2018 Excellence Network Awards now open

The Excellence Network Awards scheme was set up to recognise and celebrate outstanding services that make a difference to people affected by Parkinson's. Following its augural launch in September 2016, 42 entries from services from across the UK were submitted.

Following review by the Excellence Network Awards committee, these were shortlisted to 7 finalists. In a ceremony hosted by journalist and TV presenter John Stapleton, the final results were announced.

Since then, these services have been working with the Excellence Network to share their good practice so that other teams can benefit from their experiences.

Get involved

Now is your chance to get involved in the 2018 Excellence Network Awards.

Get involved in the Excellence Network Awards and play your part in ensuring people affected by Parkinson’s get the care they deserve.

• If your team is providing great care to people affected by Parkinson's, you can enter the Awards directly. The deadline for submitting your entry is midnight on Friday 27 October.
• Alternatively, if you know of a fantastic service that deserves recognition, you can nominate them.

Daiga Heisters, vice-chair of the Excellence Network Awards committee says:

"Last time, we were bowled over by the quality of services entering the Awards. It was a privilege to shine a light on some exceptional professionals. Seeing how committed all the previous finalists have been in sharing what they are doing has been particularly pleasing as this has motivated others to improve their practice locally.

"As we have seen how these services have been able to inspire wider improvement, this time, we want to ensure we highlight practice addressing the areas for improvement as identified in the most recently published Audit findings. These represent areas that are particularly challenging but hearing from services that are making efforts to tackle these will help encourage others to take action.

"So get involved in the Excellence Network Awards and play your part in ensuring people affected by Parkinson’s get the care they deserve."

Last time, we were bowled over by the quality of services entering the Awards. It was a privilege to shine a light on some exceptional professionals.

You can also help spread the word about the Excellence Network Awards on social media – look out for the hashtag #parkinsonsexcellence.

Last year's winners

• Parkinson's Advanced Symptoms Unit: A collaboration between South Tees NHS Trust and Tees, Esk and Wear Mental Health Trust – for their work in addressing complex symptoms of Parkinson's
• Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Parkinson's Clinic – for their integration of a pharmacist into their specialist service
• Neurology Parkinson's Service at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust – for their creation of a nurse-led newly diagnosed patient pathway and implementation of trust-wide guidelines for managing Parkinson's
• Heart of England Foundation Trust Quality Improvement team – for their work in improving medicines management in hospital

The following services were highly commended:

• Parkinson's Service at Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – for their work to adapt their services according to patient feedback
• Coventry and Warwickshire Regional Parkinson's Service – for their work on anticipatory care
• Parkinson's Nurse-led Nursing Home Clinic at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board – for providing care directly to people in their care homes