60 seconds with... Katy Hannaford
As the first PRU nurse how would you describe your role?
I would describe my role as collaborative and supportive. In my clinical shifts I provide nursing input drawing on my experience working in the emergency department (e.g. wound care, drug administration) and encourage holistic assessment and management of patients to help provide the best care. In my non-clinical role I try to enhance existing, and develop new, pathways and standard operating procedures.
What have you learnt about the community through this role?
There’s so much more out there than you realise! Also, when different teams work together it can truly benefit patients and service users - they get to play a much bigger part in their care and management of their health. I think that can be empowering and have a massive impact on service use and engagement.
What are you passionate about?
My big passion is end of life and palliative care. It’s something you only get one chance to get right and it’s an incredibly personal thing to share with somebody.
I am also passionate about patients receiving the right care, at the right time in the right environment - I think this is where the Physician Response Unit truly shows its worth. I believe if you can incorporate emergency and community care in this way then we can get the above right for patients.
What inspires you about working at RLH?
The team. No question. Not only do I have the privilege of working with some of the most amazing doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals, I also get to work with incredible reception staff, security, porters, volunteers, Serco and everyone else who helps keep the emergency department running.
What is the most important thing you have learnt since being on PRU?
That nothing is quite what it seems!
PRU or ED?
Both!