Nicola Cotton

I am responsible for the assessment and treatment of adults diagnosed with heart failure. I am a non- medical prescriber and have advanced clinical assessment qualifications.

In addition, my role includes the input of information for onward referrals to other agencies. I also manage patients from the chronic stage to the end of life, often having sensitive and difficult conversations.

Furthermore, the majority of the patient group that i care for have multiple co-morbidities.

My role involved the identification of patients with possible heart failure. These patients usually presented in the emergency portals. I would assess, order tests and refer to Cardiology for further treatment.

In addition, i would visit diagnosed patients and provide education regarding their condition and how to manage it and detect red flag symptoms. I also worked in the heart failure outpatient clinic, providing treatment to those who were too unwell to remain under the care of primary care.

• Collaborated effectively with healthcare professionals for optimal patient outcomes.
• Monitored vital signs regularly, identifying any abnormal changes promptly.
• Streamlined nursing procedures for improved efficiency and productivity.
• Coordinated appointments with other healthcare specialists as needed.
• Managed wound care duties, resulting in faster recovery times for patients.
• Administered medication to manage patients' symptoms.
• Offered emotional support to patients and their families during stressful periods.
• Improved patient comfort by providing high-quality care and support.
• Prioritised dignity and compassion to provide highly regarded end-of-life care.

• Handled emergency situations calmly leading to successful crisis resolution.
• Administered intravenous fluids, achieving correct hydration levels in patients.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to enhance patient care.
• Liaised effectively with relatives, keeping them informed about patient progress.
• Monitored GCS and vital signs to detect signs of improvement or deterioration.
• Cared for adults with acute and chronic neurological conditions.