Team awarded prestigious status for outstanding care
A team of dedicated Nottingham health workers have earned the prestigious Centre Pursuing Excellence status from leading national charity Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK).
Nottingham Adult Neuromuscular team was recognised for providing outstanding care, promoting best practice locally and nationally, and being committed to improving health and care for patients.
“Living with a neuromuscular disorder often has its challenges, even for the toughest of us,” said one of its patients.
“I pride myself on ‘cracking on with it’ but over the years I have also learnt that it can be a wonderful feeling to share and reach out to professionals who understand and have experience in making things a whole heap better.
“The team at NUH continue to support me with their kindness, care and knowledge, giving me the tools to keep cracking on – thank you.”
The team is based at Nottingham Neuromuscular Centre at the Queen’s Medical Centre, part of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, and is one of 24 across the UK to receive an accolade.
Such centres are lifelines for many of those living with a muscle-wasting and weakening condition; around 110,000 adults and children across the UK live with one of over 60 such conditions.
Dr Saam Sedehizadeh, Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Lead, said the team was very proud to have been recognised by the MDUK: “It is an honour to receive the MDUK pursuing excellence award for the first time.
“We endeavour to provide high-quality care and support to patients and their families with neuromuscular conditions in the East Midlands, and we value the collaboration of all those within Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire who we partner with.
“This audit has provided us with great feedback that will help raise awareness for ourselves and our patients as we continue to improve regional services and ensure national standards are maintained.
“It is a platform to make our services both sustainable and also future-proof for the constant innovations taking place.”
Dr Citta Widagdo, of MDUK, presented the award to the team, congratulated them on their hard work, and said patients had given positive feedback.
“You are a great supporter of our charity and we’re keen that this relationship continues to develop. It’s been great to see initiatives like the ‘muscle café’ you’ve managed to get funding for and create for the region, which will hopefully connect people in the community. Congratulations once again on your achievement, we hope it will lead to an even better service and awareness of the profession.”
Catherine Woodhead, MDUK Chief Executive, said the team had undergone a robust and rigorous assessment by leading neuromuscular experts and members of the muscle-wasting and weakening community, reviewing its information, case studies, examples of best practice, and assessing its services are organised and accessed.
“Despite continuing pressures and challenges within the NHS, these centres strive every day to ensure they promote best practice and provide an exemplary service.
“Our findings demonstrate that many centres continue to require investment to develop specialist multi-disciplinary teams that can provide the best care possible along with a working environment that fosters the ability to conduct or support excellent research and clinical trials to advance treatments and other scientific progress. That's why we're calling on commissioners to include requirements for the provision of the recommended standards of neuromuscular care.”
The awards take place every three years. For details, visit: musculardystrophyuk.org/centreofexcellenceawards