We are delighted to announce that University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust has been shortlisted for two prestigious national awards.

Our pharmacy team are in the running for Improving Safety in Medicines Management, while the Quality Department have been recognised in the Changing Culture category in the 2021 Health Service Journal (HSJ) Patient Safety Awards.

The pharmacy entry highlighted multiple initiatives made by our High Cost Drug (HCD) team during the Covid-19 pandemic. They successfully improved safety monitoring and HCD access for 450 gastroenterology patients.

The Quality Department submission focuses on using Learning Teams to support staff with safety improvement.

Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive at UHCW NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted twice for the HSJ Patient Safety Awards.

“Both entries recognise the collaborative efforts and dedication of our staff members over the last 12 months to further improve the experiences of our patients and the people we serve.

“To be chosen among the other incredible nominees during such a challenging time is a wonderful achievement and testament to the work of everyone involved.”

The judging panel is made up of a range of influential figures within healthcare including Sue Smith OBE (Executive Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, University Hospitals Morecambe Bay FT), Rachel Power (Chief Executive, The Patients’ Association) and Dr Hester Wain (Head of Patient Safety Policy, NHS England and NHS Improvement).

Winners will be announced in September as part of the Patient Safety Congress and Awards in Manchester.

The Patient Safety Awards help drive improvements in culture and quality across the NHS by celebrating the teams and people putting safety first.