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Entries open for landmark 20th Bright Ideas in Health Awards

Health innovators from across the North East and North Cumbria are being invited to enter the 20th Bright Ideas in Health Awards, as the programme marks a major milestone in celebrating ideas that improve health and care.

For more than 20 years, the awards have showcased individuals and teams improving healthcare services, supporting the NHS workforce and helping to address some of the biggest challenges facing the system.

Since the first event took place in 2003, the Bright Ideas in Health Awards has attracted 2,387 entries, celebrated 337 finalists and named 155 winners, highlighting the scale and legacy of the programme.

Delivered by Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria (HI NENC), the awards are open to individuals and teams across the NHS, universities, industry, local authorities and the voluntary and community sector who are developing and implementing innovative ideas that make a difference to patients, communities and the workforce.

Dr Nicola Hutchinson, chief executive of HI NENC, said: “It feels incredibly special to be marking this milestone.

“What started as a small event to recognise local innovation has grown into one of the North East and North Cumbria’s most important celebrations of the people and teams working to improve healthcare services.

“I am really proud of the strong community of innovators we have here, and of their commitment to working together to find better ways to support patients and NHS staff.”

The awards are free to enter, and winners will receive a cash prize, alongside support from HI NENC innovation experts to help develop and spread their idea.

Finalists will be invited to attend the awards ceremony at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead on Thursday 18 March 2027, where winners will be announced during a special celebration of the programme’s 20th event.

Past winners include the Shoulder Reduction Bench from South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, soon to be available through NHS Supply Chain, and PDMedCalc, a tool led by Professor James Fisher to support hospital patients with Parkinson’s.

Other winners have tackled osteoporosis diagnosis, surgical safety, health inequalities, mental health and access to healthy, affordable food.

Award categories

The categories for the 20th Bright Ideas in Health Awards are:

• Innovative Device Award
• Outstanding Industry Collaboration
• Patient Safety Impact Award
• Innovation Champion Award
• Digital and AI Innovation in Healthcare
• Innovation for Preventative Healthcare Award
• Reducing Healthcare Inequalities Award
• Excellence in NHS Workforce Development
• Innovation for Reducing Economic Inactivity
• Innovation Adoption and Spread Award
• Mental Health Transformation Award
• Sustainability, Efficiency and Productivity Award
• Innovative Women's Health Award
• Collaborative Improvement Award, sponsored by Boost

The competition is open to eligible individuals, teams and organisations working across the NHS, social care, academia, industry and the voluntary and community sector in the North East and North Cumbria.

Entries can showcase innovations that improve patient outcomes, support the workforce, reduce inequalities, improve sustainability, harness digital technology or strengthen collaboration across organisations.

Dr Hutchinson added: “The awards have always shown the talent, creativity and determination that exists across our region.

“This year is a chance to celebrate that legacy, while encouraging the next generation of ideas that could transform services.

“If you have a bright idea that is making a difference, I would encourage you to enter and share your story.”

The deadline for entries is 11.59pm on Friday 27 November 2026.

To submit an entry, visit the Bright Ideas in Health Awards website here.

Sponsors

This year’s headline sponsor is the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Category sponsor:

Collaborative Improvement Award, sponsored by Boost

Other sponsors include:

• Sintons
• South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust

If you are interested in sponsoring this year’s event, please contact: Sarah Black, event manager at HI NENC: sarah.black@healthinnovationnenc.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Bdaily Publishing .