CONTINUING our series focusing on healthcare heroes, we speak to Katie Wilson, Deputy Sister, Ward 5, Stroke Unit, at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), Enniskillen.

She discusses how much her work means to her, with even the smallest of progress achieved by patients marking something to celebrate, helping patients’ recovery journey.

What motivated you to pursue a career at the SWAH?

I graduated in 2012 and first commenced my nursing role within the Ulster Hospital. After two years I was keen to transfer to the SWAH to be closer to home and to my family.

I was appointed as a Band 5 staff nurse within the Stroke Unit in 2014, and have continued my career development within Stroke care, progressing to Deputy Sister in 2017.

As a Deputy Sister in Ward 5 Stroke Unit, I have recently completed my Specialist Practice Qualification in Stroke to further support staff education and patient-centred care specific to patients admitted with stroke or stroke-like symptoms. 

Could you share a significant challenge you've faced in your role and how you overcame it to provide quality healthcare services?

A current challenge that has significantly impacted services within Ward 5 and across the hospital site are the number of medically fit patient delayed awaiting placement, or the support of a package of care for their discharge.

Like my colleagues across the SWAH site, this is an area that has increasingly become more frequent and challenging since the Covid-19 pandemic.

As part of the Trust Stroke pathway, we aim to admit all patients into Ward 5 within four hours, and due to the current high level of delayed discharges, this can be a challenging task for myself and the stroke team.

We accomplish this with the ongoing support from the Bed Flow team, in the arrangement of sourcing beds to facilitate stroke admissions.

How do you believe your role contributes to the well-being and recovery of patients within our community?

As a Deputy Sister within Ward 5, my roles coincides with supporting the ward manager, staff nurses and healthcare assistants, ensuring that patients are provided with the highest standard of stroke care that meets the holistic needs of the patient and their family.

We believe that family are a key part of this recovery journey and aim to involve families in their loved one’s rehabilitation and discharge process.

We have recently introduced an information display within Ward 5 waiting area with key information from two charities within stroke services.

This has allowed family, staff and patients to avail of leaflets in relation to stroke risk factors, management of fatigue post-stroke, support groups on discharge, and much more.

This has been a great area for signposting families and patients, which has become an added benefit for all. 

Can you highlight a particular patient interaction or medical achievement that you are particularly proud of, and why?

Throughout my 10 years nursing within Ward 5, I have had many highs and lows, but I can say that the team I work with have made it so much easier to support our patients in meeting their individual goals.

As soon as the patient arrives in the Emergency Department, and has been greeted by the Stroke team, right up until they have been discharged, I find it so rewarding knowing I have been part of their journey of recovery.

One of the highlights would be having the opportunity to see our patient’s progress after all their hard work meeting their rehabilitation goals, as no matter how small they may appear, it is something to celebrate. 

How do you ensure the delivery of compassionate and effective care in your specific healthcare discipline?

Ensuring the delivery of compassion and effective care within Ward 5, I pride myself in creating an environment that both staff and patients can feel heard, allowing for open communication.

This may be to express their concerns/compliments, which are dealt with in a professional manner that creates the best outcome for all.

It can be a challenge, with many differences of opinions/characters and stresses that a hospital stay can create, but I would like to think taking the time with individuals allows a compassionate approach that overcomes any barriers, and promotes effective care. 

What aspect of your work do you find most rewarding, and how does it resonate with your personal values and mission?

I find it rewarding to be able to support student nurses in their education to build upon their knowledge base in the area of stroke and stroke services.

Over the years, many students have returned to Ward 5 once they have qualified as a nurse, saying it was one of their best placements.

This in itself shows the level of enjoyment that the students have experienced within Ward 5, and their willingness to return encourages us that we have been providing a compassionate training experience that I am committed to continuing for years to come. 

How do you manage the demands of your job, and what strategies do you employ to ensure exceptional healthcare service delivery?

If anyone knows me, they can tell you I am a huge fan of lists, and without my diary I would be lost!

I also have a great team of nurses and healthcare assistants that I can rely on to support the needs of the wards, and aid in the prioritising of the daily tasks.

At times, the stresses of working a fast-paced, intense job with a busy home life can creep up, but with good family support behind me, and ensuring that I take time for myself, I have supported my well-being and ability to meet the demands required. 

Have there been any mentors or colleagues who have significantly influenced your practice, and in what way?

I have recently had the opportunity to act up as ward manager within Ward 5, which would not have been as successful without the guidance and support from Mary Robinson, our Ward Sister over the years, who retired at the end of March.

She was a significant role model within her approach towards both staff and patients on a daily basis.

I hope to continue this path to provide Ward 5 staff with the dedication and guidance that will continue to highlight the needs for stroke services within the SWAH and ensure the high level of patient care is maintained.

What are your aspirations for the future, and how do you envision the evolution of your role within the SWAH?

I aspire to continue with the high level of care that is provided in Ward 5, through the development of student nurse education and how they can promote patient-centred care regardless of the ward/department they start their nursing career on.

I would love to continue to support the ward and build upon providing the excellent stroke service under the stroke guidelines and recommendation and in challenging the barriers that we may face within the SWAH. 

How do you believe your efforts contribute to the overall excellence and advancement of healthcare services in our local community?

I hope to continue to promote the use of the FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time stroke awareness) campaign to highlight the need to get to hospital ASAP if displaying the signs of a stroke, [and] support the patient’s discharge to the community, home or nursing home, by signposting to the various voluntary stroke services for further assistance and guidance.