Your 2026 Winners

Best Use of Artificial Intelligence in a Healthcare Setting

Winner:

Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: What Clinicians in Ireland Are Saying

"The judges welcomed this important contribution to the conversation about artificial intelligence in Irish healthcare. The RCPI–EY report and its launch brought clinicians, digital health specialists and the patient voice together in a valuable multidisciplinary learning opportunity. The initiative was also commended for communicating a complex and rapidly developing subject effectively. It sets a positive example for continued education and dialogue about the responsible use of AI in healthcare."

Highly Commended:

Katana Healthcare
Katana

Finalist:

St Patrick's Mental Health Service
The use of Virtual Reality for treatment within a mental health setting in Ireland

Best Use of Digital Health & IT

Winner:

Children's Health Ireland, Crumlin, Diabetes Service
Introduction of a Self-Scheduling Virtual Consultation System into the CHI Crumlin Diabetes Service

"The judges described this as a practical, innovative and highly patient-centred response to a real challenge in accessing healthcare. By giving patients and families greater control over appointment scheduling, the service has demonstrated measurable improvements in attendance, utilisation and patient experience. Its successful expansion beyond the original diabetes service shows how readily the approach can be adopted elsewhere. This is digital innovation making a tangible difference to everyday care. "

Charter Medical Private Hospital
The Executive Operations Portal

Chemco Pharmacy
Medcharts Electronic Medications Record Platform

Cork University Hospital
Regional Digital Neurosurgery Pathways with Pathpoint

Department of Social protection in conjunction with the Irish College of General Practitioners
Bridging Healthcare and Social Protection: An Innovative GP Education Programme

HSE MN-CMS EHR -NWHIP/Technology & Transformation
MN-CMS EHR Programme (Phase 2)

Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Maynooth University and HCI
Digitising Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Pathways - Patient Empowering App

National Cancer Information System National Team, National Cancer Control Programme & HSE Technology and Transformation
The National Cancer Information System

OpenSky with Beaumont Hospital
Digital Hospital Control Room powered by Unified Data Platform

Speech and Language Services South East
SHARE

St Vincent's Private Hospital
Nourishing Safety: A World-First Digital Transformation of Parenteral Nutrition

Innovation in Healthcare

Winner:

Progressive Vision
Office- based cataract surgery at Progressive Vision Swords

"The judges praised Progressive Vision for rethinking where and how cataract surgery can be delivered. Its innovative office-based model has improved access, reduced waiting times and increased capacity while maintaining a strong focus on patient experience. With more than 500 patients treated since launch, the initiative demonstrates tangible operational and workforce efficiencies. It offers an exciting and scalable approach to future cataract care in Ireland."

Highly Commended:

HSE Enhanced Community Care Programme
Supporting Multi-morbidity self-care through Integration, Learning and eHealth (SMILE 2)

Finalist:

Cheshire Ireland
iplanit

HSE/Galway University Hospitals/PFH/Imprivata
National Roll-out of Single Sign-on in preparation for the One Health Record and the Digital for Care 2030 framework

Innovate Health: Tallaght University Hospital
Development of Innovate Health at Tallaght University Hospital

Obesity Service, University Hospital Galway
Compassion Focused Group Therapy for Patients living with Obesity

St Joseph’s Centre a service of St John of God University Hospital
St Joseph's Centre, Shankill's Volunteer and Community Programme

St Patrick's Mental Health Service
The use of Virtual Reality for treatment within a mental health setting in Ireland

St Vincent's Private Hospital
Nourishing Safety: A World-First Digital Transformation of Parenteral Nutrition

Vie Physio, Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Clinic, Naas, Co. Kildare
Digital Multimodal Physiotherapy for Pelvic Floor Muscle Relaxation: A Scalable Pelvic Health Care Pathway

Sponsored by:

Medical Device, Technology or Service of the Year

Winner:

St Vincent's Private Hospital
Breast Surgery Without Borders; Integrating Imaging into the Operating Theatres using Mozart 3D imaging Cabinet

"The judges highlighted this project’s smart redesign of the breast surgery pathway by bringing specimen imaging directly into the operating theatre. The change enables faster decisions, reduces time under anaesthesia and improves the experience for patients and clinical teams. Measured efficiencies include a 17-minute reduction in imaging pathway time and the release of valuable theatre and mammography capacity. This is an excellent example of technology and multidisciplinary teamwork delivering practical clinical and operational benefits. "

