NHS Newham CCG shortlisted for HSJ ‘CCG of the Year’ award

A programme to improve health and wellbeing in Newham has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

NHS Newham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has been shortlisted for the Health Service Journal’s (HSJ) CCG of the Year award, as a result of the Newham Partnership Programme.

Each year, the HSJ recognises, celebrates and promotes the finest achievements in the NHS, and showcases them to the health service’s most influential leaders.

This year, the HSJ awards received 1,500 entries spanning 22 categories and the Newham Partnership Programme with NHS Newham CCG was one of the few to make the shortlist.

The Newham Partnership Programme is run collaboratively by Newham CCG and UCLPartners. Launched in 2013, it aims to accelerate understanding of how to improve the health of people in Newham and put ideas in to practice to make a real, long-term difference.

Focusing on local health priorities including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, low birth weight and GP development, the programme has successfully developed and implemented a range of initiatives which are improving the lives of those in Newham and beyond.

Its successes to date include:

• Significantly increasing the emotional resilience of young people in the borough through a peer-mentoring programme
• Supporting people at risk of developing diabetes to improve their health and wellbeing
• Reducing to zero the number of young people with diabetes admitted to A&E through the development of a peer support group
• Setting up feeding groups and resources to support new parents – tackling the issue of low birth weight babies
• Engaging practices serving highly deprived communities in collaborative systematic quality improvement projects.

Commenting on the award shortlisting, Steve Gilvin, Chief Officer of Newham CCG, said: “We’ve been working hard in Newham to understand how we can effectively improve the health of those in our community. This unique programme has brought together academics and health professionals to develop and implement interventions that are making a real difference for Newham residents. We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for this award and have our work recognised in this way.”

Councillor Clive Furness, Mayoral Advisor for Adults and Health, said: “It is great news that a prestigious publication such as the HSJ has recognised this effort. The group is achieving real outcomes, working hard to protect the health and wellbeing of all Newham residents. I am proud of everything the CCG has accomplished so far and want to thank all the hard-working staff responsible for this recognition. Hopefully their efforts will be further rewarded at the awards in November.”

Professor Martin Marshall, who leads the general practice development work for the Newham Partnership Programme, said: “Through the work of the Newham Partnership Programme we have been able to support over 300 GPs in the area to improve ways of working, making experiences better for both staff and patients. Being shortlisted for this award is testimony to all the hard work carried out by primary care staff in the area and their ongoing dedication to improving patient care”

The winners of the HSJ awards will be announced on 22 November.

In October, the Newham Partnership Programme hosts a celebration event to share the outcomes and impacts of its work. Register for the event at newhampartnershipprogramme.eventbrite.co.uk