A nursing academic from the University of Plymouth has been recognised for her outstanding work in patient engagement by Health Education England (HEE).
Kim Young, Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, won the ‘Hearing the Patient Voice’ category at the HEE South West Star Awards on 1 March.
Making the final three after being shortlisted earlier in the year, Kim eventually won for her ongoing commitment to including patients, clients and carers in nurse education and training.
Her work on Wider Patient Engagement (WPE) includes encouraging students to take lead roles with social media campaigns; working more closely with patient support groups; finding solutions to working with ‘hard to reach’ groups; and working with feedback platforms, alongside the Patients’ Association and Patient Opinion, to help gauge patient feedback and ensure best practice.
The HEE Star Awards recognise the very best in education and training across the health and care sector in the South West; open to individuals or teams providing healthcare or public health services for NHS patients and service users in NHS trusts, general practice, local authority, education and independent or private settings.
Adult Nursing student Julie Woolman was also recognised by HEE, reaching the final three in the ‘Outstanding Learner’ category after impressing in all aspects of her academic and clinical practice.
Kim said:
“I am genuinely shocked and delighted to have received this award. To be a finalist – let alone win – was a privilege, especially when you take into account the other finalists and initiatives that were nominated for this award. I’m just so pleased that the work we’re doing to ensure that patient engagement and involvement is being embedded into nurse education at the University of Plymouth and is being recognised on a bigger stage.”
