Innovative Team Recognised for Making a Difference to Children page thumbnail

Children’s Speech and Language Therapists in North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have been named the most innovative team at a recent local award ceremony.

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s (MPFT’s) children’s speech and language therapists aim to support every child to communicate to the best of their ability. Team members have been recognised for their innovative approach and ability to develop new ways of working. They have implemented an innovative risk matrix to help identify children in need of therapy ensuring reduced waiting times and effective discharge; and working together with the Local Authority, the Stoke Speaks Out project is empowering early years professionals to identify and support children’s early language difficulties, freeing up the specialist service to work with those at highest risk and in most need.

The Midlands Partnership Better Together Awards are designed to recognise exceptional contributions to service, by individuals and teams, by clinical and non-clinical staff. Over 165 nominations were received for the nine awards and following a rigorous process, supported by some of the Trust’s Governor Members and service users, the best entries were shortlisted, only finding out if they were winners on the night.

The Innovation Award recognises a team or individual who has successfully adopted or adapted ideas or implemented new ways of working to improve the quality of services provided. The judges commented: “This team had the vision and imagination to come up with practical innovations but also understood that strong clinical leadership and cultural change was critical to the successful implementation of their dreams and to sustaining the changes to deliver safe, high quality care and a great patient experience.”

380 local NHS staff attended the event, held on 8 November 2018 at the Staffordshire County Showground, which is also an important opportunity for sharing good practice and helping staff to understand their role in the wider service.

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides physical and mental health, learning disability and adult social care services across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Shropshire, but also psychological therapies; drug and alcohol services in prisons; and care for serving MOD personnel across the country.

Neil Carr, Chief Executive said: “One of the Trust’s core objectives is to make this a fantastic place to work where staff feel positive and proud to be part of the organisation. We know that we cannot deliver effective services without well trained and supported staff and believe that offering real recognition in the form of this awards ceremony has a real part to play in creating an enthusiastic, committed and confident workforce.”