Bristol based Avon IM&T Consortium, a shared information management and technology service across NHS Bristol, NHS North Somerset and NHS South Gloucestershire, has been recognised as the ‘Healthcare IT Team of the year’ 2010 at the e-Health insider awards ceremony held in London on 6^th October.

Widely regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the NHS IT world, “The awards are a bellwether for the health and vitality of this important sector and they show that healthcare IT is still producing great innovation and excellent work by teams and individuals.” said Jon Hoeksma, editor of the e-Health insider. The awards are now in their 4^th year and continue to go from strength to strength with a record number of entries received over 11 categories.

The win for Avon IM&T Consortium caps off an impressive year which has seen multiple awards won across the South West and further afield. The award cited the following “Avon IM&T Consortium was formed in April 2007 from 5 separate Primary Care Trust (PCT) information management and technology (IM&T) departments. In 3 years it has established itself as a premier IM&T shared service repeatedly delivering innovative solutions and service. ‘Delivery’ is it’s mantra, putting IM&T at the heart of healthcare delivery, by delivering new clinical computer systems, business intelligence solutions, enhanced data and systems security, world class IT training, frontline and 2^nd line support, technology deployment, business change and project management. The IM&T Consortium is a Public Sector IT success story and a great example to shout about.”

Andy Kinnear, Head of Avon IM&T consortium, said “We work hard to maintain a positive cycle, to work with our colleagues and to ensure IM&T remains at the centre of health care delivery. To be presented with this award is a fantastic achievement for the whole Consortium and further shows the hard work and dedication of our staff to making the Consortium the success it is today.”

Pictured accepting the award left to right are Anthony Palmer (Head of Project Management), Sue Fields (CEO, Bristol Community Health), Mary Hutton (Acting CEO, NHS North Somerset), Richard Caves (Director of Information Management and Technology, South West Strategic Health Authority), Jason Wallace (Head of IT Services) Sarah Mason (IM&T Trainer), Dr. Andrew Appleton (GP, South Gloucestershire), Adam Scull (Information Analyst Team Leader), Sarah Scobie (Head of Information), Stewart Plant (Communications Officer) and Donna Prangley (IM&T Trainer).