23rd May 2012
Diabetes nurse praised for improving care for children
A
specialist nurse has been honoured for her work in improving the care for
children with diabetes.
Sister
Elaine Papps, Paediatric Diabetic Liason Nurse, was presented with the Trust’s
monthly staff award for her role in introducing a new pump therapy to young
patients across East Sussex.
Instead of
a child with diabetes having to inject themselves three times a day with
insulin, or their parents having to do it, a special small pump is used to
enable insulin to continually infuse into the body throughout the day. The pump
can monitor blood sugar levels and deliver the appropriate amount of insulin.
The
patient benefits from the therapy as they not only have to undergo fewer daily
injections, but it also makes it easier for them to control their diabetes,
reducing the likelihood of complications in the future.
Elaine
sees patients at their homes, in their schools and at hospital to help teach
them how to use the new therapy properly.
Jane
Sumner, Acute Children Clinical Service Manager, said: “Elaine is going above
and beyond what is expected of her, answering questions from parents at all
hours in the first week of their child’s pump therapy.”
