HSJ Independent Healthcare Provider of the Year

HSJ Independent Healthcare Provider of the Year
HSJ Independent Healthcare Provider of the Year
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How to apply

This category is not open for entry.

As the NHS works to meet growing demand, reduce waiting times and shift care into the community, independent healthcare providers are playing an increasingly important role in supporting and strengthening the system. From expanding capacity and accelerating access to embracing innovation and delivering integrated care, IHPs bring agility, expertise and a genuine commitment to outcomes that make them essential partners in the NHS's transformation.

This award recognises an Independent Healthcare Provider that has gone above and beyond in delivering high quality, impactful care, demonstrating what is possible when the independent sector works in genuine partnership with the NHS to improve outcomes for patients.

Eligibility

The finalists are selected from the HSJ Independent Healthcare Provider Awards winners held in March 2026. Winners from these awards are automatically put forward as finalists for this category. This category is not open for entry.

Ambition

The challenge and context within which your project, person or organisation is set alongside your goals and targets whether quantitative or qualitative, and how this aligns with national priorities.

  • Describe the challenge or gap in care your organisation set out to address, and the context in which independent sector involvement was identified as the right solution
  • What were the goals and targets set, including any financial, quality or outcome-based measures of success?
  • What made your approach new or distinct from existing provision?

Collaboration

The stakeholders' involvement in co-designing and delivering the project. How have patients, staff at all levels, communities and other parties worked together to realise the outcomes?

  • How did your organisation work with NHS partners, commissioners and wider stakeholders to co-design and deliver the service?
  • How were patients and communities involved in shaping the approach, and how was their input used to improve delivery?
  • What evidence is there of a genuine partnership, rather than a transactional supplier relationship?

Impact

The measurable benefits delivered to patients, staff, your organisation or the wider system. Provide data and evidence showing improvements to outcomes, quality, access, equity or efficiency.

  • Provide evidence of the impact delivered for patients, including improvements in access, experience and outcomes. Include quantitative and qualitative data
  • What has been the wider system benefit, including any contribution to reducing waiting times, increasing capacity or improving value for money?
  • What has your organisation achieved that the NHS would have found difficult to deliver alone?

Scale

How your work has been shared, adopted or replicated beyond your immediate team or organisation. This includes dissemination through publications, presentations, toolkits, partnerships or inspiring similar initiatives elsewhere.

  • How has your organisation worked to share learning and best practice across the system?
  • What elements of your approach have the potential for replication or wider adoption across other services or settings?
  • What evidence is there that this model could deliver positive outcomes elsewhere in the NHS?

Sustainability

The potential for the project/work to continue and create lasting impact. Evidence of how it can be sustained or built upon.

  • How is the work being sustained beyond the initial contract or project, and what commitment is in place to continue it?
  • How does your organisation's contribution support the longer-term goals of the NHS around integration, quality and sustainability?
  • What evidence is there that this model of independent sector partnership could be built upon or replicated more widely?

To find out more

Partnership opportunities:  Sponsorship Sales Team
Awards entry enquiries: Delegate Sales Team
Judging and event management: Awards Support