A scheme to support rough sleepers has made it through to the finals of this year’s HSJ Patient Safety Awards.
Nominations are judged on the impact that they/their project has had on patient and staff experiences within the health and social care sector.
The collaboration between Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Bolton Council and several partner organisations to support the most vulnerable members of Bolton’s community, has been shortlisted in the category of ‘Best Partnership Solution Improving Patient Safety’.
The project sees nurses from the Trust’s outreach nursing team work with colleagues at Bolton Council, St Johns Ambulance and others to support rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness with a fortnightly ‘treat on the street’ project.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Environmental Services Delivery, Cllr Adele Warren, said: “This is well deserved recognition of the hard work our teams put in to help some of the most vulnerable in the community.
“Officers from the council work closely with nurses and partner organisations through the Bolton Homeless Alliance partnership to reach out to rough sleepers and those at risk of becoming homeless.
“Together they provide an invaluable service to help people on the streets and tackle the issue of rough sleeping.”
The Trust has also made it to the finals in the ‘Urgent and Trauma Care Safety Initiative’, for radiographer led discharge of patients from A&E.
This initiative has meant patients attending A&E with minor injuires can be discharged from X-ray without having to return to A&E, reducing the time spent at the hospital by an average of 47 minutes and improving patient experience in the process.
Fiona Noden, Chief Executive at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust added: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for not one but two HSJ Patient Safety Awards, recognising the collaborative efforts and dedication of our staff members over the last 12 months.
“We are committed to delivering improved outcomes for our patients, and to be chosen among the other incredible nominees is a wonderful achievement. This nomination has been a tremendous boost to staff at the Trust during these unprecedented times, and I am sure it will bolster our continued efforts to improve our services.”
The full list of nominees for the 2020 HSJ Patient Safety Awards can be found on https://awards.patientsafetycongress.co.uk/2020-shortlist.
Winners will be selected ahead of the ceremony, which will take place virtually as part of the Patient Safety Virtual Congress and Awards in November 2020.