The Care Home Education Support Service in Cumbria, and the Digital Services team who rapidly rolled out online consultations for patients at the start of the pandemic, are among the innovators shortlisted in this year’s Bright Ideas in Health Awards.
Both teams are part of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).
Innovators that have helped to transform patient care over the last few years are to be recognised as the Bright Ideas in Health Awards finalists are announced.
The Cumbria Care Home Education Support Service (CHESS) are finalists in the ‘Celebrating Innovation Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic’ category.
They have really gone above and beyond to provide support throughout the unparalleled distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to care home staff, residents, and their families.
David StormAssociate director for access and community services
The original aim of the CHESS was to reduce the number of people from care homes admitted to hospital for avoidable reasons, by working closely with care home staff to improve their understanding of, and ability to support, people with dementia or mental health needs. But the team has been recognised for the additional emotional support they set up for staff in Cumbrian care homes during the pandemic.
The CHESS team developed regular group ‘sharing sessions’ and individual ‘debriefs’ for care home staff, as a place for staff to safely offload their feelings and to help them stay resilient throughout the pandemic.
David Storm, associate director for access and community services in North Cumbria at CNTW said: “I’m hugely proud that the CHESS team has been shortlisted for this award. They have really gone above and beyond to provide support throughout the unparalleled distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to care home staff, residents, and their families. Feedback from everyone has been incredibly positive, and this service has truly made a difference in very trying times.”
CNTW’s Digital Services team has also been shortlisted, in the ‘Demonstrating an Impact upon Patient Safety and/or Quality Improvement’ category, for their speedy implementation of online consultations.
The OneConsultation online consultations project allowed clinicians to continue to provide care during the pandemic when face-to-face appointments weren’t possible.
Gill SandersonHead of digital customer operations
Gill Sanderson, head of digital customer operations at CNTW, said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for a Bright Ideas in Health Award. It is a real testament to the team and their hard work implementing the OneConsultation online consultations project, which allowed clinicians to continue to provide care during the pandemic when face-to-face appointments weren’t possible.
“The glowing feedback from both our staff and service users speaks for itself.”
Now in its 17th year, the prestigious Bright Ideas in Health Awards will celebrate innovators that have stepped up to the challenges posed during the pandemic.
Dr Nicola Hutchinson, Chief Executive Officer at the Academic Health Science Network for the North East and North Cumbria (AHSN NENC), which organises the awards, said: “After the last 18 months, it’s inspiring to look back at some of the amazing health innovations that have come out of the region. We have some incredible finalists this year who are all worthy of recognition and celebration.”
The winners of the 10 categories will receive a cash prize and support from innovation experts at the AHSN NENC to progress their ideas. They will be announced at the annual Bright Ideas in Health Awards ceremony, which will take place virtually on Thursday 25th November at 6pm.
To find out more about the Bright Ideas in Health Awards, visit: https://brightideasinhealth.org.uk/