Finalist:

Asthma Society of Ireland
Easy Access Asthma Care

Etrack Medical
Clinically Governed Digital Pathway for Community Care

Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Vispro masks: enhancing human connection while preventing infection spread

NEC Software Solutions 
One Device, One Standard: The Otoport V2 National Medical Device Rollout

St Vincent's Private Hospital
Nourishing Safety: A World-First Digital Transformation of Parenteral Nutrition

Uniphar Medtech - Women’s Health team
Aveta system from Meditrina, distributed by Uniphar Medtech

University of Galway
A multi-user Virtual Reality (MUVR) social platform to promote socialisation in older people with dementia

Excellence in Healthcare Management

Winner:

LauraLynn, Ireland's Children's Hospice
National Transformation of Children’s Hospice Care Through Strategic Leadership, Community Expansion, and Integrated Service Innovation

"The judges praised LauraLynn for an impressive transformation of children’s palliative care, combining strategic leadership with meaningful benefits for children and families. The expansion of community services has improved access to family-centred support across the country. Strong governance, workforce development and clear evidence of impact demonstrate both effective management and lasting value. This is an outstanding example of compassionate leadership building a sustainable national model of care."

Finalist:

Duleek Care Centre
Duleek Together: A Whole-System Quality, Culture and Person-Centered Transformation Programme

HSE – delivered by the Organisational Change Unit Programme Team
The Health Regions Programme

NEC Software Solutions
Strengthening Services Through Collaborative Leadership

RCSI HSE Collaboration
The National Perioperative Patient Pathway Enhancement Programme

South Dublin Surgical Hub
Delivering a Lean and Green Surgical Hub using Operational Excellence - Changing how we deliver Healthcare in Ireland - Leading with Humility

The Avoca Clinic
From Investment to Impact; Service Expansion, Innovation and Clinical Growth at The Avoca Clinic

Sponsored by:

Medical Team of the Year

Winner:

GPCareForAll-Summerhill Family Practice
Charity based GP Model

"The judges praised this charity-based GP model for reaching people who face significant barriers to accessing primary care. Its community outreach helps connect marginalised individuals with healthcare they might otherwise miss. The initiative also demonstrates a thoughtful approach to governance and service development, creating a foundation for wider delivery. Its ambition to expand makes this a particularly encouraging example of inclusive, community-focused care. "

Finalist:

Charter Medical Private Hospital
The Step-Down Unit Multidisciplinary Team

Children's Health Ireland, Chronic Pain Service
Making pain matter, visible, understood...and better

Children's Health Ireland
Centre for Rare Paediatric Bone Disorders - “Our Tribe”: Access to cutting edge therapies

Children's Health Ireland
Moving beyond the Incubator: Nurturing the Neonatal Journey

Tallaght Cross
GPS at Tallaght Cross

The Avoca Clinic
The Avoca Clinic Surgical Team

Sponsored by:

Best Design-Led Project of the Year

Winner:

Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
RCPI Inclusion Health Framework: A Co‑Designed Approach to Equitable Care

"The judges praised this outstanding framework as an exceptional example of authentic co-design, bringing together lived experience, patient and public involvement, research and innovative teaching methods. Its thoughtful development and evaluation have already shown encouraging improvements in learners’ confidence, understanding and attitudes towards inclusion health. The integration into existing curricula and the practical toolkit for wider implementation were particular strengths. This is an inspiring foundation for more equitable patient care across services."

Finalist:

ADMiRE ADHD Specialist Service, HSE Linn Dara Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
ADMiRE Navigator: Design-Led Transformation of ADHD Care

Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Eye Spy Ophthalmology: Improving accessibility through design-led wayfinding

Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Included by Design: Redesigning Access to Healthcare for People Experiencing Homelessness

Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
SimuSkin: A Design-Led Innovation Transforming Dermatology Education

Primary Care Child Psychology Service Donegal and HSE Spark Innovation Programme
'Nothing for us Without Us' - Using Human Centred Design to improve Psychology Services for Autistic Young People in Donegal

Rapid Innovation Unit, University Hospital Limerick, Milford Care Centre, St Joseph's Hospital Ennis
Patient-specific rehabilitation supports

Rapid Innovation Unit, University Hospital Limerick, UHL Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre University of Limerick
Patient-centred design in cancer clinical trials

