News

We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for ‘The most impactful project addressing health inequalities’ at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2023 for our work with Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust to help improve asthma care, in particular for underserved communities. A number of organisations have contributed to the success of this project including University of Huddersfield, Third Sector Leaders Kirklees, Al-Hikmah Centre, Neighbourhood Matters and Ravensthorpe Community Centre.

The project examined the barriers that prevent ethnic minority groups from accessing the care they need. It uncovered myths and misconceptions surrounding asthma such as the belief that it is infectious, or that it is a psychological disease.

The HSJ Partnership Awards recognise and honour the most effective partnerships, innovative projects and collaborations in the UK health system. The prestigious award programme, now in its sixth year, is not just a celebration of success stories but also a platform to shape the future of our new integrated health and care system.

The judging panel comprised a diverse range of highly regarded figures across the NHS and wider healthcare sector. To be shortlisted as a finalist for these awards, despite tough competition from a pool of brilliant applications, is a mark of real achievement.

This project has been selected based on their diligence, ambition, and the positive impact that it has had on both practitioners and patients within the health care industry. It is vital to address some of the communication inequalities that contribute to poorer outcomes for those from minority ethnic backgrounds and those with learning difficulties. Working in collaboration with Dr Llinos Jones, respiratory consultant at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the project highlighted the importance to develop a suite of innovative multilingual, multimedia, culturally targeted resources for patients who have poor health literacy in order to support asthma self-management. These resources have been co-produced with the support of patients and healthcare professionals following a thorough evaluation of the needs of these communities. At the heart of this work is the training of local respiratory champions who spread accurate health management information from a grass roots level.

Kathy Scott, Deputy CEO at Yorkshire & Humber AHSN comments, “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award. We are committed to delivering improved outcomes for patients, and to be chosen among the other incredible nominees is a wonderful achievement. Working in collaboration with our NHS partners, academia, innovators and third sector organisations is critical to help identify, develop and implement solutions that can benefit patients, healthcare staff and the communities we serve.

Being shortlisted for a HSJ Partnership Award has ensured that this vital initiative that can help improve asthma care and outcomes for so many people is nationally recognised and the team’s efforts and relentless work is celebrated”.

HSJ editor Alastair McLellan comments: “We would like to congratulate everyone involved in this initiative on being nominated in the category of ‘The most impactful project addressing health inequalities’ ahead of HSJ Partnership Awards 2023. We are looking forward to welcoming them to the ceremony in March, to join us in recognising the very best collaborations and innovations in the healthcare sector. This year’s finalists are of an outstanding calibre and all of them are exceptionally dedicated to enhancing healthcare across the UK.”

The winners will be selected following a rigorous judging stage ahead of the HSJ Partnership Awards 2023 awards ceremony. The awards evening is expected to be attended by national healthcare leaders and professionals from both the NHS and private sector as well as figures from non-clinical backgrounds to celebrate innovation and collaboration in healthcare.

The full list of nominees for the 2023 HSJ Partnership Awards can be found at https://partnership.hsj.co.uk/finalists-2023/

The selected winners will be announced during a private ceremony at Evolution London, on 23 March 2023.