Found this on the RCN web site

Nursing Standard Nurses of the Year 2003
07/02/02
As chair of the forum, I have had the privilege of judging the gastroenterology and stoma care category of the Nursing Standard Nurse of the Year Awards for the last two years.

The job of shortlisting finalists was as difficult this year as last. The many nominations highlighted a wide range of achievements, often from the simplest of ideas. The panel of eight judges found it impossible to decide on one winner and finally agreed that both finalists were equally deserving of the award.

Though diverse in their specialities, providing services which have grown to accommodate extremely different patient needs – both Jill Marshall and Ken Clare were equally passionate and determined in their efforts to provide a quality service and support for their group of patients.

Jill works as Stoma Care Nurse Manager for Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust. Her work with patients suffering from bowel dysfunction has highlighted their feelings of isolation and poor quality of life. As a result of a chance meeting with a German stoma nurse, Jill investigated the prospect of providing a rectal irrigation service. Since the service began patients have described significant, often life-changing improvements and, due to its success, Jill has had to relocate and re-equip her clinic to cope with the increasing number of referrals!

Jill describes this extremely embarrassing and personal condition as invisible and unrecognised; however her work in the field certainly has widespread benefits not only for patients but also in educating her peers!

Ken Clare is Head of Informatics in South Liverpool Primary Care Trust. Although he does not work in the field of gastro and stoma care nursing (yet!), he is ideally qualified to win.

Faced with weight loss surgery, Ken found that reliable information and support for patients like him was impossible to find. He launched a website (www.wlsinfo.org.uk); which allows obese people (who often feel both embarrassed and shunned by society) to access information and advice on their condition and treatment. The site also allows for communication and sharing of ideas and experiences. It now notches up 51,000 visits per week! This facility has developed from a very personal experience into a desperately need service.

Ken’s ability to bridge the patient-professional gap is an inspiration to those he helps and the medical profession that is only now recognising the needs of this group. Both Ken and Jill deny that their work is anything out of the ordinary but they well deserve recognition as leaders in their areas of nursing. Many of you will read their stories and recognise yourselves and your own work. This is the time to highlight your achievements or those of your colleagues. The nomination forms are available from Nursing Standard over the summer months, so look out for them.

Dawn Elliott

Want to set up a obesity specialist interest group.