Innovation prize for chest drain

A nurse and doctor in west Essex have won a prestigious innovation award for developing a new cancer care regime.

The service allows patients with fluid build-up on their lungs to be managed at home rather than at hospital.

Respiratory nurse Ram Gulrajani and Dr Douglas Newberry, chest specialist, at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, received the Nursing Times award.

A catheter is inserted into a patient's chest in hospital and it is discharged by themselves or by a visiting nurse.

Dr Newberry inserts the catheter in hospital and after discharge, nurse Ram visits them at home to carry out drainage.

Hospital admissions cut

West Essex district nursing teams have now been taught to carry out this procedure and some patients can also carry out their own drainage.

The drain system has been designed to allow patients to manage their own care before any discomfort occurs and also to reduce the risk of infection commonly associated with this procedure.

Nurse Ram said: "Dr Newberry and I were delighted to receive this award, especially with 170 entries.

"I believe this is an example of primary and hospital care working together to reduce workload and to cut the length of stay for patients while still managing them safely and effectively without compromising care."

Since its introduction last year, the scheme has saved more than 161 potential hospital admissions.