Staff and volunteers working across the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria have been recognised in the shortlist for this year’s prestigious NHS Parliamentary Awards.

The annual awards, now in their fifth year, recognise the hard work and commitment of individuals and teams working across the health and care sector, in local communities.

In Lancashire and South Cumbria, teams working across the region were nominated in three categories following nominations by 11 local MPs, for going above and beyond to provide innovative and compassionate care to patients.

A panel of senior executives selected regional champions for their dedication to the health service and to the people they care for in their communities.

The following regional champions – which have all been led by teams from NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board – have been shortlisted for the national awards and will go head-to-head with others from across the country at an awards ceremony in London on Wednesday 5 July – the NHS’ 75th birthday.

• The Excellence in Health Care award: Cytosponge – improving the care and detection of oesophageal cancer in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus. Cytoprime1 successfully implemented a non-invasive detection device for oesophageal cancer in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus. It causes less discomfort than previous investigations and is less disruptive to people’s lives because it is a community service delivered close to home. The project is improving patient care, reducing pressure on hospital services and saving money.
• The Excellence in Mental Health award: Lancashire and South Cumbria Reproductive Trauma Service (Perinatal Mental Health). Lancashire and South Cumbria Reproductive Trauma Service (RTS) is a pioneering integrated approach working across maternity and mental health. Established by Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board in March 2022 and operated by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the service works with six trusts, service users and partners, the RTS offers assessment and intervention for women with severe or complex mental health, providing integrated psychological therapy, peer support and midwifery for those with PTSD following birth trauma, fear of childbirth or perinatal loss.
• The Health Equalities award: Lancashire South Cumbria Covid 19 vaccination programme. The Lancashire and South Cumbria COVID-19 vaccination programme worked in partnership with local authorities, volunteers, faith groups, and the social enterprise sector to reduce health inequalities. The campaign is focused not only on increasing the uptake of the vaccine amongst the population living within Lancashire and South Cumbria, but also to educate the public on all aspects of health and wellbeing, and teaching them how to live well.

Chief executive of NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, Kevin Lavery, said: “I am delighted to see this wonderful recognition of the work done by NHS staff in Lancashire and South Cumbria and would like to congratulate the teams behind all three projects for their nominations.

“The NHS Parliamentary Awards are a great way for MPs to help highlight the efforts that all NHS staff, carers and volunteers put in to make a difference to the lives of their patients.

“All the individuals from the Cancer Alliance team who have worked on the Cytosponge test, the team behind the Reproductive Trauma Service, and the many people involved in our amazing COVID-19 vaccination programme will, I’m sure, be humbled by the nominations and the appreciation that MPs demonstrate for their work.”

Regional director for NHS England North West Richard Barker said: “It’s great to see the outstanding contributions from NHS staff and volunteers in the north west are being recognised at this year’s NHS Parliamentary Awards.

“In the past year, we’ve seen incredible work to recover from the pandemic including reducing the backlog of NHS care, and continuing to deliver the biggest and most successful vaccination programme in our history – which have been recognised in these nominations.

“As we mark the 75th year of the NHS next month, it’s an even more significant time to thank and congratulate our incredible workforce who are continuously striving to provide the best care to our patients. Good luck to our regional champions.”