Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s new bed management system has been shortlisted for Driving Efficiency through Technology award at the HSJ Awards 2021, recognising its outstanding contribution to delivering outstanding patient care.
This new state-of-the-art technology has provided Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) with the ability to manage its patient flow more effectively, significantly improve its bed turnaround times and provide patients with the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
MTW is the fourth acute hospital trust in the country to set up a Care Coordination Centre which uses TeleTracking’s bed management system, providing a team of professionals with real-time bed visibility across the two hospitals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This new system ensures no patient has to wait for the care they need and frees up vital clinical staff time.
Since going live in November last year, the Trust has already seen enormous benefits for both staff and patients and has more than halved the time a hospital bed is empty.
Despite the demanding circumstances of the past 18 months, over 1000 entries have been received for this year’s HSJ Awards, and MTW is proud to be one of the 205 organisations, projects and individuals across the country making it to the final shortlist. The volume and standards of applications has been a true testament to those health and social care staff, who continue to push outstanding work and transformational projects across the sector.
The judging panel was made up of a diverse range of highly influential and respected figures within the healthcare community, including Sir Bruce Keogh (Chair, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s FT); Marie Gabriel CBE (Chair, NHS Race and Health Observatory); and former HSJ Trust of the Year winners Ann Marr OBE (Chief Executive, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals Trust) and Richard Mitchell (Chief Executive, Sherwood Forest Hospitals FT).
Following the intense and in-depth judging process, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust was shortlisted, ahead of the official awards ceremony to be held later this year (November 18th). Standing out amongst tough competition from hundreds of other exemplary applicants, MTW’s new bed management system was selected based on ambition, visionary spirit and the demonstrable positive impact that the project has had on both patient and staff experiences.
Miles Scott, Chief Executive Officer for the Trust commented, “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Driving Efficiency through Technology award. This recognition really does reflect the collaborative efforts and dedication of our colleagues who have worked so hard to successfully deliver the new bed management system. Knowing that there was such stiff competition this year really does make this announcement feel like a wonderful achievement for everyone involved and the nomination has been a tremendous boost to staff at MTW.”
HSJ editor Alistair McLellan, commented “On behalf of all my colleagues, I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust on being nominated in the category of Driving Efficiency through Technology in this year’s HSJ Awards. The applications we receive always present our panel of judges with a very difficult task as the standard is unfailingly high and the breadth of innovation and passion for patient care is always so inspiring.
“This year, we really have been overwhelmed with the level of entries, particularly when set against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic and the huge challenges faced by our health and social care workforce.
“We are therefore looking forward to welcoming all our finalists to the live ceremony in November and joining us in celebrating their incredible achievements and commitment to excellence.”
The full list of nominees for the HSJ Awards 2021 can be found on https://awards.hsj.co.uk/shortlist-2021.
The selected winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at Evolution, London on November 18th 2021