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Inspiring once more – the QuDoS in MS 2017 winners!

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After another inspirational evening honouring the very best of Multiple Sclerosis care in the UK, the QuDoS in MS 2017 recognition programme came to a close this past Saturday night.

Bringing together MS professionals from across the country, this year’s recognition ceremony highlighted the most innovative approaches to MS care currently making a real difference to those affected by the condition.

Winners of the individual categories were as follows:

  • Outstanding specialist nurse: Sarah White, St George’s Hospital, London
Sarah White

Sarah White (left) with Karen Vernon, MS nurse consultant at the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust

  • Outstanding allied health professional: Tania Burge, North Bristol NHS Trust
Tania Burge

Tania Burge (left) with Christine Singleton, lead clinical physiotherapist at the West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre

  • Outstanding physician: Dr Adnan Al-Araji, Royal Stoke MS Centre
Dr Adnan Al-Araji

Nikki Embrey (left), on behalf of Dr Al-Araji, with Linden Muirhead, director of Information and Engagement at the MS Trust

  • Outstanding pharmacist: Aoife Shields, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust
Aoife Shields

Aoife Shields (left) with Rachel Dorsey-Campbell, NHS England Clinical Commissioning Pharmacist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and winner of the 2016 Outstanding pharmacist category

Winners of the team categories were as follows:

  • Team of the year: Dorset Multiple Sclerosis Service
Dorset MS Service

The Dorset MS Service with Trishna Bharadia (far right), MS advocate and patient representative

  • Innovation in care: MS Buddy Scheme, Wessex MS Therapy Centre
MS Buddy Scheme, Wessex MS Therapy Centre

Carol Coates and Rosie Eliot of the MS Buddy Scheme team with Denise Middleton (far right), MS specialist at the Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust

  • Accessible patient information in care: Frimley Park Hospital MS Service, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Frimley Park Hospital MS Service, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

The Frimley Park Hospital MS Service with Wendy Hendrie (far right), specialist physiotherapist in MS at the Norwich MS Centre

  • Real-world evidence in care: Therapeutic Opportunities Team (TOPS Team), North Bristol NHS Trust
Therapeutic Opportunities Team (TOPS Team), North Bristol NHS Trust

The Therapeutic Opportunities Team with Jonathan Randell, director of Market Access at Biogen

The Judges’ Special Awards went to the NHS Western Isles MS Service and the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust MS Team.

Rachel Morrison

Rachel Morrison of the NHS Western Isles MS Service (left) with Professor Dawn Langdon, professor of Neuropsychology at the Royal Holloway University of London

Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust MS Team

The Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust MS Team with Jo Sopala (far right), director of Development at the MS Trust

Outside of each category’s winner, individuals and teams were also commended for their exceptional contribution to the quality of life and experience of care of those with MS. Recognised for their outstanding work were:

  • Jody Barber, Hertfordshire Neurological Service
  • Gillian Burdon, Wye Valley NHS Trust
  • Ben Dorward, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Dr Timothy Harrower, North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple and Royal Devon & Exeter Hospitals
  • Gosia Kuran, King’s College Hospital
  • Lesley Murray, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHSGGC
  • Barts MS, Queen Mary University of London, Digesting Science
  • BrAMS (Bristol and Avon MS Centre) Community Rehabilitation Service
  • Community MS Specialist Nurse Team, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
  • Community Neurology Service, West Norfolk, Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
  • MS Specialist Rehabilitation Team, West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
  • Queen Elizabeth MS Team, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham

From all of us at the QuDoS team, thank you for all your hard work. We look forward to next year!

Keep checking back to the QuDoS blog in the coming months for exclusive content from all those honoured at this year’s ceremony.

QuDoS in MS 2017 shortlist revealed!

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We are pleased to announce that the final shortlist for this year’s QuDoS programme has been announced!

With some of the most diverse and inspirational entries to date, this year’s programme proved to be one of the most difficult for the QuDoS judges to choose a shortlist from. Consequently, the judges would like to thank all of you who have entered for sharing your remarkable and outstanding examples of true innovation and excellence in the Multiple Sclerosis community.

