Two major programmes supported by Health Innovation East Midlands (HIEM) have been shortlisted for the 2026 HSJ Awards.

The annual awards highlight transformative and innovative projects across the NHS, and HIEM has played a key role in two of the shortlisted initiatives:

Delivering Martha’s Rule at scale: Empowering escalation to transform patient safety across the Midlands – shortlisted for two awards: ‘Provider collaboration of the year’ and the ‘patient safety award’. Led jointly by HIEM and Health Innovation West Midlands, the programme supports local NHS trusts to implement Martha’s Rule. Named in memory of 13-year old Martha Mills, this national initiative gives patients and their families round-the-clock access to a rapid review by an independent team if they are worried about their own or a loved one’s condition. – Find out more about this programme here.

Preventing Problematic Polypharmacy: Getting the balance right – this national programme shortlisted for ‘Medicines, pharmacy and prescribing initiative of the year’, is led by the Health Innovation Network and supported by HIEM and addresses the urgent and growing challenge of overprescribing and problematic polypharmacy. Problematic polypharmacy occurs when a patient is taking multiple medicines, some of which may no longer be necessary or could be causing harm. Find out more about this programme here.

The award winners will be announced at the HSJ Awards ceremony on 19 November 2026 at Evolution London.