Belinda adds Silverware to her Gold Collection. Sometimes it seems our wonderful hobby is a full time occupation. But many Surrey Harmony members manage to find the time to squeeze in very busy careers and very successful as well.

Front row lead Belinda Wigmore has been given national recognition for her job as a Community Matron. Not only has she added the silverware to her collection of Sweet Adelines accolades, but she also got a night out at the post Grosvenor House Hotel in London where she was presented with a trophy for patient-centred care from TV presenter Rob Rydon. Belinda tells her story below

“I was the first Community Matron in Croydon. It’s a fairly new role, and the scheme has attracted a lot of media attention as it’s designed to be a new and innovative way of promoting health and keeping people with long term medical conditions out of hospital. My job is to try and prevent unplanned hospital admissions. In Croydon I do that by having my own “virtual ward”. I know that might sound a bit strange, but the idea is that the patients under my care are “admitted” to my ward so I can mange their health care plan. As well as educating them on the best way to look after themselves I am also involved in clinical assessment, thereby reducing the need for them to see their own GP. The idea is that I will be also to prescribe them drugs even give them hypnotherapy. The very idea of that may make my fellow members of Surrey Harmony laugh, but it’s a serious health care option for some patients. .

It’s a very busy job, but I am lucky in that I see a broad range of patients from young adults to the elderly. All of them have one thing in common – their health means they are potentially at risk from having to attend A&E. If I can help prevent that from happening it means that there is more time and resources to deal with other emergencies. Croydon were nominated for four Health Service Journal Awards – they are the “Baftas” of the health service really – so the whole team was proud and delighted our hard work was recognised. The night at the Grosvenor was also a great chance to appear on stage in a dress that wasn’t Surrey Harmony red as well!”