Four projects shortlisted for top awards

Four innovative projects are in the running to win a prestigious Health Service Journal (HSJ) Value in Healthcare Award.

The Transforming Outcomes and Health Economics Through Imaging (TOHETI) programme – funded by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity and working across King’s Health Partners – is shortlisted in the ‘Improving the value of diagnostic services’ category for showing how imaging can improve patient care while contributing to cost-effectiveness.

New CT and MRI scanners, installed at Guy’s and St Thomas’ in Summer 2016, have increased imaging capacity and research in the TOHETI patient pathways of acute chest pain, colon and lung cancer, chronic headache, and scaphoid (wrist) fracture.

The TOHETI programme is also shortlisted in the ‘Obstetrics and gynaecology’ category for improving the information available to women who have had uterine fibroids, which can cause abnormal bleeding and pain.

Patients and clinicians were brought together to produce a short film and leaflet which have been distributed to more than 250 GP surgeries and 400 pharmacies in Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham.

They provide women affected by fibroids with an easy to understand, accessible way of understanding the condition and treatment options.

Irene, one of the patient contributors to the project, said: “I now feel I can make an educated decision on which treatment to get whereas before it felt I was on a wing and a prayer.”

Essentia, Guy’s and St Thomas’ estates, facilities and capital development directorate, is shortlisted in the ‘Improving the value of NHS support services’ with waste management contractor Bywaters.  

Our recycling rate has increased from 38% in 2013/14 to 56% in 2015/16 thanks to innovative schemes to make the Trust more environmentally friendly including 4,800 litres of used cooking oil from catering services being supplied every year to Uptown Oil, a local company which blends it to make biofuel to power black cabs and buildings.

Essentia is also shortlisted in the ‘Communications’ category for engaging and involving patients, local residents and staff throughout the planning, construction and opening of the new Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital which treated its first patients in September 2016.

Diana Crawshaw, who chaired the Cancer Centre Patient Reference Group, said: “Patients have been consulted at every stage and no decision has been made without us. Our views have been welcomed, listened to and acted on.”

In addition, King’s Health Partners are also shortlisted in the ‘Improving value in the care of frail older patients’ category for improving care for people with hip fractures.’

HSJ Value in Healthcare Awards winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on 24 May.