Anna Hemens Bhsc (Hons), Msw, Rsw Email and Phone Number

I moved from an inpatient setting to community based care in October 2015; keen to advance my role as a registered nurse. I assessed chronic illness such as asthma, COPD and diabetes; looking at an individuals' management of their condition as well as the pharmaceutical involvement. I was actively involved in behaviour change; supporting patients through weight loss, smoking cessation, increasing physical activity and altering their diet. I frequently encountered alcohol and drug… Show more I moved from an inpatient setting to community based care in October 2015; keen to advance my role as a registered nurse. I assessed chronic illness such as asthma, COPD and diabetes; looking at an individuals' management of their condition as well as the pharmaceutical involvement. I was actively involved in behaviour change; supporting patients through weight loss, smoking cessation, increasing physical activity and altering their diet. I frequently encountered alcohol and drug abuse; and discussed this with the patient as well as signposting to specific rehabilitation support available. I conducted cervical cytology as well as spirometry and immunisation programmes. I met with physicians to discuss concerns both of individual patients who I managed, and of the service overall. Show less

I worked in renal medicine and renal transplantation for 10 years as a registered nurse. I supported the needs of patients through initial diagnosis of renal disease through episodes of acute illness, renal transplantation or end of life care. Working for ten years on the inpatient unit allowed me to develop strong relationships with patients as they progress through a journey of renal disease. I structured care needs from admission through to discharge planning. I was responsible for… Show more I worked in renal medicine and renal transplantation for 10 years as a registered nurse. I supported the needs of patients through initial diagnosis of renal disease through episodes of acute illness, renal transplantation or end of life care. Working for ten years on the inpatient unit allowed me to develop strong relationships with patients as they progress through a journey of renal disease. I structured care needs from admission through to discharge planning. I was responsible for co-ordinating staffing levels, managing hospital bed provision and delegating to junior staff. My role included administration of oral, nasogastric and intravenous medications; aseptic care; and monitoring haemodynamic status. A key part of this role was working within a multidisciplinary team of physicians, physiotherapists, psychologists, social care staff and nurses; and supporting the varied needs of patients in all these areas. Show less

This was an innovative role designed by myself to manage the medical and psychosocial needs of young adult patients as they progress from paediatric to adult renal care. I was meeting with the individuals weekly in one on one sessions to allow them to discuss events they wished to share with me; which could be based around their medical care or their lifestyle. I would co-ordinate services involved in their care; which included social services, drugs rehabilitation, physicians and… Show more This was an innovative role designed by myself to manage the medical and psychosocial needs of young adult patients as they progress from paediatric to adult renal care. I was meeting with the individuals weekly in one on one sessions to allow them to discuss events they wished to share with me; which could be based around their medical care or their lifestyle. I would co-ordinate services involved in their care; which included social services, drugs rehabilitation, physicians and education providers. I would hold multidisciplinary meetings with these services and with the young person themselves present to discuss concerns. I used techniques of motivational interviewing to support the young person through behaviour change. I designed and held social events with a group of the young people I was supporting; allowing peer to peer support to develop. I provided company and assistance through haemodiaysis and renal transplantation; often additionally working with the family of the young person as well to guide them through the difficulties that often emerged at such a pivotal time of the individual's life. The role was funded by a charity, The British Kidney Patients' Association, and I worked part time as the Renal Young Persons' Key Worker at the same time as being a registered nurse on an adult nephrology and renal transplantation inpatient ward. Working in both roles simultaneously allowed me to be present for the young person both in the inpatient setting and outside of it. I received extremely positive feedback regarding this role from both the young people and other professionals; and the hospital trust has moved on to embrace transitional care. Show less