The finalist’s shortlist is as follows:

Individuals:

  • Aoife Shields, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust
  • Ben Dorward, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Dr Adnan Al-Araji, Royal Stoke MS Centre
  • Dr Timothy Harrower, North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple and Royal Devon & Exeter Hospitals
  • Gillian Burdon, Wye Valley NHS Trust
  • Gosia Kuran, King’s College Hospital
  • Jody Barber, Hertfordshire Neurological Service
  • Lesley Murray, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHSGGC
  • Rachel Morrison, NHS Western Isles
  • Sarah White, St George’s Hospital, London
  • Tania Burge, North Bristol NHS Trust

Teams:

  • Barts MS, Queen Mary University of London, Digesting Science
  • BrAMS (Bristol and Avon MS Centre) Community Rehabilitation Service
  • Community MS Specialist Nurse Team, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
  • Community Neurology Service, West Norfolk, Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
  • Dorset Multiple Sclerosis Service
  • Frimley Park Hospital MS Service, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
  • Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
  • MS Buddy Scheme, Wessex MS Therapy Centre
  • NHS Western Isles MS Service
  • Queen Elizabeth MS Team, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
  • Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust – MS Team
  • Therapeutic Opportunities Team (TOPS Team), North Bristol NHS Trust

Congratulations to all of those who made it into the finalist’s shortlist and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday, November 11th!

A look back at QuDoS 2016

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On Saturday 5 November 2016, the eve of the MS Trust Annual Conference, the QuDoS in MS recognition programme returned for its second year to highlight outstanding work in the MS field and share best practices.

MS specialists and teams from across the UK were joined by their peers in the MS community to honour their work. Among those in attendance, 19 individuals and teams were recognised for their incredible contributions to their respective specialities.

In the individual categories, Del Thomas (MS Clinical Nurse Specialist, Wye Valley NHS Trust), Pam Bostock (Consultant Occupational Therapist, East Staffordshire), Paul Talbot (MS Consultant Neurologist, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust), and Rachel Dorsey-Campbell (Senior Lead Pharmacist, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust) were given top honours in their respective categories.

Del Thomas (MS Clinical Nurse Specialist, Wye Valley NHS Trust)

Pam Bostock (Consultant Occupational Therapist, East Staffordshire)

Belinda Weller and Karen Vernon collecting the award for Outstanding neurologist in MS care winner, Paul Talbot (MS Consultant Neurologist, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust)

Rachel Dorsey-Campbell (Senior Lead Pharmacist, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust)

Other individuals commended for their work included:

  • Nikki Embrey (Clinical Nurse Specialist, Royal Stoke University Hospital)
  • Sarah Roderick (MS Specialist Nurse, Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Moni Robson (Lead Physiotherapist, Leuchie House National Respite Centre)
  • Natasha Kesby (Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist, Hobbs Rehabilitation)
  • Emma Murphy (Consultant in Rehabilitation, The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Deborah Clark (Senior Clinical Pharmacist for Neurosciences, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Joela Mathews (Highly Specialist Pharmacist, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust)

In the team categories, the Community Neuro Rehabilitation Service (CSH Surrey), the Greater Manchester Multiple Sclerosis Team (Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust), The Samson Centre for Multiple Sclerosis, and the pairing of Natalie Thompson and Emily Whisker (Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) led the way.

The Community Neuro Rehabilitation Service (CSH Surrey)

The Greater Manchester Multiple Sclerosis Team (Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust)

The Samson Centre for Multiple Sclerosis

Natalie Thompson and Emily Whisker (Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)

The Helen Durham Centre MS Team (University Hospital of Wales), the Ayrshire and Arran MS Service (Douglas Grant Rehabilitation Centre, Ayshire Central Hospital), and the Harrow Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre all received commendations.

The ceremony also saw two Judges’ Special Awards, one of which was the first ever posthumous QuDoS award presented to the family of Lisa Black. An MS Specialist Nurse for the Sussex Community NHS Trust, Lisa was devoted to advancing support groups in the area, dedicating her work to better patient living.

“Lisa was more than an MS nurse, she was a caring friend,” said one of her patients.

“Through the dark times and uncertainty of life with MS, Lisa has been a guiding angel, a constant source of advice and ideas, comfort and humour. She made us feel there was always hope,” said one of her colleagues.

The family of Lisa Black

The Vocational Rehabilitation Service (National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square) received the second Judges’ Special Award for its holistic and patient-centric approach to MS care.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Service (National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square)

Visit our winner’s pages here (2015) and here (2016) to find out more.

Recognising the work of pharmacists in Multiple Sclerosis care

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Historically, Multiple Sclerosis services have been primarily nurse-led, with pharmacists playing very little part.

But, with the recent approvals of new and exciting medicines in MS, the role of the pharmacist has grown. Pharmacists are uniquely placed to advise on all aspects of medicines management and have an increasing role to play in the prescribing and monitoring of disease modifying therapies, as well as assisting patients with compliance through advice on side effect management.

As the Senior Lead Pharmacist for Neurosciences at the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, it was a pleasant surprise to me when I was recognised as part of the QuDoS 2016 programme. It was great to know that the work of the pharmacist was being recognised.

