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Posted on 7 Jul 2021

The Children’s Community Respiratory Physiotherapy (including Rapid Response) service, run by Nottinghamshire Healthcare, was a finalist in the prestigious NHS Parliamentary Awards.

The NHS Parliamentary Awards are nominated by MPs and the coronavirus pandemic, the greatest public health challenge in NHS history, has prompted a record number of nominations as MPs across the country try to shine a light on the dedication of health and care staff and volunteers who have contributed to the unprecedented response.

The Children's Community Respiratory Physiotherapy Team work with children with complex neuro-disabilities and severe respiratory difficulties, providing specialist, rapid assessment and treatment in the community. The children they work with have life limiting conditions and are at risk of life-threatening chest infections. 

The team represented the Midlands in the Excellence in Healthcare category at the awards after being named regional winners in November last year.  Although they didn't win, the team was recognised for their work to improve quality of life, reduce hospital admissions and emergency department attendances and reduce the lengths of stays in hospital.

Speaking after the regional win in November 2020, Moira Flanigan, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist Extended Scope Practitioner, says: “I am delighted that the team have been recognised for the important work we do. The children on our caseload have life limiting conditions and are at risk of life-threatening chest infections. The team work together using their exceptional assessment, treatment and management skills of the acutely unwell child to prevent hospital admissions, allowing families to remain together within their own home.

“Although this service has been running for ten years, its value has been particularly highlighted during the pandemic, being one of the few business-critical services within Childrens services. The team have been donning full PPE whilst putting themselves on the frontline dealing with Covid positive and potential Covid patients, showing a huge amount of resilience to continue to provide an outstanding quality of care.”

Also speaking after the regional win in November 2020, Dr John Brewin, Chief Executive, Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Children’s Community Respiratory Physiotherapy and Rapid Response Team recognised in this way and is a testament to their hard work to improve the quality of life for children and young people with complex neuro-disabilities and severe respiratory difficulties. 

“The team have shown dedication and resilience as they have cared for young people at home throughout the pandemic and have been instrumental in helping reduce hospital admissions and length of stays in hospital. Well done and thank you.”

The NHS Parilamentary Awards was held in London on 7 July. Visit https://www.nhsparliamentaryawards.co.uk/ for more details.