Innovative work to tackle health inequalities saw University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust triumph at the prestigious Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards.

UHCW picked up the Innovation and Improvement in Reducing Healthcare Inequalities Award for developing software that can ensure people are prioritised correctly while waiting for care.

Judges described the project as a great illustration of turning a national health inequalities policy into practice, saying ‘with a transformational approach at scale, it should be recognised for its impact and wider potential’.

UHCW Chief Medical Officer, Professor Kiran Patel, said: “We are delighted, this is tremendous recognition for all involved.

“This was the first time health inequalities has been included as a category and there were more than 100 entries, so to win the award was overwhelming.”

The tool assists clinicians to identify individuals on waiting lists who may have struggled with access to services – possibly due to factors such as living in higher deprivation areas – which could lead to higher risk of deterioration in their condition.

Consideration of such factors allows the Trust to continually improve patient experience as well as the health and wellbeing of our entire population.

Patients are treated in order of clinical priority but the Trust is using data to pinpoint people who may suffer more from waiting, such as those who have co-morbidities or where their employment may be affected.

Hosted by author and comedian David Walliams, the ceremony at Battersea Evolution Centre in London recognised outstanding contributions to healthcare.

More than 1,000 entries were received, which 140 judges from senior roles in the health service whittled down over two stages to decide the 25 winners and 24 highly commended.

UHCW was also shortlisted for Trust of the Year as well as the Place-based Partnership and Acute Sector Innovation categories for its musculoskeletal physiotherapy and eye emergency pathways respectively.

UHCW Chief Executive Officer, Professor Andy Hardy, added: “The fact that we were shortlisted for four categories in the HSJ Awards 2022 is testament to the dedication and expertise shown by our staff and hard-working teams, who go above and beyond to improve patient outcomes and quality of service and care.”

HSJ Editor Alastair McLellan said the finalists had shown commitment and dedication to making change.

“I’d like to offer my congratulations to UHCW,” he added. “Our awards programme are not just a celebration of success stories but also a platform to shape the future of the NHS.

“It is always so encouraging and heartening to see projects adapting, developing and improving their services with the vision of providing the very best in treatment for their patients.”