Isle of Wight NHS Managers Win Award

Isle of Wight NHS Managers Win AwardCongratulations to a team of Isle of Wight NHS managers who have managed to scoop first place in the regional Health and Social Care Awards hosted by South Central Strategic Health Authority.

Sitting in our inbox this morning is news that The Excellence in Commissioning Award has been presented to NHS Isle of Wight’s ‘Prioritisation in Commissioning’ Project at an event held at Blenheim Palace.

This is the eighth year that The Health and Social Care Awards have been celebrating excellence and innovation in health care in the UK.

What’s it for?
So why have the Island team been given this award? Well, they have been very busy working on the The Island’s ‘Prioritisation in Commissioning’ Project.

Working in association with researchers from the London School of Economics, the projects aim is to reduce mortality rates on the Island from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

They have also been committed to the health and well being of our youngsters on the Island.

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.”

Well done to everyone involved for winning this award. We understand that the project is also going to be considered by a national judging panel chaired by David Nicholson, Chief Executive of the NHS the results of which wil be announced at a high profile event hosted by the Secretary of State in London in July 2009. Best of luck to the team for this.

Image: Jim Easton, Chief Executive, South Central Strategic Health Authority, Helen Shields, Director of Commissioning, NHS Isle of Wight, Dr Jenifer Smith, Director of Public Health / IOW Chief Medical Advisor, NHS Isle of Wight, Mara Airoldi, London School of Economics, Robin Seiger, Guest Speaker