Seven awards NHS trusts should enter

If you are looking to celebrate the exceptional work of your teams, this blog outlines seven awards your NHS trust should enter.  

NHS trusts across the UK work tirelessly to deliver exceptional care, foster innovation, and improve patient outcomes. Recognising and celebrating their excellence is essential. For NHS trusts looking to gain recognition for their work, there are several prestigious awards that focus on healthcare excellence, innovation, and patient care.  

1.HSJ Awards (Health Service Journal) 

1. Focus: Recognises NHS staff and organisations delivering outstanding patient care, service innovation, and operational excellence. 

1. Categories: Best NHS Trust, Innovation in Quality Improvement, Workforce Initiative of the Year, and more. 

1. Deadline: Typically, early summer each year. 

2.The Patient Safety Awards 

1. Focus: Celebrates the NHS’s commitment to improving patient safety and care. 

1. Categories: Best Patient Safety Initiative, Best Use of Technology in Patient Safety, and Patient Safety Team of the Year. 

1. Deadline: Generally, in spring. 

3.NHS Parliamentary Awards 

1. Focus: Highlights the work of NHS staff who go above and beyond to care for patients, with nominations coming from local MPs. 

1. Categories: Excellence in Primary Care, Lifetime Achievement, Excellence in Mental Health Care. 

1. Deadline: In 2024 the nominations opened in March and closed late spring.  

4.BMJ Awards 

1. Focus: Recognises clinical excellence, innovation, and outstanding healthcare. 

1. Categories: Healthcare Team of the Year, Innovation in Care, and Medical Research Awards. 

1. Deadline: Entries are open from February to April.  

5.National Health and Care Excellence Awards (NICE) 

1. Focus: Celebrates innovation and excellence in using NICE guidance to improve health outcomes. 

1. Categories: NICE Shared Learning Awards, Outstanding Use of Guidance, and Implementation of NICE Standards. 

1. Deadline: Annually, with submissions typically in early spring. 

6. HSJ Partnership Awards

1. Focus: Recognises collaborations between the NHS and private or voluntary sector organisations that improve healthcare services. 

1. Categories: Best Healthcare Partnership, Innovation in Care, and Best Estates Management Project. 

1. Deadline: Middle of October.  

7. Nursing Times Awards

1. Focus: Recognises excellence and innovation in nursing across NHS tTrusts. 

1. Categories: Nurse of the Year, Team of the Year, and Patient Safety Improvement. 

1. Deadline: Usually in spring, with the ceremony happening in October. 

We know there’s a lot of competition out there, but even being shortlisted has its amazing benefits. Entering healthcare awards is not just about winning trophies; it’s about recognising and celebrating the incredible work happening across the NHS.  

Whether it’s the HSJ Awards, the Patient Safety Awards, or the BMJ Awards, participating in these prestigious events brings long-lasting benefits to trusts, their staff, and the patients they serve.  

If your NHS trust is looking for awards you should enter, get in touch for a free chat about how Awards Writers can support you.