PHYSIOTHERAPISTS at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI) have been shortlisted for a major award in recognition of their life-saving work with Covid-19 patients.
The team used CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure) therapy to treat hundreds of patients on the Covid wards at the BRI, reducing the need for people to be intubated.
In recognition of their work, the physiotherapists have been nominated in the prestigious Health Service Journal (HSJ) Value Awards 2021. Their project ‘Utilisation of CPAP by Physiotherapists’ has been shortlisted in the Post-Covid Sustainable Transformation Award category.
Dr Tom Lawton, an Intensive Care Consultant (ICU) and Anaesthetist at the Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, nominated the team for the award.
He said: “The idea behind the project was to prevent ICU from being overwhelmed with patients and so we looked at stepping up the provision of CPAP therapy on the wards; this is a treatment where a stream of oxygenated air is delivered into the airways through a mask and a tube.
“This is a relatively complicated treatment to be delivered on the wards but the physiotherapists stepped in and supported nursing staff with teaching and training around how it was delivered.
"In the first wave of the virus, around 30 per cent of patients were able to be treated with CPAP therapy, greatly reducing the need for patients to be intubated (placed on respirators) and as a result a great many lives were saved.
“I am incredibly proud of the tremendous support from the physiotherapy team. This is a massive achievement and they are truly deserving of this award.”
Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist Liz Newton led the project along with her fellow Physiotherapist, Karen Boden.
She said: “We started out with seven of us delivering the CPAP therapy and ended up with a team of 17. The respiratory physiotherapists were joined by the musculoskeletal physiotherapists. Everyone was keen to help so it has truly been a team effort.
“We made sure we were on the wards from 8am to 9pm every day to support staff. In the beginning we really didn’t know what to expect from the virus but everyone involved in the delivery of this project has been stoic.
"It has been very emotional. Obviously there have been times of great sadness but it has been exhilarating to see people made better through the use of CPAP and to see them go home.
“It is lovely to be recognised by this nomination and I feel very privileged to have worked with such dedicated colleagues and know that we have saved so many lives.”
HSJ editor Alastair McLellan added: “We would like to congratulate Bradford Teaching Hospitals on being shortlisted in the ‘Post-Covid Sustainable Transformation’ category for the HSJ Value Awards 2021.
“This year’s finalists have not only contributed to the continued fight against the Covid-19 pandemic within the NHS but have also been exceptionally dedicated to enhancing healthcare across the UK. We are honoured to be recognising and celebrating their outstanding work after what is, no doubt, the most challenging year in the history of the NHS.”
"The winners will be selected following a rigorous, second stage of judging ahead of the HSJ Value Awards 2021 awards ceremony in June."
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