This year’s prize giving ceremony was presented virtually by TV broadcaster and GP Dr. Hilary Jones on Thursday 10th December. The HB Awards are staged each year to recognise excellence and innovation in the NHS.

The Ambulance Service of the Year Award goes to the trust that has embraced change and demonstrated a decrease in response times, the ability to provide treatment at the scene of an accident, and the provision of outpatient services; with the nomination coming from the magazine’s own editorial and research team.

This nomination relates to the East Lancashire Falls Response Service Team, the collaboration of a paramedic and an occupational therapist who respond to non-life threatening 999 calls for falls, so that patients can be treated at home without having to go to hospital or can be referred to an appropriate community service. They wrap services around the patient – for ongoing support in order to help prevent further falls.

The partnership between NWAS and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has seen 83% of patients (almost 5000) treated by the team. It was particularly important during the first wave of the pandemic to relieve the burden on hospitals.

Paramedic Gail Smith who’s been on the car since the beginning said, “I’m absolutely delighted and very humbled we’ve picked up this award. The work the team does is so important, keeping more patients at home; where they’re more comfortable and want to be, whilst also saving other NHS resources. I’m incredibly proud to be involved and of the success we’ve had.

NWAS Chief Executive Daren Mochrie commented, “I’m so pleased to have picked up this award. It makes it even more special because we did not put ourselves forward for this, which shows other people and organisations are seeing the fantastic work we do, especially that of the falls team in Burnley. This is a great initiative which puts patient care right at the heart of what we do – ensuring they have a better experience and outcome without compromising on the care they receive.

“I want to thank the team and everyone else for their hard work, in what’s been an extremely challenging 2020. I’m tremendously proud of the efforts of all staff and the professionalism and determination shown this year, and I hope they can all enjoy in the success of this award.”