Celebrating success at the Health Services Journal Awards

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We’re very proud to share the achievements of our partners at this year’s prestigious HSJ Awards, which recognise excellence in healthcare across the UK. Two of our partners took home awards, while several others were highly commended for their innovative work to improve health outcomes in Lambeth, south east London and beyond.

NHS Communications Initiative of the Year: South East London Cancer Alliance

A smiling black woman on the right, looking at the camera. Text below her says: "Paula - completed breast cancer treatment. Counselling Psychologist, Lewisham." Below, NHS South East London Cancer Alliance logo. On the left, text reads: "Breast cancer. Attend your screening and take charge of your health."

The South East London Cancer Alliance won this award for their impactful campaign to increase earlier diagnosis of breast and prostate cancer among Black communities.

With Black men being twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as white men, and Black women facing a higher risk of late breast cancer diagnosis, the alliance led a targeted, insight-driven campaign to tackle these disparities.

The campaign achieved:

  • 60% of Black men expressing willingness to have a PSA test
  • 77% of Black women showing interest in attending breast screenings
  • A 3% increase in breast screening attendance by Black women.

This vital work demonstrates the power of collaboration and community engagement in improving health outcomes. We’re very proud this was launched in Lambeth.

Reducing Inequalities and Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People: Children and Young People’s Health Partnership, Patch Children’s Community Nursing team

The Patch Children’s Community Nursing team, working in Lambeth and Southwark, was recognised for their early intervention nursing service for children and young people with asthma.

The team:

  • Improved asthma symptom control
  • Reduced the need for hospital visits
  • Delivered high-quality, equitable care to children.

This collaborative approach – developed with families, clinicians and researchers – showcases how tailored care can reduce health inequalities.

Highly commended partners

We’re also proud to celebrate our partners who were recognised as highly commended in the following categories:

  • Clinical Leader of the Year: Waqas Akhtar, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
  • Mental Health Innovation of the Year: South London Mental Health and Community Partnership (Oxleas, SLaM, and SWLTStG NHS Mental Health Trusts) for their Complex Care Programme, “No Longer Funded and Forgotten.”
  • Patient Safety Award: Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust for their Mechanical Life Support initiative.
  • Reducing Healthcare Inequalities: Mind & Body Programme (King’s Health Partners), Stockwellbeing PCN, and Thriving Stockwell PCN for their community-focused pain care initiative, “Equality of Care and Support in the Community.”

Congratulations to all the winners and highly commended teams for their remarkable contributions to improving healthcare in south east London. We will share more on some of these fantastic projects in the coming days.

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