Aqua Programmes are Shortlisted for Two HSJ Awards

We are thrilled to announce that two of our programmes have been shortlisted for an HSJ Award!

The North West Hospital Handover Improvement Collaborative has been shortlisted for the Patient Safety Award, and our work to increase the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in Salford has been shortlisted for the Innovation and Improvement in Reducing Healthcare Inequalities Award.

Aqua CEO Sue Holden said:

“It’s fantastic to see recognition for the work that each of these programmes has delivered. The teams involved have overcome immense challenges to create real positive change for people across the North West, and I’m delighted that this has been recognised in the HSJ Award shortlists”

Using asset-based community development to increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccine in Salford

Working in partnership with Salford City Council Public Health, Salford’s five primary care networks, and local community organisations, we collected and used community insight to rapidly design and deliver drop-in COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinics targeted to communities with high levels of vaccine hesitancy.

11 vaccination clinics were delivered to specifically targeted socio-economic and demographical groups within Salford. The programme was instrumental in overcoming deep-set vaccine myths within these communities, with the lead vaccinator at one clinic for the Black African Christian community stating that there were more vaccinations delivered in one day than in the previous six months.

Ambulance Handover Improvement: System collaboration to improve patient safety during the winter of crisis

Along with the North West Ambulance Service and NHS England, over the winter of 2022/23 we worked in partnership with the North West’s three Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and patients to co-design the North West Hospital Handover Improvement Collaborative. The collaborative had the aim of reducing 60 minute handover breaches by 50% by 31 March 2023.

The collaborative events provided a safe space for teams from the region’s 26 Emergency Departments (EDs) to share ideas, support each other and learn with the shared goal of reducing ambulance handover times. It was fantastic to see 23 of the 26 EDs make improvements against the target, and a total reduction in 60 minute handover breaches of 47%, all whilst navigating the most challenging winter period in NHS history.

Helen Kilgannon, Aqua Associate Director, said:

“I am incredibly proud of the Aqua team and our partners, who have worked tirelessly on both of these programmes with the goal of improving hospital handover times  for people across the North West. To be shortlisted for an HSJ Award is an incredible and well deserved achievement, and a great recognition of  the work of the partners and clinical teams across all services . A massive well done to everyone involved.”

The HSJ Awards are a prestigious set of awards, given to those delivering outstanding efforts and achievements in healthcare across the UK. We have been shortlisted with a selection of brilliant organisations and teams, and we are honoured to have been named alongside them.

The awards ceremony date will take place on 16 November 2023 in London, and we are incredibly excited to attend what is sure to be a fantastic evening.