The Practice Development Education team for children’s services at University Hospitals Sussex has been shortlisted at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards, recognising their work to improve education in children and young people presenting in mental health crisis.
The HSJ Patient Safety Awards shines a light on outstanding individuals and teams who are improving patient safety across health and care. It recognises the critical work being done to address the complexities of delivering safe care amidst times of significant change and long-standing pressures.
The UHSussex team has been recognised in the Paediatrics and Children and Young People Safety Initiative of the Year category for developing an innovative five-day mental health education programme.
Delivered in partnership with Certified Minds, the programme helps equip staff with the knowledge and skills to provide safe, effective and compassionate care to children and young people with mental health concerns who are being cared for in hospital.
Sadie Sullivan, Clinical Lead for Education and Practice Development, Paediatrics and Neonates, who leads this programme, said: “We are incredibly proud to have now supported more than 170 interprofessional staff across the Trust and partner services to complete this important training.
“Our data shows that not only does this education make staff feel more confident and able to provide better care for our children and young people and families, but we have also seen practical changes in practice following this education and a developing culture of compassion and support within our acute teams.”
Developed in 2024, the programme takes place over the course of five days within a natural landscape, offering the opportunity for staff to access nature when learning about and discussing complex and emotive subjects.
Sadie said: “The way the programme is run in natural environments and with space for pastoral care and supervision also ensures that learners are enabled to engage with the curriculum and one another successfully.”
This initiative demonstrates how patient safety extends beyond clinical practice, helping to build a culture of openness, learning and collaboration to support safer, more compassionate care.
Winners of the HSJ Patient Safety Awards will be announced at a ceremony in September.