Trust shortlisted twice at HSJ awards

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, which runs mental health, physical health and learning disability services for people across Hampshire, has been shortlisted twice at the 2021 HSJ Awards, recognising their outstanding contribution to healthcare.  

The Trust’s 111 MH triage service, which offers a single point of access to an integrated crisis care pathway was shortlisted under the Mental Health Innovation of the Year category. Southern Health’s work using video technology, vital during the height of COVID-19, was also shortlisted in the Digitising Patient Services Initiative. 

The NHS 111 Mental Health Triage service is an 'all age' mental health crisis service delivered by South Central Ambulance Service, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and other local NHS organisations. Covering Hampshire and Isle of Wight region, the service improves access, experience and outcomes for people in mental health crisis. It also reduces inappropriate ambulance dispatches and attendances to Emergency Departments, and ensures people get the care they need.

In the Digitising Patient Services Initiative category the Trust’s Technology Team was shortlisted for its work in implementing Video Appointments. Not only did the work reduce the average waiting time for an appointment from three weeks to one, but also helped create an additional 41,357 appointments. Missed appointments were reduced by 6% which has saved the Trust around £2.1m. A 14% reduction in travel costs has also saved some £400,000. 

Paula Hull, Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals: “I’m delighted with both teams that have been shortlisted and we will continue to work with local people and partner organisations to ensure we get the right mental health support to people when they need it. Alongside this the introduction of video appointments has been hugely beneficial for some patients, families and carers as they can more easily attend appointments and can involve their loved ones in their own care meetings more regularly now.  We will continue to offer choices to people who prefer other modes of communication and your feedback in how we shape future services is welcomed”

Now in its 41st year, the HSJ Awards is the largest annual benchmarking and recognition programme for healthcare. Through a rigorous, fair and transparent judging process the awards produce a roll call of the best organisations, teams and people in the NHS and the wider health sector. The full list of finalists for the 2021 HSJ Awards can be found on https://awards.hsj.co.uk/shortlist-2021. Winners will be selected ahead of the ceremony, which will take place virtually in November 2021.