Posted on: 18 March 2025
We’re thrilled to announce CNWL has been shortlisted in four categories at this year’s HSJ Digital Awards:
- Digital Clinical Safety Award
- Driving Change through AI and Automation Award
- Improving Medicines Management and Pharmacy through Digital
- Improving Mental Health through Digital
The HSJ Digital Awards shine a light on teams and organisations driving meaningful change through technology, improving patient outcomes, streamlining processes, and enhancing the overall quality of care.
This year marks a milestone for the awards, with a record-breaking 432 entries submitted, of which, 205 projects have been shortlisted. The winners will be revealed at a ceremony on 26 June 2025.
Read more about CNWL’s projects below.
Enhancing clinical safety through real-time digital observations: Transforming patient care with the Brigid App
Brigid is a companion app of SystmOne, the NHS’ patient record system, which gives clinicians the ability to record patient information using a tablet. In real time, staff can record mental health observations, document vital signs observations and generate NEWS2 scores – a vital tool for identifying and responding to early signs of patient deterioration.
This project has transformed patient care at CNWL by digitising patient observations, achieving measurable improvements in safety, efficiency, and compliance. Over 12 months, the percentage of inpatients with completed NEWS2 scores increased from 50% to 72%, saving a minimum of 1,411 clinical hours on wards weekly and enabling earlier intervention for deteriorating patients.
The app has standardised and improved the process for mental health observations, reducing unnecessary restrictive practices and enhancing transparency for patients and clinicians. These changes align with NHS goals for digital transformation, empowering clinicians to deliver safer and more effective care.
Driving efficiency in mental health services with artificial intelligence ambient voice technology
In our child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) outpatient clinic, we co-developed and implemented Anathem’s artificial intelligence ambient voice technology (AI AVT) to automate clinical documentation during attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and general medical consultations.
Patients and clinicians appreciated that they were able to focus entirely on the consultation without the distraction of notetaking. During our proof-of-concept trial, documentation time per encounter reduced from 27 to 10 minutes. Clinician satisfaction and patient experiences improved significantly. We are now moving onto phase 2 which is expanding the use cases and rolling it out across the Trust (five boroughs).
Safer use of valproate
Led by Yogita Dawda (Consultant Pharmacist) and Joanna Taylor (MSO Pharmacist), this project aimed to improve the safe use of valproate, commonly prescribed for epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Due to its well-documented teratogenic risks, the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) introduced strict prescribing regulations in 2018, further tightening them in 2024 to limit new initiations in both males and females unless absolutely necessary.
In response, Yogi developed a valproate implementation plan, chairing a task force (including patient and carer representatives) to ensure effective delivery. Joanna supported the initiative, particularly in designing the digital valproate risk acknowledgment form.
Yogita said:
“We’re delighted to be shortlisted and we hope that sharing this work can support other organisations ensure that valproate is used safely and appropriately”.
Best For You: Young people’s mental health programme
The programme is run in partnership by CNWL, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, West London NHS Trust, and CW+.
Since its launch in 2021, Best For You has reached over 200,000 people through its website, YouTube, and social media, bringing together specialist information and tried-and-tested digital resources to provide 24/7 support for young people. Additionally, it connects organisations within and beyond the NHS, working with more than 75 community partners to provide information and signposting, early intervention, and support while young people wait for NHS care.
Find out more on the CW+ website: https://www.cwplus.org.uk/best-for-you/
