Researchers from the Yorkshire Quality and Safety Research Group, based in the Bradford Institute for Health Research2 at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT), have been awarded the prestigious Dhole Eddlestone Prize for ‘the most deserving published work of medical research appertaining to the needs of aged people’ in Age and Ageing (Journal) in 2025 by the British Geriatric Society (BGS).
The winning paper: ‘Improving the safety and experience of transitions from hospital to home: a cluster randomised controlled trial of an intervention to involve older people in their care (Your Care Needs You)’, was published in Age and Ageing in May 2025. It emphasises the importance of involving older people in their own care in hospital. The trial showed that after three months, there was a significant impact on unplanned hospital readmissions.
The study, which was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)1 Programme Grants for Applied Health Research, Partners at Care Transitions (PACT): Improving patient experience and safety at transitions in care, RP‐PG‐1214‐20017, marks the first time theory-based knowledge about patient involvement has been used in developing and testing interventions for hospital to home transitions for older people.
The research used a cluster, randomised controlled trial, where some groups used the Your Care Needs You (YCNY) evidence-based intervention and some groups did not.
Your Care Needs You helps reduce the number of hospital readmissions and the number of adverse events after discharge. It does this by intentionally involving patients in their care during the hospital stay so as to retain their skills, knowledge and strength for returning home. The intervention is freely available here.
The trial ran across 11 hospital Trusts between 2021 and 2023. BTHFT were instrumental in this research with six wards – across its various sites – taking part, including Westbourne Green Community Hospital, Westwood Park Community Hospital, Wards F5 & F6 at St Luke’s Hospital, and Wards 26 (Vascular) and Ward 28 (Trauma and Orthopaedics) at Bradford Royal Infirmary.
Corresponding Author, Dr Jenni Murray and Chief Investigator, Professor Rebecca Lawton, from the Yorkshire Quality and Safety Research Group, said:
“We are thrilled to have been awarded the Dhole-Eddlestone Memorial Prize. This publication represents six years of robust research by a team of dedicated researchers and healthcare professionals who have moved the science of care transitions for older people forward.
“We are extremely grateful to the healthcare staff who enthusiastically supported us with the trial during very challenging times and to the editorial staff at ‘Age and Ageing’ for accepting our paper for publication.
“We are keen that the Your Care Needs You intervention, which was tested in the trial and is low-cost and evidence-based, is adopted by the NHS going forward. The award will support further exploration of safety outcomes in our study data.”
Professor Roy Soiza, Editor-in-Chief, Age and Ageing, said:
“Returning home after a hospital stay can feel overwhelming for older people and their families. For healthcare teams, ensuring safe and timely discharge is one of the most complex challenges, often with limited evidence to guide best practice. This outstanding trial evaluated an intervention designed to make the transition smoother by actively involving patients and staff in planning four essential areas: managing health and wellbeing, medications, daily activities, and escalating care needs. The editorial team commended the study for its broad relevance, practical applicability, and rigorous methodology and reporting.”
Professor Jugdeep Dhesi, British Geriatric Society President, said:
“As BGS President, it’s been a great privilege to sit on the panel assessing papers for the Dhole-Eddlestone Memorial Prize 2026 and I’m delighted that we are giving this award to such a worthy recipient. The transition from hospital back to home can be a risky one for older people, and by publishing high-quality clinical trials such as this, the BGS is using evidence to drive positive changes in practice and deliver improved healthcare for older people.”
Pictured above from left, Dr Jenni Murray and Professor Rebecca Lawton.