West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership picks up awards for management, diversity and flexible working

Chief executive Rob Webster was named chief executive of the year at the 40th Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards, while the system leadership team won initiative of the year for its ambition to increase leadership diversity.

The ceremony also saw the partnership - which is made up of the NHS, councils, independent care providers, hospices, Healthwatch and hundreds of carer and community organisations across Bradford, Calderdale, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield - being highly commended in the Workforce Initiative of the Year category for its nationally recognised Working Carers Passport Initiative.

The judges concluded that Mr Webster's combination of humility, support for staff and partners and a focus on population needs was the near perfect combination for a leader in today’s NHS. Rob - who is also CEO for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust - was also the first mental health trust chief executive to secure the number one spot in HSJ’s Top 50 chief executives list.

The System Leadership team's winning initaitive is aimed at increasing representation of ethnic minorities in senior leadership roles.

Helen Hirst, CEO lead for the programme said: "Our relentless focus on increasing the diversity of our leadership to better serve our communities in West Yorkshire and Harrogate has upped a gear during the pandemic, with delivery of a senior leadership fellowship programme and changes in recruitment policy and practice in all our partner organisations. We have supported our colleagues who work in health and care across our area with health and wellbeing resources and taken a clear stance with communications campaigns such as Black History Month and Islamophobia Awareness Month. We’re delighted to have received this award on behalf of all our colleagues and communities."

Sayma Mirza, senior head of collaboration for Bradford District and Craven and a member of the WY&H BAME Network, added: "We know when we are able to see things from everyone’s perspective we are better informed and positioned to meet the needs of those we serve. We want our people to dream with ambition and we will work hard to make those dreams a reality – winning the award is a tremendous boost to us all here at WY&H HCP and encourages us to keep pushing those boundaries."

The programme board is jointly chaired by Richard Parry, Kirklees Council's strategic director for adults and health and Karen Jackson, CEO for Locala Community Partnership.

They said: "We’re delighted that the importance of supporting unpaid carers has been recognised in these awards – and more delighted that carers are getting the care and attention they deserve in the work place."

Coun Tim Swift, chairman of the partnership board, said: ‘I’m delighted that colleagues and communities have been recognised for their outstanding achievements during what has been an incredible difficult year for all. Tackling health inequalities across the partnership is a priority everyone, and this has been reflected in those nominated and winners of these awards and Rob being awarded CEO of the year. Congratulations to all involved."

You can find out more about the Partnership’s work at www.wyhpartnership.co.uk or on twitter @wyhpartnership