A team of NHS managers from the Island have scooped a first place in the regional Health and Social Care Awards hosted by South Central Strategic Health Authority.

The Excellence in Commissioning Award was awarded to NHS Isle of Wight’s ‘Prioritisation in Commissioning’ Project at an event held at Blenheim Palace.

The Health and Social Care Awards are run in partnership between the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement and the Department of Health and are open to NHS organisations, social services, the voluntary, charity and independent sectors. Now in its eighth year, the Health and Social Care Awards are designed to celebrate excellence and innovation, and share ideas that improve the lives of patients, service users, carers and staff. 

The Island’s ‘Prioritisation in Commissioning’ Project involved working in partnership with researchers from the London School of Economics in running a number of events to explain the desire of the local NHS to reduce mortality on the Island from a number of key diseases and conditions.  The project focussed on cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and improving the health and well being of children on the Isle of Wight.

Responses from the events held showed the interventions which offered the greatest benefits and produced some innovative approaches to problems such as asthma, demonstrating the health benefit of all health professional working together and engaging with patients.

Dr Jenifer Smith, Director of Public Health / IOW Chief Medical Advisor and member of the winning team said: “This was one of three teams from the Island shortlisted for the regional finals – a great achievement in itself.  We are delighted to have been awarded the Excellence in Commissioning Award for the prioritisation work.  On behalf of the team I would like to thank everyone who participated in this innovative project and attended the events held.”

Dr Smith continued: “As a result of the project, one of the service design changes taken forward for people with respiratory disease has already seen emergency asthma admissions on the Island fall by 50 per cent.   I hope this gives confidence to Islanders that we are commissioning services on their behalf to a very high standard.”

The ‘Prioritisation in Commissioning’ Project will be put forward for consideration by a national judging panel chaired by David Nicholson, Chief Executive of the NHS which will be announced at a high profile event hosted by the Secretary of State in London in July 2009.

The Island’s Sexual Health Innovative Education for Learning Disabilites (SHIELD) project, which has already won a number of national awards, was shortlisted for the People’s Award for Dignity in Care and the One Link project led by the IW Council was shortlisted for the Adopt, Adapt and Improve Award.

Notes for Editors

For further information:  Contact the NHS Isle of Wight communications team on 01983 534184 or 552003.    Further information about health services can be found at www.iow.nhs.uk or www.nhs.uk.

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