UHBW and local partners win gold awards at national HSJ Partnership Awards

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised in the national HSJ partnership awards, winning two gold awards.

The Innovative Partnership Workforce Solution to Support Endoscopy Training Lists took home both the Best Healthcare Provider Partnership with the NHS Award, and the Staffing Solution of the Year Award.

The work is a collaboration between Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB, North Bristol Trust, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston FT, Health Education England, NHS England, InHealth Group, InHealth - Prime Endoscopy and the South West Endoscopy Training Academy (SWETA).

As demand for gastrointestinal endoscopy continues to rise, so does the importance of planning and training a future endoscopy workforce.

With training of future endoscopists limited by current acute endoscopy unit capacity, this innovative approach offers an alternative option to support and accelerate endoscopy training and increase capacity that ultimately supports patient care.

Dr Steve Dixon Consultant Gastroenterologist and Endoscopy Lead for UHBW and Trudy Reed Consultant Practitioner in Endoscopy for UHBW and Clinical Endoscopist Training Lead for SWETA, said:

“We are delighted to involved in this collaborative effort between endoscopy leaders at UHBW, NBT, SWETA and InHealth, and glad it was recognised for its pioneering approach to expanding endoscopy training.

“The programme has already trained four clinical endoscopists in key diagnostic procedures with further trainees currently in programme.

“The collaboration will see rapid expansion in clinical endoscopist numbers as the region seeks to increase resource and ensure patients can receive care when they need it.”

Dr Ana Terlevich, Clinical Lead for Endoscopy at North Bristol NHS Trust and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, said:

“We were thrilled to receive these two awards for the training of our clinical endoscopists across Bristol.

“This has been such a great collaborative project working with our NHS colleagues and those in the independent sector and we are so proud of the clinical endoscopists who have come through the programme.”

 Jeff Farrar, Chair of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB, said:

"It is great to see local health and care services receive national recognition for their exceptional dedication and collaborative efforts. Their innovation and commitment to delivering top quality services are invaluable assets to the local health and care system and population we serve”