25 June 2012
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been shortlisted for three national awards in the 2012 Health Service Journal (HSJ) Efficiency awards. This is only the second year the HSJ Efficiency awards have taken place, in which NHS organisations are recognised for implementing innovative new ideas and initiatives that improve patient care and are more efficient. There are 15 categories covering efficiency in areas from energy and transport through to service redesign. The Trust has been shortlisted in three categories; Efficiency in Administration and Clerical Services, Efficiency in Acute Service Design and Efficiency in Medicines Management. The three projects which have gained the shortlisted positions are: • The redesign of the day case unit in Rheumatology services based at the Royal Hallamshire hospital. This project was started to improve the flow through the outpatient environment and improve throughput in the day case unit, to reduce variation, improve patient experience and reduce resource requirements. This has resulted in a reduction in waiting times for patients, improved quality of service and achieved cost savings of up to £90,000 per year. • The Sheffield Frailty Unit has been set up to ensure elderly patients get the most appropriate urgent care that they need. The new Frailty Unit enables older patients to return to the comfort of their own home much sooner with care being provided by staff in the community. • Systematic Medicines Optimisation. This project aimed to improve the quality of care to patients, eliminate inefficient practice and ensure cost effective medicines utilisation. This work has helped the Trust’s direct medicines budget see a cost saving of over £4.4million in 2011/12 due to a more efficient use of drugs and reducing drug wastage. Susan Naisbett who has been a patient at the Rheumatology clinic for over five years said: “It’s very impressive that you are seen so quickly, there is no waiting around. My husband used to drop me off and go home for an hour or so, but now he just waits with me. The staff are exceptionally professional and very helpful, I couldn’t ask for a better service.” Sir Andrew Cash, Chief Executive of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Our staff work hard to provide the very best quality care but it is also important we make the most of the resources we have and so we are constantly looking for areas of innovation and service improvement both in our hospitals and community health services. Being shortlisted for three national awards is a testament to the teams drive and dedication and I am delighted their efforts have been rewarded in this way.” The winners of the awards will be announced at a ceremony that is scheduled to be held in London on the 25th September. Ends
