Innovation and Best Practice Awards

Integration and Continuity of Care Award Winner – The Voluntary and Community Development Team, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Congratulations to  the Voluntary and Community Development Team for their innovative initiative creating a Volunteer Discharge Role, supporting patients after discharge through follow-up calls and signposting to community resources.
This thoughtful approach has strengthened community collaboration, enhanced continuity of care, and helped reduce hospital readmissions, the judges felt this was a fantastic example of partnership and compassion in action.

The right place right time SCFT

Innovation and Technology Award Winner – Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Congratulations to the Urgent Community Response team, Computer Aided Dispatch team and Innovation teams for leading a fantastic digital innovation project introducing a tool to capture clinical images and support remote monitoring and enhanced triage.
This cutting-edge approach has had a real impact, improving patient care, streamlining workflows, and driving greater system efficiency across services.
The judges loved how this project empowers staff with smart digital tools to better support their patients, a brilliant example of technology making care safer and more effective.

Digital Clinical Imaging to support enhanced community triage

President’s Award Winner – Active Sussex Reconditioning Project

Congratulations to  the Active Sussex Reconditioning Project, an inspiring collaboration between East Sussex Healthcare, Active Rother, and Active Sussex Partners.
This innovative initiative is transforming how we tackle and reduce hospital deconditioning, with stroke patients creating a new delivery model that keeps patients active, independent, and well.
The project is a shining example of how NHS services and the voluntary sector can work together to achieve better health outcomes for residents.
The judges were truly impressed by the impact of this collaboration, benefiting services, patients, and the wider community.

Active Sussex Reconditioning Project

Update October 2025 - CHA Innovation and Best Practice Awards

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the shortlisting presentations. We were delighted by the range and quality of entries shared.

The announcement of the final award winners has been slightly delayed. We appreciate your patience and look forward to sharing the results shortly.

Innovation & Best Practice Awards 2025 - Update July 2025 

Celebrating Excellence: Update for 2025 Community Hospitals Awards

As we mark our 25th anniversary, we're thrilled to have launched our 2025 Community Hospitals Association Awards – a celebration of innovation, compassion and excellence across our services. This milestone year brings an exciting opportunity to spotlight the incredible work happening in our community hospitals through five inspiring award categories – plus a very special 25th Year Anniversary President’s Award!

🌱 Green Initiative
Shining a light on sustainability! This award recognises eco-friendly practices that protect our environment and promote a greener future.

🔍 Quality Improvement in Community Hospitals
Celebrating projects that have made a real difference in patient safety, quality of care, and service outcomes

🤝 Integration and Continuity of Care
Honouring collaborative work that breaks down silos and ensures patients experience smooth, joined-up care every step of the way.

🧍 Person-Centred Care – "No Decision About Me Without Me"
Recognising initiatives that put patients at the heart of care decisions, empowering individuals and respecting their voices.

💡 Innovative Technology in Community Hospitals
Spotlighting the creative use of digital tools and tech that improve care delivery, accessibility, and efficiency.

🏆 25th Year Anniversary President’s Award
This prestigious accolade will be selected from across all categories, recognising one exceptional entry that captures the spirit of innovation and excellence in this landmark year.

Winners will be invited to present as part of a prestigious plenary session at our next National Conference, offering a unique platform to showcase your work to a national audience.

With so many high-quality projects submitted, the bar is high. We can’t wait to celebrate and hear more about the incredible projects and the impact our community hospital teams are making every day on our patients, our staff and our communities.

Innovation and Best Practice Awards 2025: now closed!

Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry to this year's CHA Innovation and Best Practice Awards. We have had a phenomenal number of entries this year and look forward to reviewing them all.

The judging panel will begin shortlisting in the coming weeks. If selected, the panel will contact entrants to present their project as part of the judging process.

Winners will be announced on 2nd July 2025. 

(NOTE: If you submitted an entry, you will have had an automated email from Google Forms with a copy of your submission, along with an email from the CHA confirming receipt of your entry. If you have not received the above, please contact us as soon as possible on info@communityhospitals.net Thank you.) 

Thank you again to everyone for supporting this year's awards initiative.

Innovation and Best Practice Awards 2025

This year we will celebrate the 25th year of the CHA Innovation and Best Practice Awards. We were very pleased to receive Department of Health funding in 2000 which instigated this fantastic awards programme celebrating the creative work taking place in community hospitals across the UK.