An innovative virtual ward at HMP Frankland has been shortlisted twice at the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Partnership Awards, for its transformative impact on healthcare delivery.
Spectrum, in close partnership with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT), received a nomination for ‘Bridging Care Through Collaboration: Virtual Ward at HMP Frankland’ in the ‘Best Not-for-Profit Working in Partnership with the NHS’ category, and for ‘Partnering for Better Health: Virtual Ward and Improved Care at HMP Frankland’ in the ‘Most Impactful Use of Technology in Clinical Practice’ category.
Now in its eighth year, the HSJ Partnership Awards has become the most recognised and respected mark of the strongest relationships between suppliers and the NHS. Following a thorough judging process, Spectrum was included in 180+ organisations, projects and individuals that made the final shortlist, amid 280+ entries logged for the 2025 awards programme. The awards recognises an outstanding dedication to improving healthcare and effective collaboration with the NHS.
The success of the Virtual Ward at HMP Frankland is a testament to the power of collaboration – combining expertise, resources and commitment to deliver meaningful change. This partnership has been integral to overcoming the unique challenges of delivering healthcare in a secure environment. By working together, partners designed a service that prioritises patient well-being, while ensuring operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Clinicians are empowered to remotely monitor patients’ medical data, resulting in improved patient-centred care and the reduction of hospital transfers.
The Virtual Ward has yielded impressive results, cutting emergency transfers from 19 per month in April
2023 to just six by April 2024. This equates to cost savings of nearly 63%, while also significantly reducing the service’s carbon footprint.
Angela Star, Director of Nursing and Quality at Spectrum, emphasised the importance of this partnership: “This achievement is a shared success. We could not have delivered such transformative results without the dedication, expertise and innovation of our partners at HMPPS and CDDFT. Their commitment to improving patient care and their trust in this initiative were pivotal. This recognition underscores our commitment to delivering innovative and effective healthcare solutions in collaboration with our patients and partners.”
Vivek Patil, Spectrum’s Medical Director, said: “This is one of the transformative projects Spectrum has embarked on and it has definitely yielded a win-win situation for everyone. Patient outcomes are very good, with care that’s closer to individuals provided. This is consistent with the NHS ethos of collaboration, driving digital agenda and enhancing patient outcomes. We have done this as a CIC, with collaboration between HMPPS and CDDFT.”
Governor Daniel Pinder, Head of Residence and Services at HMP Frankland, said: “Since the introduction of the Virtual Ward at HMP Frankland, the outcomes and results have been very positive for all parties involved – including patients and the prison. This service ensures patients receive appropriate care while enhancing operational oversight for the establishment. The results speak for themselves, and we are thrilled to see such tangible improvements.”
Lisa Ward, CDDFT’s Associate Director of Nursing (Patient Safety) and Chief Nursing Information Officer, said: “This partnership showcases the impact of integrating innovative healthcare solutions within secure environments. By working together collaboratively, we have enhanced patient safety, reduced hospital transfers, and improved overall healthcare outcomes at HMP Frankland. This achievement underscores the importance of prioritising patient-centred care, even in the most challenging settings. We are proud to contribute to this transformative initiative and look forward to continued advancements in partnership with Spectrum and HMPPS.”
The winners of the 2025 HSJ Partnership Awards will be unveiled during a ceremony at Evolution London on 20 March 2025. The judging panel, comprising esteemed healthcare leaders such as May Mengyu Li (Director of Efficiency at NHS England) and Alan Duffell (Group Chief People Officer at The Royal Wolverhampton Trust), evaluated this year’s entries.
For more information and the full list of nominees, please click here.