Community nursing innovation projects have received national recognition at the Queens Nursing Institute (QNI) Awards. The nurse-led projects received certification celebrating the achievements of the projects. Dr Amanda Young (pictured), QNI Director of Nursing Programmes (Innovation and Policy), said, ‘These projects demonstrate a huge range of innovative practice by nurses working in the community, social care and primary care.’
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The QNI aims to support nurses with ideas on improving the health of individuals, families and communities. The projects, which last 12 months and delivered in small cohorts, are grouped into three streams: The NGS (Innovation) Elsie Wagg Scholarships; Personalised Care projects, funded by NHS England; and Self-funded Projects.
The NGS (Innovation) Elsie Wagg Scholarships projects receive support from the National Garden Scheme, and centre on how gardens can improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. This year, the NGS donated £425,000 to the QNI, used on innovation projects. The QNI’s Chief Executive, Dr. Crystal Oldman CBE, said, ‘It is thanks to the NGS grant that the QNI can offer such a diverse and sustained range of support to community nurses, and through them to the individuals, families and communities in need of their expert care.’
The QNI also works closely with NHS England to support Personalised Care projects. This year included a project called the No Inequalities project that challenged health inequity in a deprived area of Newcastle. The project has helped create a long-term partnership between Year of Care, Connected Voice, Foodbank and Riverside Community Health project to help those affected by poorer health outcomes for preventable diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Projects typically run for 12 months, but many projects have continued due to the success of shared learning and personal support nurses receive throughout the first year. Dr Young said: ‘Working with the QNI, nurses are empowered to lead their projects and develop imaginative and sustainable solutions in care delivery, with benefits that go far beyond the initial project idea.’