AN NHS team whose dedication has helped to get the finances of NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group back on track has seen their hard work add up to a regional award.

NHS Kernow won the finance team of the year 2018 awarded by South West Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) at the annual conference for the remarkable work that has taken place in the last 12 months.

The awards celebrate excellence in finance departments and showcase best practice and achievement in financial management and governance.

Jackie Pendleton, NHS Kernow chief officer, said: “I am delighted that our finance team has received this award in recognition of its hard work and dedication in addressing the financial challenges faced by, not only our organisation, but also the wider health and care system.”

“I am incredibly proud of their talent, determination and commitment to resolve what was a challenging financial position with a fresh, professional and creative approach, making them very deserving winners.”

Jackie added: “NHS Kernow passionately believes that every pound that we are entrusted with should be spent wisely on the most needy people using clinically and cost effective means.

“Throughout 2017/2018 we have continued to build on the financial foundations we established in the previous year to ensure we were meeting this aim. For the second year running our CCG has delivered the financial plan we set out at the beginning of the year, indeed last year we finished with a deficit of £33.2 million, against a planned deficit of £37.6 million.

“Our focus on managing our finances more effectively means we have been able to commission new services, particularly in mental health and primary care.”

Whilst NHS Kernow is not yet in a position of financial balance, it said it was moving in the right direction.

Despite the accolade the team is not complacent about the work that still needs to take place with NHS partners to achieve overall financial balance within the next three years while ensuring high quality services are delivered.

The team is working alongside Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and HFMA to help put Cornwall on the map for training and investing in graduate trainees.

Clare Bryan joined NHS Kernow as chief finance officer back in October and said she has already been greatly impressed by the progress the team has made to address the historic financial deficit.

She said: “They have demonstrated the impact that significant progress in improving financial control and governance, innovative team development and wider collaboration can have in a relatively short time. The award is both a timely and positive recognition of their efforts.”