Dr Moffitt has been nominated for the Stephen McAleese Award for Inspiration, which will recognise an individual for their inspirational work in the field of Acquired Brain Injury. She has been nominated alongside an NHS Colleague, Dr Don Brechin.
Whilst working together at the James Cook University Hospital, Dr Moffitt and Dr Brechin recognised that there were huge gaps in the treatment pathway within the North East of England. It was evident that there were some clear barriers to patients accessing all the treatment prescribed, in a timely manner and within a variety of settings to meet patient needs and geographical restrictions.
In 2019, the two doctors gathered a group of organisations and individuals within the North East of England whose focus and interests were around the provision of support, treatment and pathways for those affected by brain injuries. The aim of the group was to identify the current barriers to accessing resources for treatment and support within the region and look at possible solutions.
Dr Moffitt and her colleagues decided to try and set up a formal monitoring of the lack of resource they were witnessing on a daily basis within their job roles.
An audit was created to identify what resources were needed in terms of treatment and pathways. Dr Moffitt then spearheaded a Task and Finish group which submitted findings and recommendations for the improvement of Neurorehabilitation services across the North East to the ICB.
Dr Moffitt, who has been at Cygnet Group since 2022, said: “I am delighted and touched to be shortlisted for the UKABIF Stephen McAleese award for inspiration.
“I have been passionate about the need for appropriate services for people with neurological conditions throughout my career as I have seen the life changing impact neurological rehabilitation can have when it is adequately funded and the difficulties that can occur when the necessary services are not available.
“I was nominated for this award due to my work with the local integrated care board, where I have been involved in leading groups of clinicians reviewing local services and making the business case for investment in services.
“The best part of my job is being able to work as part of a highly skilled and dedicated multidisciplinary team and passionate nursing and support staff. It feels like the team work hard to promote the dignity of the residents, treat them with respect and humanity and achieve outcomes that can substantially affect the quality of life of the residents and their families.”
Rachael Chamberlain, Cygnet Group’s Business Development Director for Neurological Services, paid tribute to the work Dr Moffitt achieved. She said: “Without the drive, tenacity and perseverance of these two individuals, this huge piece of work would never have taken place.
“Nowhere else in the country has scrutinised all its Neurorehab pathways to such an extent and invited the collaboration of the people both receiving and delivering the treatment. This has been possible because Dr Don Brechin and Dr Jenna Moffitt had a vision and wouldn’t let go of it.”
Winners of the award will be announced at a special ceremony on Sunday 5 November. Good luck Jenna!