Real time surveillance system shortlisted for HSJ awards

The Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System Suicide Prevention Team is celebrating after being shortlisted for two HSJ Awards.

The real time surveillance system (RTS) was shortlisted for a HSJ Connecting Services and Information Award, which recognises NHS initiatives where data sharing has made a real difference. Judges look for successful implementation of systems and technologies which have enabled improvements to patient care – improving outcomes, experience and supporting patients to look after themselves better while at the same time delivering efficiencies for staff.

Louise Thomas, ICS Mental Health Clinical Network programme manager, said:

“The implementation of the RTS system has enabled us to target messages at high risk groups, in high risk locations and allowed system partners to have an intelligence led approach to suicide prevention which we have never had before.”

And the suicide prevention programme as a whole was shortlisted for a HSJ System Leadership Initiative of the Year Award. Judges look for collaborative and integrated systems that drive better efficiencies, outcomes, improvements and experiences for their populations, stakeholders and patients.

Louise Thomas said:

“Our driving principle is that suicide prevention is ‘everyone’s business’. We have worked in partnership with public, private, Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise organisations as well as local communities and people with lived experience to change and shape our suicide prevention programme. No single organisation can tackle this important issue on its own and we must work together to prevent suicides.

We believe that the work delivered by all partners across the Integrated Care System (ICS) needs to be celebrated and we hope that we are able to go on to win these prestige’s awards for all the hard work and dedication that has been given by our ICS partners on this very important subject area.”

Winners will be announced in March 2021.