It wasn’t just the recognition of my work that was amazing though – it was the entire concept of bringing MS professionals together, from all over the UK, to share best practice & learn from each other.

The extra element of acting essentially as a networking event for people all in a similar boat to share what has worked best for them and their experiences makes for an incredibly valuable experience for anyone involved in MS care. In fact, for my trust, some of the conversations we had at the ceremony have led to us investigating telehealth solutions for our patients – something we had otherwise not yet looked at.

Ultimately, QuDoS is a great way of highlighting the outstanding work of MS professionals that we just see as ‘getting on with it’. For anyone unsure of nominating someone, I implore you to do so. Regardless of whether you’re a winner or not, just being there at the ceremony and talking with the people you have so much in common with is a truly invaluable experience.

– Rachel Dorsey-Campbell

Twitter: @UKCPANeuro

QuDoS Case Study: Del Thomas

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Among a crowd of top Multiple Sclerosis (MS) specialist nurses, Del Thomas was the 2016 winner of the Outstanding MS specialist nurse category for her work at the Wye Valley NHS Trust and the UK MS Specialist Nurse Association (UKMSSNA).

Now a year later, the QuDoS team spoke to Del about what it was like to participate in the programme, how winning a category has affected her work, and why people should enter the QuDoS in MS programme.

What did it feel like to be recognized as part of the 2016 QuDoS in MS programme?

Just being nominated was a shock to me, but to then be recognized in my category was absolutely delightful and overwhelming – especially as I had been part of the 2015 judging panel and had seen the quality of the applicants. Knowing that I was recognized alongside two other amazing MS specialist nurses was a fantastic experience.

How has being recognized by the QuDoS in MS programme affected your work?

It has actually led to more feedback from our patients (a lot of which has been positive!) which is great for us so we can see what we’re doing right and what we’re doing wrong. Anyone involved in healthcare knows that that kind of feedback is invaluable to making sure your patients are getting the best care they can.

Why do you think programmes like QuDoS in MS are worthwhile?

It’s very rare for the people directly involved in MS care – like nurses, doctors, allied health professionals etc. – to get rewarded for their amazing work. But, in a time where MS services are squeezed due to a now drug-rich world for patients with relapsing remitting MS, it is important to share examples which other MS professionals across the country can follow.

What would you say to someone unsure of whether they should enter, or nominate someone for, the QuDoS in MS programme?

I’d say do it! In today’s NHS climate, we need to celebrate those that are doing good for the field and leading by example, particularly if it means improving MS care.

It is also a programme that has a judging panel made up of peers from different areas of the health industry which gives great credence to being recognized.

Twitter: @WyeValleyNHS ‏@TheUKMSSNA

Shining a light on positivity and excellence

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As a person with multiple sclerosis, I’ve seen first-hand the remarkable work of MS professionals we have in the UK. With the help of these incredible people, I’m lucky enough to be able to live a pretty positive life with this condition.

I’ve always thought it was unfortunate that their work was never brought to the attention of the public more – particularly in the past few years when there’s been so much negativity surrounding the NHS.

But thankfully QuDoS launched in 2015. Finally, something existed that would highlight the amazing work these MS professionals do every day. And not only would it bring national recognition to their work in a way it deserves, but it would provide a perfect example to MS professionals elsewhere in the UK.

And to me, that’s the most important part of the programme. It raises the profile of those ideas that have made a true difference in MS care – not only between professionals so they can learn from each other, but for patients across the country to better understand the options they have.

After all, if we don’t share the best examples of MS care across the country, how can we inspire improvement and progress in the field?

As a judge for this year’s programme, it’s an amazing opportunity for me to see the innovations that MS professionals are coming up with in their parts of the country. It’s particularly great for me as a patient to give my view on things too and represent the patient view that may not always be aligned with what doctors think patients want.

I can’t wait to see what this year’s programme has in store!

– Trishna Bharadia

Twitter: @TrishnaBharadia

QuDoS Case Study: ‘Making Samson Stronger’

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Last year, The Samson Centre for Multiple Sclerosis won the Innovation in practice: improving primary care or community services for people with MS category for its ‘Making Samson Stronger’ campaign.

The QuDoS team caught up with one of the people behind the initiative, Denice Logan Rose, to see where the initiative came from, the effect it’s had on the Centre’s services, and what it meant to be recognised by the QuDoS in MS programme.

How was the idea of ‘Making Samson Stronger’ created?

‘Making Samson Stronger’ was devised through a demand for some existing therapies that we offer that we are unable to meet. At the same time, we simply didn’t have enough to offer younger and newly diagnosed patients in terms of advice, support and quiet space. We also knew that we wanted to offer more cognitive-based therapies for all MS patients at the Centre to help keep brain function as good as possible.

