We are thrilled to announce that we have been nominated for our work with Fortrus at this year’s NHS Excellence in Supply Awards. The awards will recognise the response of the health and care sector to COVID-19 from third-party companies, suppliers and NHS organisations.

This year, the awards will consist of three categories:

• Fighting the virus, recognising organisations demonstrating innovation in the supply of a product, process or service which directly supported the response of the health and care system to the virus.
• Supporting the system, recognising organisations demonstrating innovation in supporting, enhancing or transforming existing areas of health and care or services that were impacted by COVID-19.
• NHS procurement heroes, recognising NHS procurement teams or members of procurement teams who have provided exceptional support to their trust during COVID-19.

Our work for the Alder Hey’s Children’s Hospital has been nominated in the ‘Supporting the system’ category. In order to allow patients to experience their visit remotely before attending appointments, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital partnered us via the Fortrus Digital Transformation Framework to adapt the Alderplay native app into a web-based platform that gives Alder Hey’s young patients a more engaging and less intimidating experience at the hospital. 

Using augmented reality, the webapp provides children with a virtual journey throughout the hospital to familiarise them with the facility, as well as reducing feelings of anxiety. This is particularly important now, as social distancing measures have been implemented to minimise risk, meaning patients will have fewer visits and support from the wider family unit. 

The awards will be taking place on the 22nd October – Good luck to all those nominated!