Hospital teams caring for children at the Royal London are up for a prestigious national health award.

The play and paediatric liaison teams have been shortlisted in this year’s Health Service Journal awards for a ‘heroes’ project which gives confidence to children with chronic illness.

The project helps them discuss as a group how their illness makes them feel and share ways to cope, so they help each other to feel less alone and have better understanding to accept treatment. It also reduces their parents’ anxiety and depression.

The Barts Health Trust that runs the Royal London has five teams shortlisted in the awards being announced on November 21.

These include treating emergency patients in their own homes, securing employment for patients, a sexual health service and the play and paediatric liaison teams.

Six more teams are also up for a Nursing Times award which include supporting victims of knife and gun crime.