The Resilience & Rapid Response Award

The MHCLG Rough Sleeping Covid-19 Taskforce worked rapidly and successfully with local authorities and other partners to bring thousands of vulnerable rough sleepers and others at risk into emergency accommodation at the height of the pandemic.The team swiftly refocused priorities and sustained morale through extremely challenging circumstances to bring ‘Everyone In’ through collaboration with local authorities, voluntary sector partners, and hotels.Within two weeks, over 90% of rough sleepers had been offered accommodation, and as well as saving hundreds of lives, this has helped to turn around the lives of many more.

HMG’s China Network is nominated for exceptional crisis response as COVID-19 spread in China.They managed the successful evacuation of British nationals from the epicentre of Wuhan, and used accurate situational awareness to shape UK ministerial and scientific policies at a crucial stage of the outbreak. A challenging context included closure of consulates in Wuhan and Chongqing, the largest draw-down of over 400 UK-based staff and dependants, and significant restrictions on staff movements. Colleagues from 18 government departments worked in crisis structures, giving 24/7 support to British nationals and meeting intense ministerial demand for analysis at the most uncertain and rapidly evolving stage of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Nominated for the Health Tech Awards

2020, the Isolation Note is an example of Civil Service collaboration at its best.

The Isolation Note was introduced at the start of the pandemic as a digital means by which individuals can certify absence from work for COVID-19 reasons via NHS111 Online, and is pragmatic, creative and flexible solution to mitigate complications arising from COVID-19 for citizens, GPs, employers and benefit claimants. Available UK-wide, more than 2 million Isolation Notes have been issued (correct as of December 2020) and the system has been adapted and adjusted to reflect the latest requirements and guidance from the Government.The Isolation Note’s introduction has empowered citizens; protected GP clinical time; safeguarded access to and payment of benefits; and given needed reassurance to employers and employees.The initiative has also provided valuable lessons and acted as a springboard for future government improvements around certification requirements.

Recognising excellence in crisis management, contingency planning, or major incident response.