DISTRICT nurses and community matrons who support people in their own homes and care homes across the district if they have confirmed or suspected Covid-19 have been shortlisted for a prestigious national award. 

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Covid-19 Community Home Visiting team is a finalist in the Infection Prevention and Control category at this year’s Nursing Times Awards, which are being held online tomorrow.

The team was brought together in just 48 hours in March to support vulnerable patients with Covid-19, as well as their families and carers.

Carla Smith, Clinical Service Development Lead with the Trust's District Nursing teams said that infection prevention measures mean the team has to operate differently to usual.

She said: “We take the utmost care to protect everyone, so as well as wearing appropriate personal protection equipment, our staff are transported by patient transport drivers across both our Bradford and Airedale localities and, on completing a session, staff return to their base at our Lynfield Mount hospital for a shower."

She added: “We’re delighted to be finalists and thrilled that our work is being recognised in this way. 

“Everyone in the team is proud to be a part of it, delivering care to the most vulnerable patients in our communities throughout this particularly challenging and unprecedented time.

“The team spirit and enthusiasm of those who work in the team is simply outstanding.”

Because the team deals solely with people who have suspected or confirmed of Covid-19, the Trust says their understanding of the virus, and learning gained from treating patients, means they are well placed to develop how care is provided as the pandemic progresses.