Walsall Together wins HSJ Integrated Partnership Award

Walsall Together has been crowed the winner of the Place Based Partnership and Integrated Care Award at the HSJ Awards 2023 for its work to improve outcomes for Walsall residents.

The award ceremony recognised the partnership for the significant integrated work that has been done from hospital avoidance, discharge pathways (NHSE national pilot site), enhanced care homes support, workforce recruitment and retention and community resilience.

The entry was described by the panel of judges as “An excellent example of partnership and effective leadership and structure with the implementation of some unique projects. This is a shining example of what other systems should be aiming for.”

Michelle McManus, Director of Transformation and Place Development for Walsall Together, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be the winners of the Place Based Partnership and Integrated Care Award. The partnership has gone from strength to strength since it was formally established in 2019 and this is down to the sheer passion and drive of all our partners and our wider colleagues in the voluntary and community sector.  The strong relationships and can do attitude have meant we have been able to work together to make a real difference to the citizens of Walsall putting their voices at the heart of what we do and helping them to stay well and out of hospital, reduce inequalities and improving access to services for our most disadvantaged communities. Winning this prestigious award means so much to us especially when we were up against so many fantastic nominees. It’s a real honour and testament to all the hard work of everyone within the partnership.”

Editor of the Health Service Journal, Alastair McLellan comments: “What better year than the 75th anniversary of our wonderful and world-leading NHS to be able to applaud all those who were recognised as worthy winners at the 2023 HSJ Awards.

“I’d like to extend my personal congratulations to Walsall Together who scooped ‘top spot’ in the category of Place Based Partnership and Integrated Care Award.

“There are so many reasons to submit an entry to the HSJ Awards, including proactively benchmarking efforts in driving efficiencies, improving services and illustrating how projects provide and deliver better outcomes. But, moreover, I feel very proud that our awards programme provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the healthcare workforce across the UK, gaining national recognition for hard work and success stories.

He adds; “It was so encouraging to – once again – see an unprecedented level of entries! The calibre of projects was outstanding and I really do hope that entrants – whether they took home trophy or not – enjoyed the experience and benefitted from the informed feedback they received from our skilled and highly experienced judging panel.

“So, huge congratulations again Walsall Together and welcome to our family of HSJ Awards winners”.

The partnership, which is made up of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, Walsall Council, Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, Primary Care Networks (General Practice), Housing (whg), Walsall Community Network, One Walsall and Healthwatch Walsall, was one of a ‘record-breaking’ 1456 entries and 223 projects and individuals reaching the final shortlist, making it the biggest awards programme in the awards’ 43-year history.