Wendy Ballington
Fleet,United Kingdom
Summary
Experienced healthcare professional with extensive NHS clinical and operational expertise, specialising in chronic pain management and holistic care. Proficient in clinical assessment, patient observations, and the development of specialised treatment plans to enhance patient outcomes. Skilled in infection control, drug prescribing, and service development, with a focus on admission avoidance and effective service signposting. NMC-registered with a compassionate bedside manner and a commitment to delivering high-quality care tailored to individual needs. Dedicated to advancing patient-centred care through innovative approaches and continuous professional growth.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work history
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Pain)
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Frimley, Surrey
10.2014 - Current
- Improved treatment outcomes for patients by delivering clear, effective patient and family education. Working collaboratively with MDT to deliver Living Well With Pain programme, monitoring benefit and outcomes.
- Working autonomously to run nurse led telephone helpline for patients providing post procedure follow up, medication advice, reassurance and support at triage in timely manner.
- Drive continuous improvement by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of latest developments in chronic pain and migraine.
- Deliver face to face nurse led treatment clinics for Qutenza and Botox in line with NICE guidance, again working autonomously.
- Deliver nurse led virtual/telephone/face to face clinics - improving patient choice and experience.
- Positively action feedback and complaints within prescribed timescales and escalate appropriately.
- Devise comprehensive intervention strategies for patients living with chronic pain conditions, working alongside chronic pain consultants and the wider MDT.
- Use a variety of media including Electronic Patient record, NHS mail and Excel to accurately document patient interaction and care.
Clinical Lead
NHS Blood and Transplant
Epsom, Surrey
04.2013 - 10.2014
- Provided excellent care with focus on patient safety, comfort and dignity.
- Nursing clinical lead for mobile blood donation sessions. Responsible for managing chain of safety for blood donation and collection. Ensuring best practice and compliance to all standard operating procedures pertinent to donation, collection and safe transport.
- Managing team of donor carers ensuring safe performance of clinical skills such as venepuncture and collection of whole blood in various community venues.
- Responsible for ensuring efficient throughput of donors whilst maintaining staff and donor safety and dealing with nursing queries.
- Supporting team to maintain competencies and provide ongoing up to date training. Surveillance audit to ensure adherence to organizational protocol and expectation.
- Responsible for identifying and initiating immediate treatment in event of adverse reactions to donation and gaining help where necessary.
Post-Anaesthetic Care Unit Nurse
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Frimley, Surrey
10.2004 - 10.2014
- Worked with clinical team to carry out prescribed treatments addressing individual patient needs.
- Monitored patient behaviour and responses to treatments and escalated concerns to senior staff.
- Dealt with emergencies with calm and composure.
- Stayed up-to-date on latest nursing developments to provide best patient care.
- Oversaw, trained and mentored student and junior nursing staff.
- Helped deliver stabilizing and life-saving treatments during medical emergencies.
- Tracked and addressed patient pain levels, helping promote healing by minimizing discomfort.
Staff Nurse Band 5 (Rotation programme)
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Frimley, Surrey
03.2004 - 10.2004
- Implemented and evaluated care plan efficiencies, identifying and addressing concerns to improve treatment outcomes.
- Monitored patient wellbeing, accurately recognizing deterioration and initiating immediate emergency care.
- Maintained privacy, dignity and safety of all patients, consistently adhering to health and safety policies.
- Maintained accurate records of care to facilitate smooth and effective ward operations.
- Led treatment updates with patients and families using patient-friendly terminology.
- Documented incidents on patient management systems in real time to maximize efficiencies.
- Monitored and recorded patient condition, carrying out and reporting regular observations.
- Administered medication in line with stringent drug regulations.
- Assessed and evaluated patient needs, supporting accurate diagnosis and care planning.
- Followed NHS procedures and protocols to safely prepare drips and transfusions.
- Established positive rapport with patients and families through active listening and compassionate care.
- Administered oxygen and medication to achieve optimum health outcomes.
- Worked closely with fellow nurses, doctors and clinicians for consistent communication and continued best care practices.
- Quickly responded to medical emergencies, working calmly and professionally under pressure.
- Upheld patient trust and confidentiality by managing information with discretion, in accordance with data protection laws.
Health Care Assistant
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Frimley, Surrey
11.1999 - 02.2004
- Vigilantly monitored changes in physical and mental health, reporting deterioration to senior carers for urgent attention.
- Aided service users in everyday activities, such as washing and dressing, ensuring constant safety and effective care.
- Worked closely with nurses to maintain high levels of communication.
- Demonstrated consistent respect and privacy for care users, maintaining dignity irrespective of circumstance.
- Supported clinical staff to complete health assessments.
- Completed care documentation and monitored patient progress to achieve up-to-date records.
- Maintained confidentiality and compliance standards for optimised patient care.
- Minimised care continuity issues by keeping thorough, accurate records.
