Open Door event shortlisted for prestigious award

An extremely popular event, which saw Derriford Hospital opening its doors to the local community for the first time in more than a decade, has been shortlisted for a national award.

The project, involving hundreds of staff and volunteers, has been shortlisted down to the final eight in the Value and Improvement in Communication category of the national HSJ Value in Healthcare Awards 2014.

Thousands of people came along to the Open Day in September 2013, to find out for themselves what goes on behind our doors and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The doors opened at 10am, although visitors were already gathering before. Children brought their teddy bears along for treatment at the Teddy Bear’s Hospital, there was a life-size game of operation available and many who attended were interested in finding out more about careers in the NHS.

Visitors to the event were also able to take part in fun research trials using chocolate, to take blood with our model arm and to tour many areas of the hospital, including main theatres, children’s theatre, fracture clinic and maternity.

A visitor to the event said: “A fantastic day that’s been organised; really giving something back to the community.”

Amanda Nash, Head of Communications for Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust and organiser of the Open Day, said: “We were absolutely delighted with the number of people who came along to the open day and with the feedback we received following the event. Lots of visitors had particular areas in mind that they wanted to visit and others were happy to go with the flow and wanted to see as much as possible. To to be shortlisted for an award is fantastic recognition, especially for all of the staff and volunteers who made the day the success it was.”

Amanda travelled to London earlier this month to present on the Open Day and explain why it should be the winning entry. The team now have to wait until September to find out whether they have won. The winner will be announced on Tuesday 23 September at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

The new HSJ Value in Healthcare Awards seek to recognise and reward outstanding efficiency and improvement by the NHS. A successor to the HSJ Efficiency Awards, the Value in Healthcare Awards continue to recognise excellent use of resources. But they also seek out examples of demonstrable improvement in outcomes, both within back office functions and clinical initiatives.