HSJ Partnership Awards 2023: Estates Optimisation Project of the Year

The pandemic created unprecedented health and care challenges, especially for the most vulnerable among us. Even prior to these challenges the healthcare system was experiencing demands for services far outweighing capacity. Hospitals were running at near 100 per cent capacity, further compounded by the pandemic and were forced to reduce diagnostic and outpatient activity to reduce the spread of covid. NHS Dorset’s solution was a series of outpatient assessment centres in convenient locations and aimed at delivering a holistic approach. The judges felt this was an exemplar for the role of the NHS to support social and economic value as well as delivering innovative models of care. The innovative changes to clinical pathways demonstrated clear outcomes for patients and staff.