Tuesday October 14th 2025
East Lothian's Rehabilitation Service's Inreach Team celebrating success receiving Team of the Year Award
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
East Lothian’s Rehabilitation Service’s Inreach Team were thrilled to be announced as winners of the NHS Lothian Celebrating Success Team of the Year Award 2025.
Proudly sponsored by NHS Lothian Charity, the annual Celebrating Success Awards recognise the exceptional impact and contributions made by individuals, teams and volunteers working to improve care and support across East Lothian.
The East Lothian Rehabilitation Service Inreach Team were awarded the Team of the Year for their continued efforts to streamline hospital discharge from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for East Lothian patients.
The Inreach team based at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE) incorporates physiotherapists, occupational therapists, assistant practitioners and discharge coordinators. Their goal is to identify East Lothian patients presenting to or admitted to the RIE and provide specialist assessment and support at the earliest opportunity to support discharge as quickly as possible.
While the Inreach Team are based at RIE, they work in close partnership with the wider East Lothian network of social work, rehabilitation and community services teams to support patient discharge.
During the project phase of the inreach initiative, the team supported 1,601 patient discharges, which has mitigated the need for approx. 3573 bed days, equating to savings of £1.4million.
Chief Officer, Fiona Wilson comments:
“The success of this inreach initiative is driven by the power of partnership knowledge. In working collaboratively, the multidisciplinary teams across East Lothian identify means of supporting patients closer to home, utilising the various alternative community treatment pathways available.
“The Inreach Team have been fundamental in shaping this system, which has led to more efficient and effective discharges, or preventing admissions. Achieving Team of the Year award is a success that each of the Partnership teams involved in delivering this initiative can celebrate.”
“This award is compounded further by the touching human stories and feedback we receive from patients and families who express their gratitude for the personalised support provided that enables them to return home safely and with confidence.”
Laura Rowlinson, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist, said:
“There are so many incredible teams in Lothian working under challenging circumstances, always striving to provide the best care for their patients. Being recognised with this award is a huge honour and a well-deserved thank you for everyone’s dedication and hard work.”
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