13/04/2016
Two dermatology nurses from Fife have won a prestigious national award.
Pauline Buchanan and Barbara Page MBE, who recently retired, were named as winners of the British Journal of Nursing’s Nurse of the Year Award 2016.
The pair were celebrated for their part in a Scotland-wide effort to create a three-day master class, which addresses the importance of meeting the psychosocial needs of patients receiving dermatological treatments. Their master class, which has been running in Scotland for the last two years, can be used by all health care professionals with an interest in dermatology. Positive feedback from participants means the master class is now due to be rolled out across the rest of the United Kingdom.
Dermatology is the branch of medicine that deals with numerous issues relating to the skin, scalp, hair, and nails.
Commenting following receipt of the award, Pauline said:
“Living with a skin condition touches every aspect of the patient's life. It is vital that we as health professionals have the necessary skills to understand what the patients' needs are, whether they are physical, emotional or psychosocial; only then can we guide patients to self management.”