Brighton nurse wins national award

A Brighton nurse has won the National HIV Nurses Association/Mediscript Clinical Practice Award.

The award recognises her work with HIV patients at the Sussex Beacon inpatient unit in Bevendean Road, Brighton.

She developed a psychological screening tool called My Brave Face Is False to try to ensure patients were offered the support that they needed.

The Beacon said that after a six-month pilot study it implemented psychological tests and now had a named nurse to lead on mental health at the unit.

She said: “People living with HIV have a higher risk of psychological and mental health issues and are about twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression.

“The kind of psychological support we offer at the Beacon is so important in addressing the long-term wellbeing of our clients.”

Sussex Beacon chairman Simon Burgess said: “We are so very proud of this award. It’s a great credit to Caroline and to the whole team.”

The Beacon is looking for volunteers to help at its charity shops in St James’s Street, Brighton, and George Street, Hove. For more information click here.