STAFF at Northfield’s Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are celebrating after being shortlisted for a major healthcare award.
The trust has been shortlisted for Acute or Specialist Trust of the Year at the HSJ Awards 2021 for the second time, recognising outstanding contribution to healthcare in an exceptional and challenging period across the sector. It was previously shortlisted for the same award in 2019.
Despite the demanding circumstances of the past 18 months, over 1,000 entries were received for this year’s HSJ Awards, with 205 organisations, projects and individuals making it to the final shortlist.
The judging panel was once again made up of a diverse range of highly influential and respected figures within the healthcare community, including Sir Bruce Keogh (Chair, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s FT), Marie Gabriel CBE (Chair, NHS Race and Health Observatory), and former HSJ Trust of the Year winners Ann Marr OBE (Chief Executive, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals Trust) and Richard Mitchell (Chief Executive, Sherwood Forest Hospitals FT).
Following the intense and in-depth judging process, the ROH was shortlisted, ahead of the official awards ceremony to be held on November 18.
Standing out amongst tough competition from hundreds of other exemplary applicants, ROH was selected based on ambition, visionary spirit and the demonstrable positive impact that we have had on both staff and patients.
ROH has provided support to the wider healthcare system throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
It has worked in partnership with colleagues at University Hospital Birmingham NHS FT and transformed from an elective hospital into a trauma centre, treating a number of UHB’s trauma patients to ensure the NHS in Birmingham could fight the virus effectively.
These patients were among the most vulnerable in the city and included patients with fractured neck of femur, spinal emergencies and those requiring traumatic hand surgery.
This was a huge change for ROH, but one which was met with great determination by frontline teams, who offered care and compassion to patients and delivered the amazing service the ROH is known for.
Trauma services have now been reinstated at UHB and ROH has opened its doors to treat elective patients once more.
The hospital is running a ‘Covid managed’ service which means they have taken every measure possible to prevent the transmission of the virus.
ROH transformed during the pandemic and played a vital role in supporting patients and can reflect on this with pride.
But the Trust has now returned to supporting the people of Birmingham and Solihull by offering life-changing elective surgery which reduces pain and restores independence.
Chief Executive, Jo Williams, said: “We are so thrilled to have been shortlisted for this award for the second time and delighted to have been recognised in this major category.
“It recognises the dedication of our colleagues who have worked so hard to successfully deliver outstanding care to our patients and support to our colleagues across the region.
“Knowing that there was such stiff competition this year really does make this announcement feel like a wonderful achievement for everyone involved and I hope this news will be a huge boost to all of you. Now to prepare for the judging.”
HSJ editor, Alistair McLellan, said: “On behalf of all my colleagues, I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on being nominated in the category of Acute or Specialist Trust of the Year in this year’s HSJ Awards.
“The applications we receive always present our panel of judges with a very difficult task as the standard is unfailingly high and the breadth of innovation and passion for patient care is always so inspiring.
“This year, we really have been overwhelmed with the level of entries, particularly when set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and the huge challenges faced by our health and social care workforce.
“We are therefore looking forward to welcoming all our finalists to the live ceremony in November and joining us in celebrating their incredible achievements and commitment to excellence.”
The winners will be revealed at the ceremony at Evolution, London, on November 18.
