West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership named Integrated Care System of the Year in national prestigious awards

West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership (WY&H HCP) was awarded the title of Integrated Care System of the Year on Thursday, 18 November, by the Health Service Journal (HSJ).

Comedian and presenter Sue Perkins, along with HSJ editor Alastair McLellan, announced the winners of 23 categories following a process involving two judging stages, 136 judges and 1,008 entries.

The achievements of 24 winners — and 186 finalists — saw WY&H HCP being recognised by the HSJ for a number of outstanding achievements after a year in which it faced its toughest ever challenges.

The judges recognised that the Partnership’s strength provides greater opportunities to deliver its Five-Year-Plan ambitions, ensuring people are given the best start in life, are able to remain healthy and age well. Working arrangements are co-produced by partner organisations - NHS providers, commissioners, local authorities, hospices, voluntary community social enterprises and communities. The politically led Partnership Board is supported by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and Local Resilience Forum.

Rob Webster CBE, and CEO for the Partnership said:

"I’m delighted the hard work, dedication, and commitment of over 100,000 colleagues, 400,000 unpaid carers and volunteers has been recognised.

They have worked tirelessly together at every level to deliver the best care and support possible to people in the most challenging of circumstances. This award belongs to each and every one of them."

Cllr Tim Swift MBE, and Chair of the WY&H HCP Board said:

"This award is well-earned recognition for the way we work together to deliver care with and for communities. The judges paid tribute to the whole of our workforce and the positive strides we are making to give everyone the best start in life with every opportunity to live and age well.

I’m particularly pleased to know that the judges recognised our ambition to reduce health inequalities, alongside our determination to tackle this head on. Receiving this award gives us all the boost we need at the present time."

The Partnership also received a highly commended for the System-Led Support for Carers Award for its COVID-19 Vaccination Programme for Unpaid Carers.

This saw 53,000 unregistered carers come forward to receive a vaccine during the pandemic, which enabled them to support loved ones and family, without fear of becoming too ill to care.

The Partnership was also shortlisted for Staff Engagement; Connecting Services and Information Award; and NHS Race Equality, alongside other organisations across the area including the Airedale Digital Care Hub which has become an invaluable resource to Bradford District and Craven (BDC) Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) for Digitising Patient Services Initiative.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust was also short-listed for three awards including for Patient Safety and Acute Sector Innovation of the Year. Congratulations also to Leeds Shielding Support Programme who were shortlisted for the Partnership with Local Government Award and were highly commended; and to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust shortlisted for the Environmental Sustainability Award. Leeds Children's Hospital and DigiBete CIC, DigiBete Diabetes App for Children and Young People were also shortlisted.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust were also shortlisted for Acute Sector Innovation of the Year for Transforming Outpatient Care and Digitising Patient Services Initiative for Transforming Outpatient Care.

All in all it was a good evening of recognition for all working in West Yorkshire and Harrogate health and care services.