Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Double Winner at NHS Wales Awards 2011

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1 Newyddion News Newyddion News Newyddion News Newyddion News July 6, 2011 Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Double Winner at NHS Wales Awards 2011 Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is celebrating today (July 6, 2011) after winning two NHS Wales Awards for its innovative work to improve care for patients. The health board s work in improving training for staff to deliver better foot care services for patients scooped the Developing a Flexible and Sustainable Workforce award. Success also came in the Working Seamlessly Across Organisations category when a project working with GPs to improve care for patients with skin conditions by using telemedicine was recognised as best practice. The double win, announced in a ceremony at the All Nations Centre, Cardiff this afternoon, repeats last year s success at the NHS Wales Awards when Cardiff and Vale University Health Board also won two awards. Jan Williams, Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: We are all hugely proud of not only our two winners but all five shortlisted projects. To put forward 26 examples of innovative work for this year s NHS Wales Awards, and for five of the UHB s teams to be in the running, was such an achievement in itself and testament to the excellent work being carried out across the Health Board. Congratulations to all of those involved in both the Teledermatology and Podiatry projects. They are great examples of the Health Board s commitment to putting patients first. Page 1 of 5

2 Andrew Lewis, Director of Innovation and Improvement for the UHB, said: The Health Board is continually looking at ways of making the best use of our resources to deliver the best possible care for our patients. These two winning projects have not only made a difference to the lives of patients in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, their innovation and efforts will now hopefully be replicated by our colleagues in other health boards so that the benefits of this work can be felt in communities across Wales. Dr Richard Motley, Consultant Dermatologist, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, who led the project which won the Working Seamlessly Across Organisations award, said, We are delighted to win an NHS Wales Award which is great recognition for the work we have been doing to improve care for patients with skin conditions. We are now hoping to roll out the service to all GPs to ensure as many patients as possible can benefit. The NHS Wales Awards are presented to organisations that have showed innovation, best practice and achievement in healthcare to improve the care and services provided to patients across Wales. More than 130 entries were received and the judging panel had a tough task in deciding on the eventual winners of the six award categories. NHS Wales Chief Executive David Sissling, who presented the awards, said, The NHS Awards recognise the innovative work that is being done by our healthcare staff every day to ensure we provide the best possible care for patients. "The high quality of the entries is an impressive reflection of the professionalism of our staff and their commitment to safe, efficient and compassionate care. These are excellent examples of best practice which will be shared across Wales. They are a tribute to all staff involved." The NHS Wales Awards were launched in 2008 to celebrate the 60 th anniversary of the NHS. National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare (NLIAH) Director Dr Alan Willson, who leads the NHS Wales Awards, said that the standard of the winning work demonstrates world class ambitions and achievements. He said, The NHS Wales Awards are a great opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate good practice that has helped to transform health care. The high standard of winning work from across Wales demonstrates that patients are benefiting from well designed and successful improvements to give them the best possible experience and outcome.

3 This is the fourth year that we have held these important Awards and it is inspiring to hear about yet more examples of excellent healthcare continuing to be developed and delivered right here in Wales. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board s Winning Projects Developing a Flexible and Sustainable Workforce- Improving Foot Care Services Neglected toe-nails are an all too common problem that can lead to foot pain, infection, ulceration and mobility problems. Many people struggle to care for their feet due to sight impairment, arthritis or an inability to reach, yet there is no nail trimming service available as part of NHS podiatry services. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, in partnership with Age Concern and the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, decided to develop a training course for people to deliver foot care for patients at low risk of developing complications. A new accredited programme was developed including the creation of a checklist to be used with the patient to ensure the most appropriate course of action is taken. Around 168 people have attended the training programme from nursing departments, residential care homes and special schools. Age Concern has provided 222 appointments over nine months in three clinic sites across Cardiff & Vale. Judging the award, Rhian Huws Williams, Chief Executive Care Council for Wales said, This transformational model is really about partnership working. It has the potential to be rolled out across Wales as a partnership between all sectors. The approach ensures patients are receiving an effective service as soon as they need it, improving their quality of life, helping them maintain their independence and dignity and of course also preventing more costly treatment at a more acute stage. Working Seamlessly Across Organisations - Teledermatology Improving GP education in dermatology and, through triage and waiting list management, improving patient experience A project to improve GP knowledge and understanding of dermatology using telemedicine has improved care for patients with skins conditions in Cardiff and the Vale.

4 Between 15% and 20% of all GP visits are patients with skin conditions yet very few GPs receive any dermatology training either in, or after, medical school. With large numbers of patients in primary care, and few specialist dermatologists in secondary care, many patients have endured long waiting times for specialist treatment or been placed on a waiting list when they could be managed by the GP. Cardiff and Vale Health Board decided to develop a project that would link local patients and GPs with specialist dermatologists at the Welsh Institute of Dermatology. Telemedicine is used to provide rapid access to a consultant who, after reviewing digital photographs with a brief history, reports back to the GP, advising on treatment and management, and allowing them to continue to manage the patient in the community The consultant also identifies patients needing a hospital visit and links with coordinators to organise an appropriate out-patient appointment, based on the severity of the case. Consistently 70% of replies offer advice for the GP to continue managing the patient in primary care, thereby saving 700 out-patient appointments in 2009/10. Judging the award, Jo Farrar, Chief Executive Bridgend County Council, said, This is a fantastic project which has involved primary and secondary care working together to improve efficiency, effectiveness and most importantly the patient s health and experience. It has resulted in fewer referrals to hospital, reduced waiting times and rapid access for urgent cases. Notes to editors: ENDS

5 Picture captions: Picture 1: Nursing Assistant Ruth Farrant receives supervision in foot care for her patient, from Specialist Podiatrist Maureen Hillier. This project to train and accredit other healthcare professions in basic foot care was shortlisted for an NHS Wales award in 2011 Picture 2: Dr Meryl Ellis, a GP in the Ely Bridge Surgery, takes a photo for referral to teledermatology. For further information, please contact Alison Watkins on or info@alisonwatkinscommunications.com For a full list of NHS Wales Awards winners please visit the NLIAH website at -end- For more information contact: Marie Concannon PR Officer Cardiff and Vale University Health Board T: E: marie.concannon@wales.nhs.uk