A GROUP of doctors and nurses from Airedale Hospital have been shortlisted for an NHS Parliamentary Award after being nominated by Ilkley’s MP Robbie Moore.

‘Hearts in Little Hands’ are a team from the hospital’s Emergency Department who teach children, parents and carers CPR and basic life saving skills.

The team, who before the pandemic visited primary schools across the area to share their expertise via demonstrations and songs, were shortlisted for the Excellence in Urgent and Emergency Care Award Category.

Dr Annie Summers, speciality doctor in Emergency Medicine at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for this award.

“All of us feel really excited because we started this programme a few years ago and we didn’t expect to get to here, we do it all in our own time. We just had a team of us who wanted to do more and teach these little ones, give them the life-saving skills and maybe one day they’ll be able to do something very simple and basic but enough to save someone’s life.”

There are more than 30,000 cardiac arrests a year outside of hospitals where medical emergency services attempt resuscitation. Less than ten per cent survive, but if CPR can be started early, it can double the chances of survival.

Annie added: “It’s a great opportunity to teach these children at primary school age who can learn it and really learn fast. We’ve had so many requests from other schools too and in the next few months we plan to register ‘Little Hearts’ as a charity so we can help more children learn these vital skills in the future.”

The NHS Parliamentary Awards recognise the massive contribution made by the individuals who work in and alongside the NHS.

Robbie Moore MP was among over 260 MPs in England who put forward outstanding nominees who have innovated, impressed and made a real difference to how local health and care services provide care for patients.

Robbie said: “For me, the Hearts in Little Hands team represent what’s best about our NHS. They go above and beyond the call of duty and they’re not only working hard for our National Health Service which is more important than ever right now, but they’re also right at the heart of our community here in Keighley and Ilkley, giving others the skills they need to provide lifesaving emergency first aid.”

Nominees will initially be judged by senior regional NHS experts to find regional champions in each category.

These regional champions will then be judged by a national panel with the overall winners announced at a special awards ceremony held in Parliament on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 - the week of the NHS’ birthday.