We are delighted to announce that three projects involving the Health Innovation Network have been selected as finalists for the HSJ Digital Awards 2023.

HIN programmes shortlisted for the prestigious awards include diabetes-focused projects HEAL-D and the Diabetes Prevention Decathlon, whilst DigitalHealth.London’s Digital Fellowships were also nominated.

Award submissions were reviewed by a specialist judging panel against specific criteria that includes ambition, outcome, spread, value and involvement.

DigitalHealth.London’s Digital Fellowship Programmes have been selected as a finalist for the Digital Literacy, Education and Upskilling Award. DigitalHealth.London is a programme delivered by Health Innovation Network in partnership with CW+, MedCity, UCLP, and other partners. DigitalHealth.London’s 12-month Digital Fellowship Programmes support NHS staff to lead transformation projects underpinned by digital innovation.

The Digital Pioneer Fellowship has supported 97 Fellows from 45 NHS organisations across London and the south east, and national organisations including NHS England. It is estimated that over 10 million patients and 140,000 NHS and social care staff have been positively impacted by the projects of the 37 Fellows from the most recent cohort supported by Boehringer Ingelheim.

The Horizon Fellowship, run in partnership with CW Innovation, is supporting 15 individuals within Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust with transformation project ideas to improve patient care.

All 112 projects undertaken by Digital Pioneer and Horizon Fellows so far have led to improved patient care and/or experience either directly or indirectly. This scaleable programme is ideal for trusts and ICSs looking to boost their digital transformation capacity and capability. The team is also keen to run more Digital Fellowship programmes. If you would like to get involved, please get in touch with Sara Nelson on sara.nelson3@nhs.net.

The Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyles for Diabetes (HEAL-D) Online programme supported by the HIN has been selected as a Finalist in the Reducing Health Inequalities Through Digital Award category. HEAL-D is a self-management education programme for adults living with Type-2 Diabetes (T2D) from African and Caribbean heritage that is delivered digitally through a video-conferencing platform. The programme was developed to address inequalities in T2D structured education attendance and outcomes among black African and Caribbean adults through improvements in access and experience. The seven-week curriculum combines lifestyle education and physical activity to support the adoption of healthy eating habits and lifestyle changes. HEAL-D was co-designed in partnership with people from the African and Caribbean community to ensure appropriate cultural tailoring and acceptability for people with diabetes and healthcare practitioners.

The programme enables peer support, physical activity and cooking sessions to be delivered in a virtual classroom. Participants also have access to online exercise videos to encourage regular activity, videos to reinforce programme messages, and resources about diabetes and the importance of making lifestyle changes.

HEAL-D Online demonstrates the importance of collaboration and how co-design is integral in helping people to be empowered in taking care of their health. It explores how digital tools can support the spread and adoption of innovative culturally tailored programmes. This digital solution allowed the programme to be delivered during a period when most diabetes-structured education programmes were paused, and the impact of Covid-19 was disproportionately affecting people with diabetes and from minority ethnic groups. The lessons learned from HEAL-D Online around flexible delivery will also help guide other programmes supporting the management of long term conditions.

In the Empowering Patients Through Digital Award category, our diabetes Prevention Decathlon (PD), run in partnership with South West London ICS and Sweatcoin, has been shortlisted as a Finalist. The aim of this programme was to create choice and provide more opportunities for people to access a preventative structured education programme.

A cross-organisational team created an exciting programme consisting of evidenced-based health and wellbeing information, a digital companion app (Sweatcoin) and in-session physical activities. Sweatcoin also offers weekly quizzes and a variety of videos including content recap and a pre-recorded at home workout programme.

The programme has supported many of the 68,000 people in south west London who are at risk of developing Type-2 Diabetes. Delivered over a 10-week period, PD is unique compared to other prevention programmes as it allows participants to achieve rewards through physical activity attainment by using the specialist digital companion app. Through collective motivation and healthy competition, the Decathletes are able to work with their peers as part of a team, have fun and build meaningful friendships.

Mark Edginton, Director of Operations at the HIN, said: