Health workers shortlisted for award

TWO innovative Suffolk healthcare projects have made the final of a regional award.

The Home Blood Transfusion Service and the Generic Workers project have both been short-listed in the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement's awards.

Suffolk Primary Care Trust (PCT) which up the projects is delighted its entries are in with a chance of winning the regional heat which will take place on April 29.

Since it was started up in 2003 the home blood transfusion service has treated 102 patients more than 700 times.

The service aims to improve patients' quality of life by preventing admission to hospital and allowing patients to remain in their own homes.

Karen Large, service lead, said: “Patients have told us that the service has helped them in many ways, such as making sure they can spend as much time with their family at a difficult time.”

Meanwhile the other scheme up for recognition is the generic workers project which employs staff who have knowledge of occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, mental health, pharmacy, podiatry and diets.

It was set up in 2004 in east Suffolk and now employs 95 multi-tasking generic workers who help mainly older people in their own homes.

Jane Benten, generic worker project coordinator, said: “There are an increasing number of individuals with health and social care needs living in the community and we saw a new approach was needed to meet their requirements.

“We are very proud of this project, which has been exceptionally well received by patients and staff alike. Making it to the regional finals of these awards will give staff a well-deserved recognition for their hard work.”

Have you benefited from the home blood transfusion service or generic workers? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.