Jane Buswell
One of the many benefits of working as a Consultant Nurse is the opportunity to be involved in national work that has the potential to affect change. However – not all projects have a demonstrably positive outcome, and the value to daily clinical practice is not always easy to see. As a general nurse working in an acute hospital, championing the cause of older people with dementia or delirium often seems like a lone voice in the wilderness- so it was really motivating to be working with a group of people who shared the same vision, passion and determination to improve care of this most marginalized group of patients.
The values of the respect project were part of how the core group worked together- respecting and valuing each others’ experiences, skills and knowledge of all disciplines. Practitioners who are working in acute care - who really understand the unremitting pressures on the system that can prevent staff from providing the best possible care, have developed the final product. I have real confidence in being able to introduce my colleagues to the toolkit, especially the wonderful photographs. The project was a cause very close to my heart.
