We’re proud to announce that IC24 has been shortlisted for the HSJ Partnership Award 2025 for our work on the innovative Norfolk and Waveney Unscheduled Care Coordination Hub (UCCH). This collaborative hub brings together healthcare professionals—GPs, paramedics, nurses, mental health teams, and social care providers—to ensure patients receive the right care, at the right place, the first time.

The UCCH team has real-time access to 999 and 111 calls, enabling them to assess cases promptly and coordinate responses to keep patients safely at home whenever possible. Since its launch in September 2023, the UCCH has reviewed over 12,000 999 calls, preventing ambulance dispatch for 62% of cases and allowing 85% of patients to remain at home without further urgent care needs. This initiative not only enhances patient outcomes but also reduces pressure on emergency services.

The UCCH is focusing on their patients and the response needed. This is especially crucial for older patients who can often suffer under long ambulance wait times and admission times.

This is not the first time our UCCH team has been recognised- with it recently being nominated by UHUK for our partnership work, ultimately being awarded the Silver Partnership Award!

Dr. Tim Merchant, our Regional Medical Director, said:

“We’re thrilled that the Norfolk and Waveney Unscheduled Care Coordination Hub, delivered in partnership with Norfolk and Waveney ICB, has been shortlisted for the HSJ Partnership Award 2025. This recognition highlights the incredible collaboration between practitioners from different organisations, including GPs, paramedics, nurses, social care teams, and mental health specialists. Together, we’ve created a truly integrated service that ensures patients receive the right care, in the right place, the first time. By reducing ambulance dispatches and helping patients remain safely at home, we’re improving outcomes and easing pressure on emergency services. Congratulations to everyone involved in this ground-breaking initiative!”