What were some of the biggest obstacles you had to overcome to make your campaign a success?

From the outset, it was an enormous project for a small charity like ours. It required plenty of planning and making sure all the processes were in place before we started, particularly in regard to things like measurable outcomes, delivery plans and financial forecasting. Planning ahead helped us convince potential funders that we were capable of handling the project which we are successfully doing.

What impact has the ‘Making Samson Stronger’ campaign had on your Centre and the care you provide?

It’s made such a difference to the lives of our patients. Since starting the campaign, we can now offer an increased number of therapies and greater advice and support. Our connections with sports organisations and our unique riverside setting also means we can now offer water sports activities to our patients.

What difference has being recognised by the QuDoS in MS programme made to your centre?

The QuDoS in MS programme has helped the Samson Centre enormously. Being nationally recognised and judged by a panel of eminent healthcare professionals confirms that we are doing something right in our community.

If you or another MS healthcare professional are doing something outstanding in MS service delivery then I encourage you to nominate yourself or your colleagues for the QuDoS programme. It not only inspires the team involved but also other providers of care to achieve those same levels of excellence. It’s also hugely important that as MS care providers we all openly share our achievements so that the quality of even more lives of MS sufferers can be maintained and or improved.

Twitter: @HelpSamson

Sharing best practice for better care in Multiple Sclerosis

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Through the MS Trust’s interactions with people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and the specialist health professionals working with them, we are acutely aware of the incredible work that goes on in the MS community. Every single day MS specialist nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other allied health professionals are constantly innovating to improve the services they offer to people with MS, and this is something all of us at The MS Trust are inspired by.

In the past, their work has often gone unrecognised, but the QuDoS in MS programme was born out of a desire to change that. We are delighted to partner with Pharmaphorum to deliver this recognition programme and highlight, share and celebrate the excellent work being carried out by MS health professionals from all over the country.

As we all know, resources within health and social services are incredibly stretched right now. MS health professionals have to contend with many different challenges, and often they have to find innovative solutions to overcome them. Chances are, other teams will be struggling with the same issues and looking for answers themselves. The QuDoS programme is a chance to recognise local initiatives and share them on a national stage. The MS Trust has always believed that one of the best ways to improve MS care is to bring teams together to share best practice and QuDoS in MS is a fantastic way to make this a reality.

Since 2015 the programme has helped to raise the profile of MS services offering high quality care across the UK. Past NHS employed winners have benefitted from their efforts being recognised by their senior management, whilst those from the voluntary sector have found it easier to access funding for ongoing services as a result of the recognition.

We’re grateful to Pharmaphorum and the sponsors who make this programme possible, along with the many MS professionals who work tirelessly to make life better for everyone affected by MS.

We want to make the 2017 programme bigger than ever and so encourage everyone striving to improve care for people with MS to consider entering. The closing date for applications is 5pm, Monday 4 September 2017. The presentation ceremony will take place on Saturday 11 November ahead of the MS Trust annual conference in Leicestershire. Get more details and download an entry form. 

– Jo Sopala, MS Trust

Twitter: @josopala

Bringing people together for a better future in Multiple Sclerosis care

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The mantra of pharmaphorum is ‘bringing healthcare together’ because, to me, the best healthcare solutions are formed through collaboration between all stakeholders – medical professional, patients, and the industry.

QuDoS in MS is a perfect reflection of exactly that: bringing everyone together to recognise outstanding contributions, share best practice and make a real difference.

In both previous years, the QuDoS in MS recognition ceremony has been a wonderful celebration of what is best in multiple sclerosis care. Seeing individuals and organisations recognised by their peers and bringing together all the different stakeholders in the field cuts to the very core of what I believe good healthcare looks like. I also know from personal experience that those that have been recognised in the previous two years have grown further and inspired others.

There are many national and even international initiatives aimed at tackling the big problems in healthcare, whether in MS or elsewhere. However, bringing new therapies to market takes time and increasing treatment access takes time. But what we see with QuDoS is the recognition of very simple and practical contributions by individuals and organisations that make a positive, immediate impact for patients and their families.

By highlighting and recognising these we cannot only deliver the recognition they deserve but also share best practice and very quickly make an impact on more people’s lives.

It’s amazing to have the recognition ceremony bringing people together and celebrating success. But we’ve also learned that sharing such outstanding contribution and best practice needs to be a continual thing. For this year’s programme, we will therefore be publishing more materials after the event through to early 2018 and the launch of next year’s programme that disseminate activities related to the winners and their programmes to raise awareness of their outstanding work.

– Paul Tunnah, pharmaphorum

Twitter: @pharmaphorum