Two specialist hospital teams from Bradford who have been shortlisted for three national healthcare awards considered the ‘Oscars’ for the sector.
The HSJ Partnership Awards celebrates health professionals where good practice and innovative programmes are celebrated among NHS staff and commercial colleagues.
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the Bradford Royal Infirmary, St Luke’s Hospital and the district’s community hospitals, has had two teams nominated after impressing the HSJ judges.
The Rheumatology and Transformation team has been shortlisted in two categories for their revamped Rheumatology Nurse Advice Line which was implemented alongside IT partners, Dr Doctor.
The team was shortlisted for the ‘Best contribution to improving the efficiency of NHS services’ award and ‘Most effective contribution to improving care for those with long-term conditions’ prize.
Consultant Rheumatologist, Kavitha Nadesalingam, said: “This work which was led by Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Catherine Short and I, along with support from the trust’s transformation team, has transformed our rheumatology advice line service.
“It has reduced waiting times by redirecting calls that would have otherwise come through to our CNS team to patient resources, thereby reducing our call back time and helping patients quicker.
“It has improved patient experience, safety and education and we are really proud of what we have achieved.”
The Trust’s Responsive Emergency Assessment and Community Team (REACT) service which provides an Acute Palliative Care Virtual Ward with daily Emergency Department in-reach has been shortlisted for the ‘Best contribution to the improvement of urgent and emergency care’ award.
This work which sees the hospital team working alongside colleagues from Marie Curie Bradford, aims to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions in the last year of life and ensure patients are cared for in the community and in their own homes, which is where they tell the service they want to be treated.
Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Clare Rayment said ‘I am delighted the collaboration between Marie Curie and Bradford Teaching Hospitals has been shortlisted for this national award as the best contribution to the improvement of urgent and emergency care.
“It is a reflection of the dedication of the staff delivering REACT and those colleagues working in our Emergency Department.”
The Rheumatology Nurse Advice Line has also attracted interest from other hospital trusts across England who are keen to adopt a similar, successful service for their patients, as it is replicable within other NHS departments.
The HSJ Partnership awards ceremony takes place on March 25, 2025.
