A young Scottish nurse has been commended for her pioneering work in developing a new pain management approach for patients with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Hayleigh Bloomfield, 27, who is part of the neurology department at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, received national recognition for her innovative protocol that has garnered interest nationwide and earned her a prestigious award.
Originally hailing from Helensburgh, Hayleigh works on Ward 53, a short-stay unit focusing on aiding patients with various neurological conditions. Her journey towards improving care for MND patients began when she observed many patients experiencing pain following the insertion of feeding tubes without a formal protocol in place. Motivated to make a difference, Hayleigh took the initiative to create a pain management protocol, collaborating with fellow healthcare professionals to develop and implement the approach.
The written protocol devised by Hayleigh has been incorporated into NHS Scotland’s digital prescribing tool, HEPMA, with an ongoing audit to compare patient outcomes before and after its implementation. Hayleigh presented her work at the British Association of Neuroscience Nurses (BANN) conference in Newcastle, where her poster detailing the protocol’s development and potential impact was well-received, earning her the Best Poster Presentation award.
Following the conference, Hayleigh’s protocol gained widespread interest, with healthcare professionals from other departments and regions expressing a desire to adapt the approach. Colleague Jade Walker commended Hayleigh for her initiative, highlighting the protocol’s potential applications beyond their department and on a broader scale within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Hayleigh’s work also generated excitement at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Regional Services best practice event, where peers recognised the protocol’s potential benefits for various services.
Looking ahead, Hayleigh aims to present the audit results at future best practice events to explore further expansion of the protocol. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, with Susan Groom, Director of Regional Services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, praising Hayleigh’s initiative and dedication in bringing the new protocol to fruition. Hayleigh hopes her story will inspire other nurses to have confidence in their ideas and drive positive changes in patient care.
In conclusion, Hayleigh Bloomfield’s innovative work in developing a new pain management approach for MND patients showcases the impact of proactive nursing initiatives in improving healthcare outcomes. Her dedication and commitment to enhancing patient care highlight the importance of continuous improvement within healthcare settings and serve as an inspiration for healthcare professionals to innovate and drive positive change.