A NURSE at a North-East hospital has been awarded a national fellowship to test new ways of preventing infection after day surgery.
Andrew Melling, a clinical research nurse at the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, has been awarded a Nursing Research Fellowship by the Smith and Nephew Foundation to fund the completion of his PhD studies at Teesside University.
His research looks at preventing post-operative wound infection by applying a warm air blanket, or warming dressing to the patient before and after surgery.
Patients will be asked to record the progress of wound healing and their wounds will be assessed over six weeks.
Mr Melling said: "I am delighted to have won this award.
"I hope that the research will show that warming is an alternative to prophylactic antibiotics and look at reasons why warming may reduce infection rates."
Mr Melling will receive his award at a reception, in London, on October 31
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article