A team of NHSGGC nurses have been recognised for their work with patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease) in Clyde Sector.

The Clyde IBD team – which includes five nurses – won the Gastrointestinal/IBD Nurse of the Year category at the British Journal of Nursing Awards in London last Friday.  Between them they support patients across the entire Clyde area – West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.

Fiona McCluskey accepted the award on behalf of all the nursing team.

She said: “I was absolutely thrilled to pick up the award for the team. Our nursing team has really stepped up to develop & provide nurse-led services for patients despite huge challenges.

“These are significant innovations in practice, including self-management and relapse pathways, patient-centred telemedicine services, all built & delivered with an ethos of patient-initiated review. In particular our work on self-management has been published and recognised nationally.

“This award means a huge amount to the team, considering that in 2021 we were runners up in theRCN National Awards in October 2021 for advanced nursing practice.

“Within NHSGGC, we also received the William Cullen Prize back in 2018 for service innovation, it is terrific to keep the momentum going!

“We want to use this as an example of how nursing innovation, hard work and dedication can lead to significant improvements in patient care. We are really happy to share this vision with other nurse-led teams within our own Health Board and Scotland alike.”

Melanie McColgan, NHSGGC’s Clyde Director said: “I am delighted for the IBD nurse team and incredibly proud too. Despite the challenges of Covid, they have remained dedicated to their patients. This is a well-deserved award and I hope they enjoy it.”