Business partnership awards for 2 Liverpool Hospitals

LIVERPOOL Women's Hospital and The Walton Centre have been named as winners at this year's NHS in the North Excellence in Supply Awards. The awards recognise the work of businesses, 3rd sector bodies and the NHS in working together to provide great patient care. They are organised by NHS North West Procurement Development and Northern Customer Board, which helps NHS organisations to procure for value as well as best standards of care.

The Awards were sponsored by the Innovation Agency; Health Innovation Manchester; and Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network.

Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust received the Supplier Engagement Award, and Helen Oulton of The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust was named NHS Procurement Champion.

Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust commissioned Lexmark to provide a fully managed print service and suite of printers and photocopiers in order to streamline operational efficiencies, control costs, promote sustainability and support their digital transformation roadmap. The result is a projected cost saving of more than 30 per cent over the life of the contract.

A strong relationship between the trust and the supplier was central to the success of the project.

Helen Oulton is the Lead Nurse for Infection Control at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool. Helen is involved with any changes to products which may have an impact on preventing and managing infections, acting as a link between the Procurement department and the Infection Control team.

As a result of the work, The Walton Centre has been commended by NHS England for surpassing the national target of ten per cent reductions in e-coli infections. By working with Procurement to trial and implement a wide range of products including patient wipes, clean trace swabs and staff disposable gowns, Helen's work has also helped to limit the incidence of clostridium difficile and Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE).

Chair of NHS North West Procurement Development Steering Board and Chief Executive of event sponsors the Innovation Agency, Dr Liz Mear said:- "The collaborations with external partners showcased by the awards are having a huge impact in improving patient care and on achieving better value and efficiency. Huge congratulations to all the winners and very worthy finalists."

Other Award Winners included:-

►   Baxter Healthcare, Stockport - Value Based Procurement Award.

►   Healthcare Communications, Macclesfield and Leeds - Acute Sector Award.

►   Lime Music for Health, Manchester - Patient Experience Award.

►   The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust - NHS Procurement Innovation.

►   Richard Robinson, York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - NHS Procurement Rising Star.

►   Malinko Software, Manchester - Supplier of the Year.

►   PS5 Limited, Manchester - Mental Health/Community Sector Award.

►   Radiology Management Solutions, Manchester - Small Business Award.

►   SF Taylor, Stockport- Sustainable Development Award.

►   Urgo Medical, Loughborough - Support Services Award.

►   Zilico Limited, Manchester - Clinical Innovation Award.

St Teresa's champions Mental Health and Well being for Infants

BIRKDALE'S Teresa's School are prioritising the mental health and wellbeing of their children with a series of innovative and exciting new programmes, the majority of which are completely free and available to all age groups.

This term teachers and children have been trained in the Massage in Schools Programme, learning 3 new massage techniques each week. This is an inclusive programme of positive touch and clothed peer massage for children aged 4 to 12 years. It is undertaken as a whole class and is given only by the child to a child. Children always ask permission from each other and have the right to say no each time.

Studies have shown that when children give massage to each other they become calmer, concentrate better and have more confidence. The School are finding this to be of tremendous benefit to the children and their learning. The programme supports the Personal, Social and Health Education curriculum, and addresses such issues as awareness of self and others, personal safety and respect. Parents have also been invited in to have a massage from their child at a School coffee morning.

The School has found that the children have thoroughly enjoyed the programme, and are receiving more and more positive reports from family who are enjoying being 'practised on.'

Syzmon in Year 2 thinks that the massage:- "makes me feel peaceful," and Talullah says it makes her feel:- "joyful and happy."

The School has implemented Relax Kids After School Clubs, with:- 'Mermaids and Pirates, and Superheroes themes.' These sessions consists of 7 parts:-

► MOVE.

► PLAY.

► STRETCH.

► FEEL.

► BREATHE.

► BELIEVE.

► RELAX.

The School has also found time for daily Yoga sessions, following the Cosmic Kids you tube programme, and the Year 2 class runs or walks a mile daily in the School's playground. The Cosmic Kids Yoga programme produces significant improvements in self regulation, empathy and focus. It also provides aerobic exercise, muscle and bone strengthening.

Mrs Kirkham, Year 2 teacher said:- "the Yoga sessions provide a great transition from the fun and activity of lunchtime play back into a quieter mood ready to focus on learning."

The benefits have been extremely positive and wide reaching including:-

► Improving mental and emotional health.

► Raising confidence and self esteem promoting positive thinking.

► Reducing anxiety, stress and anger improving concentration, listening skills and memory.

► Promoting deeper sleep; developing imagination and creativity.

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Business partnership awards for 2 Liverpool Hospitals

St Teresa's champions Mental Health and Well being for Infants