GP AWARDS WINNER

Practice nurse Maggi Bradley pushed her professional boundaries by embracing remote technology for her patients during the Covid-19 pandemic

When the Covid pandemic first hit in 2020 , general practice nurse Maggi Bradley , from Aughton Surgery in West Lancashire , had been about to embark on a project trialling group appointments for patients with long-term conditions . This was a new approach for the practice , to help patients to learn more about their conditions .

The plans were initially put on hold when lockdown began , when people were not able to come to the practice for routine check-ups . As it became clearer that Covid-19 was going to have a longer-term and unprecedented impact , Ms Bradley decided to approach things a bit differently . The group appointments would go ahead , but they would be held remotely – giving patients the support they needed in an innovative way .

The project went on to earn her national recognition . She won the Nursing Award at the 13th annual General Practice Awards Practice Nursing Award , in 2021 . The

Practice Nursing Award winner Maggi Bradley , receiving her award in December , with comedian and compère Tom Allen

ONLINE Find out more about the General Practice Awards 2022 at generalpracticeawards . com

awards are run by Nursing in Practice publisher Cogora , to recognise the remarkable work carried out by the UK ’ s primary care professionals .

A Queen ’ s Nurse with 25 years ’ experience of nursing in general practice , and an additional role as a nursing clinical lead at Sefton Training Hub , Ms Bradley was nominated for setting up the video group clinics after noticing patients ‘ were beginning to manifest feelings of isolation , fear and anxiety ’ during the Covid-19 pandemic .

Seeing patients in groups made good use of the practice ’ s time , while also giving patients the ongoing support that they needed .

The project not only helped patients access services during the pandemic , it provided useful experience for a group of student nurses on their general practice placements .

DAVID JENSEN