A project from Bath to help patients go home from hospital has been chosen to represent the South of England in a prestigious competition to mark the NHS’s 70th birthday.
As regional champion in The Excellence in Urgent and Emergency Care category, they will now vie with other regional winners from across England for a national award to be presented at a special ceremony in the Palace of Westminster in July.
The NHS70 Parliamentary Awards, sponsored by IBM and Teva, recognise the massive contribution made by the individuals who work in and alongside the NHS.
Launched in February, it asked the region’s MPs to find and nominate those individuals or teams they thought have made the biggest improvements to health services in their constituencies across ten categories. Home First (Bath) was nominated by Bath MP Wera Hobhouse.
From over 750 entries, senior experts chose four outstanding nominations in each category, which exemplify the best of what the NHS and its partners do day in, day out.
Home First was launched by the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust in 2017 and aims to reduce the length of stay for patients who are clinically well enough to leave hospital, but who might need extra support to return to their usual place of residence.
Kerrie Hopson, RUH Home First clinical lead, said: “We are thrilled and honoured to be recognised for our work and nominated for this NHS national award.
“Home First is a real team effort, a system wide project requiring health, social care and third sector colleagues to work together to improve discharge.
“It’s rewarding to know we’re all working with the shared goal of getting more patients home, on their feet, and regaining their independence”.”
Clare O’Farrell, Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Home First team member said” “Each of the team is inspirational in their desire to get more patients home from hospital, focused on the needs of each individual patient and their families.”
Rachel Pearce, Director of Commissioning Operations, NHS England South West said: Congratulations to Home First who have been recognised for the innovative service they are providing to help reduce the length of time patients stay in hospital.
“By working closely with colleagues in the community they are providing real continuity of care for patients, helping speed their recovery and maintain their independence. I wish them luck in the national awards.”
All of the champions will now be invited to the national awards ceremony, which will be held on 4th July, the day before the NHS’s 70th birthday.
The ceremony will be hosted by Dr Sara Kayat, NHS GP & TV Doctor best known for This Morning, Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls and GPs: Behind Closed Doors.
The regional champions will now go forward to a final stage of judging by a panel including the leaders of Royal Colleges, the Unison trade union, and the Patients Association – collectively representing millions of health and care workers and patients.