The area’s MP has paid tribute to a Lichfield GP practice after it was named regional champion in a health and care awards scheme.
The Westgate Practice won the accolade in the NHS Parliamentary Awards.
Launched in March, the scheme asked MPs to find and nominate those individuals or teams they thought have made the biggest improvements to health services in their constituencies across ten categories.
Having been named champions by senior regional NHS experts, they will now vie with other regional winners from across England for the national award, to be presented at a special ceremony in the Palace of Westminster in July.
Conservative MP for Lichfield Michael Fabricant said: “I know that everyone in the West Midlands will share my delight and pride that the Westgate team has been named regional champion.
“They are representing the thousands of staff and volunteers who work day in, day out across our area to shape, deliver and support health and care services, and we’ll all be backing them to win the national award in July.”
Dr Gulshan Kaul of the Westgate Practice was also nominated for the Health Equalities Award..
Mr Fabricant added: “I nominated the practice and Dr Kaul for the award as the practice has designed a pathway to enable those people most at risk of being admitted to hospital to stay well.
“Using primary care risk indicators, those living at home with frailty have been identified by the GP practice. Each undergoes holistic assessment in their home and is then signposted to local services, or to a Staying Well Hub with geriatrician, clinical pharmacist, occupational therapist and voluntary and social sector support.
“Reductions in emergency attendances and non-elective admissions are being seen as a direct consequence.
“This is all about keeping people with frailties well and out of hospital. It is a testament to the effectiveness of the NHS.”
