A poster detailing the success of a quality improvement project at Southport Hospital has won a national award.

Dr Avraneel Talapatra, Dr Winson Cheung and Dr Paddy McDonald prepared a poster for the Royal College of Physicians’ Med+ conference detailing a study focused on Eating and Drinking with Acknowledged Risks (EDAR) and how to support individuals to continue eating and drinking where there is a perceived risk of choking or aspiration.

The poster, detailing the full project’s background and conclusions, staved off the challenge of more than 140 others to take the top award at the conference which is attended by medical staff from across the world.

Dr McDonald, Stroke Consultant, oversaw the project.

He said: “This project deals with an important clinical problem surrounding swallowing difficulties in mainly frail, older patients, as we strive to ensure that the correct decisions regarding allowing eating and drinking are made, taking into account the risk of aspiration.

“It also focused on ensuring there is a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach in the assessment of capacity and stresses that best interests are tantamount in that patient-centred decision.

“It was an excellent project to be involved in as it produced some really important conclusions and to have won the best poster competition at such a prestigious event is great news for everyone involved.’’