WINNER

University Hospitals Birmingham FT

Alfa Controlled Drug Software

University Hospitals Birmingham co-designed Alfa, a cloud-based closed-loop platform, replacing paper-based controlled drug management in 141 wards at four hospital sites. CD audit compliance had declined to 67 per cent against an 85 per cent standard. Alfa deploys algorithmic real-time discrepancy detection, replacing quarterly auditing; barcode scanning technology (1D and 2D) eliminating mis-selection risk; and advanced electronic digital signature satisfying the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. By Q4 2025/26, all sites achieved 100 per cent ward compliance. The platform surfaced previously undetectable risks, including unauthorised transfers and unaccounted losses. Automated workflows reduced administration times by up to 80 per cent, returning 77,000 staff hours annually to patient care.

Read a detailed case study about this project at HSJ Best Practice.

Highly commended

DHU Healthcare: DHU Healthcare Community Virtual ward – Fall Pathway Innovation

Finalists

University Hospitals of Leicester Trust – Acute Oncology Service: OncsCare: Using Digital Technology to Improve Patient Safety in Acute Oncology

NHS Blood and Transplant: Electronic Requesting and Reporting of NHS Blood and Transplant Referral Samples

Wessex Cancer Alliance: AURA – Acute Oncology Urgent Reporting Access

Nottingham University Hospitals Trust: Inter-Specialty Working – The NeT Model for Admission Referral

NHS Supply Chain: Right Product, Right Place, Right Time: A National Approach to Safer Care

Essex Partnership University FT: Duty Improvement Project

Midlands Partnership University FT: Utilisation of Cinapsis to Improve Patient Outcomes Through Referral Pathways from Diabetic Eye Screening to Hospital Eye Services

Topics

HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2026: Winners revealed

HSJ-Patient-Safety-Awards-704x385-1 (1)

The winners of the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2026 were announced last night, recognising outstanding efforts to make care safer.