Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy Teams have been shortlisted for in The Future NHS Award Category of the NHS Parliamentary Awards, having ranked ahead of all other South East nominees in their category. From nearly 700 nominations received, shortlisted nominations will now be put forward from each region and invited to the national awards ceremony next summer.
The team were nominated by Dr Ben Spencer due to their innovative approach to providing treatment and rehabilitation, having relocated the musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy classes out of the hospital and into River Bourne Health Club in 2019, becoming the first team of its kind to provide rehab in a commercial gym. By moving rehab away from a hospital setting their aim is to increase confidence in using community gyms and increase patients’ motivation and positivity to self-manage.
The team had also been piloting video consultations and were in advanced planning for digital classes prior to the pandemic, resulting in the team being able to not only continue to deliver expert care and treatment throughout the pandemic, but also continue training programmes, and support other departments.
Commenting, Dr Ben Spencer said:
I am absolutely delighted that the St Peter’s Physiotherpy teams have been shortlisted for this award. It is fantastic recognition for what they and their colleagues have achieved despite the difficult circumstances this year, delivering continued treatment and support within the community, and supporting other services across the hospital, through innovation and ambition. This is thoroughly deserved and I wish them the very best of luck for the national awards next year.
