Northamptonshire celebrates record number of nominations in the Health Service Journal’s Digital Awards 2026 Shortlist
Northamptonshire celebrates record number of nominations in the Health Service Journal’s Digital Awards 2026 Shortlist
Northamptonshire health and care organisations have achieved a milestone in digital transformation with a notable increase in nominations on the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Digital Awards 2026 shortlist, underlining the county’s accelerating digital maturity over the past year.
Now in its fourth year, the HSJ Digital Awards recognise digital excellence across the NHS and health and care sector, celebrating innovative projects, teams and leaders whose digital work is delivering measurable improvements for patients, clinicians, and services .
Northamptonshire’s rise in nominations this year reflects a strategic focus on digital innovation across the county. Local organisations and the Integrated Care Board (ICB) have been shortlisted in multiple categories spanning prevention, organisational transformation, leadership, and digital innovation. These nominations highlight how digital tools and data-driven approaches are being used to improve population health, enhance clinical pathways, and drive operational efficiencies.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see Northamptonshire’s digital journey recognised at a national level,” said the ICBs Chief Strategy Officer, Pete Burnett. “Over the past year, our partnership approach to digital transformation has meant better connected services, improved use of data, and genuinely improved care for people across the county. These nominations reflect the hard work of teams right across health and care.”
Kirstie Watson, Director of Digital shared her pride:
“We have truly innovative and talented digital professionals working in Northamptonshire. These nominations reflect the amazing work that enables better care for those who live in our county.”
Northamptonshire Highlights from the HSJ Digital Awards 2026 Shortlist 
Northamptonshire is represented across a broad range of categories, demonstrating digital progress across strategic, clinical, and operational domains:
Driving Prevention and Early Intervention through Digital – Northamptonshire ICS – Northamptonshire Population Health Tool drives prevention
Digital Transformation Organisation of the Year – Northamptonshire ICB – Transforming into the most digitally mature ICS in the Midlands
Digital Innovator of the Year – Northamptonshire ICB – Oana Ciurdarean
Empowering Patients through Digital – University Hospitals of Northamptonshire Group – From 3 Days to 10 Minutes: Optimising Clinical Pathways for Efficiency and Inclusion
Reducing Health Inequalities through Digital – Northamptonshire ICB & Healthwatch West Northamptonshire – Health and Care Research for All: Strengthening Eastern European Voices
Improving Mental Health through Digital – Northamptonshire Healthcare FT and Leicestershire Partnership Trust – Chat Mental Health: A Collaborative NHS Digital Innovation to Improve Access to Crisis Support Teams
Digital Literacy, Education and Upskilling Award – University Hospitals of Leicester Trust & University Hospitals Northamptonshire Group – FirstLight – an apprenticeship approach lighting the way for digital futures.
The full list of shortlisted nominees can be found here: Shortlist 2026 | HSJ Digital Awards
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 19 May 2026 at the ICC Birmingham.