Tuesday 11 November 2014
Two nurses from Guernsey were responsible for one of just ten shortlisted projects in the category of mental health nursing at the Nursing Times Awards this year. This is a highly prestigious nation-wide nursing award and recognises excellence and innovation in practice. The winners of the 2014 Nursing Times Awards were announced at a ceremony on 29 October at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.
Michelle Ayres, Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and Carol Vivyan's Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist project 'The Decider' was developed to support people with referrals for impulsive behaviour conditions in response to an identified service need in Guernsey's adult mental health services. Such impulsive behaviours include self harm, withdrawal, isolation and avoidance behaviour, aggression, substance misuse and binge eating.
"The Decider" is a reference card showing pictures which each relate to a 'decider skill'. These skills, shown by a clear visual representation on the card, summarise 32 informed skills based in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectal Behavioural Therapy (DBT). The skills are taught in a group setting and once learnt the client is able to choose which skill to use when they are feeling impulsive.
Carol explains:
"The Decider is a reference card which uses pictures to summarise thirty-two Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) informed skills.
The Decider Skills Manual is a handout for the client and also a detailed explanation for the clinician on how to present each skill as part of a structured fourteen session group. Clinician's can also use the skills individually with clients and also add their own creativity to the approach which helps to ensure it is best suited to each client's individual needs.
Impulsive behaviours such as self harming, binge eating and substance misuse are spontaneous emotion driven behaviours often associated with anxiety, depression, anger, addictions, eating disorders and personality disorders. They can have devastating consequences to the individual."
Skills Training is cost effective and can have many other benefits: increasing client engagement, preparing clients for therapy and underpinning ongoing individual and group therapy work. Clinicians also report an increase in their own confidence after learning the skills. Our experience is that clients and clinicians respond well to this evidence-based, fun, visual and memorable approach.
Michelle Ayres said:
"'The Decider' is being used extensively in adult mental health services in Guernsey and has also been adapted for use by other service settings. The system has considerable benefits for the clients and is a cost effective approach. The clinical outcome measures are positive and results indicate a promising long-term effectiveness of the Decider Skills group."
There is regular training for mental health staff. Twelve session client groups are run twice a year, facilitated by mental health staff from different disciplines. Clients are also able to attend a monthly graduate group after completion.
Michelle added:
"The Decider' Life Skills has been developed further from our original work, twelve key life skills for use in schools and youth groups as a proactive approach to mental health. We are keen to introduce this into schools and youth groups and have begun working with education and the voluntary sector" said Michelle Ayres. "It was an honour and an experience to attend the Awards and represent Guernsey yet again at such a high level"
Patricia McDermott Consultant Clinical Nurse Specialist - Urology won the Continence Promotion and Care section in 2013.
Patricia said:
"Following my unexpected win of Continence Advisor of the year 2013, I have spoken locally and nationally on my project "The Adequacy and Provision of the Guernsey Public Toilets". The feedback that I have received is outstanding, and listeners from further afield are very impressed with the public toilet facilities that Guernsey offers compared to the UK, where in some towns there are no public toilets at all."
Patricia added:
"I am also working with local Deputies and the St Peter Port Constables to improve the facilities in the town centre. I was also awarded runner up for the British Journal of Nursing, Continence Advisor of the Year 2013. I feel very proud to have represented the HSSD and Guernsey at These National Awards."
Rebecca Sherrington (Respiratory Nurse Consultant) was a judge on this year's panel and presented the award for Respiratory Nursing. Rebecca is currently Chair of the Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists.
Rebecca said:
"The opportunity to be involved in judging the entries was a huge honour and a privilege. The level of entries was really high, which was a learning opportunity for me, providing me with new ideas and service developments which could also bring benefits for Guernsey."
ENDS
Additional Information
The Nursing Times Awards are the most prestigious and coveted awards for the nursing profession, bringing together the best of the industry for a glittering evening of recognition, celebration and networking. With 19 categories, the awards cover a wide range of achievements within the health sector.
The Nursing Times Awards has seen another fantastic year for entries and once again the judges were extremely impressed with the standard of entries. These awards are an opportunity for nurses to be honoured for their hard work and to showcase what the nursing profession is capable of.
For more information on the Nursing Times Awards go to: http://www.ntawards.co.uk/home
About Nursing Times
Nursing Times is the leading weekly magazine for nurses in the United Kingdom. The magazine and its website nursingtimes.net publish original nursing research and a host of clinical articles for nurses at all stages in their career.
Nursing Times also provides a professional and clinical news service; an extensive Opinion section with in-depth features on nursing issues and topics.
The brand's website nursingtimes.net hosts a range of complementary material, including breaking news, covering developments in clinical practice as well as professional issues; sharing practice articles, highlighting best practice and innovation across the sector and career development information.
