University Hospitals Plymouth has been shortlisted for three categories at the 2026 HSJ Patient Safety Awards
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) is delighted to announce that three teams and projects have been shortlisted at this year’s Health Service Journal Patient Safety Awards, which recognises the critical work being done to address the complexities of delivering safe care amidst times of significant change and long-standing pressures.
UHP’s shortlisted entries include:
- Reducing Term Neonatal Unit Admissions Through Fetal Monitoring Education for the Maternity, Midwifery and Neonatal Safety Initiative of the Year
- Acute Medical Admission Pathway for the Urgent and Emergency Care Safety Initiative of the Year
- A System‑Wide Safety Initiative Transforming End‑of‑Life Care for the Palliative & End of Life Safety Initiative of the Year
These teams and initiatives were selected following a rigorous judging process and they have been recognised as standout examples of patient safety which extends beyond clinical excellence - it is about fostering a culture of openness, learning and collaboration while harnessing the power of technology to create safer, more resilient systems.
Further information about each of the entries can be found below.
Reducing Term Neonatal Unit Admissions Through Fetal Monitoring Education for the Maternity, Midwifery and Neonatal Safety Initiative of the Year
UHP has a maternity and neonatal unit managing over 3,000 births annually. Review of ATTAIN data from elective caesarean lists highlighted a trend of term NICU admissions, prompting the introduction of pre- and post-spinal Cardiotocography (CTG) monitoring. This new approach, previously not standard practice, resulted in a 73% reduction in NICU admissions and is now embedded into routine care.
In 2024, the team strengthened fetal surveillance further by establishing a dedicated fetal monitoring team of three labour ward coordinators and developing a training study day aligned with Saving Babies’ Lives guidance. This initiative has reduced Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations (MNSI) referrals, addressed recurring fetal monitoring concerns, and demonstrated sustained improvements in patient safety and quality of care.
Liz Sinclair, Maternity Team Leader said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for the HSJ Patient Safety Awards. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, expertise and dedication of our Fetal Monitoring Team and all those who have supported this work. It is an honour to see our efforts to enhance patient safety and improve care for women and babies recognised at a national level”.
Acute Medical Admission Pathway for the Urgent and Emergency Care Safety Initiative of the Year
UHP introduced a direct admission pathway through the Medical Receiving Unit (MRU) to help patients access specialist acute medicine assessment more quickly and reduce pressure on the Emergency Department. The new model enables appropriate patients to be reviewed by the right senior clinician earlier in their care, improving patient flow and reducing delays.
Since its introduction, the proportion of daytime patients receiving a consultant review within six hours has increased from around 8% to more than 50%. The pathway has also improved clinical triage, ensuring many patients are directed to the most appropriate service without increasing admissions.
The changes have delivered wider benefits across the urgent and emergency care system, including a significant reduction in ambulance handover delays, releasing more than 7,000 ambulance hours and generating an estimated £312,000 of value per month. These early results demonstrate how innovative service redesign can improve both patient experience and operational performance.
Sam Evans, Clinical Director - Clinical Outcomes and Effectiveness at UHP said: “The Acute Medicine Team are proud to be a finalist for the HSJ Award and to recognise the impact we have had to improving patient care through our service.”
A System‑Wide Safety Initiative Transforming End‑of‑Life Care for the Palliative & End of Life Safety Initiative of the Year
UHP together with Marie Curie and community hospital partners have created an innovative, integrated end-of-life care service to ensure more patients can die in a peaceful and dignified setting. The programme established specialist end-of-life teams, a rapid-transfer pathway and 12 dedicated end-of-life beds at Mount Gould Hospital, enabling patients to move quickly from the Emergency Department or acute wards into a more appropriate care environment.
The service has reduced deaths in acute hospital settings, improved patient choice and supported hundreds of people each year to receive compassionate, person-centred care in their preferred place of death. It has also improved hospital flow, reduced avoidable admissions and released thousands of acute bed days, creating a model that is now being adopted by other NHS trusts.
Alison Griffiths, Lead Nurse for End of Life and Palliative Care at UHP, said: "We are incredibly proud to have been shortlisted for the HSJ Patient Safety Awards in the Palliative & End of Life Safety Initiative of the Year category. This recognition reflects the dedication and compassion of colleagues across UHP and our community partners, who work together every day to ensure patients receive safe, person-centred care at the end of life.
"By working in partnership across organisations and teams, we can provide the dignity, comfort and support that patients and families need during life's most difficult moments. This shortlisting is a testament to the commitment of our staff and our shared ambition to deliver the very best end-of-life care for the people we serve."
UHP is incredibly proud to see three teams recognised for the HSJ Patient Safety Awards. These awards highlight work that delivers real impact for patients, families and staff, and that demonstrates the importance of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement across our services.
