AN Appleton clinical research nurse and her peers have been recognised for their outstanding work relating to dementia care and treatment at the Nursing Times Awards.
Heather Iles-Smith, research and innovation lead at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, was part of a team of nine nurses from the unit to receive the Clinical Research Nursing Award.
The nurses work to identify new studies, both with and without medicines, which could improve the care of people with dementia.
Since scooping the prize, Heather has been quick to praise those she works with and firmly believes research will continue to play a crucial role in her field.
“The team are delighted that the important work involved in research has been recognised at such a prestigious event and by our peers,” she said.
“The work the team does has really helped people diagnosed with dementia in Lancashire have increased access to various treatments and therapies which, without the research, would not have been available.”
Almost 800 entries from 306 different organisations from a range of disciplines and levels of the nursing world made their way to the awards night.
The trust’s research into dementia is led by the clinical research nursing team and Heather outlined the importance of working with other organisations.
“Since the project started it has grown in demand and we are now working with other trusts in Lancashire to provide a wider programme of support and treatment to people with dementia across the county,” she added.
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