Two Cambridgeshire emergency services have been nominated for a prestigious healthcare award.

Cambridgeshire's ambulance service, the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST), and Cambs Fire and Rescue Service have been shortlisted for the HSJ Awards 2024, described as the top event of the year in the healthcare sector.

The recognition comes from their partnership in the Community Wellbeing Officer (CWO) initiative, which combines health response with fire prevention.

Launched in November 2023, the CWO project operates in conjunction with Essex and Bedfordshire fire services.

The 11 CWOs in three counties work in six teams.

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When calls for non-injury falls come in, EEAST dispatchers can send CWOs, who provide urgent assistance while offering fire prevention advice.

Since its inception, CWOs have responded to nearly 950 calls and were the first on scene for 90pc of those incidents.

An added benefit of this initiative is the relief it provides to general ambulances services.

On more than 300 occasions, CWOs have helped patients without needing an ambulance, enabling these crucial resources to attend more serious situations.

In addition to this, CWOs assist ambulance crews with severe emergencies like cardiac arrests, having been trained by EEAST clinicians in basic life support.

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Jo Fletcher, associate director of Urgent and Emergency Care Integration at EEAST, said: “I am thrilled to see the Community Wellbeing Officer project shortlisted for a HSJ award.

"EEAST is proud to work closely and collaboratively with our blue light partners in the fire and rescue services across the region."

Scott Fretwell, Cambridgeshire Fire Service Station commander and community risk manager, said: “I am delighted to hear our partnership with EEAST has been shortlisted.

"The collaboration has seen our Community Wellbeing Officers spend more than 450 additional hours visiting vulnerable residents across the county carrying out safe and well visits.”

The HSJ Awards winners will be announced in central London on November 21.