West Lancashire nurses’ innovation recognised at prestigious national awards

A West Lancashire GP surgery has received recognition at the prestigious Nursing Times Awards for innovative work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A team from Aughton Surgery, led by practice nurse Maggi Bradley, were shortlisted for the HRH The Prince of Wales Award for Integrated Approaches to Care at last month’s yearly prizegiving ceremony.

The surgery, based on Town Green Lane, had the distinction of being one of only two primary care organisations to make the shortlist which contained over 100 nominees across all awards.

Maggi’s small team, which included three student nurses from nearby Edge Hill University, defied their size to go up against Trusts and other large organisations from across the country with their work on Video Group Clinics (VGCs).

Launched last year amid ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, VGCs ensured patients with chronic health conditions could receive the same high-quality care and peer support without meeting face-to-face. The innovative model has since been adapted for use by nurses up and down the country and is being further developed to work beyond the pandemic.

Maggi, who is also Nursing Clinical Lead for the Sefton Training Hub, said: “At the beginning of the pandemic, we were particularly concerned for patients with chronic, long-term conditions. They rely on nursing care for continuing clinical support and really benefit from meeting others with similar conditions.

“By working creatively and collaboratively with a range of specialists, we have been able to maintain and even improve patient care without in-person contact.

“The feedback we have had from patients involved in these clinics has been fantastic and we are delighted to see nurses from far and wide adopt this model.

“To be nominated for this award is a monumental achievement, and I am proud to lead such a dedicated and talented team.”

Dr Darran Harris, Partner at Aughton Surgery and Clinical Lead for the Ormskirk Primary Care Network, said: “Maggi is an outstanding practitioner, and it was a proud moment to see representatives from Aughton Surgery recognised as some of the very best in their field.

“They have undoubtedly made a difference to patients with long-term conditions, or complex needs, in such unprecedented circumstances.

“My congratulations go to Maggi and her team for facing up to the challenges of the pandemic with positivity and creativity. We are fortunate to have such fantastic clinical staff in West Lancashire.”