NHS organisations have been recognised in a broad range of categories at the 2020 Public Finance Awards, winning six out of a possible 17 awards.
From AI to HR, the winning projects and teams represented some of most innovative and effective work currently underway in the public sector from across the UK.
CIPFA CEO Rob Whiteman said:
“Every year, these awards remind me of the innovation and immense hard work of professionals across the public sector that often goes unrecognised by the general public.
“This year, we have seen real heroism from across the entire public sector, but especially in our NHS. In such challenging times, it’s a pleasure to be able to recognise the passion and dedication of finance professionals in the health service.”
Key winners included:
• Digital Finance Project of the Year: NHS Shared Business Services, Robotic Process Automation Project
The deployment of robots to carry out repetitive tasks across 300 NHS departments freed up 200,000 man hours, delivered savings and improved client satisfaction by 700%.
• Finance Training and Development Initiative: East Lancashire NHS Hospital Trust Finance Team
Joining the Prince’s Trust programme not only provided experience to young people, but also helped to develop the trust’s staff, giving junior members of the team an opportunity to gain training and mentoring skills – in turn improving their own knowledge and understanding of NHS finance.
• Outstanding Proactive Fraud Detection and Recovery: NHS Scotland, Counter Fraud Services Team
The judges praised the Counter Fraud Services Team for its fantastic use of behavioural insights and collaboration with exceptional results on patient exemptions.
• Alternative Service Delivery Model of the Year: NHS Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group
NHS Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group devised a new model of care for infants with Cow's Milk Protein Allergy, delivering rapid-access virtual dietician appointments. via on a smartphone app.
• Outstanding Procurement Initiative: Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
By modernising processes and creating more efficient working practices, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust began to use technology to ensure that good real-time data was driving all purchasing decisions, enabling an improved supply chain and procurement practice.
• Finance Team of the Year – Health: NHS Wales
The NHS Wales Finance Delivery Unit is currently a team of thirteen, comprising a director and deputy, and a senior finance and analyst team. With its strong focus on learning and development culture, the judges felt this entry demonstrated great local and national collaboration.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
The full list of winners for the 2020 Public Finance Awards can be found here.