Prime Minister presents award to rheumatology team

Left to right: Eunice Godbold, clinical nurse specialist, Prime Minister Theresa May, Alisa Bosworth, Chief Executive, NRAS, Dr Nick Wilkinson, lead for rheumatology at Evelina London.

Evelina London’s rheumatology service has won a Healthcare Champions Award from the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS). The award was presented to the George Koukis Paediatric Rheumatology Service by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, at a special reception held at the House of Commons on Wednesday 2 November.

The NRAS Healthcare Champions Award recognises the team’s work caring for patients living with juvenile arthritis and other complex rheumatological and musculoskeletal conditions.

After two years the team has seen almost 1,000 new patients, often through one-stop shop weekly clinics where patients have access to eye specialists who monitor associated eye inflammation, physiotherapists, nurse specialists, occupational therapists and psychologists as well as the rheumatologists. The clinics have led to a 60% reduction in appointments, faster decisions, and fewer days absent from school.

Dr Nick Wilkinson, lead for rheumatology at Evelina London, said: “We are honoured to accept this award from the NRAS. Our rheumatology service is committed to delivering the best possible care for our patients living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and other complex conditions. To be nominated for this award directly by patients means a great deal, and we are very proud of this achievement.”

The Healthcare Champions Awards are organised by NRAS to raise awareness of rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and to celebrate the dedication, professionalism and excellent care given by healthcare professionals who go the extra mile to provide the best possible outcomes.

NRAS members across the UK were asked to nominate healthcare professionals for the awards and a panel of judges selected the final 10 winners, with Evelina London being one of them.

Commenting on the Healthcare Champions Awards Ailsa Bosworth, Chief Executive, NRAS said: “Many congratulations to the Evelina London team on winning this award, which is a reflection of your passion and commitment to providing such excellent care. Once again I am enormously impressed by the dedication of our health professionals and so proud that we are having the opportunity to celebrate the good work of our Healthcare Champions. I would like to thank all those who wrote in with their nominations and applaud all our winners for their professionalism and excellence of care.”

Evelina London’s rheumatology service opened in July 2014 and was made possible thanks to the generous support of Mr George Koukis.