Our successes

The Wellbeing Nursing Team has made a huge impact.  Some of the more innovative work done by the team includes:

• The development of assessment and health interventions with steroid users who access services through the Needle Exchange. This has led to over 150 clients being vaccinated for Hepatitis.
• Referrals from Service User representatives through the 'Soup Kitchen project' and Turning Point project workers.
• The development of pathways for HIV screening, involving partnership with a senior HIV advisor.
• Domiciliary partnership working, supporting hard to reach clients with complex health needs; either physical or psychological.
• The development of Wound management pathways, by treating service users with previously infected or neglected wounds, which has ultimately lead to a reduction in infections which need hospitalisation.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) management through the administration of Clexane injections, referrals to Haematology and constant monitoring for deterioration.
• The growth of sexual health pathways including working with outreach CASH nurses, initiating STI screenings and treatments, breast screenings, cervical smears and the organisation of contraceptive prescriptions.
• Brief interventions around alcohol use and the development of an alcohol pathway including safer drinking advice, healthier lifestyle advice and referrals to the Wakefield Alcohol Team.
• The development of the Mental Health Pathway which includes working in partnership with Crisis Intervention teams, Community Mental Health teams and Assertive Outreach.
• Encouragement and advice on exercise and diet; including monitoring clients’ weight and BMI, referrals to health trainers, recording of blood pressure and the improvement of dental care pathways, encouraging clients to access regular dental care.
• Since the Team has been in existence there has been a significant increase in people accessing Hepatitis A + B vaccinations and screenings; which has lead to 44 referrals to St James's Hospital for treatment, where previously there had been none.