Edmonton hospital one of the winners at the annual Nursing Times Awards

At the Nursing Times Awards ceremony were, from left; professor Janelle Yorke, head of the judging panel; Nicole Constaninou, senior staff nurse on the paediatric day assessment unit at North Mid; Albin Bendiola, lead clinical nurse specialist for haemoglobinopathy who led the innovation at North Mid; Diana Wellington, senior staff nurse on the paediatric day assessment unit at North Mid; and Naga Munchetty, BBC presenter (credit Paparazzi VIP Photography) — At the Nursing Times Awards ceremony were, from left; professor Janelle Yorke, head of the judging panel; Nicole Constantinou, senior staff nurse on the paediatric day assessment unit at North Mid; Albin Bendiola, lead clinical nurse specialist for haemoglobinopathy who led the innovation at North Mid; Diana Wellington, senior staff nurse on the paediatric day assessment unit at North Mid; and Naga Munchetty, BBC presenter (credit Paparazzi VIP Photography)

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust has won national recognition for a service providing children with blood transfusions.

North Mid came out on top in the managing long-term conditions category at this year’s Nursing Times Awards for the trust’s paediatric specialist automated red cell exchange service.

The red cell exchange service for children provides young people with blood transfusions using a specialist machine that swaps blood cells with donor red blood cells that do not contain sickle haemoglobin.

This service change was led by Albin Bendiola, who introduced the service for children and young people at North Mid in 2020. It now means that children with sickle cell disorder spend less time at hospital by reducing the frequency of visits as well as the amount of time in our care for each visit, from eight hours to approximately two hours.

Enfield and Haringey boroughs have a high proportion of people living with sickle cell disorder and the introduction of this service means North Mid provides these types of blood transfusions for people throughout their life, as the children’s service complements the one the trust already provides for adults.

Colette Datt, associate director of nursing for children and young people at North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, said: “I am so proud of our paediatric sickle cell nursing team.

“To win this prestigious award highlights the fantastic progress, dedication and hard work we have put into providing outstanding care for our local community – despite having one of the most challenging years to date.

“We are incredibly honoured to receive national recognition. This will be a huge boost as we continue to improve our services and ensure our patients and the local community are provided with the best possible service.”

North Mid was also shortlisted at the Nursing Times Awards in the children’s service of the year and nursing leader of the year categories, the latter in recognition of the work of Sylvia Gomes, a matron in neonatal care.

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