The Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy Team at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been named the South East regional winner for The Future NHS Award category in the NHS Parliamentary Awards.
The team were nominated by Dr Ben Spencer, MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, for their innovative approach to delivering treatment in the community and providing improved care options for residents.
One of the reasons for this nomination was for the MSK Physiotherapy Team and Runnymede Borough Council’s relocation of some physiotherapy services from St Peter’s Hospital to River Bourne Health Club, in July 2019. This move meant that the team was able to provide better facilities and equipment for their patients outside of a hospital setting, and would hopefully encourage patients to continue being active after their treatment has ended.
They were also recognised for their video consultations pilot and planning for digital classes before COVID, which meant they were able to continue providing treatment and training programmes throughout the pandemic, and offer support to colleagues at the Trust during this time.
The coronavirus pandemic, the greatest public health challenge in the NHS history has prompted a record number of nominations from MPs across the country who have sought to shine a light on the dedication of nurses, midwives, GPs, physios, pharmacists, healthcare assistants, porters, cleaners, and countless other staff who have contributed to the unprecedented response.
Ryan Mackie, Clinical Lead MSK Physiotherapy & Hand Therapy at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Receiving the South East Regional award for The Future NHS category and being shortlisted for a national NHS Parliamentary Award is a testament to all the team’s ability to think progressively and adapt to change. From a leadership team with a vision that many of our patients would be better cared for outside of the hospital and promoting healthy lifestyles to the MSK clinicians and admin staff that created a positive atmosphere for this project to succeed.
“The feedback gained from patients that they ‘no longer felt like a patient’ highlighted the value of de-medicalising our patients and helping them build the knowledge and skills to self-manage successfully. The MSK team’s adaptability excelled with our switch, within one day, to all virtual working from day one of lockdown with virtual rehabilitation classes available by week two. This enabled us to see over 7000 virtual patients since March and provide our patients with the high level of care they deserve during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Suzanne Rankin, Chief Executive at Ashford and St Peter’s Trust, said: “I’d like to congratulate the MSK Physiotherapy team for their South East Regional win in the NHS Parliamentary Awards and for being shortlisted in the national awards in the Future NHS category.
“Their innovative relocation of physiotherapy services into a community setting has been met with such positive feedback from patients and given them the confidence to continue attending gyms and health clubs even after their course of physio has ended.
“The team had also been piloting virtual clinics since October 2019, which meant they were well ready for the shift to virtual clinics when lockdown was announced later that month. The virtual appointments have been so successful, that going forward, remote appointments will continue to be a service we offer even once the pandemic is over.”
The team will now be invited to the national awards ceremony taking place in July 2021 in the House of Commons, where the overall winners will be announced.
Pictured above: MSK Physiotherapy Team
