The trailblazing nursing team from Bolton delivering hospital style care at home
Video report from ITV Granada Reports' journalist Jennifer Buck
A Bolton nursing team that has been treating patients in their own home has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.
The IV Nursing At Home team can trace its roots back to 1995 and have been trailblazers ever since, being the first team in the country to administer blood transfusions at home 27 years ago and to date remain one of the few teams who deliver transfusions in patients’ homes.
The team make about 500 home visits a month but must carefully consider who is eligible.
The scheme frees up hospital beds as well as minimising the chance of infection and giving a more personal service.
The team have now been shortlisted for the nursing in the community award after developing the innovative way to care for patients at home
Rebecca Bradley, Assistant Divisional Nurse Director for Integrated Community Services at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our IV Nursing at Home Team truly place each and every patient at the heart of their care.
"I am so proud that their work has been recognised nationally in the Nursing Times awards."
Kayleigh Orrell is the Team Leader of the IV Therapy Team and says "It is a proud moment for us, we have been trailblazers for many years with the work we do in the community, taking home transfusions, chemotherapy and IV antibiotics into patients homes"
Mandy Neal, from the IV Therapy team said: "We form that relationship with a patient that you wouldn't necessarily do in a hospital.
"In your own home, it's a different environment."
Diane Tustin, a patient, said: "I like being at home, it's convenient.
"They make you feel safe. I enjoy the fact that my husband and I are a team, and the team is back together again.
"I also enjoy meeting the people that are caring for me. We always find something to talk about."
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