A partnership between NHS and independent sector organisations is celebrating after winning an award for the quality of its services.

The South West services partnership, which includes the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health NHS Trust and Devon Partnership NHS Trust, was recognised for its work in reducing out-of-area placements. Extra services ensured more people received treatment closer to home.

Since its inception in July 2016, members of the partnership have worked together to repatriate 73 service users from out-of-region placements. The judges said: “Our winners tonight present a project with a hugely impressive feat of leadership, transforming productivity and patient and family experience across a large geography in a very complex area of care.”

James Wright, managing director of secure services at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership, said: “We were delighted to be shortlisted for these highly regarded awards and to have won is fantastic recognition of the work which has gone into improving clinical pathways so that more of our most complex service users can receive treatment close to their home.

“We know that having the support of family and friends close by can positively impact on the experience, clinical outcomes, and long term recovery and to have helped this number of people in a relatively short space of time is a great achievement and testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has played a part in this exciting and innovative project.

The HSJ Value in Healthcare Awards aims to recognise and reward outstanding efficiency and improvement in the NHS. It looks at improvements to resources and patient outcomes to decide on winners.