Two teams from Sunderland Royal Hospital shared top prize in the region's annual Bright Ideas in Health Awards, which promotes ground-breaking schemes to improve NHS care and help patients.

They were joint winners of the Innovative Service Delivery category, and received their awards and £2,500 at a special event held in the Gateshead Hilton.

Equality and diversity co-ordinator Stephanie Smith and chief biomedical scientist Linda Selby introduced a work experience programme for school leaving students with profound learning disabilities.

The programme offers students from special schools, such as Barbara Priestman School, an introduction to the world of work through placements in hospital post rooms, offices and laboratories.

Offering practical work experience and a sense of achievement for the students, it also helps break down barriers and challenge stereotypes of youngsters with severe learning disabilities.

Competing in the same category were clinical nurse specialist Faye Armstrong and transfusion nurse practitioner Jonathon Trattles.

They set up a more patient led-approach for people who need regular blood transfusion to maintain life and relieve symptoms, which improved services and reduced waiting times.

"We are delighted that the work of our staff has been recognised in the Bright Ideas in Health awards," said a spokeswoman for City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

"People who require regular transfusion are now able to access this in a more flexible and accessible manner through links to a specialist nurse ,who works closely with the transfusion co-ordinator.

"Our work experience scheme for young people with learning disabilities has brought huge benefits to the young people involved, increasing their self-esteem and confidence.

"Staff have also enjoyed this experience and look forward to the days when the young people are on site."

Staff from University Hospital of North Durham were also nominated for the Big Ideas final, run by NHS Innovations North.

Senior clinical technologist Graham Jefferson was involved in creating a device to raise the height of a patient's bed at home to make it easier to get in and out.

Intensive care unit nurses Pat Hogg and Barbara Jameson came up with an improved cannula dressing, which enables clinicians to inspect tubes inserted into the body to drain fluid or administer medication.