Innovative Sussex hospital project wins prestigious award

A Sussex project helping hospital patients stay active has won a national award for innovation and best practice.

The Stronger for Life in Hospital project – formerly known as the Active Sussex Reconditioning Project – has won the President’s Award at this year’s Community Hospitals Association Innovation and Best Practice Award.

The project saw health instructors from 20/20 Health brought into the Bexhill Irvine Unit to work with patients before supporting them in community classes upon discharge.

In their announcement, the judges said: “This innovative initiative is transforming how we tackle and reduce hospital deconditioning, with stroke patients creating a new delivery model that keeps patients active, independent and well.

“The project is a shining example of how NHS services and the voluntary sector can work together to achieve better health outcomes for residents.”

Funded by Active Sussex and delivered in partnership with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Active Rother, East Sussex County Council, and 20/20 Health, the project has demonstrated the impact of early, structured movement on recovery. 

Now in its second phase, exercise sessions are being livestreamed to other hospitals across Sussex to reach more patients.

Ross Joannides, Strategic Relationship Manager for Health and Older People at Active Sussex, said:  “Winning this award is a powerful recognition of what can happen when hospital teams and community partners work as one workforce. 

“The project has shown that early, structured movement that is delivered collaboratively can transform confidence, mobility, and independence for patients in community hospitals. 

“We’re incredibly proud of the patients, staff, and partners who helped shape this model, and we’re excited to build on this momentum to embed movement as a core part of rehabilitation across Sussex.”

Karen Poole, AHP Rehabilitation Consultant at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) and Clinical Director for NHS Sussex, added: “ESHT is delighted to have been part of a collaborative partnership that is testing out new ways of working together with the voluntary and community sector, offering greater opportunity to keep people as active as possible whilst they are in our care. 

“The enjoyment and laughter that radiates from the exercise groups is infectious, with a positive impact on how our teams proactively recognise and address the risks of deconditioning in their patients.”  

The team will formally receive the award in May.

You can read more about the second phase of the project here.