Cornwall Health Programme Shortlisted for 2025 HSJ Awards

A Cornwall and Isles of Scilly health programme, designed to deliver more personalised care and reduce hospital admissions for around 230,000 people, has been shortlisted for the 2025 HSJ Awards.

The entry, for developing integrated neighbourhood teams (INT) within the Central Cornwall Integrated Care Area (ICA), is in the running for the Integrated Care of the Year category.

Recognised as a National Example

The INT programme was co-developed by NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board’s Central Cornwall ICA and the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC). It was designed to rapidly establish and embed INTs across Central Cornwall.

This year’s awards attracted over 1,250 entries from across the health sector and involve a rigorous judging process. The shortlist recognises the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care System as a standout example of healthcare delivery, with the programme recently featured in the NHS 10 Year Plan as one of just three areas in the country already demonstrating how to build a neighbourhood health service.

Building Teams Across Cornwall

Six INTs were first set up within the six primary care networks in Central Cornwall ICA: Truro, St Austell, Watergate, Falmouth and Penryn, Coastal and Arbennek. The programme has since expanded to 16 INTs across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Work began in early 2024, focusing on building trust and shared purpose between frontline staff from a wide range of sectors, including primary care, community health, mental health, social care, voluntary and community organisations, local authority and public health.

Kate Shields, Chief Executive Officer of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, said:

“What a proud moment for the team being shortlisted for this national award, I want to congratulate everyone who has been involved. It’s fantastic to be recognised among so many outstanding entries and is a real reflection of their passion and hard work.

Here in Cornwall, we are leading the way with our integrated neighbourhood teams. With the delivery of coordinated and compassionate care in and closer to people’s homes, the INTs are a shining example of how we’re achieving the key shift from hospital to community as set out in the NHS 10 Year Plan.

We are now expanding to 16 INTs across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and the benefits are already being felt by around a third of our population receiving more personalised and efficient care, reducing hospital admissions and improving health outcomes.”

Partnership Work at the Heart of Success

Katrina Percy, Joint CEO of the NAPC, said:

“We are delighted to see Central Cornwall’s integrated neighbourhood teams shortlisted for this award. This work demonstrates what is possible when local systems invest in relationships, trust, and shared purpose across organisational boundaries.

Our ambition was to move rapidly from strategy to action and empower frontline teams to lead the change. This shortlist is recognition of their incredible commitment to improving care for local communities.”

Scott Maslin and Jeremy Martin of the NAPC led workshops over six months to bring teams together with shared energy, co-design new ways of working and deliver improvements that support proactive care.

Improving Care and Reducing Pressure

The INT programme has been recognised for its ability to turn strategic plans into quick frontline change, while creating insights for future planning.

Dr Stewart Smith, Clinical Director in Central Cornwall ICA and local GP, said:

“We’re honoured to have been shortlisted for the Integrated Care of the Year at the national HSJ Awards. This work has united colleagues from across the NHS, social care and voluntary sector in Cornwall, focusing on how we can all work together more effectively to care for our communities.

We have seen many examples of support for people to access the care they need as smoothly as possible – seamless working, reducing red tape and increasing staff morale, but most importantly, improving the quality and experience of care for many of our patients.

The Central Cornwall ICA leadership team should be applauded for investing in the building blocks of integrated working in this way. However, it’s our colleagues on the ground who deserve the most praise for engaging with this work, united by wanting the best care for local residents.”

Winners Announced in November

The winners will be revealed at a ceremony in London on 20th November 2025. The HSJ Awards celebrate excellence in healthcare, highlight best practice, and recognise those improving patient outcomes nationwide.

HSJ Editor Alastair McLellan said:

“On behalf of all my colleagues, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate Central Cornwall ICA and the NAPC on being shortlisted as a finalist in the category of Integrated Care of the Year. All of the applications represent the ‘very best of the NHS’ and often leave our esteemed panel of judges with an impossible choice!”

📷Central Cornwall ICA integrated neighbourhood teams, December 2024