Sharon Fairclough, Head of Psychotherapeutic Care Services at The South Buckinghamshire Community Hospice, has been shortlisted for a prestigious nursing award for her outstanding and revolutionary approach to brain tumour support.
The International Journal of Palliative Nursing (IJPN) Awards 2017 takes place on March 24th, and Sharon, who established the Brain Tumour Support Group in 2011, has been nominated for the Multidisciplinary Teamwork Award.
The Brain Tumour Support Group meets once per month at The South Buckinghamshire Community Hospice. Brain Tumour patients and their carers meet for breakfast, a discussion and a variety of activities. This approach to supporting patients living with a brain tumour is unique as it includes professionals from a hospital, hospice, nursing, counselling and art therapy background, all of which support the patient's care from a variety of directions.
Together the team support patients as they undergo rigorous treatments and learn how to live with their diagnosis, while making the most of living in the moment. To achieve this, it has been essential to put together a multidisciplinary team of professionals with multiple skills, in order to address the complexity of each individual patient’s needs.
Jo Woolf, Chief Executive Officer of the Hospice, explained that the success of the Brain Tumour Support Group has been down to Sharon's high level of professionalism and skill. She said: “Sharon’s innovate approach acts as a cutting-edge development in brain tumour support, an approach in which leading centres throughout the country are not yet doing. It has been my privilege to ensure that Sharon has received all the support necessary to bring this project to life.
“As a result of Sharon’s networking with other healthcare professionals, the group is widely recognised in the community and is always well attended. We have seen from patient satisfaction surveys that this service is delivered to a very professional standard.”
Sharon said: “I feel extremely grateful to have been nominated for the IJPN Award. The Brain Tumour Support Group makes a real difference to the day-to-day lives of our patients, and it would not be possible without our team of professionals and the support of our CEO.”
Buckinghamshire Business Entrepreneur Mike Clare, who visited The South Buckinghamshire Community Hospice to tour the new building, congratulated Sharon on her nomination. He said: “I am touched to hear that Sharon has been nominated for this award. The innovative approach to brain tumour support has meant that patients receive the best quality of care, making their visit to the hospice a positive and enriching experience.”
For further information:
Charlotte Davis - 07903413102
charlotte.davis@sbhospice.org.uk
