Excellence in Patient Care Awards 2026 categories

This year we've introduced three new categories aligned to the three strategic shifts in the 10 Year Health Plan for England.

Hospital to community

celebrates teams who have successfully shifted care closer to home — strengthening neighbourhood support, reducing reliance on hospital services, and improving access through collaborative, patient-centred redesign.

Analogue to digital

recognises projects that have transformed analogue processes into streamlined digital pathways. From unified patient records to digital-first access and tools such as the NHS app, this award showcases work that empowers patients and eases the burden on staff.

Sickness to prevention

highlights initiatives that have moved services from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. Through clinical leadership, community collaboration and evidence-based interventions, these projects help people live healthier lives and reduce health inequalities.

Other categories

Service improvement

for systematic, coordinated approaches to quality improvement that deliver measurable enhancements in patient care, outcomes or service design.

Digital transformation (FIXIT)

rewards innovative digital systems, technologies or AI solutions that improve patient safety, reduce digital exclusion or enhance staff wellbeing.

Supporting and developing the workforce

recognises teams who prioritise staff welfare, embed flexible and supportive ways of working, and create conditions for delivering high-quality care.

Sustainability

celebrates green initiatives that improve environmental impact while also supporting financial efficiency, staff wellbeing and better patient outcomes.

Patient safety

 acknowledges work that strengthens a culture of safety, transparency and continuous improvement – even in the most challenging environments.

Medical education

recognises innovation in medical education and training that improves care, equips clinicians with new skills, and supports compassionate, high-quality practice.

Research

rewards investigator-led research that advances medical knowledge and delivers – or shows strong potential to deliver – improved health outcomes.

Health inequalities

celebrates collaborative projects that tackle inequalities, improve access, and promote equitable outcomes for underserved or marginalised communities.

Chief registrar project of the year

showcases the top three peer-nominated quality improvement projects from the 2024/25 chief registrar cohort, who will present their work at the ceremony.