Innovation in Care

The Innovation in Care award recognises the work of an individual or team in a hospice or palliative care organisation who, through a novel approach, has improved the experience of people with a progressive and life threatening condition, their families and carers.

All staff can enter, including social workers, complementary therapists, allied health professionals as well as clinical staff.

We are interested in projects that have found new ways to:

• Identify people who can benefit from hospice and palliative care.
• Plan and provide care or approach a challenging care issue.

Particular value will be placed on innovations which have improved one or more of the following:

• Access to care.
• Treatment of troublesome symptoms.
• Resolution of psychosocial and spiritual distress.
• The opportunities for people to receive care in-line with cultural, religious, social or other preferences.
• The opportunities for people to receive care in the place of their choice.
• Bereavement outcomes.
• Engagement of users in the planning, organisation and evaluation of services.

General criteria and guidance

1. Unless otherwise stated, Innovation entries will consist of an introductory statement of 650 characters (including spaces) followed by a statement of no more than 3,500 characters (including spaces), as to why the entrant feels his or her organisation/project should win. The statement should be based on the information outlined below. Entrants may also submit supporting information such as relevant literature, media coverage, etc.Extra info should be e-mailed separately to grants@hospiceuk.org clearly identifying which entry it refers to.
2. Each entry will be judged by a panel appointed by Hospice UK.
3. Each category will have a winner, with no runners up.
4. Members and Subscribers of Hospice UK are eligible to enter, with the exception of:
   • The Towergate Hospice Team of the Year Award, which is only open to member hospices. 
   • The Dying Matters Award is open to those who registered an event in England, Wales (via Byw Nawr) and Northern Ireland.
   • The Dementia Care at Home Award, which is open to all.
5. No one employed by Hospice UK may enter the awards.
6. Projects should have been initiated or be completed during the twelve month period up to the end of August 2019.
7. By entering these awards, entrants agree to work with Hospice UK to develop a case study about their project which can be shared with other hospices.
8. In certain circumstances, if the standard of entries is considered not high enough, the judges may elect not to make a particular award.
9. The closing date for entries in all categories is 13 September 2019.
10. The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence can be entered into.

Suggested information to include in your Innovation in Care Award entry

How original was the innovation?

• Was it a new concept or a variation of an existing idea?
• Was it developed independently or in cooperation with others?
• Did the project improve any of the areas listed in the above bullet points?

What was the impact of the innovation?

• Was there a measurable benefit to users?
• Could elements of the project be applied to other parts of the organisation or care processes?

Applicability

• Can this innovation be applied to other hospice and palliative care organisations?