Catherine Gwitirwa of Princess Grace Hospital, London - Innovators Winner in HCA UK Awards of Distinction

In July, 2017, HCA Healthcare UK presented the 2016 HCA Awards of Distinction to its winners at a ceremony held at The Landmark Hotel in London.

 

 

The HCA Healthcare UK Awards of Distinction

 

 Catherine

 

Catherine Gwitirwa, Specialist Breast Care & MLD Physiotherapist pictured receiving a prestigious HCA Award of Distinction

 

The HCA Healthcare UK Awards of Distinction included:

 

  • Frist Humanitarian Award
  • HCA Innovators Award
  • HCA Excellence in Nursing Award

 

The full press release from HCA including all winners can be read here

 

HCA Healthcare was created through the vision of its founders, Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Sr., Jack Massey and Dr. Thomas “Tommy” Frist, Jr.  More than 45 years later, the company continues to invent and develop systems to advance health and patient care, in large part due to ideas from their employees. The HCA Innovators Award continues their tradition of recognising innovative thinkers whose ideas improve patient safety, service of efficiency of operations

 

HCA

 

Catherine received 100% excellent satisfaction with her treatment in patient satisfaction feedback in the following question.

How would you rate the following? Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor

  • Professionalism
  • Understanding your needs
  • Explanation of assessment/treatment
  • Quality of care
  • Overall Experience

 

Catherine

 

New Initiative: Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy and Hivamat 200 Service at PGH

 

Combined Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy and Hivamat 200 is a standard treatment for patients who have undergone lymph node dissection in most surgical procedures such as prostatectomy, breast surgery, abdominal, neck dissection, orthopaedic surgery. It consists of Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Compression Therapy, Decongestive exercise therapy, Skin care and Hivamat/Deep Oscillation Treatment inclusive of scar tissue treatment.

 

Risk of Oedema

 

Approximately 15 – 20% of all patients who have undergone lymph node dissection will develop lymphoedema in their lifetime; roughly I have seen 50% of these patients develop oedema in the 1st operative year.

 

Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy and Hivamat 200 Service at PGH

 

Development of DLT service at PGH came about due to a market analysis of the Consultant Breast Surgeons and patient’s needs, so that patients could benefit from a dedicated specialist service based at PGH hence meeting the needs of the organisation. The service was patient demand driven in direct response to the exponential growth of breast, lymph node dissection surgery creating a need for Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy.

Prior to the DLT service starting at PGH, post lymph node dissection surgery patients used to have to travel all the way to other further afield hospitals and join a waiting list to be seen by a Specialist Breast Care & MLD Physiotherapist which was frustrating the patient journey.

 

Benefits of the DLT Service

 

The DLT service provides a quick access and appointments to a Specialist Breast Care & MLD Physiotherapist within 48hrs of patient ringing and Consultant sending a referral. Having the service at PGH has made the patient journey easier from referral from Consultant and patient being seen. One of the service’s greatest strength is the joint working relationship that occurs between the Breast Care Nurses and Musculoskeletal / MLD Physiotherapist as a team. The DLT service has captured patients within HCA from the London Breast Institute, LOC, and Wellington and outside of HCA from The London Clinic and King Edward V11.

The service has been a success since its inception hence bridging the gap between demand and need. A lot of work is being done to ensure PGH is a niche market leader with DLT and Compression Therapy products.

 

Catherine Gwitirwa, Specialist Breast Care & MLD Physiotherapist BSc Physiotherapy (Hons), MCSP, MLDuk, Vodder DLT (Austria)

 

Referrals are accepted from Surgeons and other Healthcare Professionals.  Patients can self refer but the service require a Consultant or GP referral letter.  Referrals by email.

Clinic Address: 30 Devonshire Street, The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients & Physiotherapy Clinic, London, W1G 6PU