Three UHDB teams recognised for improving quality and safety of care after making prestigious HSJ Awards shortlist
We are pleased that three teams across University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) have been hailed as national examples of healthcare excellence. Their work has been shortlisted for the prestigious Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards 2025, who have recognised their innovative work to drive improvements in quality, safety and access to patient care.
Digital innovation
The teams have been shortlisted in a variety of categories, including the award-winning team behind the procurement of our new electronic patient record (EPR) system, Nervecentre >, who have been shortlisted for the Provider Collaboration of the Year award, following the joint procurement with Chesterfield Royal Hospital and NHS London Procurement Partnership.
EPR systems are a centralised way of holding detailed information about a person's care and health, and the new system, Nervecentre, works best on handheld devices meaning colleagues now use mobile phones and tablets to document patient care.
The first module of the new EPR launched across the two Trusts simultaneously on 4 February 2025 >, marking a significant change to the way in which patient care is delivered. The roll-out of Nervecentre has seen benefits to thousands of patients, including the early detection and intervention of sepsis, a serious condition, with nearly 90,000 sepsis screening notes added in the first 48-hours.
More than 7,500 colleagues are trained on the new system, and those using it have shared feedback that they spend more time treating patients now that they have access to detailed patient information instantly, at the click of a button on handheld devices.
Reducing unnecessary diagnostic tests
The East Midlands Breast Pain Pathway National Collaboration have also been shortlisted in the Primary and Community Care Innovation of the Year category for their work with Breast Pain Clinics > , which is a collaborative initiative between primary and secondary care.
Breast pain alone is not associated with breast cancer and by developing these specialist clinics, the team aim to provide better care for patients and reduce unnecessary suspected cancer referrals.
UHDB was involved in delivering the first large pilot of Community Breast Clinics in Derbyshire across a population of around one million people, and this has paved the way for the East Midlands Breast Pain Pathway to be rolled out further after showcasing the safety and widespread impact of the service.
Reducing waiting lists
Meanwhile, UHDB's Cardiometabolic service has been recognised in the Medicines, Pharmacy and Prescribing Initiative of the Year category for their work on integrated pharmacist-led lipid clinics , which has seen their waiting times drop from seven months to two weeks.
Their pioneering approach helps to prevent cardiovascular disease by empowering an advanced pharmacist prescriber to deliver specialist lipid care for patients across the county, alongside integrating digital tools and embedding multidisciplinary collaboration.
Chief Executive Stephen Posey said: "I am proud that three teams across UHDB have been recognised in this year's HSJ Awards. Their innovative approach and collaboration has shone through, with their work in delivering high-quality, safe care to our patients, as quickly as possible.
"These projects have a focus on prevention, supporting patients to access timely care, and improving efficiencies in processes, digital systems or pathways, always with patients at the heart.
"Congratulations to the three teams who have been shortlisted, and I am sure colleagues will join me in wishing them good luck for the awards ceremony."
This year’s awards saw more than 1,250 entries from across the health sector nationally. With only 245 projects and individuals making it through to the final shortlist, the competition has been great, demonstrating the impressive scale of talent, commitment, and impact across the NHS and wider healthcare landscape.
UHDB's shortlisted entries were selected following a rigorous judging process and have been recognised as a standout examples of excellence in healthcare delivery.
Good luck to the three teams at the HSJ Awards ceremony which takes place on 20 November 2025 in London.
View the full HSJ Awards shortlist here >.