A PROJECT aimed at speeding patients out of hospital has been nominated for a top award.

The scheme has seen senior bosses at Swindon Borough Council, Great Western Hospital and Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group meet three times a week to discuss which hospital patients can be discharged. More has been invested in reablement services, like home help and devices to make it easier for people to return home from hospital.

It has succeeded in slashing bed blocking delays in Swindon, a town that in the notable words of one councillor had previously been put on the naughty step by government ministers over long discharge delays.

The project has now been shortlisted at this year's Health Service Journal Awards.

Coun Brian Ford, cabinet member for health, said: “I am thrilled that we have been shortlisted for this award.

“It is a testament to the hard work that we, together with our partners, do every day to ensure that some of the most vulnerable people in society are suitably cared for.

“I give my congratulations to everybody involved and wish them the best of luck.”

Staff have been invited to present their entry to a panel of judges on Wednesday, October 10, in central London to tell them why the project should win.

The HSJ Awards will be presented on Wednesday, 21 November at InterContinental O2 in London.