- Optimised patient satisfaction through compassionate, considered care and communication.
- Assisted in all aspects of personal care, retaining comfort and dignity.
- Worked professionally with caregiving teams and hospital departments to maintain continuity of care.
- Completed documentation of care, hospital actions and patient activities for up-to-date client records.
Education
Nurse Independent & Supplementary Prescriber NMP V300
University of Surrey
Guildford, Surrey08.2019
Diploma of Higher Education - Nursing Studies
University of Surrey
Guildford, Surrey02.2004
Skills
- Pain management techniques
- NHS clinical and operations experience
- Direct patient care
- Clinical care planning
- NMC-registered
- Specialized treatment plans
- Compassionate bedside manner
- Chronic Pain specialism
- Admission avoidance
- Service signposting
- Holistic care
- Drug prescribing
- Clinical assessment
- Service development
- Infection control and prevention
- Patient observations
- Patient assessment
Professional development
- BPS Headache Special Interest Group conference - Nov 2025 - Royal College of Anaesthetists, London
- Appraisal November 2025 (due) - Frimley Park Hospital - Frimley Health NHS UK
- Botox Therapy for Chronic migraine. Theory and Practical application - Oct 2025 - Abbvie Ltd Clinical Educator
- Keep Calm and Carry on Prescribing - June 2025 - Virtual half day V300 update
- Chronic Pain Nurse Voicemail and telephone follow up service Clinical Audit/Service evaluation - Oct 2024 - Frimley Health NHS UK
- The 16th Annual Royal Marsden Opioids, Cannabinoids and Gabapentinoids conference - November 2023
- BPS Headache Special Interest Group conference - Oct 2023 - Royal College of Anaesthetists, London
- Quest webinar series - Hot topics in peripheral diabetic neuropathy - Oct 2023 - Grunenthal Ltd, Webinar
- The PREEMPT Paradigm and its practical application - update - Sept 2023 - Abbvie clinical educator
- 'Inside Track' meeting - Headache specialist practitioners - Sept 2023 - Lundbeck Ltd
- Virtual Non-Medical Prescriber Study day - Jan 2023 -
- Optimizing solutions in peripheral neuropathic pain - Oct 2022 - Grunenthal Ltd, Webinar.
- Headache Academy - Jan 2022- Royal College of Physicians - London UK
- Immediate Life Support - Jan 2022 - Frimley Health NHS Trust - Frimley, Surrey UK
- When and how to follow the pain, with BOTOX for chronic migraine: an opportunity to learn, understand and share best practice - June 2021 - Allergan Medical Institute - Webinar
- Spinal pain and work: Best practice from prevention to rehabilitation - March 2021 - RSM Webinar - London UK
- Pain of trauma and the trauma of pain: The long road to recovery - Jan 2021 - RSM Webinar - London UK
- Virtual consultations: Making them work well for your patients and you - Nov 2020 - RSM Webinar - London UK
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Chronic Pain: Essential Skills for a New Era - Nov 2020 - Contextual Consulting Virtual 2 day course
- The pathophysiology of chronic migraine: what has a decade of BOTOX treatment taught us? - Sept 2020 - Allergan Medical Institute meeting- Webinar
- New developments in the pharmacological management of chronic pain: Problems and possibilities - Jan 2020 - RSM London UK
- Chronic Migraine Nurse Masterclass - 2018 - University of Warwick (Allergan) - Warwick, Coventry UK
- Making Every Contact Count - 2017 - Frimley Health NHS Trust - Frimley, Surrey UK
- Clinical Audit - 2014 - NHSBT - Bristol, Avon UK
- Venepuncture and Cannulation - 2012 - Frimley Health NHS Trust - Frimley, Surrey UK
- Customer Care and Managing Complaints - 2011 - Frimley Health NHS Trust - Frimley, Surrey UK
- Developing and Understanding Interpersonal Relationships - 2011 - Frimley Health NHS Trust - Frimley, Surrey UK
- Mentor Preparation Programme - 2010 - University of Surrey (EIHMS) - Guildford, Surrey UK
- Manual Handling Lead - 2009 - Frimley Health NHS Trust - Frimley, Surrey UK
- Effective Team Leadership - 2009 - Frimley Health NHS Trust - Frimley, Surrey UK
- Intravenous Drug Administration - 2004 - Frimley Health NHS Trust - Frimley, Surrey UK
Timeline
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Pain)
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
10.2014 - Current
Clinical Lead
NHS Blood and Transplant
04.2013 - 10.2014
Post-Anaesthetic Care Unit Nurse
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
10.2004 - 10.2014
Staff Nurse Band 5 (Rotation programme)
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
03.2004 - 10.2004
Health Care Assistant
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
11.1999 - 02.2004
Nurse Independent & Supplementary Prescriber NMP V300
University of Surrey
Diploma of Higher Education - Nursing Studies
University of Surrey