keen to educate colleagues at the point of care and understand any barriers to implementing best practice. When care is effective, it means that nurses are able to reduce the need for follow up appointments which helps with their recovery and means we can see to other patients much quicker.”
The award recognises ‘innovative practice that has enhanced service delivery and significantly improved the health and wellbeing outcomes for people in the community they serve’.
A colleague nominated Julie for her exemplary leadership, support and empowering other nurses to base their care on the most up-to-date research and knowledge.
The service has helped to identify an increase of cases of preventable pressure ulcers which can cause complications in a patient’s healing process and are more common in people with reduced mobility. A robust and pioneering education strategy has supported nursing colleagues to improve outcomes for patients.
Julie said: “I’m an advocate for patients, putting them at the heart of everything we do. Patient feedback shows that since implementing education strategies, many people do not have to attend clinic or receive home visits as regularly, they feel far more empowered and have an overall better quality of life.”
Cheryl Lenney OBE, Group Chief Nursing Officer at MFT, said: “Nursing always needs people like Julie who are looking to innovate and improve patient care. I’m very proud that she has been recognised at a national level for her commitment to her role and this excellent service which is helping people across Greater Manchester.”