A top consultant from Blackpool Teaching Hospitals has praised his team after they were shortlisted for a high-profile health award.
Lead cardiologist Dr Billal Patel of the Lancashire Cardiac Centre, led a team which was shortlisted for the Acute Sector innovation category in the recent HSJ awards held in London.
The team was recognised for pioneering a technique recognised to help patients with kidney disease.
His was the second team from Blackpool Teaching Hospitals to be shortlisted, after the Health Informatics programme team was chosen as a finalist as part of a group led by NHS England and Improvement in the Connecting Services and Information category.
Unfortunately neither team won, but Dr Patel spoke of his pride at his team being recognised at a national level.
Dr Patel said: “It was fantastic to represent Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, The Lancashire Cardiac Centre and the Cath Lab for this HSJ Acute Sector Innovation of the Year. It was a great event, and fantastic to see some many innovative projects shortlisted alongside ours.
“We are disappointed we didn’t pick up the prize, but credit to the entire team in The Lancashire Cardiac Centre for their work. We will continue to go from strength to strength.
“Events like the HSJ Awards are fantastic for team morale and it is great to be appreciated for the hard work that everyone has put into this ground-breaking project.”
The Cath Lab team were well represented at the awards, and Cardiology Cath Lab Nurse Manager, Steph Pellatt, was also keen to recognise the team effort.
She said: “Through the incredible work, dedication and leadership from Dr Patel, the Cath Lab team have developed zero contrast PCI technique using innovative technology that will provide improved post procedural outcomes for many of our patients requiring cardiology intervention has been recognised worldwide.
“The team were honoured to be nominated and recognised at the HSJ awards 2021 for the incredible, innovative work taking place in the Lancashire Cardiac Centre at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals in the category ‘Acute Sector Innovation of the Year’ for the development of a cardiology procedure (zero contrast PCI).
“Although we didn’t win the award, the event was a fantastic experience and enabled members of the team to celebrate the wonderful work we do everyday in style!
“We are grateful to the Trust for their support, to the dedicated and hard-working Cath Lab team for their outstanding contribution and most importantly to Dr Patel – the true hero and star who inspires and drives his colleagues every day.”