The Royal College of Physicians' Excellence in Patient Care Awards recognise outstanding innovation, improvement and leadership in patient care. The 2026 awards celebrated NHS and healthcare teams delivering measurable impact for patients, staff and services.
2026 winners announced
Read about this year's winners and highly commended projects, and discover the innovations helping to improve patient outcomes across the UK.
View the 2026 winnersWhy these awards matter
The awards highlight projects that are delivering measurable improvements in patient care, reducing inequalities, improving safety and supporting clinicians to provide the highest standards of care.
Dr Zuzanna Sawicka, RCP clinical director for patient safety and clinical standards, said:
'Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the Excellence in Patient Care Awards 2026. Your achievements demonstrate the very best of healthcare – innovative, compassionate and patient-centred care that is making a real difference to people's lives.
‘At a time of significant pressure across the health service, it is inspiring to see teams and individuals continuing to drive improvements in quality, safety and patient experience. These awards showcase the commitment, creativity and dedication of healthcare professionals across the UK, and the positive impact that can be achieved when we work together to deliver better care.’
Award categories
The Excellence in Patient Care Awards recognise achievement across a range of categories reflecting the breadth of modern healthcare improvement.
Celebrating teams who have successfully shifted care closer to home — strengthening neighbourhood support, reducing reliance on hospital services, and improving access through collaborative, patient-centred redesign.
Recognising projects that have transformed analogue processes into streamlined digital pathways. From unified patient records to digital-first access and tools such as the NHS app, this award showcases work that empowers patients and eases the burden on staff.
Highlighting initiatives that have moved services from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. Through clinical leadership, community collaboration and evidence-based interventions, these projects help people live healthier lives and reduce health inequalities.
For systematic, coordinated approaches to quality improvement that deliver measurable enhancements in patient care, outcomes or service design.
Rewarding innovative digital systems, technologies or AI solutions that improve patient safety, reduce digital exclusion or enhance staff wellbeing. There is a £5000 cash prize associated with this award.
Recognising teams who prioritise staff welfare, embed flexible and supportive ways of working, and create conditions for delivering high-quality care.
Celebrating green initiatives that improve environmental impact while also supporting financial efficiency, staff wellbeing and better patient outcomes.
Acknowledging work that strengthens a culture of safety, transparency and continuous improvement – even in the most challenging environments.
Recognising innovation in medical education and training that improves care, equips clinicians with new skills, and supports compassionate, high-quality practice.
Rewarding investigator-led research that advances medical knowledge and delivers – or shows strong potential to deliver – improved health outcomes.
Celebrating collaborative projects that tackle inequalities, improve access, and promote equitable outcomes for underserved or marginalised communities.
Showcasing the top three peer-nominated quality improvement projects from the 2024/25 chief registrar cohort, who will present their work at the ceremony.
Looking ahead to 2027
Information about the 2027 Excellence in Patient Care Awards, including eligibility criteria and nomination dates, will be published here in due course.