Revealed: Winners of the 2026 HSJ Partnership Awards

Held at Evolution London and hosted by actor and comedian Tom Davis, the evening recognised outstanding collaborations between the NHS, independent providers, and industry partners.

Across the two programmes, 31 categories were presented in total – 24 for the HSJ Partnership Awards and seven for the IHP Awards, which were held for the second time. Around 200 finalists had been shortlisted, following judging by more than 100 senior NHS figures.

Awards covered a wide range of priorities facing NHS leaders, including categories focused on digital transformation, data and analytics partnerships, workforce transformation, population health and prevention, and partnerships addressing health inequalities. Other awards recognised work to improve elective recovery, community and primary care services, and innovations helping systems deliver more integrated care.

In his opening remarks, HSJ editor Alastair McLellan reflected on the pace of change facing healthcare and the crucial role partners play in helping the NHS adopt new technologies and approaches.

While the NHS has experienced repeated structural reforms over recent decades, he noted that the changes have largely focused on organisation and management, rather than how care itself is delivered.

Looking ahead, however, Mr McLellan suggested the coming years could prove transformational, with advances such as artificial intelligence, genomic medicine, and new manufacturing technologies poised to reshape healthcare delivery.

For the NHS to benefit from these developments, he said, it would need strong external collaborators. “If the NHS is to benefit from all the new technologies raining down about its ears, it must have smart, loyal, and brave partners,” he told attendees.

The HSJ Partnership Awards recognise organisations that have successfully worked with the NHS to deliver innovative services, technologies and improvements for patients, while the IHP Awards celebrate the contribution of independent providers supporting NHS care.