A SPECIALIST nurse who is constantly learning and sharing research and practices in lymphoedema in the Forth Valley has won a prestigious award.
Margaret Anne Garner, lymphoedema specialist at Strathcarron Hospice, has scooped the Chronic Oedema Nurse of the Year accolade at the British Journal of Nursing BJN Awards 2023 last week.
The hospice, which provides palliative and end of life care in the Forth Valley and beyond, was the only organisation representing Scotland in the category and hosts the only specialist lipoedema and lymphoedema clinic in the area.
Alongside with her team, Margaret Anne is constantly learning and sharing new research and practices to benefit people who live with these conditions.
Marjory Mackay, director of nursing at Strathcarron Hospice, said: “The service model that Margaret Anne and her team at Strathcarron deliver is aligned with the national outcomes for health and wellbeing and provides a vital and best practice service for people living with lymphoedema and lipoedema across our local communities.
“For Margaret Anne to win as an exceptional chronic oedema specialist and to be recognised by The British Journal of Nursing, is wonderful”.
The NHS Forth Valley Lymphoedema Service in Strathcarron Hospice provides treatment, support, and advice to anyone living lymphoedema or lipoedema, their families and to health professionals.
Lymphoedema is a chronic incurable condition which results in swelling due to a disruption of the lymphatic system.
It can be caused by a variety of factors including cancer, cancer treatments, trauma, injury or genetic causes.
Margaret Anne and the team beat off competition from similar services at the Rochdale Care Organisation and from Lymphcare UK to be named the winner at a ceremony at The Banking Hall in London on Friday, March 24.
The awards night celebrated the hard work and dedication of teams from across the UK with 19 award categories.
Strathcarron Hospice, which relies on donations to provide its services, will be celebrating its 42nd birthday next month and is bringing back its Big Birthday Tea Party for the occasion.
As part of the initiative, people are being encouraged to host fundraising parties on or around Friday, April 28.
Fundraising packs are available, visit strathcarronhospice.net for more information.
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