29 October 2026
Congratulations to Business Services Organisation (BSO) encompass colleagues for their success at the recent HSC Digital Awards.
Health and Social Care’s digital innovators, data leaders and change-makers came together on Thursday 8 October, as the winners of the Health and Social Care (HSC) Digital Awards 2026 were announced and celebrated.
Recognising the outstanding individuals and teams using digital technology, data and innovation to improve services, enhance staff experience and deliver better outcomes for citizens across Northern Ireland. The awards, supported by Digital Health and Care Northern Ireland (DHCNI), shine a spotlight on the creativity, commitment and collaboration driving digital transformation across the HSC system.
Held at the La Mon Hotel in Belfast, the awards brought together colleagues from across HSC with shortlisted entrants and invited guests enjoying afternoon tea before the announcement of this year’s winners.
Winners were selected from a highly competitive field of entries representing a wide range of organisations, professions and disciplines from across the HSC family.
The awards recognised excellence across seven categories, with the shortlisted projects and people demonstrating how digital and data are helping to transform care, support staff, improve decision-making and create better experiences for patients, service users and families.
2026 Award Winners
- Improving Services: Regional Breast Assessment Waiting List, BSO encompass
- Driving Change Using Data and Analytics: SPPG Patient Level Information & Costings (PLICS), Strategic, Planning & Performance Group (SPPG)
- Empowering People: My Journey, Northern Health & Social Care Trust
- Improving Staff Experience Through Digital and Data: Mobile Access Management, SEHSCT
- Partnership for Digital Innovation: Emotional Wellbeing Teams in Schools (EWTS), SPPG
- Digital Team of the Year: Data Issues to Digital Improvement Building Trust in encompass Data, Southern Health & Social Care Trust
- Digital Rising Star: Caroline Wilson – Transforming Stroke Rehabilitation Through Digital Innovation, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Dr Paul Rice, Chief Digital Information Office (CDIO), Department of Health (DoH) congratulated all finalists and winners:
“These awards recognise the incredible talent, innovation and dedication that exists across Health and Social Care. Every finalist has demonstrated how digital and data can make a real difference to people’s lives, improve services and support our workforce. Congratulations to all of our winners and everyone who took the time to share their inspiring stories.”
The quality and diversity of entries highlighted the growing maturity of Northern Ireland’s digital health and care landscape. From empowering citizens to better manage their health, to harnessing data for insight and improvement, and from innovative partnerships to outstanding leadership, the awards showcased the many ways digital transformation is helping shape the future of health and social care.
While the awards celebrate success, they also highlight the opportunities that lie ahead. The projects recognised this year demonstrate what is possible when technology, data and people come together with a shared focus on improving health and care.
Digital Health and Care Northern Ireland (DHCNI) would like to thank everyone who submitted an entry, supported colleagues through nominations, participated in judging, and helped make the HSC Digital Awards 2026 such a success.
Congratulations once again to all our winners, finalists and nominees for helping to build a more connected, innovative and digitally enabled health and care system for Northern Ireland.
RUNNERS UP
- Improving Services Runners up
NIAS introduction of the REACH Electronic Patient Care Record system, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS)
Virtual Reality into Psychological Therapy From Concept to Clinic, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
- Driving Change Using Data and Analytics Runners up
Elective Care Dashboard, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
AKESO Frailty Transformation, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
- Empowering People Runners up
Help Kids Talk, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Steps to Wellness Digital Self-Referral Pathway, Steps To Wellness, Southern Health & Social Care Trust
- Improving Staff Experience Through Digital and Data Runners up
Bar Code Medication Admin, Southern Health and Social Care Trust
A 12-month digital and data transformation in Community and Older People’s Services, Western Health and Social Care Trust
- Partnership for Digital Innovation Runners up
Recovery Reimagined Transforming Stroke Rehabilitation Through Virtual Reality, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Learning Zone, Northern Health and Social Care Trust
- Digital Team of the Year Runners up
Health Protection Epidemiology and Surveillance, PHA
Pharmacy Encompass Implementation, Southern Health and Social Care Trust
- Digital Rising Star Runners up
Faye Murray, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Shannon Rocks – Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist / Interim Team Lead , Children & Young People’s Occupational Therapy, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Philip Rea – From Concept to Regional Capability: encompass Optimisation, BSO encompass
Pictured below:
Improving Services – WINNER
L-R
Dr Paul Rice, CDIO DOH, Tom Simpson, Director DHCNI & Deputy CDIO, Eunice Heelham – Programme Manager – encompass, Chris Allam – Assistant Director Outpatient Services – SET,Andrew McKibbin, Kainos
Pictured below: L-R Dr Paul Rice, CDIO, DOH, Edward O’Neill, Consultant Medical Adviser, DHCNI, Faye Murray, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Shannon Rocks – Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist / Interim Team Lead, Children & Young People’s Occupational Therapy, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Philip Rea – From Concept to Regional Capability: encompass Optimisation, BSO encompass, Prof James McLaughlin, James McLaughlin, Director of Nanotechnology and Integrated Bioengineering Centre (NIBEC), Ulster University
