Prostate self-referral service developed at University Hospital Southampton wins national award
A pioneering prostate health self-referral service developed at University Hospital Southampton, has won a prestigious national award.
The UHS team were awarded the ‘Excellence in Healthcare Award’ at the NHS Parliamentary Awards, marking the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service.
The prostate self-referral service was launched following a significant decrease in referrals which led to a drop in the number of patients starting treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The project focuses on promoting access to information about prostate health and facilitating access to testing.
If considered high risk after completing an initial assessment questionnaire, men will be offered a sequence of investigations without the need for a GP referral. These include a blood test known as a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test which measures levels of a protein in the blood that is only found in the prostate gland and is often elevated in men with this form of cancer. Other tests are also offered if required, such as an MRI scan, urinary function assessment and prostate biopsies.
The UHS team received their award at a ceremony in London after being nominated by MP Royston Smith. They were joined by colleagues from the My Medical Record Team who were finalists in the category of the ‘NHS Future Award’, following their nomination by MP Alan Whitehead.
Speaking about winning the award, Tim Dudderidge, consultant urological surgeon at UHS, co-lead of the scheme, said: “Winning the award in a category full of incredible examples of how the NHS continues to innovate for its patients, was a fantastic moment for everyone involved in the inception and delivery of the self-referral service.
“However, the real ‘win’ here is knowing that we are giving our patients a service that will raise awareness of the prostate cancer and make it easier for men who are at higher risk to access our service with ease.”
More than 1,000 people have so far accesses the self-referral programme that has been supported by Prostate Cancer UK and Wessex Cancer Alliance.
The NHS Parliamentary Awards launched in 2018 to celebrate the NHS’ 70 birthday and recognise the outstanding contribution of staff, volunteers and others working in the health and care sector.
Now in its sixth year, the awards provide an excellent opportunity for health and care organisations to engage with their local MPs, tell them about the work they do, and build or strengthen ongoing relationships.
Chair of the National Judging panel and Chief Nursing Officer for England, Dame Ruth May said: “I would like to offer my huge congratulations to the brilliant staff who have won awards this year.
“As we mark the NHS’s 75th birthday, it is important to recognise our 1.4 million staff who are responsible for ensuring patients are given the latest innovate treatments.”