Bow Ward, part of the John Howard Centre in Hackney, have been named winners of the Nursing in Mental Health award at the Nursing Times Awards 2022.
Delighted team members were presented with their trophy at the awards ceremony held on Wednesday, October 26.
They were recognised for their trauma-informed care work, developed in partnership with service users and carers.
Trauma-informed care is an approach that takes into account a person's history of trauma, recognises the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role trauma may play in an individual's life. It applies to service users and staff.
The multi-disciplinary team (MDT) work to ensure that patients receive care underpinned by trauma-informed care principles and used Quality Improvement (QI) methods.
Aims were set to improve both staff and service user satisfaction, improve access to physical health care and to reduce racist incidents on the wards.
“Words cannot describe how proud I am of the Bow Ward team and every service user involved with this project,” said Elizabeth Hearn, Modern Matron on Bow Ward and project lead.
“This is all about how genuine co-production and QI shape positive change in how we provide care.”
Chief Quality Officer Dr Amar Shah said: "It’s wonderful to see the amazing work of the Bow ward service users and staff being celebrated and recognised.
“They have improved the care and experience of women within our forensic service, and have shown real perseverance and hope.”
He added: “The stories of change, and the difference this work has made for people’s physical health, experience of both service users and staff on the ward, are truly powerful and inspiring.”
