NNUH team shortlisted for efficiency award

A multi-disciplinary team from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has been shortlisted for a top efficiency award by the Health Service Journal magazine.

The HSJ Efficiency Awards 2011 are being held in London on 14th September and the university hospital has been shortlisted in the category of Efficiency in Clinical Support Services for developing a single electronic referral system that helps therapy and support services plans better for patients who are being discharged from hospital.

The single point of referral system helps reduce delays in patients getting access to the clinical therapy and support services they need. Such services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and dietetics as well as social workers and community health services. The system has improved care and reduced delays for patients.

In April 2010 the hospital had an average of 55 patients per day delayed in leaving the hospital, by April 2011 that had declined to an average of 31, a 45% decrease. The single point of referral system has improved the visibility, responsiveness and communication between teams during the discharge process, which has clear benefits for patient safety and effectiveness.

Over 90% of patients now have their social work assessment completed within 6 days of referral, compared to 31% in April 2010. The number of patients waiting more than 6 days for a community liaison team assessment has halved from 17% to 8%.

Chief executive Anna Dugdale said: “I’m delighted our team has been shortlisted for this HSJ Efficiency award. We have a good track record of innovation in Norwich and we're constantly looking for opportunities to improve the quality of care we provide. The challenge for health and social care over the coming years is to work together in partnership to improve the quality of the services we provide whilst reducing the cost.”

The inaugural HSJ Efficiency Awards aim to promote organisations that demonstrate strategies and initiatives that have tangibly improved efficiency and cost savings, while maintaining the highest levels of patient care and staff morale.

The health service has to deliver £20bn of efficiency savings by 2015. Trusts are being tasked with delivering more for less, with the focus firmly on maintaining quality and reducing costs through efficiency savings.