9th May 2018
There’s a less than 24 hours to go until this year’s BMJ Awards, where our Physician Response Unit, run in partnership with Barts Health Trust and London Ambulance Service, has been nominated for Emergency Team of the Year. The award honours teams providing high quality care for patients in the fast-paced and challenging acute setting.
The Physician Response Unit (PRU) brings the Emergency Department to the patient, meaning patients can be treated at scene and often avoid having to go to hospital. Staffed with a senior emergency doctor and an Emergency Ambulance Crew in the car, the clinical experience of the medics enables the PRU team to treat a wider range of illnesses and injuries at scene compared to ambulance crews which take many emergency patients to hospital. The PRU was re-modelled in October 2017 thanks to funding from Tower Hamlets Together, making it a 12 hour a day, 7 days a week service for the first time.
The PRU has been nominated in recognition of its innovative nature and effect on Emergency Care in East London. In the remodeled PRU’s first six months, over 1000 patients were treated by the PRU, and 68% of these were discharged in their community. During this time, the PRU saved local health services an estimated £661,628.
For 10 years, The BMJ Awards have promoted excellence in healthcare and recognised the inspirational work of healthcare teams across the country. We are honoured that the awards have recognized the PRU’s achievements, and to be nominated in a category with 4 outstanding Emergency Teams. Best of luck to all nominated on the night.