South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust's (SWFT) Call Before Convey Overnight initiative has been shortlisted in the Transforming Care for Older People category at the prestigious HSJ Awards 2026.
The pioneering, Warwickshire-wide service is transforming care for frail older people by bringing together hospital, community, ambulance teams and GPs to support more patients to remain safely at home rather than being admitted unnecessarily to hospital.
A key tool in the scheme is Consultant Connect, a service that provides a simple, auditable and secure route for paramedics to access specialist support overnight. When a paramedic determines that a frail patient can safely remain at home, they discuss and log the case with a clinical practitioner at Warwick Hospital by calling through Consultant Connect. The patient's care is then discussed by a multi-disciplinary clinical team the following day, enabling timely access to the most appropriate service.
Since launching in December 2025, Call Before Convey Overnight has supported almost 300 patients across Warwickshire with just 1 per cent needing taking to hospital; the rest being safely managed in the community through home visits, Outpatient appointments, or GP-led follow-ups.
As well as improving care for patients, the initiative is helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments in Warwickshire by avoiding unnecessary hospital attendances while also bringing services together to provide better urgent care for older people.
Rachel Williams, Associate Chief Operating Officer for the Emergency Division at SWFT, said: "On behalf of all our partners, we are incredibly proud to see Call Before Convey Overnight recognised in the HSJ Awards. This innovative service is transforming care for older frail people across Warwickshire - giving them quicker, coordinated support while helping them stay as independent as possible in their own home. This achievement recognises the positive impact that working together and innovation can have on improving patient care - all while making better use of NHS resources."
The HSJ Awards recognise some of the most impactful and innovative healthcare projects across the UK, with more than 1,300 entries submitted, and 231 nominations shortlisted.
Colleagues at George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust are also celebrating after their Pioneering Use of AI in the Emergency Department project was shortlisted in the Using AI to Enhance Care Quality and Efficiency category.
The winners will be announced at the HSJ Awards ceremony at Evolution London on 19 November 2026.