A medical team that set up a project in east London to let patients be treated with injected antibiotics at home or as an outpatient rather than having to stay in hospital has been recognised as “NHS heroes” and awarded £1,000.

Their project at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel means 450 patients since 2012 have managed to avoid admission or at least had their stay in hospital reduced.

That has meant freeing up 1,200 ‘bed days’ which have been used for more urgent medical cases.

The team was nominated for Barts Health NHS Trust ‘heroes’ awards by a GP in London’s East End after it helped one of her elderly patients avoid admission.

“It made a big difference to my patient,” Dr Shera Chok explained. “She was able to attend hospital every day for a week, rather than having to be admitted. It was brilliant. They deserve this award for testing such new ideas.”

Four Barts Health Trust staff involved in the fight against Ebola in West Africa last year were also recognised as “heroes” and presented with ‘Ebola’ medals.

NHS “heroes” are nominated by patients, families, colleagues and other health professionals for the annual Barts Health recognition awards.

Barts Trust has a-million patients every year being looked after at its five east London hospitals, Royal London, Mile End, Newham University, St Batholemew’s and Whipps Cross.