Liverpool Health Partners (LHP) is delighted to announce that LHP SPARK Response to COVID has been shortlisted for Best Healthcare Provider Partnership with the NHS at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2022.

LHP SPARK is the Single Point of Access to Research and Knowledge and is a joint research service which brings together Liverpool Health Partners’ NHS and Universities research support functions to facilitate and deliver world-class health research. It acts as a single point of access for investigators and research teams.

The nomination recognises the outstanding contribution to healthcare in response to COVID – in what has been an exceptional and challenging period across the sector.

In March 2020, LHP SPARK pivoted to tackle the COVID pandemic stewarding the research workforce across the eight NHS organisations with NIHR CRN North West Coast, developing efficient and streamlined single processes, reporting and shared strategic decision making.

This allowed for the efficient setup and rapid recruitment to NIHR Urgent Public Health (UPH) studies, COVID vaccine studies and local strategic research.

Dr Rachel Joynes, LHP Director of Research, Infrastructure and Education said:

“We are delighted to have been shortlisted for Best Healthcare Provider Partnership with the NHS recognising the collaborative efforts and dedication of LHP partners over the last two years to successfully implement the response to COVID.

“We are committed to delivering research and innovation that results in improved outcomes for patients, and to be chosen among the other incredible nominees is a wonderful achievement

“We are delighted to support our members’ efforts in world class research, and this is a tremendous boost for all of the Liverpool Health Partners.”

Despite the demanding circumstances of the past two years, more than 190 entries have been received for this year’s HSJ Partnership Awards, with 123 projects making it to the final shortlist.

The judging panel was once again made up of a diverse range of highly influential and respected figures within the healthcare community, including Dr Matt Aiello (National Programmes Lead, Education Reform, Health Education England); Dr Elena Bechberger (National Programme Director – LVHC Programme, NHS England and NHS Improvement); Claire Igoe (Head of Environmental Sustainability – Manchester University FT) and Vinice Thomas (Director of Nursing and Quality, NHS England and NHS Improvement).

Following the intense and in-depth judging process, LHP SPARK was shortlisted, ahead of the official awards ceremony to be held on 24^th March.

Standing out amongst tough competition from hundreds of other exemplary applicants, LHP SPARK were selected based on their ambition, visionary spirit and the demonstrable positive impact the project has had on patient and staff experiences.

The full list of nominees for the HSJ Partnership Awards 2022 can be found at https://partnership.hsj.co.uk/finalists-2022

The selected winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at Westminster Park Plaza, London on March 24^th.