We are immensely proud of this innovative work combining population and service data to ensure we and SMSKPC deliver exceptional care for everyone. Being shortlisted is an amazing achievement as competition was strong for this category and involved 1,000 hours of judging with almost 200 judges from across the NHS.

COVID-19 shone a light on the inequalities that exist within healthcare, which urgently need addressing if we are to create an equitable system that works for all.

To better understand who is and isn’t accessing SMSKPC services and differences in outcome and experience by social and demographic factors, we developed these Health Equity Dashboards.  A dedicated team of analysts collated and represented the data in filterable dashboards. These revealed that the inverse care law is operating within our service, with those most needing care, less likely to receive it. 38 percent of people using the service see themselves as disabled, and but made up 70% of DNAs in Brighton and Hove this Summer. The dashboards help us to ask ourselves challenging and better questions about how we work with communities to evolve care.

The data also informed the creation of Community Appointment Days, a one-stop, multi-route experience with access to multiple professions, community and voluntary offers, housed in a de-medicalised environment and tailored to both the local population and the individual.

Our pilot project addresses a critical healthcare challenge in the UK, combining cutting-edge technology with compassionate care to enhance the overall experience for people and improve health outcomes. We believe that this program has the potential to set a new standard for healthcare delivery, not just in Sussex but across the country.

“Wow. I want to thank the HTN judges for shortlisting us for this award. We are at the start of understanding and experimenting with how better data can help us to address inequity. Already it’s helped us see clearly what was right in front of us and focus our efforts where change is most needed. Thankyou and best of luck to the other finalist.” Una Nicholson, Head of People Team

The HTN Awards are a much-anticipated annual event in the healthcare calendar and help to share and celebrate digital teams, programmes, innovations and health tech suppliers that have made a difference through the year.

The awards provide a platform to share these innovations and solutions to help shape future services and systems across health and care.

See the full shortlist here.

The digital awards evening will take place 12 October 2023, when the winner and runner-up will be announced from each category and will be hosted live from 7pm on their website.

About Sussex MSK Partnership Central

Sussex MSK Partnership Central is a joint venture between Here, & Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. This is a prime contracting model supporting musculoskeletal (MSK) health for a population of 650,000 covering physiotherapy, orthopaedics, rheumatology and chronic pain. The service operates across central Sussex; including Brighton & Hove, Horsham and mid Sussex and Crawley.

Website: www.sussexmskpartnershipcentral.co.uk