17 October 2008
A specialist nurse who works in the eye A&E at Sutton Hospital could be in line to win some silverware after being put forward for a top national award for clinical excellence.
Lynn Ring, an advanced nurse practitioner in ophthalmology, has been nominated for a national award run by the Nursing Times.
The nomination, in the A&E category, recognises her and her team's dedicated work on improving the way patients who come into accident and emergency with eye problems are triaged. Lynn is featured in a shortlist of just four candidates nationwide, and will attend a gala dinner with her team on 12 November to see if she's won.
Lynn said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for the award, but it could not have been achieved without the support from my colleagues around me. They have gone out of their way to make the new system work, which has really improved the service we offer to our patients."
The system introduced by Lynn means urgent cases are seen much faster, and new primary care clinics have been established to deal with patients who need follow-up care.
The eye A&E treats approximately 120 patients each week with a range of conditions from people who have foreign bodies in their eyes to acute glaucoma and chemical injuries.
Lynn added: "The new system has helped cut waiting times by approximately 50%. We have seen the benefits and patients have commented on the improvements."
Chief Executive Samantha Jones also has her fingers crossed. "I am delighted that Lynn has got this far. Irrespective of what happens next, she should be very proud," she said.
