A partnership between West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the Hospice of St Francis, and Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust has been named a regional champion at the 2026 NHS Excellence Awards. The honour, announced on 29 April 2026, recognises the group’s successful efforts to provide specialised end-of-life care for patients at home in Watford and the surrounding areas.
The collaboration focuses on supporting patients with end-stage interstitial lung disease. By using a specialised home therapy that provides heated, humidified oxygen, the team helps patients manage severe breathlessness without the need for hospital admission. The programme also provides round-the-clock palliative care, ensuring patients have support whenever they need it.
The impact of this approach has been significant. Hospital deaths related to this condition have fallen from 56 in 2023 to 39 in 2025, even as the number of patient referrals has increased. The initiative, led by Dr Sharon Chadwick, a consultant in palliative medicine who trained in respiratory health, is designed to keep patients in their own homes in accordance with their personal care plans.
The project was selected from more than 2,500 entries submitted by health organisations across the country. As a regional champion, the team will now compete in the national finals at the NHS ConfedExpo in Manchester on 10 June 2026. This care model is already attracting national and international attention, with future presentations and academic publications being planned to share the results with other health services.
This initiative supports the goals of the national 10 Year Health Plan, which seeks to move more healthcare services from hospitals into local communities.
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