National recognition for mental health matron’s patient safety work in Wrexham

A Wrexham based hospital matron has been recognised for dramatically reducing the number of falls sustained by elderly patients with mental health problems.

Mike Shone, a matron for older person’s mental gealth at Wrexham Maelor Hospital’s Heddfan Unit, was named the runner up at the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales awards, which celebrates the innovative ideas and excellent practice of NHS staff.

Mike, from Pentre Bychan in Wrexham, was presented with the award by Professor Jean White, NHS Wales’ Chief Nursing Officer, at an annual showcase event held at the Cardiff City Stadium on 23rd May.

Staff from BCUHB’s Bryn Hesketh Unit in Colwyn Bay were also shortlisted for the award in recognition of the improvements they have made to dementia care.

Mike and his team were recognised for introducing a new approach which led to a 67% reduction in patient falls on the Heddfan Unit’s two older person’s mental health wards during 2017.

The Hydref and Gwanwyn wards provide care and treatment for older people with organic mental disorders including dementia, as well as functional mental illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia and mood disorders.

These patients are particularly at risk of falls, which can lead to physical injuries, a loss of mobility and independence, decreased confidence and longer hospital stays.

As part of a wider focus on improving patient safety across BCUHB’s Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Division, Mike and his team introduced a number of innovative falls prevention initiatives.

These include improved assessments for patients at risk of falls, regular multi-disciplinary meetings to review at risk patients, and a new standardised approach to caring for patients who have sustained a fall.

The approach has proven so successful that it is now being rolled out to other older person’s mental health wards across Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board.

Mike said: “The significant reduction in patient falls we have achieved is helping to ensure that our patients receive safe, effective care that supports them to recovery so they can live as independently as possible away from a hospital environment.

“It’s taken a real team effort to get to where we are today and I’m really proud of the efforts of all the staff on the Heddfan Unit who have bought in to this new approach.”