Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

A team of healthcare workers have received national recognition for a project they have been working on, which would allow patients to be assessed and treated without having to go into hospital.

The Caerphilly Community Resource Team (CRT) won the Ignite Patient Flow Competition at the Nursing Times Awards, which were held virtually earlier this month.

The CRT, which is made up of around 300 health and social care workers – including 200 carers – is run by the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Caerphilly County Borough Council.

CRT member Charlotte Leonard, a rapid response nurse, put her team forward for the award.

The competition called on healthcare workers to share their ideas on how to improve the experience of patients through the healthcare system.

The team’s winning project aims to reduce the need for emergency care patients to go into hospital, by allowing them to have access to rapid assessment and treatment at home.

Joanne Milliken, the council’s Integrated Service Manager, said: “We are delighted that Charlotte and the team have received the award. 

“We are very proud of Charlotte and the carers for taking this idea forward and putting it into practice to help the individuals we work with stay in their own home and avoid unnecessary hospital admission. 

“It is a great example of integrated working.”