University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG) has won two Health Service Journal’s (HSJ) Awards for its Scouse School initiative and Fertility Patient Portal project.
The Scouse School initiative which covers Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, claimed the HSJ’s Staff Wellbeing Award. The Digital Services and Hewitt Fertility Centre teams from Liverpool Women’s Hospital won the Driving Efficiency Through Technology category.
Scouse School supports international nurses, allied health professionals, internationally educated doctors and healthcare assistants settle into life at our hospitals.
The informative and fun-filled programme offers a safe and respectful environment to learn about Liverpool’s history, culture, accents and food, alongside a chance to meet with other international recruits and local colleagues.
The initiative also incorporates an afternoon guided walking tour of the city, where attendees get a chance to see all the local sights and sounds of Liverpool.
A host of staff volunteer to support the initiative which has seen more than 300 international recruits take part in six sessions. Due to the positive feedback from attendees, the doors of the school are now open to new recruits from neighbouring hospitals.
Jo Marinas, Deputy Director of Nursing Workforce Development and co-founder of the initiative, said: “I cannot express how incredibly proud I am that Scouse School has won a national award, recognising the hard work of our team to support the wellbeing of international colleagues.
“Speaking from personal experience, it is very daunting to move to a new country, where you are not familiar with the culture and local quirks. Scouse School aims to try and alleviate some of that worry in a safe, fun environment, where colleagues can have a few laughs alongside learning about their new workplace and hometown.
The Hewitt Fertility Centre (HFC) has been developing a patient portal to transform fertility care by providing patients with real time access to their treatment information, appointments, and personalised support resources.
This digital transformation has enhanced patient engagement, reduced wait times, and streamlined staff workflows, resulting in a 30% increase in patient satisfaction and significant operational efficiencies. Developed through close collaboration with technology partners and extensive staff and patient input, the portal exemplifies the power of innovative digital solutions in improving healthcare delivery and patient experience.
Jenny Hannon, Executive Managing Director for Liverpool Women’s Hospital, said: “I am extremely proud of our Digital Services and Hewitt Fertility Centre teams for this award success.
“I know this project is close to everyone’s heart and it has hugely benefitted our patients and improved their experience on their fertility journey. It is also a great example of two fantastic teams working together for the benefit of patients. Congratulations to everyone involved.”