The healthcare community is abuzz with excitement as the Bedfordshire Palliative Coordination Service has been shortlisted for the Neighbourhood and Community Care Innovation of the Year at the 2026 HSJ Awards. This recognition underscores the service’s commitment to enhancing palliative care access across the county.
With over 1,300 entries and only 231 projects making it to the final shortlist, the competition was fierce. The Bedfordshire initiative stood out for its innovative approach to coordinating palliative care services, making it a beacon of excellence in the healthcare sector.
The Power of Collaboration
The Bedfordshire Palliative Coordination Service is a testament to the power of collaboration. It brings together Keech HospiceSue Ryder St John’s Hospice and NHS colleagues from primary, acute, and community care. This partnership has created a seamless, coordinated route into expert palliative care support, available 24/7 through NHS 111 Option 4.
Patients, families, carers, and health professionals can now access timely advice, reassurance, symptom management support, and guidance on navigating care options. By integrating services through a shared system-wide approach, the partnership ensures that more people receive the right support sooner and can remain in their preferred place of care whenever possible.
A Beacon of Innovation
Elaine Tolliday, Deputy Chief Executive and Clinical Director at Keech Hospice, expressed her delight at the recognition. “This service is about helping people live well with a life-limiting illness,” she said. “It ensures that patients, families, and professionals can get expert advice and coordinated support whenever they need it.”
The service’s innovative model has not only simplified access to palliative care but also set a new standard for coordinated healthcare support. The recognition at the HSJ Awards is a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in this collaborative effort.
Shaping the Future of Healthcare
Alastair McLellan, editor of the Health Service Journal, highlighted the significance of the HSJ Awards. “These awards are not just a celebration of success stories but also a platform to shape the future of the NHS,” he said. The awards ceremony, to be held at Evolution London on November 19, 2026, will recognize and applaud impressive achievements across the sector.
The judging panel, comprising influential figures from the healthcare community and board-level executives from NHS trusts across the UK, selected the Bedfordshire Palliative Coordination Service for its outstanding contribution to healthcare innovation. The event will also serve as a timely thank you to the sector, reflecting the HSJ Awards’ enduring ethos of sharing best practice and improving patient outcomes.
As the healthcare community eagerly awaits the announcement of the winners, the Bedfordshire Palliative Coordination Service stands as a shining example of innovation and collaboration in palliative care.
