Young Scots nurse pioneers new MND pain management approach

A young Scottish nurse has made waves in the medical field with her groundbreaking work in pain management for patients with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Hayleigh Bloomfield, 27, who works at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, has devised an innovative protocol that has garnered attention from healthcare professionals nationwide and earned her a prestigious award. Originally from Helensburgh, Hayleigh is based in the neurology department at Ward 53, where she noticed MND patients struggling with pain post-feeding tube insertion. Seeing the lack of a formal protocol to address this issue, Hayleigh took the initiative to create one.

Collaborating with colleagues including nurses, doctors, and pharmacists, Hayleigh developed a comprehensive pain management protocol that has been integrated into NHS Scotland’s digital prescribing tool, HEPMA. An ongoing audit is in progress to evaluate patient outcomes before and after implementing the protocol, with feedback being collected to fine-tune its effectiveness. Hayleigh presented a poster outlining the protocol’s development and potential impact at the British Association of Neuroscience Nurses (BANN) conference in Newcastle, where it garnered significant interest and won the Best Poster Presentation award.

The success of Hayleigh’s protocol has sparked interest from healthcare professionals across the UK, who are considering adapting the approach for their own care settings. Jade Walker, now Clinical Educator for Neurology, commended Hayleigh’s work and the protocol’s potential wider applications beyond their department. Hayleigh’s presentation at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Regional Services best practice event further highlighted the protocol’s benefits, generating excitement among her peers. Looking ahead, Hayleigh aims to present the audit results at next year’s event to explore potential expansion of the protocol.

Susan Groom, Director of Regional Services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, praised Hayleigh for her initiative and dedication in developing the protocol. The healthcare institution is committed to fostering continuous improvement and encouraging staff participation in innovative initiatives. Hayleigh expressed her hope that her work will inspire other nurses to have confidence in their ideas and drive positive changes in patient care. The recognition and success of Hayleigh’s work signify a significant contribution to the neurology department’s ongoing efforts to enhance patient care.

In summary, Hayleigh Bloomfield, a young Scots nurse, has spearheaded a new approach to pain management for MND patients, receiving accolades for her innovative protocol that has the potential to benefit patients beyond her own institution. Her proactive initiative and dedication to improving patient care serve as an inspiring example for healthcare professionals, prompting broader discussions on enhancing pain management strategies in neurology care.