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Projects to improve diabetes care in Barking and Dagenham and reduce strokes in Redbridge have been shortlisted for prestigious national health awards. The projects have both been named as finalists in the annual HSJ Value Awards which seek to recognise and reward outstanding efficiency and improvements in patient care.

The groundbreaking work undertaken to improve diabetes care and treatment in Barking and Dagenham has been shortlisted in the Diabetes Care Initiative of the Year category.

Led by NHS Barking and Dagenham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and involving all 37 GP practices in the borough, it has led to a major improvement in type 2 diabetes diagnosis rates and better advice and support for those living with the condition.

As a result, the estimated number of un-diagnosed diabetes cases in the borough fell from 1,642 in 2012-13 to 624 in 2017-18 – a decrease of more than 60 per cent – and work is now continuing to ensure that it leads to ongoing improvements in patient care.

Dr Anju Gupta, GP and Clinical Lead for Diabetes, Barking and Dagenham CCG, said:

“We’re delighted to see our innovative work to improve diabetes care has been recognised by the HSJ. Our priority has always been to tackle inequalities and ensure that everyone in the borough has access to the same quality of care, wherever they live.

“We hope the awards help show other GP practices across London and beyond that better organisation of care, clinical leadership, and effective use of clinical data can overcome the challenges posed by socioeconomic deprivation and achieve high-quality care.”

NHS Redbridge CCG and its partners – Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust and Barts Health NHS Trust – have been shortlisted in the awards’ Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation category for their joint work to better identify and medicate patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) to reduce strokes across the borough.

As a result of their work, Redbridge saw the biggest increase in London, and the second biggest increase nationally, in the proportion of high-risk AF patients being treated with anticoagulant medication which plays a vital part in helping to prevent strokes.

Redbridge GP, Dr Shabana Ali, who led the work, said: “It’s hugely satisfying to be shortlisted for a HSJ Value Award. The project was a great example of identifying a problem and then working with partners across the system to get people properly medicated and fix it. It is an approach that can be replicated for other conditions like diabetes or asthma.”

The winners of the HSJ Value Awards will be announced in Manchester on 23 May.