Winners
St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospital NHS Trust Cancer Services Team
North West
Acutely aware that any delays to cancer treatment could have severe adverse effects on outcomes for current and future patients, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals Cancer Services Team established the Surgical Cancer Hub at St Helens Hospital, providing a rapid, co-ordinated response to the delivery of essential and urgent cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between May 2020 and July 2021, the Surgical Cancer Hub received close to 300 referrals for urgent cancer treatment throughout the first three waves of the pandemic, for patients from right across the northwest. These were patients where it was critical that they received timely intervention. Had the Hub not been in place, due the suspension of services across the country, there would have been catastrophic delays to their treatment. The Surgical Cancer Hub was then to develop into one of the first reporting Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) in the country, and since July 2021, St Helens CDC’s activity has reached over 12,500 across a range of diagnostic modalities.
Nominated by: Rt Hon Sir George Howarth MP, Conor McGinn MP, and Marie Rimmer MP
The Excellence in Mental Health Care Award
Sponsored by
Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service
London
When COVID-19 hit the capital in early 2020, our staff identified the need for emergency mental health services for those suffering an acute crisis. The existing model of care was not working because people suffering an acute mental health episode were often reluctant to attend emergency departments (EDs) for fear of contracting COVID-19.
The 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS) based at St Pancras Hospital has transformed emergency care for people in mental health crisis, by offering them a specialist emergency service away from EDs, where their needs are more quickly and effectively met by dedicated teams. On 23 March 2020 and as the UK went into lockdown, our brand-new MHCAS opened its doors to help treat the first patients – just seven days after getting approval for the service to go ahead
Overall, we have seen an 11.8% reduction in the last year of people requiring inpatient mental health admissions as a result of the service, with nearly 70% of people rating it as either Very Good or Good. There have been nearly 10,000 referrals to the service since it first opened – many of whom would otherwise have attended a hospital ED.
Nominated by: Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB QC MP
HOPE Adult Eating Disorder Provider Collaborative
South West and South East
The HOPE (Healthy Outcomes for People with Eating disorders) Adult Eating Disorder Provider Collaborative has pioneered the implementation of a revolutionary new and compassionate treatment model for people suffering with extreme, life-threatening eating disorders. It is a collaborative of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, and the Priory, working together to provide the highest level of patient care. By focusing on the patient and their wider circumstances, the collaborative enables people to recover and thrive close to their home, friends, family and as part of their community.
Nominated by: Robert Courts MP, Anneliese Dodds MP, Laura Farris MP, Sarah Green MP, Dr John Howell OBE MP, Rt Hon Theresa May MP, Rt Hon Maria Miller MP, Layla Moran MP, Victoria Prentis MP, Matt Rodda MP, Greg Smith MP, Siobhan Baillie MP, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP and Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP
Crisis Triage Car
North West
Joint partnership working between Mersey Care, North West Ambulance Service, Merseyside Police and British Transport Police has been second to none. The triage car team helps responses with a mental health professional who supports with the service user’s issues, during what is often a challenging crisis period within a community setting. The specialist mental health skills allow for assessment, treatment and pathway support at the initial point of crisis. Since its introduction a safer response is provided by assessing the person at the scene and diverting them somewhere aligned to their issues, therefore supporting effective use of Section 136 of the Mental Health Act and reducing detentions under the Act.
Nominated by: Dan Carden MP
The Homeless and Vulnerable Person Outreach Service
London
The Homeless and Vulnerable Person Outreach Service team was formed in May 2020. This was in response to the 'Everyone In' government policy initiative, implemented to provide temporary accommodation for everyone experiencing rough sleeping and a range of other forms of homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary aim of this initiative was to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on people facing homelessness and prevent deaths. The team successfully managed to connect and build relationships with historically non-engaging patients or patients not registered with The Greenhouse Practice (Hackney), Newham Transitional Practice (Newham), or Health E1 (Tower Hamlets) within two years, while providing health-related interventions, improving their quality of life, and making access easier. The team also looks after asylum seekers across the boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, and City & Hackney and refugees under the Afghan resettlement scheme in the City of London. The HVPOS team is proud to say that they have been laying the foundations to address health inequalities in primary care and improve access for anyone struggling with rough sleeping or any other forms of homelessness.
