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Dr Pradeep Khanna, consultant physician at Nevill Hall Hospital, has won the title of Healthworker Champion at the South Wales Echo Community Champion Awards ceremony in Cardiff.

Dr Khanna observed that for some people living in Blaina, there was a 15 mile trip to the hospital where he has worked since 1989. Visiting hospital could mean a whole day for the round trip bus journey. In 1999, Dr Khanna launched the first rapid response team based in Blaenau Gwent, to support people suffering ill health in their own homes, instead of their going to hospital. The team is nurse-led but provides therapy programmes and helps patients who have suffered a stroke, to re-develop their skills and resume their previous activities.

“There were so many different organisations to involve in the scheme, and many thought I was after their budgets, but I managed to get the right-minded people on board, and bit by bit, we untangled these issues.”

“We closed the day hospital and moved treatment to the day centre, which is now called the day unit and is based in Abertillery.”

Dr Khanna’s understanding of the social difficulties experienced by his patients is helped by his belief that, “if you want to serve in a community you have to live there to understand its needs”. He says, “one of the nicest parts of my job is getting to know my patients. I play cricket for Abergavenny and people know me not only as a doctor but as a member of the community.”

Of his achievement, Dr Khanna says, “I was nominated for the award by Gwent Community Health Council which is the voice of the people, so it was a very big accolade for me to receive...I am overwhelmed with the award, chuffed that people have recognised my commitment...hopefully it will also show other people that if they put the work in they can achieve what they want.”