LOCAL health workers are in the finals of an award scheme.
Three projects have reached the final stages of the 2006 West Yorkshire Modernisation Awards.
Two schemes - the acute stroke services and the one-stop carpal tunnel scheme - have been shortlisted for the service redesign award.
The stroke team is being recognised for its support of patients from admission to hospital after a stroke through to rehabilitation at home.
The team is in line to reduce death rates by 12%, meaning an extra 70 lives a year will be saved.
The carpal tunnel service has slashed waiting times and can now refer patients for same day consultation and surgery.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very common condition, caused by a trapped nerve in the wrist.
Previously, the average treatment period, from initial consultation to signing off, was 379 days.
Now, same day surgery is possible and the average treatment time is 65 to 70 days.
Increased nursing attention has also freed up doctors' time.
More than 300 patients have benefited from shorter waiting times since the service was redesigned in 2004.
Mr Sudhindran Anka- rath, the orthopaedic consultant behind the improvements, says: "It is a great honour to be shortlisted for me personally. But it really is the result of tremendous teamwork."
"The whole team should be very proud."
In addition to these two schemes, the two Huddersfield primary c are trusts are shortlisted in the non-clinical category for providing computer skills training and NVQ qualifications for staff.
The results are expected on March 24.
