West London NHS Trust shortlisted for three national health awards

The nominations cover the Trust’s overall performance, a children’s mental health outreach scheme and a trauma psychology network used across London

West London NHS Trust has been shortlisted in three categories at this year’s HSJ Awards, including the overall Trust of the Year title. The Trust runs mental health, community and social care services across Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow. Winners will be announced later this year.

The Trust of the Year nomination recognises how services are designed and delivered in partnership with staff, patients and carers, and the Trust’s ability to adapt as local communities’ needs change.

A second nomination, for Mental Health Innovation of the Year, is for the London Major Trauma Psychology Network, which embeds psychologists within London’s four Major Trauma Centres: King’s College Hospital, the Royal London Hospital, St George’s Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital. Over the past two years it has supported more than 6,500 patients, with around 90% saying it made a positive difference to their recovery.

The third nomination, for Early Intervention and Prevention, is for a Link Worker project run by Ealing CAMHS. Link workers engage with faith groups, schools and community leaders in underrepresented communities to reduce stigma around children’s mental health. Referrals from those communities are up around 30%, with roughly 200 more children a month now accessing timely support.

Chief executive Maria O’Brien said the shortlisting reflected colleagues’ dedication across the Trust. ‘They reflect our commitment to improving lives by working alongside our patients, communities and partners to deliver care that is inclusive, compassionate and designed around people’s needs,’ she said.