Our super STOMP team has a double reason to celebrate – after scooping two prestigious awards in just one week.
Advanced nurse Sue Sargeant and primary care liaison nurse Claire Donnelly clinched the Educator Excellence Award at the Nursing Industry Excellence Awards on Thursday.
The pair also won the Healthwatch Spotlight Award on Tuesday, for “empowering people with a learning disability to understand, expect and shape better medication reviews”.
And, just last week, the STOMP team – which includes our lovely and supportive patients Anne-Marie and Barry – were finalists at the national Learning Disability and Autism Awards.
“The Nursing Industry Excellence Awards judges said that they were impressed with our passion and enthusiasm and the amazing work that we do,” said Sue
“Another judge said that we were making such a difference and that we should feel very proud of our achievements. We are proud – proud of everyone involved in STOMP.”
Supporting people to have better lives
Sue, who works with Claire to pioneer the scheme across the Durham and Teesside areas, added: “Word about STOMP is really starting to spread, which is wonderful.
“This is a fully co-created project, with patient voice at the heart of it. It’s all about improving quality of life. We have seen many changes for the better since the launch of STOMP.”
STOMP – a national NHS England scheme which is backed by our Trust – aims to stop the over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both.
Hundreds of people across Teesside have so far undergone medication reviews as part of the project, with many seeing positive changes in their lives due to dosage reductions.
“We are so passionate about STOMP,” said Claire. “Many people are prescribed medication. Our role is to make sure it is the right one, at the lowest possible dose for the shortest time.
“We are so pleased to have our work recognised in the pharmaceutical industry. Hopefully people with a learning disability will receive all the help they need around their medication.”
Leading the way with STOMP
A three-part film series highlighting the benefits of STOMP – co-created by local Trust patients, staff, pharmacists and Skills for People – was officially launched just last month.
The videos are to be sent to pharmacists across the UK, to help spread the message about STOMP, and will also be used as an educational tool for NHS medical staff nationwide.
Stockton patient Anne-Marie, 36, had a medication review which changed her life under the STOMP scheme – and she volunteered to take a leading role in the films to help others.
“The support I got made me feel happier in myself and feel better about the future,” she said.
“I’m so pleased about the awards, as I want others to have the same outcomes as I did. Being part of STOMP has been brilliant. I love being able to use my voice to help others.”
Barry, 50, a patient from Redcar who helped to narrate the new films, is also delighted about the awards and added: “I’m so proud that the work of STOMP is being recognised.”
- STOMP has won several awards since its launch a year ago – including the Learning Disability Nurse of the Year award at the British Nursing Journal Awards earlier this year.
