2016 QuDoS in MS Awards winners champion a higher quality of care for MS patients
For information about the 2017 QuDoS in MS programme, please visit: www.qudos-ms.com.
London, United Kingdom, 05.11.16 - The winners of the 2016 QuDoS (Recognising Quality in the Delivery of Services) in MS Awards were announced on Saturday evening during an awards presentation at the Beaumont Estate, Windsor.
The annual awards ceremony - held on the eve of the MS Trust Annual Conference - recognises the contributions made by healthcare providers and individuals to increasing the quality and consistency of care for multiple sclerosis patients. The programme, now in its second year, is a pharmaphorum initiative supported by the MS Trust and sponsored by a number of Life Sciences companies including Sanofi Genzyme, Novartis and Biogen.
Del Thomas, of Wye Valley NHS Trust, saw off competition to win the Outstanding MS specialist nurse category for 2016, which recognises nursing staff for their patient-centred principles and commitment to the values of nursing. Speaking about her win Del commented “As a judge on the QuDoS awards for the last 2 years, it has been a great privilege to read all the wonderful applications. People and teams working in the field of MS have been doing inspirational work to support our patients, so I feel extremely humbled to receive this award.”
Another finalist in the Outstanding MS specialist nurse category, Lisa Black of Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, was given a Judges’ special award for her dedicated work spearheading support groups for MS patients and her passion for enriching patients’ lives. Lisa sadly passed away earlier this year, but according to patients and employer alike, her tireless devotion and enthusiasm for her work left a lasting impression. “Lisa was more than an MS nurse, she was a caring friend,” said one patient.
The award for Outstanding allied health professional working in MS - which celebrates contributions made to MS care by professionals distinct from medicine, nursing, or pharmacy - was won by Pam Bostock, a Consultant Occupational Therapist for the Adult Ability Team at Virgin Care.
In recognition of his contributions towards the reorganisation and improvement of DMT prescribing and access to MS services in Manchester, Paul Talbot, MS Consultant Neurologist at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust was selected for the Outstanding neurologist in MS treatment award.
Recognising the vital role of the pharmacist in MS care and support, the Outstanding pharmacist in MS award was given to Rachel Dorsey-Campbell of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust for her years of work and dedication in the field of MS and DMT prescription and monitoring. Speaking about her win, Rachel said, “I represent a growing number of pharmacists around the country who are working increasingly closely with their MS teams. I feel passionately that pharmacists have a huge amount to offer in working as part of the MS multidisciplinary team and in supporting patients to get the most out of their medicines. I am delighted therefore that there has been some recognition for the contribution that pharmacists are making to MS services – thank you!”
MS services and standards of care are as much about team collaboration and cooperation as they are individual MS champions. The 2016 Multidisciplinary team of the year award was given to the Community Neuro Rehabilitation Service of CSH Surrey.
The award for Information in practice: outstanding use of information and shared decision making in MS care - which recognises the importance of high quality information to support people affected by MS in making the choices that are right for them - was given to Natalie Thompson and Emily Whisker, of Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
In today’s data-driven world, the application of evidence to improve clinical practice, delivery of services and of course the patient journey, plays a key role in healthcare delivery. Recognising their outstanding contribution to this cause, the Evidence in practice: using audit, evaluation or research to improve user experience/outcomes of care trophy was awarded to the Greater Manchester Multiple Sclerosis Team, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.
New for 2016 was the award for Innovation in practice: improving primary care or community services for people with MS. This award celebrates innovative approaches to primary care and the provision of MS services outside of a hospital setting. For their work on ‘Making Samson Stronger’, the inaugural Innovation in practice award was given to the team at The Samson Centre for Multiple Sclerosis.
The final award of the evening, a second Judges’ Special Award was given to the Vocational Rehabilitation Service at University College London Hospitals NHS Trust for their innovative and holistic approach to clinical treatment and research for MS. Judges admired their focus on ensuring that employers were educated about ‘invisible’ MS symptoms and for their approach to working with employers to support more people with MS to return to or remain in work. Cherilyn McKay, part of the winning team said “We know that people with MS have a wealth of talent, experience, and enthusiasm to offer employers and that for them, employment is more than just a ‘job’ but rather a key factor in maintaining quality of life, wellbeing, and identity. We are therefore thrilled and honoured to have received a Judges’ Special Award in recognition of our service’s work in supporting people with MS and employers, and particularly humbled given the outstanding field of fellow nominees.”
Further information on all of the 2016 finalists and their work will be featured on the QuDoS website (www.qudos-ms.com) within the coming weeks. In the meantime, for more information on the awards ceremony, judging panel and shortlisted finalists, visit www.qudos-ms.com.
Judges’ special award (individual)
Lisa Black, MS Specialist Nurse (2006-2016), Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
Judges’ special award (team)
Vocational Rehabilitation Service, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust
Outstanding MS specialist nurse
Del Thomas, MS Clinical Nurse Specialist, Wye Valley NHS Trust
Outstanding allied health professional working in MS
Pam Bostock, Consultant Occupational Therapist Neurology (progressive conditions), Adult Ability Team, Virgin Care – East Staffordshire
Outstanding neurologist in MS treatment
Paul Talbot, MS Consultant Neurologist, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Outstanding pharmacist in MS
Rachel Dorsey-Campbell, Senior Lead Pharmacist, Neurosciences, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Multidisciplinary team of the year award
Community Neuro Rehabilitation Service, CSH Surrey
Information in practice: outstanding use of information and shared decision making in MS care
Natalie Thompson and Emily Whisker, MS Nurse Specialists, Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Evidence in practice: using audit, evaluation or research to improve user experience/outcomes of care
Greater Manchester Multiple Sclerosis Team, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Innovation in practice: improving primary care or community services for people with MS
‘Making Samson Stronger’, The Samson Centre for Multiple Sclerosis
QuDoS in MS Awards programme partners
pharmaphorum media is delighted to be working in partnership with the Multiple Sclerosis Trust as part of its pharmaphorum healthcare partners brand. The programme has been co-funded by Biogen, Genzyme and Novartis.
