Innovation has become a key word in the NHS. Healthcare workers across all sectors of the NHS are being encouraged to devise projects to improve patient care and enhance resources.
Since 1990, The Queen's Nursing Institute (QNI) has been instrumental in funding projects devised by primary care nurses to develop healthcare at a local level.
Each year, the QNI, allocates a maximum of £5000 to a collection of selected projects devised by primary care nurses. The projects are then trialled for a year to test their outcomes
The projects span a range of community nursing specialities such as dementia care, long-term conditions, cardiac rehabilitation, children's health, young people and parenting, learning disabilities, mental health, men's health, health promotion, palliative care and substance misuse.
Previously funded projects that continue to run and develop are a school nurse texting scheme and a hydration project for elderly patients.
This year's projects include a few schemes to improve elderly care, reducing milk intake in infants, supporting behavioural therapy for Key Stage One children and improving catheter care.
Crystal Oldman, the chief executive of the QNI, calls it a 'privilege' and a 'great responsibility to have the opportunity to choose projects for funding.
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