A new service which has reduced waiting times for orthopaedic patients at a Midlands hospital Trust has been shortlisted in two categories at a prestigious awards ceremony in the health industry.

The therapy service at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital and community services, has been shortlisted in the Clinical Support Services and Trauma and Orthopaedics categories at the 2016 Health Service Journal (HSJ) Value in Healthcare awards.

The nominations relate to the introduction of an orthopaedic triage service which has had an extremely positive impact on patient care and waiting times within the Trust.

Julie Hunter, therapy lead for planned care at the Trust, said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for these awards as it is wonderful recognition for the collaborative work we are doing to make patient care and patient experience even better by reducing waiting times and providing a top quality service.

“We introduced orthopaedic triage in the acute setting using Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioners (APPs) last year in conjunction with the trauma and orthopaedic directorate. Three times a week we review all of the referrals for the trauma and orthopaedic department across the Trust and then provide appointments with APPs if it is felt that no surgical intervention is necessary.

“By doing this we have reduced the waiting times for the patients and helped the trauma and orthopaedic department in hitting its 18 week referral to treatment targets. It is a service we are really passionate about as it allows the patient to be seen by the most appropriate person in a timely manner.

“The patients have the opportunity to commence treatment at the assessment, some being offered injection therapy there and then and we have had very positive feedback from patients in terms of the intervention and information they have received. The consultants have been actively involved in developing the staff and are supportive in terms of what it has achieved and in helping to shape additional service developments moving forwards.”

The team will find out if they have been victorious at a special award ceremony at Manchester Central alongside the HSJ Value in Healthcare Congress on 24 May.