Nominated by: Dame Meg Hillier DBE MP
Reaching the digitally excluded in their homes through the provision of digital techonology
Midlands
From seeing the benefits digital technology was bringing to our patients, we identified that many people were excluded from these benefits due to barriers such as lack of access to equipment and digital skills. To overcome these barriers, we supplied easy to use equipment and suitable digital support.
We were nominated as this work has such a significant impact to those previously digitally excluded people, who are now enjoying many benefits, including increased access to care and reduced social isolation.
Nominated by: Rt Hon Amanda Milling MP
SHELLS SOS Bus
East of England
The SHELLS (Shelter & Health EnListing Local Support) SOS bus is an outreach model, designed to support the homeless community in North East Essex and operates with partner agencies to provide access to Health, Advocation, Mental Health Nursing, Social Prescribing, Housing Authority Outreach teams, Drug and Alcohol support and signposting to all other local services.
The SOS Bus is an Innovation of service delivery – working on a taboo subject that has not been hidden behind closed doors, but taken to the heart of the community to provide wrap around support. There is no appointment made, no judgement, just instant support and access to services that makes a huge difference to the resident.
The outcomes from the project have reduced inequalities for some of the most vulnerable people in our community, whilst bringing together partner agencies to deliver a one stop shop approach to crisis, which has been quoted by the recipients as saving their life!
Nominated by: Giles Watling MP
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team
South West
The Devon system Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team is leading the way in the South West to support people from all communities to access good healthcare and ensure staff from diverse groups have equal career opportunities in inclusive working environments. Partnership working with local populations saw over 50,000 people from diverse communities receive their Covid-19 vaccinations. The trust that is building between communities and statutory services is reducing health inequalities to ensure everyone in Devon lives longer, happier, healthier lives.
Nominated by: Luke Pollard MP
Admiral Nurses
South West
We’re Great Western Hospital’s two Admiral dementia specialist nurses, working both within the hospital and in the community of Swindon. We represent the charity Dementia UK and our main role is providing support to families and carers who are caring for an individual with a diagnosis of dementia and by supporting best practice throughout the Trust to enhanced person centred care. We’re delighted to receive this award on behalf of our service but also for the carers who are the real heroes providing exceptional care in often complex circumstances.
Nominated by: Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland KBE QC MP
Margaret Harris
London
Domestic Services Manager Margaret Harris and her team have throughout the pandemic played a vital role in ensuring we can deliver safe, effective care and helping us to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the hospital.
When COVID-19 arrived in the UK, the work of the domestics increased significantly and there was a constant demand for rooms, side rooms and wards to be cleaned or deep cleaned as the hospital managed varying patient cohorts and separated patients with COVID-19 from those who didn’t have the virus.
Margaret is always quick to deliver whatever is demanded of her and her team and she does so without any complaint. Whenever more scrubs are needed, she provides them without fuss. When we need a transfer team to get covid patients from one part of the hospital to another, she does so quickly and efficiently – a team made up of a nurse, a porter and cleaner working together to ensure patients are moved safely and quickly. She is an inspiring leader who supports her team to deliver the very best care.
Nominated by: Tulip Siddiq MP
The NHS Rising Star Award
Sponsored by
Alice Hendy
South East
Alice lost her brother, Josh, in November 2020 to suicide. After examining Josh’s devices, Alice found Josh had been researching techniques to take his own life via harmful internet searches. To ensure support is provided to individuals in crisis and searching for harmful content online, Alice set up R;pple; a digital tool, which if a user searches for harmful content, they will be guided through breathing exercises and then calmly presented mental health services accessible now longer term.
Nominated by: Dame Caroline Dineage DBE MP
Jackie Thompson
North East and Yorkshire
Jackie worked for NHS for over 47 years, as domestic supervisor, senior supervisor, assistant manager to Hotel Services Manager for the RVI.
Two years of a pandemic was particularly difficult Jackie was challenged managing hundreds of outbreaks and thousands of Healthcare Associated Infectious cleans, but always managed a smile, good humour and made time for her team. Leading from the front as a true leader should, well respected by peers, managers infection control and the 420 + staff Jackie managed.
Nominated by: Chi Onwurah MP