News and events

Our pioneering project which enables parents, carers and professionals to better support their children to develop communication skills has been recognised with a national award.

We've been named winner of the Early Intervention and Prevention for Children, Young People and Families Award at the HSJ Awards for our FOLLOW initiative. FOLLOW is a simple, evidence-based framework, designed to empower families and education, health and community professionals to support children’s communication skills from birth. The initiative has helped improve access and outcomes for children and families in the county with communication needs. 

FOLLOW stands for six key interaction strategies that can be used anytime, anywhere: Face to face, Observe, Label, Limit questions, Opportunities, Wait. It was developed by the trust’s Speech and Language Therapy team in partnership with a range of organisations and is now routinely shared by health visitors at a child’s two and a half year review and at Early Talk groups run by Hertfordshire One YMCA Family Support Centres. It has also been shared at BBC Tiny Happy People events.

Chief Executive Elliot Howard-Jones said: “We couldn’t be prouder of our Speech and Language Therapy team for their outstanding achievement.

“The FOLLOW initiative is an example of what can happen when you have a great idea, develop it through partnership working and evidence-based research and then work to embed it as routine practice across the system, through cross-sector collaboration and meaningful engagement.

“We’re very hopeful that this award will help to build awareness and understanding among families and professionals of this wonderful approach which is making such a positive impact on the lives of the children we support.”

In addition to the award for FOLLOW, our Chief Medical officer, Dr Elizabeth Kendrick was named as a finalist in the Clinical Leader of the Year category.

Dr Kendrick has led the development of Hospital at Home in east and north Hertfordshire and pioneered the use of proactive care and digital remote monitoring. The approach has enabled thousands of patients to access high-quality healthcare and stay out of hospital or leave hospital earlier. 

The HSJ Awards are the most prestigious recognition of healthcare excellence. They showcase the most impactful projects, best practice initiatives, and transformative innovations shaping the future of NHS care. 

This year’s awards attracted more than 1,250 entries from across the health sector, with only 245 projects and individuals making it through to the final shortlist.

Elliot continued: “I’m exceptionally proud of Dr Kendrick, who has long been well-regarded within the local healthcare landscape. Now, as a finalist of this award, she has finally received recognition on a national level.

“Her work on proactive care and our Hospital at Home has helped thousands of patients stay out of hospital and improved their outcomes. It cannot be underestimated the impact Elizabeth has had on the health and wellbeing of people across the county.”