EMPOWERED, Adult Eating Disorders, Lead Provider Collaborative (LPC), North West, led by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), have won the prestigious national award ‘Patient Contribution – Group or Organisation’ at the Patient Experience Network Awards 2024 (PENNA).

The award highlights the EmpowerED Expert by Experience Forum and recognises the incredible efforts made by Experts by Experience to improve the delivery of adult eating disorders services across the North West. 

In the last 12 months the EmpowerED forum has delivered eating disorder training to over 1000 professionals across primary care, specialised mental health, health and social care, universities, and third sector organisations including the BBC International Safeguarding Leads and Barnardo’s Children Charity across Greater Manchester and Bolton.

The Forum has also been central to the creation of content and materials aimed at making eating disorders materials accessible to a wider audience, this includes the EmpowerED Eating Disorder Podcast, Expert by Experience digital stories, and the EmpowerED newsletter.

Georgia, Expert by Experience, said:- “It was amazing to see the EmpowerED Expert by Experience forum win a PENNA Award. The award highlights the dedication and excellence of everyone involved.”

India, Expert by Experience, said:- “I've seen the forum grow from strength to strength over the last couple of years and I'm really happy to see the amazing work by the EmpowerED Expert by Experience Forum being recognised with a national award.”

The LPC integrate the voices of Experts by Experience into every layer of decision-making. The forums actively recruit individuals with lived experiences, their Carers, and family members to ensure a breadth of perspectives and experiences. Representatives from these forums have an equal voice on Partnership Boards and Clinical Delivery Groups, areas where significant decisions and changes are made.

Tim Welch, Chief Executive, CWP, and Chair of the EmpowerED Partnership Board said:- “The vision of the EmpowerED Experts by Experience is crucial for truly reimagining and reshaping eating disorder services across the North West, ensuring we improve services for families, individuals accessing services, and clinicians. I am thrilled to see the Forum receive national recognition, which all of our incredible Experts truly deserve.”

The PENNA awards honour outstanding achievements and best practices in patient experience across the health and social care sectors. EmpowerED has been recognised for its dedication to transforming patient care pathways, reducing variations in care, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to provide person-centred care in the mental health sector.

EmpowerED, Adult Eating Disorders Provider Collaborative, North West, serves a population of 7 million people, and brings together:-

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS FT
Mersey Care NHS FT
Priory Health Care

This collaborative effort focuses on addressing adult eating disorders and aims to enhance patient pathways and experiences, while driving innovation and creativity in specialised mental health services.