Pictured: Staff from the Orthopaedic Outpatient team at University Hospital Monklands
Staff from the Orthopaedic Outpatient team at University Hospital Monklands, have received a Big Shout Out for the way they support patients being cared for within the unit.
The nurse led team manage busy fracture clinics for patients of all ages.
Moira Stewart, charge nurse within the orthopaedic outpatient department at University Hospital Monklands, said:
“The area comprises of some clinic rooms, a four bedded treatment room, a four bay plaster room and areas for admin. The team that we work with here at the orthopaedic outpatient department are very skilled team, very knowledgeable and very caring in their work. We all work together as a team, and if anyone’s struggling with anything, we’re very supportive of each other.”
The team work to reassure patients coming into the clinic to make the experience a less daunting one.
Collette, a clinical support worker within the unit, said: “My role here is to support the nursing staff, the consultants, and, of course, my patients.
“The patients we see here at Monklands range from very tiny kids to the elderly. My role is to support the patients mentally, physically and emotionally. It can be a daunting experience coming into a fracture clinic. I like to reassure the patients, guide them through their journey in the department, explain what’s going to be happening, so it’s a less scary experience for the patients.
“The team here is a great team. It feels like family. Everyone is close and supportive. We get a lot of students here and they don’t want to leave the department. They really enjoy their learning here.”
Louisa, a staff nurse at the orthopaedic outpatient department, said: “One of the jobs as a staff nurse in the department is working on the virtual fracture clinic. What this involves is one of the consultants and staff nurses reviewing the patient’s x-ray and documentation from when they have come in through A & E.
“We then communicate the consultant’s treatment plan and outcome with the patient and allocate them a clinic appointment to be seen face to face.
“Within the nurse led clinic, patients are solely seen by the staff nurses in the department. If there was any deterioration, we would then seek advice from the consultants.
“What makes our team so unique is that we are a close knit team. We all support each other as best we can and we’re always there for one another, no matter what the problem or issue.
“This department works alongside trauma and orthopaedic staff, also at Wishaw and Hairmyres. So we have an extended team and we all work closely together.”
Moira added: We are thrilled that we have been nominated for the Big Shout Out, and we are very honoured. We hope that people appreciate the work that we do and that we make their experience throughout the orthopaedic clinic pleasant one. We know it can be quite a stressful time if you come into the hospital with a fracture and it’s fear of the unknown. Hopefully the staff here are able to support the patients in a manner that doesn’t frighten them too much.”
The Big Shout Out praises NHS Lanarkshire teams for taking an innovative, creative, and patient-centered approach to working, and recognises the unique contribution staff make to overcoming the challenges faced across the entire healthcare system.
