Tonight, HSJis hosting its biggest-ever awards ceremony - this year we received more than 900 entries across 18 categories and more than 1,000 people will attend our prize-giving event in central London. In this, the Awards' 25th anniversary year, the success of the event is a success story for the NHS.
This was supposed to be a year of tough decisions, tight finances and unremitting pressure - and so it is proving in many cases. But the Awards are testimony to the other story of 2006 - that of healthcare managers, clinicians and other staff pulling together to put ideas into action. From the winner of the secretary of state's overall award down, these are examples of the NHS at its very best.
Compared to previous years there was firmer evidence that outcomes were being measured and a greater focus on genuinely increasing patient value. The delaying of any attempt to demonstrate that activity was really delivering results, as opposed to ticking policy boxes, has been a major weakness in the past. And this year the best projects had a much greater sense of ambition and scale.
Our supplement detailing winners and finalists will be published next week - it is an invaluable guide to the ideas and initiatives that are making the difference in effective patient care and health improvement.
However, you can find out the results sooner by logging on to www.hsj.co.uk tomorrow morning.
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