Recognition for Digital Innovation in Healthcare
The East Midlands Cancer Alliance Centre for Psychosocial Health (EMCA CPH) has been highly commended in the Improving Mental Health through Digital category. In addition, colleagues from Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) were also acknowledged for their work on the ‘One Version’ dataset project, which focuses on improving discharge performance across Nottinghamshire health and social care. This initiative was shortlisted in the Connecting Health and Social Care through Digital category.
The HSJ Digital Awards, held on 26 June at The ICC in Birmingham, celebrate the transformative power of digital initiatives in healthcare. These awards highlight how technology can enhance patient care, improve access to services, and deliver more efficient and equitable healthcare solutions.
Becky Sutton, Chief Operating Officer, expressed her pride in the teams involved: “We’re really proud of all colleagues involved in these services. The work that has gone into them has made a huge difference to patient experience.”
She highlighted the efforts of the EMCA CPH team, who ensure patients receive essential mental health support during challenging times. The ‘One Version’ dataset project showcases the benefits of partnership working, enabling patients to leave hospital with the necessary support as quickly as possible.
The ‘One Version’ Dataset Project
The ‘One Version’ dataset project aimed to identify a process for helping patients who are medically fit for discharge to leave hospital sooner, with the right support in place. Initially launched by Nottinghamshire Healthcare and NUH, the project has since expanded to include other local hospitals managed by Sherwood Forest Hospitals Foundation Trust and Bassetlaw General Hospital.
Transfer of care hubs, involving colleagues from Nottinghamshire Healthcare, hospital trusts, and social care, work together to agree on the discharge process for patients needing support. They use shared data to ensure all parties have access to the most up-to-date information, facilitating timely discharges once a patient is medically fit.
The teams ensure that appropriate support is in place, such as home rehabilitation, a package of care, a rehabilitation bed, or a nursing home placement. This approach has significantly reduced the number of medically safe patients remaining in hospital beds unnecessarily, freeing up space for other patients who require it.
Digital Innovation in Cancer Care
The EMCA CPH was recognised for its work in designing and delivering a remote cancer psychology service with integrated digital innovations. The judges praised the service for its impactful innovation and scalability.
Dr James Rathbone, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Co-lead of the service, said: “We are so delighted that our service has been highly commended for its work towards improving mental health for those living with and beyond cancer. We’re honoured to have been recognised at the prestigious HSJ Digital Awards as we feel it is recognition of how we have successfully embedded the digital technology in a way that directly impacts patient care and outcomes.”
The service provides high-quality training to cancer care professionals, mental health support for individuals living with or beyond cancer, and leads on research and evaluation. All interventions are delivered digitally via remote video calls, ensuring accessibility. The service also monitors where patients may lack access to digital technology and collaborates with locally provided services to ensure continued support.
Impact on Patient Well-being
Many people living with or beyond cancer experience significant impacts on their psychosocial health, quality of life, and broader health outcomes. Timely, accessible, and personalised psychosocial support can have a positive impact on various aspects of life, addressing long-term needs for those affected by cancer.
The judging panel, composed of influential figures from across the health and digital landscape, praised EMCA CPH for its innovative use of simple digital technology to improve patient outcomes and experiences.
This national recognition highlights EMCA CPH’s role as a digital leader within the NHS and wider healthcare community. It underscores the importance of innovation, collaboration, and patient-centric design in driving forward digital transformation.
Patient Feedback and Future Prospects
The service routinely collects feedback from its patients. One service user commented: “I have gained so much from the sessions with [psychologist]. I was really impressed with the waiting times for therapy and felt really listened to in terms of what I needed and what therapeutic approach might be helpful. The whole experience has been great and I can’t quite believe the difference it has made to my overall well-being.”
The HSJ Digital Awards received a record number of entries this year, reflecting the scale and pace of digital innovation taking place across UK health and care settings.
