By Julie Morgan

Published at 11:10, Thursday, 19 July 2012

A HUSBAND and wife, both nurses, are aiming to raise awareness of the expertise shown by staff at the West Cumberland Hospital.

husband and wife nurses: Tracey Riley and husband Stephen, who both work at the West Cumberland Hospital

Stephen Riley, 46, a charge nurse, suffered a heart attack at work and is now raising funds for charity, while his wife, Tracey, a dermatology nurse specialist, has received national acclaim after developing a self-care guide for patients.

In January, Stephen arrived at work only to start feeling unwell. His colleagues took him to A&E where it was discovered he had suffered a heart attack.

A keen cyclist, Stephen said: “As a member of staff I see how patients are looked after in a professional and caring manner every day, but to experience that care as a patient is altogether different.

“The A&E staff are responsible for saving my life and the team on the Coronary Care Unit make me feel proud to be part of the organisation. The staff made a frightening and uncertain time bearable.”

He focused on getting ‘back to normal’ by registering on the British Heart Foundation website for the Manchester to Blackpool Night Ride whilst he was still in hospital.

The Night Ride takes place on September 29, beginning at Manchester’s Trafford Centre at 11pm before riders make their way 52 miles up the coast arriving at Blackpool Tower in time for sunrise.

Blackpool Council has agreed to leave the illuminations on for the cyclists arriving. To sponsor Stephen, please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/ncuh

While in her job, Tracey began recognising that patients often suffered on-going symptoms as they were unable to successfully recognise changes or a deterioration in their condition.

She developed a self-care guide to help them assess their own skin status after a course of treatments. Patients using the guide said it “reduced worry’’ and enabled them to confidently ask for help about their condition.

Subsequently, Tracey’s work was published in Dermatological Nursing and she was then approached by three NHS Trusts for permission to use the guide with their patients.

She was also contacted by Ninewells Hospital in Dundee – one of the top Dermatology Units in the UK – who also asked to use the guide which Tracey had developed as part of her Masters Degree studies.

She said: “The traffic light tool (guide) is an aide memoire and it does not replace clinical judgement. It is important for patients to realise that their skin changes and the tool is a prompt to help with their self-management.

“I am now looking at developing the tool further by exploring whether a personal pack for patients would be of any benefit. For example, patients are frequently advised to photograph their skin at different stages and to keep a diary if there are personal stress factors that influence their skin.’’

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk