We are delighted to announce that our ChatHealth digital development team has been shortlisted for the IT & Digital Innovation Award at the HSJ Value Awards 2020, recognising their outstanding dedication to making things better in the NHS.

The judging panel for the awards comprised a diverse range of highly regarded figures across the NHS and wider healthcare sector. To be shortlisted as a finalist for these awards, despite tough competition from hundreds of brilliant applicants, is a mark of real achievement. The ChatHealth team has been selected based on their diligence, ambition and the positive impact that the project has had within the organisation and its ongoing spread to other healthcare organisations.

ChatHealth is a confidential messaging platform developed at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. It enables service users to quickly and easily start a messaging conversation with a healthcare professional. The ChatHealth team now supports other healthcare teams to set up safe and secure messaging helplines using this well-evidenced clinical model.

Jimmy Endicott, Digital Development Manager, commented: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for the IT & Digital Innovation Award. Our team has traveled the country to connect with innovative nurses who were keen to spread the evidence-based new practice. More than 70 healthcare teams have adopted the ChatHealth model, with 100% ubiquitous spread achieved in some regions. This is improving outcomes for healthcare professionals and making access to help easier for thousands of vulnerable and hard-to-reach young people and busy parents.”

HSJ editor Alastair McLellan comments: “We would like to congratulate the ChatHealth team at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust on being nominated in the category of IT & Digital Innovation Award ahead of HSJ Value Awards 2020. We are looking forward to welcoming them to the ceremony in May, to join us in recognising the very best NHS teams and projects in the healthcare sector. This year’s finalists are of an outstanding calibre and all of them are exceptionally dedicated to enhancing healthcare across the UK.”

The winners will be selected following a rigorous, ‘live panel’ judging stage ahead of the HSJ Value Awards 2020 awards ceremony. Held at Manchester Central on 21 May 2020, the evening will provide a great opportunity for influential figures to unite and celebrate the achievements of their industry peers. The awards evening is expected to be attended by leaders and professionals from within the NHS.