Two Barts Health projects make national impact
Two innovative projects from Barts Health have been named finalists at this year’s Nursing Times Awards, showcasing the dedication and impact of our nursing teams in delivering more inclusive, coordinated and compassionate care.
🌟 Supporting families, improving emergency care
Category: Children’s services
Project: The role of the family liaison nurse in paediatric emergency care
In response to a rise in under-5s frequently attending the paediatric emergency department at Whipps Cross, the frequent attender emergency department team introduced a family liaison nurse (FLN) role to provide more holistic support to families and reduce avoidable visits.
The FLN coordinates care across services, holds case discussions with clinicians and families, and offers tailored advice, referrals and health promotion. As a result, the team saw a drop in frequent attendances and strengthened links between acute and community settings.
This has resulted in more effective use of resources, better outcomes for children and young people, streamlined system operations, and positive changes in how families access services.
Tricia May-Parrott, family liaison nurse at Whipps Cross, said:
We were overjoyed at being shortlisted and feel very proud and excited. As a team, we appreciate what an honour and significant achievement this is and endeavour to further improve patient care and bridge the gap between community and acute settings.
🌍 Inclusive care for every patient
Category: Dame Elizabeth Anionwu Award for Inclusivity in Nursing and Midwifery
Project: Equity in pressure care: Educating for skin tone diversity
This groundbreaking project tackles disparities in the detection of pressure ulcers among patients with darker skin tones. Following a rise in hospital-acquired ulcers, the team created a trust-wide training programme to raise awareness of skin tone diversity and address knowledge gaps.
More than 200 staff have been trained, teaching materials were updated to reflect a wide range of skin tones, and clinical inductions now include guidance on skin tone bias. The result: more equitable care, earlier identification of skin damage, and improved outcomes for all patients.
The Nursing Times Awards 2025 will be held on 2 October at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London. We’re incredibly proud to see our teams’ work recognised among the best in the country, shining a light on innovation, inclusion and patient-first care.
Read more
View the full list of finalists
Barts Health shortlisted for HSJ patient safety awards