Sister Heather Cording is one of six Clinical Commanders joining the Patient Flow Service.  Colleagues on ward 7a/d gave her a warm send-off this week after 11 years in stroke rehab.(see picture). Heather will be joining Rachel Roberts, Chris Sullivan, Carol Whitworth, Sarah Oldfield and Wendi Slack.

This new role will bring a senior clinical nursing presence right to the very heart of the patient flow decision-making. The patient flow service supports the wards in the surgical and medical divisions to achieve timely and safe discharges for our patients and deliver overall safer, compassionate, high quality care. This enables the organisation to keep things moving and “flowing” for any elective or acute admissions.

The Clinical Commanders will work alongside matrons, medical colleagues; ward staff, discharge co-ordinators, discharge lounge and the bed busters to ensure our patients are where they need to be. Their duties will include chairing the 2 hourly bed capacity meetings; trouble shooting and problem solving operational issues on a day to day basis. They will work closely with the on call managers and Hospital at Night team to maintain flow and work to achieving the mandatory “Must Do” target in A&E. It is envisaged that this will ensure there is seamless delivery of care around the clock.

Matron for Patient Flow, Janette Cockroft, said: “The site commanders’ nursing expertise is central to the provision of a positive and safe patient journey from admission (via A&E or GP) to their discharge destination; whether this be back to their home with community support or to a nursing home if they require 24 hour care. It means decisions will be taken in the patients’ best interest and will help our patients get the best care, in the right place at the right time from CHFT.”

** Heather has been the ward manager on the rehabilitation stroke unit for the past 11 and half years, first of all at St Luke’s, then HRI and finally at the current ward at CRH.