A consultant gastroenterologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been named a Clinical Leader of the Year finalist in the national Health Service Journal Awards.
Professor Alan Lobo, who is also a Professor of Gastroenterology at the University of Sheffield, is one of only a handful of exceptional leaders across the NHS shortlisted for the prestigious honour which celebrates healthcare professionals who go above and beyond to make a lasting impact on patient care.
A transformational leader, Alan led AWARE-IBD, a major study funded by the Health Foundation’s Common Ambition programme which put the voices of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases at the heart of NHS service redesign.
The three-year study improved patients' quality of life, with patients co-producing a IBD toolkit facilitating discussions with healthcare professionals about what it is like to live with the lifelong condition and the impacts that matter to them most. This was available in different formats and languages. The programme included an educational programme for patients and a personalised care plan which has been cited as a national exemplar to ensure ‘what matters to you?” is prioritised for patients.
Patients also led service changes to hospital care, piloting personalised care plans and establishing rapid access clinics to improve access to specialist care. This led to fewer hospital admissions and investigations. More patients were also seen in appropriate clinics for suspected condition flare-ups.
A critical factor in the study’s success was its focus on the lived experience of patients – with patients co-producing a Patient Reported Experience Measure, mapped to national standards, to gather and capture their real-time perceptions of healthcare experiences whilst receiving care.
Professor Alan Lobo established significant partnerships, collaborating with individuals and communities facing health and care disparities, including those from ethnic minority backgrounds, disadvantaged populations, and women's groups. Working with community leaders, community-based focus groups for underserved communities were run. Key barriers to care included: language, literacy, self-advocacy skills, mental health challenges, two-way communication gaps, staff attitudes, and cultural awareness.
One in 123 people in the UK are affected by inflammatory bowel disease, a chronic, lifelong condition which affects the bowels and many other parts of the body.
Professor Alan Lobo, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Sheffield Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am humbled and honoured to have been nominated for this prestigious national healthcare award. Putting patients at the heart of care is central to improving the everyday lives of those living with inflammatory bowel disease. I am especially proud that, led by patients, we have sought to treat the person rather than the patient, driven by what most matters to them, whether it be fear, stigma, anxiety or access to rapidly changing treatments. Our work with underserved communities has also given greater voice to people who are proportionately more likely to be admitted to hospital because of their condition. I am fortunate to be part of an incredibly talented and dedicated team. Being shortlisted for this award is recognition of all their hard work and their commitment to excellence and delivering the best possible care for our patients.”
Marianne Radcliffe, CEO of Crohn's & Colitis UK, said: “As a charity we work really closely with Professor Alan Lobo and his team, so I am delighted that his work is being recognised in this way. Building partnerships and embedding patient voice in NHS services needs leadership. Alan has used his leadership to move from aspiration to reality. Through ambition, listening and perseverance, he has demonstrated what can be achieved in partnership and across the NHS.”
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on Thursday next week (20th November).
