NSFT nurse wins prestigious UK award | News and events

A Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) nurse consultant has won one of the profession’s top accolades for creating a memory assessment service to improve dementia diagnosis care. Kumar Ponnusamy nurse consultant at NSFT was announced the winner in the Nursing Older People category of the RCN Nursing Awards 2023 at a ceremony on Friday 10 November at Liverpool Cathedral.

Mr Ponnusamy created a memory assessment service to improve dementia diagnosis and treatment in care homes to address the NSFT memory clinic waiting list. After producing a business case and designing a clinical pathway for the service, he created nurse-led multidisciplinary meetings for case discussion, diagnosis and devising care plans, including reviews of antipsychotic medication.

He also offered clinical supervision to mental health practitioners involved in the assessment process. In the first six months, 109 people were assessed, with 95 receiving a diagnosis of dementia. Thirteen people were referred on to other services. Three discontinued antipsychotic medication.

Mr Ponnusamy said: “This nomination can begin to change the narrative regarding the importance and value of a diagnosis of dementia for people living in care homes, their families and those who care for them.

The project has also helped to improve care home staff members' knowledge and understanding of managing patients’ behaviour and psychological symptoms of dementia due to education and support provided by the project team.

We are very pleased and thrilled to win an RCN Nursing Award. It’s recognition for the innovation and hard work of the project team, which has inspired other NHS trusts to pilot this approach in improving dementia care in care homes.”

Chair of the judging panel Joanne Bosanquet, chief executive of the Foundation of Nursing Studies and Fellow of the RCN, said: “The standard of entries this year was extremely high but the impact and roll out of Kumar’s service stood out. It's fantastic work that demonstrates the strength of nurse leadership and commitment to supporting people with dementia.

There are really great outcomes for care home residents and the staff and families who care for them, and as a result of this innovation another 14 pilot sites are benefitting from it, with a real possibility of it being extended further - what a great piece of work!

Cath Byford, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief People Officer at NSFT, said: We are really proud of Kumar and the team whose work has reduced wait times and improved diagnosis and care for those with dementia in Norfolk and Waveney.

It is an even greater achievement that our team is leading the way with this excellent model of care being recognised and piloted in other NHS trusts.

This award is important as it recognises not only the hard work of those involved, but the benefit of NSFT being people-led as part of our Improvement Programme. By valuing the work of our award-winning and inspirational staff we are able to improve our care and deliver high quality services for our patients.