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March: Fiona

Fiona Milner works for Lincolnshire Community Health Services as a specialist nurse within the safeguarding team, as Domestic Abuse Lead. After qualifying as a nurse in 1984 she became midwife, then health visitor and mental health practitioner. In her current role she trains staff within the trust on domestic abuse, supports staff in dealing with disclosures from patients, staff and carers, and ensures they follow best practice guidelines. She is involved in the local domestic abuse joint working groups with partner agencies, and is an active Royal College of Nursing member on the Women’s Health Forum.

What's the best thing about your job?

The feeling of making a difference; if a health worker has engaged with a patient, utilised their training on domestic abuse and enabled them to move away from abusive situations or when there are opportunities to influence the wider domestic abuse agenda locally or nationally, I get  a real feeling of having made an impact for good, which is what most people want to achieve I guess.

What do you see as the role of Health services in the response to domestic abuse?

Health workers are ideally placed to respond to domestic abuse situations, they have access to many strands of the public not just those in hospital or presenting  with injuries indicative of possible domestic abuse.  Asking the question either in routine enquiry or indicator based asking is embedded in our Trust and has enabled us to respond to many victims/survivors who would have gone unsupported or not been aware that they were being abused – such as in cases of coercion and control.

What keeps you going when the work gets tough?

A good team, supportive managers and recognising the need for a bit of self-care.

What are you most proud of so far?

Two things equally: 1. I found out from a researcher that my policy for supporting staff affected by domestic abuse was held up at a TUC Conference as an example of good practice – wow! and

2. Working on the RCN Resource Pocket Guide for Domestic Abuse which is now out and in circulation with excellent practical information for health staff who need  quick on the spot information.

I love my job and feel so proud when I get time to reflect on it like now.

 

Do you know a professional who has gone above and beyond to change the response to domestic abuse and keep survivors and their families safe? Nominate someone for Star of the Month by emailing communications@safelives.org.uk with ‘Star of the Month’ as the subject line

Back to Stars of 2019