Wales-based practice nurse Janette Morgan has won the prestigious Practice Nursing Award after developing her skills in chronic disease management and adapting them to the local population.
Ms Morgan, who works at Practice 2, Keir Hardie Health Park, Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, scooped the prize award at the 15th annual General Practice Awards on Friday night, run by Nursing in Practice publisher Cogora, which highlighted innovation, dedication and passion within primary care.
She has been instrumental in helping her practice team achieve the QAIF targets and has helped her practice immensely in the detection of cancer at an early stage, mainly in patients with COPD, as explained in greater detail in a Nursing in Practice article on her entry.
After receiving her award, Ms Morgan – who is described by her colleagues as a committed all-rounder – said she was ‘completely overwhelmed and humbled to receive this award’, but that ‘everyone on the shortlist really deserves the recognition too’.
She added: ‘I am just very thankful to be the winner. It has come as a great surprise- I’m looking forward to putting the award up at work! Next year I’m completing my independent nurse prescriber course in April, so I’ll be working towards that and continuing with the work I do now.’
Her award entry detailed how over the years, Ms Morgan became the key person at the practice in dealing with all chronic disease queries, showing dedication and perseverance in gaining competency in the management of these conditions and developing easy-to-follow protocols for most conditions, including diabetes and COPD.
Jess Cornish, head of events marketing at Cogora, said: ‘We may say every year how truly valuable it is to have a night like tonight where we recognise those who have gone above and beyond, but I think in the current climate, these words have never been more appropriate…
‘Using the experience of the covid vaccination programme, you have extended the way you engage with communities, adding opportunistic health checks to increase access to healthcare. All this innovation has been against a backdrop of the usual challenges; tackling staff shortages, managing rising patient demand, the secondary care workload dump…..
‘But this is why I think it is as important as ever to celebrate your successes and the amazing resilience that you continue to show.’
The event, held at the Novotel London West, was attended by more than 700 guests from across primary healthcare. In all, 18 trophies were awarded, including for GP of the Year and PCN of the Year.
Read the full list of winners from the awards and the shortlisted entries here.
