THE PROSPER project, run by Essex County Council’s quality improvement team has won the national Patient Safety Award in the category: Changing Culture to Improve Patient Safety.

Announced on 5 July at the award ceremony in Manchester, it beat off stiff competition with over 170 projects making it to the shortlist overall.

The award recognises how organisations have helped overcome restricted budgets whilst delivering outstanding service. It looked not only individuals and teams, but organisations as a whole.

The PROSPER (PROmoting Safer Provision of care for Elderly Residents) programme is run in partnership with UCL Partners, local health partners and with funding from the Health Foundation (an independent charity working to improve the quality of healthcare in the UK).

Through quality improvement, education and training for care home staff delivered by PROSPER they were able to accomplish a 20 per cent reduction in pressure ulcers and a 5 per cent reduction in falls.

The judges said of PROSPER, “There was an authentic approach taken to the project, which is visibly improving the lives of their patients. This is gold standard with huge potential for impact across the country.”

Cllr Dick Madden, Cabinet Member for Adults and Children, Essex County Council said, “I congratulate PROSPER on their win. It is great to see national recognition for their exceptional service to bring safer and improved health care to the elderly.”

“PROSPER has achieved fantastic reductions in falls and pressure ulcers for residents in care homes across Essex.”

“It is great to see residents across the community benefiting from this experience and I would like this to continue and be built on for many years to come.”