Future-proofing Healthcare Hero award announced

Published: 17 Jun 2022

The winner of the Future-proofing Hero Award has been announced today; congratulations to the Sustainable Respiratory Care Audit Team at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. In addition, the judges have also awarded a commendation to the Enhanced Care and Support Team at Bolton Hospital NHS Trust.

WINNER: Sustainable Respiratory Care Audit Team at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The team was recognised for their work improving care for individual patients while also reducing the environmental impacts of healthcare. Their nomination detailed how the project provided a structure for the audit of patients’ techniques, preferences and knowledge about inhalers, and the need for a clinical review – interventions that can reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare while improving the quality of care.

The judges agreed that it was an “important project that is taking into account improvements in patients care, as well as care for the environment,” and were impressed that it also reduced costs to the NHS.

COMMENDED: Enhanced Care and Support Team at Bolton Hospital NHS Trust. The team was commended for their work to improve dementia care in the Trust. The nomination details how the team has introduced sensory boxes on the wards and a discharge passport, as well as how they are working with the Integrated Discharge Team, ward and clinical staff and families/carers.

The judges thought this was a great project and were particularly impressed by how the team addressed every aspect of the challenge and went beyond the hospital grounds to connect with communities outside of the Trust. They described it as an ‘innovative approach with person-centred care, as well as care for healthcare staff’.

Full case studies of these projects will be made available on the HQIP website in due course.

Other award categories

The Future-proofing Healthcare Hero Award recognises clinical audits that are planning for or supporting practice in the future and is one of five categories in this year’s Clinical Audit Heroes Awards.

The winners of each award will be announced at a series of daily Lunch & Learn events, hosted by N-QI-CAN, on each of the award topics from 13-17 June. Details of these events (and recordings for those who wish to listen again, once they have taken place) – in addition to news of all the winners – can be found on the Clinical Audit Awareness Week webpage.

And don’t forget to join in the fun by sharing online, using #CAAW22!