PEACS Project Highly Commended at 2024 HSJ Awards
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust is proud to announce that the KHP Mind & Body Pain: Equality of Care and Support in the Community (PEACS) project has been highly commended at the 2024 HSJ Awards. The project received recognition in the Innovation and Improvement in Reducing Healthcare Inequalities category for its significant impact on improving outcomes for people living with chronic pain, particularly in Black communities disproportionately affected by health inequalities.
The project was also recognised as a finalist in the NHS Race Equality Award category, further highlighting its commitment to addressing racial disparities in healthcare.
The HSJ Awards, held on Thursday 21 November at Evolution London, celebrated excellence and innovation across the UK’s health and social care sector. Hosted by comedian Dara O’Briain, the prestigious event featured over 1,350 entries across 26 categories, showcasing the outstanding contributions of NHS organisations.
Entries were judged against criteria including ambition, outcomes, reach, value, and stakeholder involvement. The PEACS project stood out for its innovative approach to tackling healthcare inequalities and its success in co-designing solutions with local communities.
In 2023 alone, the PEACS project supported 597 individuals, including 296 people from Black communities. Through co-design with local communities, the initiative empowers patients to manage their chronic pain effectively while addressing barriers to accessing care.
Misha Gardner, Project Manager for PEACS, reflected on the recognition:
"What an enormous privilege it was for the PEACS Programme to be commended at the 2024 HSJ Awards! I am still in awe of the team and everybody who has made this possible through their incredible hard work, skill, and determination. PEACS is something that was developed in partnership with local communities through co-design, and receiving this award feels like a full-circle moment for them. It’s a real testament to what happens when you listen and respond to the needs of local communities who need, and deserve, better healthcare. This is, and will always be, for those wonderful patients. Thank you so much!”
Alastair McLellan, Editor of the Health Service Journal, commended the exceptional standard of this year’s entries:
"Year on year, I’m always so impressed by the innovation, dedication, and integrity of all those who take the time to submit an entry to the HSJ Awards – and this year has been no exception. With an outstanding calibre of applicants, the judging panel faced tough decisions and much deliberation! I’d therefore like to extend my personal congratulations to KHP Mind & Body, who were highly commended in the category of Innovation and Improvement in Reducing Healthcare Inequalities.”
The PEACS project forms part of the Mind & Body Programme, which is funded by King’s Health Partners — a collaboration between Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts, and King’s College London. It is also supported by The Health Foundation, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, The Burdett Trust, Maudsley Charity, and Leukaemia UK.
For more information about the Mind & Body Programme and its initiatives, visit: Mind & Body Programme: King’s Health Partners.
