Rachael Morris, a consultant at the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW), has been awarded a top prize for her exceptional contribution to the care of older people. Dr. Morris has been based at Weston General Hospital since 2015 and has recently been acknowledged for her efforts by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM).
In addition to her role as a consultant, Dr. Morris serves as the Chair of the Older Person in Emergency Care committee for RCEM. She expressed her surprise and gratitude at the acknowledgment, describing it as a “huge, unexpected surprise.”
Dr. Morris is one of five healthcare professionals recognized by the RCEM, and she attended a ceremony in Birmingham last month to receive her prestigious award alongside her husband and two young children.
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The doctor originally trained in emergency medicine but has always had a passion for caring for older people. A decade ago, after returning from maternity leave, she felt it was the right time to combine her interests. Dr. Morris approached Weston General Hospital with the idea of setting up a Geriatric Emergency Care Service (GEMS), which was granted, and her team steadily grew, eventually receiving an NHS Parliamentary Award for Urgent and Emergency Care in 2019.
The introduction of GEMS has provided an opportunity for the trust to offer more comprehensive care for over-75s requiring urgent care. These older patients often have ongoing concerns that also need to be addressed before they can leave the hospital.
“Older people living with frailty are a vulnerable group with complex needs, and we’re privileged to care for them,” Dr. Morris explained.
She emphasized the importance of understanding the needs of older patients, conducting comprehensive geriatric assessments, and involving the patients in deciding the next steps in their care. Dr. Morris highlighted the patient-centered approach and the aim to maximize the quality of life for these individuals.
Dr. Morris also shared her efforts in championing the work being done at Weston General Hospital across the UK at conferences and her support for the NHS@Home scheme.
Dr. Rebecca Maxwell, Chief Medical Officer for University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, commended Dr. Morris’s achievement, stating, “We are committed to making a difference that matters to our patients, and that is exactly what Rachael has been doing with her innovative work for older people in need of emergency care.”