Frimley Health scored a double success at the Patient Experience National Awards with runner-up places in two categories.

The trust’s work with The Patient Trust, an organisation set up by former Wycombe Wanderers footballer Howard Kennedy to improve the way people are cared for, was recognised with awards in the categories ‘Strengthening the Foundation’ and ‘Staff Engagement’.

After he was given just three years to live following a diagnosis of prostate cancer, Mr Kennedy started the organisation to help create leaders in healthcare who will champion consistent patient experience improvements among senior and junior colleagues.

Claire Marshall, Head of Patient Experience, was at the ceremony in Birmingham to collect the awards. She said: “We were very pleased to be shortlisted in two categories so to win runner up spot in both was a real endorsement for the project.”

A number of Frimley Health doctors have now successfully embarked on The Patient Trust’s patient encounter leadership (PEL) programme, which teaches emotional intelligence, patient engagement and self-awareness – all essential qualities for healthcare leaders.

When he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in June 2013 Mr Kennedy decided to devote the rest of his life to improving the relationship between clinicians and patients using his own experience as a patient and leader of public sector system reforms. He and colleague Gareth Cornwall developed the PEL with input from trust doctors.

Claire is pictured with Howard Kennedy and Gareth Cornwall at the awards ceremony earlier this month.