The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association recently awarded Heidi Morris, Noble’s Hospital’s Neurology Nurse Specialist, their coveted Extra Mile Award. The Extra Mile Award was created by the MND Association six years ago to recognise the exceptional support from Health and Social Care Professionals who have gone that extra mile to doing everything they can and more for people affected by MND.
Heidi Morris works as the Neurology Nurse Specialist at Noble’s Hospital supporting and treating patients who have been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease or Multiple Sclerosis, two neurological conditions for which there is currently no cure. On receiving the award, Heidi said:
'Thank you to Christine Pain, Secretary of the Isle of Man Motor Neurone Disease Association, for the nomination which was very unexpected. It’s an honour to be recognised with this Extra Mile Award; however the service is provided by a multi-disciplinary team, so I am also grateful for their hard work, compassion and support. I thoroughly enjoy working with patients, carers and staff to achieve the best possible quality of life for people with Motor Neurone Disease.”'
Making the nomination, Christine said:
'Heidi ensures that people affected by MND receive prompt and appropriate advice, support and care, in a sympathetic and sensitive manner, at a time when they are at their most vulnerable. She is able to draw on a great depth of knowledge and experience to offer the emotional and practical support the patient and their family needs to lead as normal a life as possible. Heidi’s friendly and pragmatic approach together with her professional skills allows her to offer patients calm, consistent and reassuring support.'
'During the monthly multi-disciplinary team meetings, which Heidi leads, she inspires all staff involved in the care of patients with MND to work together, providing a co-ordinated, caring service, which is responsive to fast-changing health and care needs and which anticipates future needs.'
MND is characterised by a progressive degeneration of motor nerves which leads to weakness and wasting. MND can lead to generalised weakness in the arms and legs and difficulties with breathing, speech and swallowing. However, not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time, or in any specific order. Although there is currently no cure for MND, symptoms can be managed to help the patient achieve the best possible quality of life.
Bev Critchlow, Chief Nurse said:
'At Noble’s Hospital the delivery of high quality care is vitally important and team members like Heidi make all the difference. We are extremely proud of her and we thank her for going that extra mile for patients with MND, their families and carers.'
