Health Service Journal was last night named Publication of the Year by the Medical Journalists’ Association for the second year in a row.

Judges said the award recognised HSJ for its standard of journalism and the extensive coverage of the Health and Social Care Bill as it passed through Parliament last year.

Awards host, the comedian and journalist Phil Hammond, praised HSJ saying: “It is one of the only outlets expanding and doing investigative journalism.”

Accepting the accolade, HSJ editor Alastair McLellan said his current team was the strongest he had worked with in 26 years.

In addition, HSJ senior correspondent Crispin Dowler was named Journalist of the Year (professional media) for his work covering the foundation trust regulator Monitor.

Judges praised Crispin for his investigative journalism, high quality reporting and interrogative style, while including large amounts of valuable information.

HSJ’s newest team member Shaun Lintern was named Journalist of the Year (staff consumer) for his work covering poor care at the Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust for the Express and Star newspaper in the West Midlands.

Dr Hammond said Shaun “reflects the tenacity of a good journalist” and praised his use of social media to spread awareness of the public inquiry by Robert Francis QC.

Topics