Two teams from Bradford Teaching Hospitals have been shortlisted for national awards which celebrate excellence and innovation in delivering a better health service experience for patients.

The occupational therapy service in Bradford Royal Infirmary’s accident and emergency department and the orthopaedics early discharge team have made it through to the final stages of the Patient Experience Network National Awards (Penna).

The early discharge team is up for the continuity of care award while the A&E team have been nominated for the ‘setting the stage’ award.

Head of therapy services Jill Gregson said: “The Penna awards are an opportunity for the foundation trust to showcase on a national stage the innovative health care that is taking place in Bradford.

“Being shortlisted for these awards is a huge boost for both teams and testament to the hard work of staff who have shown commitment and enthusiasm in introducing new ways of working which have benefited the patient experience.”

In January 2011 the orthopaedics early discharge team began to provide patients with therapy at home in order to reduce the length of hospital stays, while maintaining clinical standards and levels of patient satisfaction.

Until the end of September 2012, the team – which includes occupational therapists, physiotherapists and therapy assistants – had discharged 345 patients from the orthopaedic wards.

Therapy co-ordinator Linda Wood said: “We see patients for an average of five days in their own home and to date this project has helped to release an extra 1,683 bed days which would normally not have been available.

“We treat a mixture of patients from those admitted in an emergency, to those whose hospital visit is planned, and 100 per cent of clients have shown an increase in function following supported discharge which is incredibly encouraging.”

The team’s work makes immediate assessment of patients, many of whom have fallen at home and are elderly with other conditions, so their care often involves staff from across different hospital departments as well as those from various social care settings.