‘Hospital at Home’ team honoured ahead of NHS’ 75th birthday
East and North Hertfordshire’s Hospital at Home team has been celebrating after winning a regional category in the 2023 Parliamentary Awards, following a nomination by local MPs.
The Hospital at Home service has been nominated for the Excellence in Primary Care and Community Care Award, after being put forward by Oliver Heald MP and Stephen McPartland MP.
The East and North Hertfordshire Hospital at Home service supports patients to avoid hospital admission where possible by remaining in their own home, while still receiving the care that they need.
The service is provided by doctors, nurses, therapists and pharmacists, and includes face-to-face nursing care and therapy, as well as remote monitoring services for a range of conditions for up to two weeks.
Patients receive a personalised plan based on their needs and use a combination of services and technology to be monitored at home.
Winners have been chosen across 10 regional categories, with each now going forward to the national awards in London on July 5 – the NHS’s 75th birthday.
The ceremony will be held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster, London.
Dr Elizabeth Kendrick, Medical Director at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, said: “I’m delighted Hospital at Home has won this regional category for the Parliamentary Awards.
“We know that receiving hospital-equivalent care in your own home can help maintain independence, avoid hospital-related complications and help speed up recovery.
“This award recognises the incredible work our team deliver and further supports this innovative service that 4,000 NHS patients in Hertfordshire have already benefited from.”
Sam Tappenden, Director of Development at East and North Hertfordshire Health and Care Partnership, said: “As we continue to develop and expand Hospital at Home, it’s very encouraging to see the wider community recognise the team’s hard work.
“This is a great example of how integrated care across partners can deliver an award-winning service for patients in Hertfordshire and help transform the way we provide care.”
Dr Tim Walker, deputy medical director at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust said: “The Hospital at Home initiative means that patients with certain conditions can go home sooner from hospital with all the clinical support they need – which many people tell us they would prefer.
“By doing this, it also means that we can care for more people who require treatment that they can only get in a hospital.”
Dr Edward Morris, medical director for the NHS in the East of England, said: “These awards highlight the amazing work that NHS staff and volunteers carry out across the East of England – including urgent and emergency care, helping people in mental health crisis, to helping new mums with breastfeeding support and advice.
“Their tireless commitment and outstanding care are heart-warming, and I’m delighted to see our dedicated staff and teams recognised in this way.
“I’d like to congratulate every single one of the winners, and to thank all the MPs who nominated them.”