Nottinghamshire paediatric physiotherapy team 'thrilled' after picking up prestigious HSJ award

A physiotherapy team based at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has been named as the winner of the Respiratory Care Initiative of the Year category in the HSJ Value Awards 2021, details of which were announced at an event in Manchester at the end of last week.

The children’s community respiratory physiotherapy team (including rapid response) supports children with complex neuro-disabilities and severe respiratory difficulties by providing specialist, rapid assessment and treatment in the community. 

The five team members, whose patients have life-limiting conditions and are at risk of life-threatening chest infections, aim to improve the children's quality of life, while reducing hospital admissions, visits to emergency departments and the length of hospital stays.

As a team, we have continued to provide patient care throughout Covid-19 and are delighted to have been able to prevent hospital admissions and keep patients at home [Moira Flanigan]

Physiotherapist and clinical lead Moira Flanigan said: 'We are absolutely thrilled to have won a HSJ Value award. As a team, we have continued to provide patient care throughout Covid-19 and are delighted to have been able to prevent hospital admissions and keep patients at home.'

Trust chief executive John Brewin said: 'We are incredibly proud that the work of our children’s community respiratory physiotherapy team (including rapid response) has been recognised. This is a fantastic achievement and highlights the hard work the team have put in to continue to provide patient care through the pandemic.'

What the HSJ said:

'The Children’s Community Respiratory Physiotherapy Service ... was established to improve outcomes, quality of life and experience for children with complex disorders, in line with the NHS long term plan. The 120 children and young people on the caseload across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have life-limiting conditions and are at risk of life-threatening chest infections.

'The team work together using their exceptional assessment, treatment and management skills of the acutely unwell child to prevent hospital admissions, allowing families to remain together within their own home, reducing A&E attendances and admissions to hospital.'

The HSJ Value Awards 'celebrate the work driving operational, financial, and clinical improvements across the healthcare system'. The work of 149 teams and organisations was celebrated at last week's ceremony, with the announcement of the winning entries having been delayed for several months because of the Covid-19 pandemic.