We’re delighted to announce that our work has been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s HSJ Patient Safety Awards: Primary Care Safety Initiative of the Year and Improving Safety and Outcomes for Minority Ethnic Communities.
The shortlisting recognises our Heart Health Bedford project, which set out to improve hypertension outcomes for an under-treated group — Black African and Black Caribbean patients aged 40–64, who face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Rather than running a one-off clinic, we redesigned our systems from the ground up: more accurate patient identification, a structured recall and contact model, a consistent clinical approach, and embedded follow-up so no patient is left to drift. The results speak for themselves — blood pressure control in the cohort rose from 27% to 77% at target, and we achieved our QOF hypertension target early. The same model is now being rolled out across our wider hypertension population and adapted for other long-term conditions.
Importantly, this was a collaborative effort. It was not a London Road Surgery project alone, but a partnership with our Integrated Care Board (ICB) and our residents, who were central to co-designing the approach.
This achievement reflects the collective effort, commitment and passion of everyone involved. We’re proud of what we’ve built together and grateful to be recognised alongside the best in the NHS.
