Shine projects win awards in recognition of their innovative ideas to improve quality while saving money

Three more projects from our Shine programme have been recognised for their innovative ideas and work to improve quality while saving money.

Improving COPD management – University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust

The Shine project at University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust, led by Dr Simon Bourne, has won the HSJ Acute and Primary Care Innovation Award for its work in improving chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management.

To address the growing problem of twice as many admissions of COPD through the emergency department, as well as problems with management and diagnosis, the Shine team developed and implemented an educational package for primary care which consists of a standalone educational tool for practice nurses and GPs.

This work has led to a 50% increase in the diagnosis of patients suffering with COPD, coupled with reducing the rate of unplanned hospital admissions by a fifth for COPD through hospital outreach – carrying out home consultations with patients who had three or more emergency admissions.

Pre-pregnancy diabetes care – Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The prevention category in the HSJ and Capgemini Liberating Ideas Award has been won by the pre-pregnancy diabetes care Shine project team, led by Dr Paru King from Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Pre-pregnancy care (PPC) improves outcomes where used effectively. It involves supporting women to achieve tight glucose control, prescribing high-dose folic acid, and using medication that is safe in pregnancy. Traditionally this care has taken place in a hospital setting. The team recognised that visiting hospital can be impractical and stressful for some women. They developed an innovative community- based model of pre-pregnancy care (PPC) for women with diabetes.

The ‘teams without walls’ initiative means the service user is seen in the right place, by the right person, at the right time. They initially attend a consultation in the hospital or community, depending on clinical need and individual choice. They are then informed about the risks associated with diabetes and pregnancy, and how these risks can be reduced.

A personalised care plan is then drawn up and the woman is signposted to services across primary and secondary care. Once the woman is pregnant, she is seen in the antenatal service by the same team members, therefore providing seamless care.

Working Well – Salford Community Health

Finally the project team from Salford Community Health are the winners of the CSP Research in Practice award for their ‘Working Well’ project. The aim of the project is to tackle the problem and reduce the costs associated with sickness absence for NHS staff in Salford, concentrating on absence due to musculoskeletal disorders and related psychosocial problems.

The project, led by Victoria Dickens, wants to improve the health and wellbeing of staff and encourage a speedy return to work as well as reducing direct associated costs to the PCT.

Helen Crisp, Assistant Director of Research and Development at the Health Foundation said, ‘The Health Foundation is delighted to hear that more of our Shine project teams are being recognised for their innovative ideas and high standards of care. We congratulate the projects on their awards, wishing them continued success and are keen to share and spread the approaches that they have developed.’

Our annual Shine programme aims to stimulate thinking, activity and the development of innovative approaches that will improve healthcare quality. It gives teams the space and encouragement to try out, develop and evaluate new ideas.