Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum came together yesterday to celebrate the work of NHS staff who have gone above and beyond in their field, at the annual NHS Parliamentary Awards held in London.

This year’s winners include, The Proactive Care Team at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust in the North East and Yorkshire region, who won The Excellence in Primary Care and Community Award for their proactive and collaborative approach to finding and supporting people in central Bradford who require healthcare but may not be having all their needs met.

The team have worked hard to bring together 11 disciplines in a co-ordinated approach to quickly provide support with, for example, diet, physiotherapy, medication, mobility, mental health or dementia care. The Proactive Care Team have been successful in improving the lives of patients and significantly reducing A&E attendances and unplanned hospital admissions as well as reducing health inequalities.

The team’s pioneering approach sees it proactively seeking patients through health data and case load review, as well as case finding through accident and emergency departments and visiting community centres to let local people know about the support that’s available.

Additionally, this blueprint offers a place-based approach to reduce impact on primary and secondary services, as well as reducing risk and cost, focusing on population health needs. Consideration is now being given to how this model can be expanded across Bradford.

Dr Hamish McLure, Regional Medical Director at NHS North East and Yorkshire, said:

“I am delighted to see Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust recognised as worthy winners within The Excellence in Primary Care and Community Award category at this year’s Parliamentary Awards. The work they have undertaken is outstanding and is already making such a difference to patients.

“I would like to offer my huge congratulations to the Trust and team behind this fantastic work.”

Therese Patten, Chief Executive, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“We’re delighted that the initiative has been recognised in the national awards. The proactive care team takes a very different approach, bringing together health disciplines from a range of organisations that work together to anticipate people’s needs, so they can stay well, ideally at home. This preventative approach is part of the wider work to address health inequalities across our communities.”

The ceremony was held in the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in Westminster and was attended by NHS staff from across the country, including Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive Officer of NHS England as well as Members of Parliament including the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting MP, Victoria Atkins MP, Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary and Helen Morgan MP, Liberl Democrat Health Spokesperson.