North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has been recognised nationally after winning the Collaborative Excellence in Working Together to Improve Care Award at the RLDatix Awards 2026.
The award recognises NEAS' Learning Disability and Autism Awareness Education programme, which has transformed how ambulance clinicians are supported to deliver person-centred care for people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
Co-produced with people with lived experience, families, and system partners, the programme was developed specifically for pre-hospital clinicians. It combines real ambulance scenarios, patient stories, and immersive learning to create a clinically relevant and engaging educational experience.
More than 2,000 colleagues have now completed the programme, achieving 99% compliance. Early evaluation shows improved understanding of patient needs, increased staff confidence and stronger delivery of safe, personalised care.
Karen Gardner, deputy director of people development at the North East Ambulance Service, said: "Winning this award is a fantastic achievement and reflects the commitment of the education team, colleagues and partners who have worked together to create something that is making a real difference for both our staff and the patients we care for.
“By listening to people with lived experience and embedding their voices throughout the programme, we've created learning that is practical, meaningful and directly relevant to the realities of ambulance care. We're incredibly proud to see this work recognised on a national stage."
Paul Sanders, President UK&I, RLDatix, said: "Every day, we see incredible examples of people across health and social care making a real difference for patients, service users and colleagues. Through the RLDatix Awards, we are proud to provide a national platform to celebrate these achievements and share the stories and learning that can inspire progress across the wider health and care community.
“It is both an honour and a privilege to recognise and celebrate the exceptional people, teams and organisations who are helping to raise the standard of care, everywhere."
The RLDatix Awards celebrate health and care professionals and teams making a measurable difference to care quality, patient safety and workforce effectiveness. Entries are independently judged by a panel of respected leaders from across health and care, with winners recognised for demonstrating outstanding impact and excellence in improving care.
The RLDatix Awards 2026 took place on 9 July at the Telford International Centre, bringing together more than 500 health and social care professionals from across the UK and Ireland to celebrate innovation, collaboration and excellence in improving care.