A top Lanarkshire nurse has revealed that skills refined at the frontline of health and social care steeled her through a punishing SAS challenge – and saw her crowned the event’s super trooper.

Ultra fit Trudi Marshall won the most outstanding participant award for physical fitness, resilience and leadership shown during the gruelling 48 hour Border Reiver challenge.

The event saw military fitness enthusiasts from a variety of backgrounds endure lung-busting wilderness marches with heavy packs, sleep deprivation, river crossings, mock capture and interrogation.

Of the 23 athletes who set out, only 13 – including tough nut Trudi, one of two female contenders – managed to successfully complete the challenge.
And she’s put it down to her caring touch.

“Because of my profession, I’m trained and able to respond rapidly to a change in any situation,” said Trudi.

“I was definitely able to draw on that and tap into those strengths when the going got tough.”

Among many aspects of care, Trudi has played a leading role in the development of Hospital at Home which spans North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships.

Trudi, who has recently been appointed associate nurse director for Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire continued: “In my nursing capacity, you may be in a situation where a patient’s condition changes rapidly, for example. You need to assess, set down a plan and implement really, really quickly – with a calm focus.

“I think I was able to translate those skills across to the situations we encountered during the weekend.”

Calum Campbell, Chief Executive of NHS Lanarkshire, said: “The commitment, dedication and focus of our staff and partners is the driving force behind the provision of safe, person-centred care.

“The resilience, leadership and skill shown by Trudi, no matter the task or challenge, personifies this very sentiment.”

Read the whole story here: http://www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk/news/news/Pages/Trudi1.aspx