A new Clinical Suite for IV (intravenous) interventions has been officially opened today (Tuesday 24 May) in memory of Team Lead Nurse Leon Talbot, a much-loved and well-respected member of staff at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, who died last year following a short illness.
Leon was instrumental in the drive to establish a treatment room where patients, who would normally have to go into hospital for IV Iron Infusions, could be seen safely and much quicker in the community.
Donna Roberts, Deputy Director of Operations/Community Division for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Leon was always challenging me ‘why can’t we treat these patients in the community and save them having to go into hospital’.
“Before he passed away, Leon had been working closely with Dr Shelley Raveendran Consultant in Acute Medicine, to develop a pathway that would allow this to happen.
“Sadly, he died before he could see his vision come to life. We felt it was only right that we named this new treatment room The Leon Talbot Clinical Suite in his memory.”
The Leon Talbot Clinical Suite, which is located at Hollybank House, was officially opened by Professor David Loughton CBE, Chief Executive of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, with Leon’s family, friends and colleagues in attendance.
Professor Loughton said: “The first time I came to Hollybank House I had the pleasure of meeting Leon. He was such a great character and I’m sure a sad loss to everyone who knew him.
“He was a big advocate for the delivery of care for people at home or in the community and he delivered this care to a high standard. It has been an honour to be asked to officially open this new clinical suite and a fitting legacy to such a committed colleague.
It will be a fantastic new addition to services delivered in the community for people as Leon wanted.”
Rob Elson, Leon’s partner, said: “I just want to thank everyone who was involved in looking after Leon at the end and in setting up the suite in Leon’s name.
“He would have been so proud for this to happen – he was always talking about ways to keep people out of hospital. It’s a lovely long-lasting legacy.”
The new pathway was developed as part of the work led by the Walsall Together Partnership to provide care closer to home and out of hospital where possible. As part of this pathway, patients who are identified as having low haemoglobin levels, and would usually be treated in hospital, can be referred to the Care Navigation Centre and treated at Hollybank House by the Clinical Intervention Team.