A local nurse has been awarded bronze as Urology nurse of the year at the prestigious British Journal of Nursing awards.
Claire Evans is a Community Urology Clinical Lead Nurse Specialist at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. She had been shortlisted for her tremendous work raising awareness, both among the general public and among fellow health professionals, of the dangers of ketamine misuse in society. Initially her work took her to local high schools, colleges, prisons, youth clubs and children’s charities. Its success continues to grow.
Ketamine is a powerful anaesthetic that can be used safely in controlled medical settings. However, it is also open to being abused as a recreational drug for its hallucinogenic effects. Abuse and misuse can cause significant health complications.
Claire explains, “I identified this critical gap in health education regarding the devastating urological impact of ketamine misuse and started to develop and deliver awareness sessions in my spare time. Not a lot of people recognise the risk of lifelong disability and potentially fatal outcomes that misuse of ketamine can result in.”
“After my initial success I was invited to join a Ketamine Harm Reduction Group. This collaboration enabled weekly educational sessions and engagement with a broader professional audience, including GPs, Safeguarding teams, Family caseworkers, Youth Justice and Paediatric services.”
According to government statistics, ketamine use among adults increased sharply over a period of ten years. In 2012/2013 117,000 adults between 16-59 years old reported using ketamine. This increased to 299,000 in 2022/2023. The increase was noticed most starkly among teenagers and young adults aged 16-24 from 55,000 in 2012/13 to 222,000 in 2022/23. It has stayed at a similar level since.
“I’m very proud that my work significantly contributes to urology nursing,” Claire says, “by pioneering essential preventative education, filling an apparent gap in public health, and establishing a model for harm reduction. The greatest value from my work has been the feedback I have received from patients and their families for supporting them through their journey.”
“I may not be able to reverse the implications of ketamine misuse to the individuals affected, but being able to support and guide them through their journey is of real value. Families state they are encouraged by the fact I am raising awareness, ensuring others do not end up in the same devastating situation.”
Sarah Peers, head of operations for neighbourhood-based care, said: “On behalf of the Trust, we are very proud of the work has Claire has been conducting locally to raise awareness of the issues around ketamine misuse. Education is the best way to inform people of the dangers associated with this drug, dangers that often fly under the radar when compared with other recreational drugs. We wish her the very best of luck at the award’s ceremony!”
As for what the future holds for Claire’s work – she is clear that she wants to build on her work with young people.
She said, “My plan is to develop a Model of Proactive Care (Ketamine Champion Model) and health prevention education whilst raising awareness for young people. This will enable clinicians to identify “red flags” surrounding recreational ketamine use whilst recognising early signs and symptoms of ketamine abuse in young people and able to offer symptom control medications. Clinicians will also be able to provide preventative education and signpost to relevant support services. Anything that improves health outcomes for young people can only be a good thing.
