26 March 2024

We are proud to announce that two of our projects, that use digital technology to enhance mental health services, have advanced to the finals of a prestigious national awards ceremony.

The projects, one promoting digital inclusion and the other promoting physical health checks, have both been shortlisted for the HSJ Digital Awards 2024.

The national awards are open to individuals, teams, projects, and collaborations within the NHS which demonstrate technology delivering real benefit for patients.

Nikki Turner, Chief Transformation Officer for Isle of Wight NHS and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trusts, said:

“Congratulations to our teams for their outstanding achievement in reaching the finals of the HSJ Digital Awards 2024.

“These innovative projects demonstrate the transformative impact of digital technology in enhancing our services, promoting inclusivity, and prioritising patient wellbeing. Well done on this well-deserved recognition."

Rachael Middle, Clinical Quality Improvement Lead in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Division, said:

“I am delighted that the innovative work within our mental health teams has been recognised with nominations in two categories for these prestigious national awards.

“While the primary aim of these projects is to enable the very best outcomes for people accessing our services, it is also great to see the hard work of our staff being recognised, and for our learning to be shared with other health professionals.

“It is particularly pleasing that both entries were supported by the positive input and feedback from the service users involved in both projects.”

The digital inclusion project aims to tackle both the link between digital exclusion and health inequality and the stigma associated with not being online.

This was done through various linked initiatives including bespoke training for mental health teams and offering one-to-one digital coaching for service users from a digital coach with lived experience of mental health.

The physical health initiative trialled the use of 'Whzan blue boxes' to support clinicians to complete effective and efficient physical health checks with people with severe mental illness requiring support from the Home Treatment Team.

The aim was to improve service user outcomes through ensuring early identification of physical health needs and sharing of information with the appropriate medical professional.

The HSJ Digital Awards 2024 finals will be held in Manchester on Thursday June 6.