Innovate Awards winners announced

The second annual Innovate Awards were held on Thursday 21 September at a ceremony in London, attended by NHS leaders, innovators, and partners. 

The Innovate Awards, delivered in partnership between the AHSN Network and NHS Confederation, celebrate innovation in health and care.

Technology thought-leader and Countdown arithmetician, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, hosted the ceremony. The keynote speech was delivered by Dr Vin Diwakar, the incoming National Director of Transformation in NHS England.

With more than 190 entries received, the expert panel of judges selected a winner for each of the eleven categories. We are delighted for the University of Southampton, winning the Excellence in Patient and Public Involvement in Transformation and Innovation category for the involvement of patients in the co-design of an innovative resource to transform cancer genetics care pathways. 

AHSN and innovator Qbtech received the Innovation Spread award for the Focus ADHD project, improving the diagnosis pathway for children and young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Find out more about the project here.

You can browse the full list of winning and highly commended recipients here: https://www.ahsnnetwork.com/news/innovate-awards-2023-winners-announced/

Richard Stubbs, Vice Chair of the AHSN Network and Chief Executive of Yorkshire and Humber AHSN, led the coordination of the awards.

He said: “As always it is incredibly humbling and inspiring to be able to recognise and celebrate the amazing work of our NHS staff and their partners as they improve the ways in which the health service provides patient care.

“There is so much energy and dedication shown by frontline staff to make sure that we all have the best outcomes and experiences when we need to use the NHS.

“Our job now is to make sure that all this amazing work is spread to every corner of the country so that everyone can benefit from these innovations.

“Well done to everyone who applied for the Innovate Awards, and congratulations to the fantastic winning teams.”

Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive at NHS Confederation, added: “Innovation is happening across the healthcare system – it’s essential that we take time out both to recognise and celebrate the achievements of NHS organisations and staff and highlight this to the wider NHS.

“Through shared learning, these innovations can reduce operational pressures and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery for patients. This second year of the Innovate Awards is a fantastic way to acknowledge the continuing hard work and creativity of NHS staff and help share this more widely across the whole service.

“We are delighted to have received over 190 submissions this year – thank you to everyone who shared their expertise and inventiveness and took the time to enter the awards.”