The Belfast Trust Cardiac Surgery pre-assessment team came joint first in the People and Culture category of the 2018 Chairman’s Awards for their project Educating and Supporting Patients Awaiting Elective Cardiac Surgery.
This initiative, which has already won a prestigious Nursing Times Award, involves education sessions for patients awaiting cardiac surgery. The patients are advised about what to expect at the time of their surgery and how to get themselves into the best condition for their operation. It has led to a reduction in patient’s operations being cancelled at the last minute due to medical problems. Feedback from those that have attending has shown that it has been very helpful in alleviating anxiety in patients awaiting major cardiac surgery. The team are seen accepting their prize from the Chairman and CEO of the trust below.
