The shortlist recognises the outstanding work of teams across Bedfordshire and Luton and their commitment to providing high-quality care closer to home for older people living with frailty.
The UCCH brings together specialist doctors, nurses, paramedics and advanced practitioners to provide urgent assessment and treatment for patients in their own homes. Working closely with the Frailty Virtual Ward, the service helps people receive the care they need without an unnecessary trip to hospital whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so.
This approach has transformed the way urgent frailty care is delivered locally. During 2025/26, the service supported more than 6,600 referrals, helping to avoid over 4,000 attendances at A&E and nearly 2,900 ambulance journeys to hospital. The Frailty Virtual Ward also helped prevent around 60 hospital admissions each month, allowing many patients to be cared for in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes.
Patients and families consistently tell us how much they value being able to remain at home while receiving specialist care. Feedback highlights the reassurance, dignity and compassion shown by staff, as well as the positive impact on patients’ wellbeing and independence.
