Colleagues from Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) are celebrating after receiving Highly Commended recognition in the Best Use of Digital for Improving Care Pathways category at the prestigious Health Tech News (HTN) Health Tech Awards 2026.
The recognition shines a spotlight on a collaborative project that has transformed the way patients in WWL's Emergency Departments are referred for urgent mental health support.
Developed in partnership with Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, the new digital referral pathway replaced a largely paper-based process with a faster, more streamlined system that enables referrals to be sent directly to specialist mental health teams. As a result, referral times have reduced from more than an hour to just four minutes, helping patients access specialist support much more quickly.
The improvement has not only enhanced the experience for patients but has also freed up valuable nursing time, allowing frontline staff to spend more time providing care and less time completing paperwork.
Petro Bekker, Chief Nursing Information Officer (CNIO) and Associate Director of Clinical Informatics at WWL, said: "We are absolutely delighted that this project has been recognised by the HTN Health Tech Awards.
"Receiving a Highly Commended award is a wonderful achievement and a testament to the passion, creativity and commitment of everyone involved. This project was driven by a shared desire to improve the experience of some of our most vulnerable patients, and it has only been possible because of the strong collaboration between colleagues across WWL and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
"Most importantly, this work is already making a meaningful difference for patients, helping them access the right support more quickly when they need it most. We are incredibly proud of everyone who contributed to this success and thrilled to see their hard work recognised on a national stage."
The project was one of four national recognitions for WWL on the night, with teams also shortlisted for:
- Health Tech Solution of the Year
- Best Solution for Clinicians
- Best Use of Digital and Data for NHS Trusts
The national recognition highlights WWL's ongoing commitment to using digital innovation to improve patient care and supports the Trust's ambition to deliver safer, faster and more joined-up services for local people.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this outstanding achievement. Their dedication and teamwork have delivered a digital solution that is improving care pathways for patients while setting an example of innovation across the NHS.