COMMENDEES 2011-12: Nurses Elaine and Suzie, and their colleague Sarah, are granted a Commendation for their work in introducing and overseeing a specialist haemodialysis facility at HMP Full Sutton.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

[Suzie Ingram gives her account of the work for which HMP Full Sutton were awarded a Commendation]

We implemented a life enhancing service within a high security prison for prisoners with kidney disease offering on-site filtering of fluid and toxins from blood (Haemodialysis). Introducing best practice policies and procedures providing clinical governance and longevity of the service.

A small team of 3 staff attended the local hospital for 12-16 weeks to train alongside staff in the renal unit to haemodialyse. At that time there were 7 prisoners within the high security estate who required haemodialysis two of which resided at HMP Full Sutton. They attended a local hospital 3 x a week each which is very costly and potentially poses a risk to the public. By bringing the service in house it reduced risk, cost and embarrassment as the patient had to be handcuffed to a prison officer and have another 2 officers escorting them.  As well as attending the hospital for training completing the in-depth workbook and ongoing assessments I also contributed to the writing of the policy and procedure manual for such a unique service within a high security prison which brought numerous challenges personally and professionally dedicating much personal time to the project. The training we completed was intense and to a very high standard and would normally take about a year of ‘on the job learning’ to complete. It became quite stressful and a personal burden at times and took over my life for a while.

The dialysis suite had to be set up and ready for the transfer of treatment this meant consumables had to be sourced and ordered along with trolleys, chairs, machines and other equipment to enable the transfer to happen. This again was on top of the training and meant not only attending the hospital for training but also introducing systems within the prison for deliveries etc and working alongside other Multi Disciplinary Team members.

We transferred treatment on the 11^th April 2011 with everything in place. The service has run just over a year with no adverse incidents, no patients have required Acute hospital treatment and the rapport between staff and patients dialysing has improved along with compliance and a raise in patients self esteem.

INSPIRE ARTICLE

[The following article appeared in issue 4 of the Butler Trust’s magazine, Inspire]

Suzie Ingram, Sarah Tyssen and Elaine Anthony have been commended for their innovative approach to delivering healthcare at HMP Full Sutton. In 2009 the establishment had two prisoners who needed essential life-saving haemodialysis treatment three times a week, for up to 18 hours a session. The visits were fraught with logistical difficulties, disruption to hospital schedules and stress to other community patients receiving treatment.

The commendees are three nurses employed by NOMS, who ensured that a successful satellite unit was set up in the prison to provide a home haemodialysis service. Offenders requiring treatment now receive it in a safe and decent environment, removing the need for escorting them in handcuffs – which also saves £160k per annum in escorting costs. The trio’s positive team dynamic has boosted staff morale and contributed to a higher standard of healthcare delivery throughout the department.

For more information: contact HMP Full Sutton