St John of God University Hospital, Mental Health First Aid Ireland and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Co-Designed Mental Health Education for Eating Disorders: A Realist Evaluation of an Innovative Training Model for Future Healthcare Professionals

Hospital Project of the Year

Winner:

St James' Hospital, Endoscopy Unit
Incorporating Transnasal Endoscopy into Practice to Enhance Access to Upper GI Endoscopy

"The judges commended this highly effective innovation for improving access to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy while reducing waiting times. Strong results demonstrated excellent procedural success, patient satisfaction and meaningful time and cost efficiencies. The approach is patient-centred, better tolerated and less resource-intensive, with environmental benefits too. Its clear potential for adoption in other hospitals makes it a compelling example of practical service improvement. "

Finalist:

Charter Medical Private Hospital
See It. Say It. Save It. — Integration of In-Situ Simulation within Basic Life Support and Deteriorating Patient Education During Staff Induction in a Level 2 Hospital

Cork University Hospital, Paediatric Department

Paediatric Deteriorating/Acutely unwell Patient Working Group

Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Department of Liaison Psychiatry
Acute Medicine Proactive liaison Psychiatry

National Maternity Hospital, Department of Neonatology, ACORN Team
ACORN Programme: Allied Care Of at Risk Newborns

National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh; Centre for Rehabilitation
Limb-itless; Transforming Amputee Care For Older Adults - A Collaborative MDT Approach

Rotunda Hospital
Increasing the Rate of Delayed Cord Clamping for Preterm Deliveries <32’ using the LifeStart Trolley

St Vincent's Private Hospital
Nourishing Safety: A World-First Digital Transformation of Parenteral Nutrition

Uniphar Medtech & St. John's Hospital Limerick
Installation of Irelands first Versius Robotic-Assisted Surgical System

Nursing & Midwifery Project of the Year

Winner:

University Hospital Galway, St Bernadettes Paediatric Ward
Transforming Paediatric Procedural Care Through Virtual Reality

"The judges celebrated this exceptional nurse-led initiative for using virtual reality to reduce fear and distress during children’s medical procedures. Its structured implementation and evaluation demonstrate meaningful improvements in patient experience, with reduced reliance on clinical holding and sedation. Families’ feedback and the adoption of the team's approach by seven additional hospitals underline its value and potential. This is a creative, compassionate innovation helping make paediatric care safer and more child-centred."

Finalist:

Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic
RESPOND: Recognising Escalation and Supporting Patient Outcomes through Nursing Development

Blackrock Health Galway Clinic, Nursing Department
From Clicks to Connection: Transforming the Nursing EHR Experience

Brightpath Healthcare
Exploring Lone Working Experiences and Support System Awareness Among Nurses in Children's Palliative Homecare

Charter Medical Private Hospital
See It. Say It. Save It.

Cherry Orchard Hospital and Community, Integrated Healthcare Area, Dublin and Midlands Region, HSE
Féileacán Bán, Transforming Dementia Care in the Community

Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and Asthma Society Ireland, Paediatric Respiratory and Allergy Department
Ireland’s first Paediatric Asthma Camp 2025

National Maternity Hospital  and UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems
Birth Reflections at the National Maternity Hospital: A Midwifery-Led Service Supporting Women to Understand, Review and Reflect on Their Birth Experience

St Patrick's Mental Health Service
The use of Virtual Reality for treatment within a mental health setting in Ireland

Patient Advocacy Project of the Year

Winner:

St Joseph’s Centre a service of St John of God University Hospital
St Joseph's Centre, Shankill's Volunteer and Community Programme

"The judges hailed St Joseph’s Centre’s Volunteer and Community Programme as an outstanding example of advocacy woven into everyday dementia care. Through volunteering, intergenerational activities and community outreach, it improves connection and wellbeing for people living with dementia while supporting families and challenging stigma. An independent evaluation demonstrates meaningful benefits, supported by 120 volunteers contributing more than 8,000 hours each year. This is a powerful illustration of how community involvement can improve lives and build greater understanding."

Highly Commended:

Breakthrough Cancer Revolution supported by Etch Communications
Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope

Finalist:

Cork University Hospital
Cúram 'Care that Comforts'

Diabetes Ireland
One Bridge-Three Paths: COPE, CARE, DREAMS

Neurological Alliance of Ireland supported by Sanofi and Etch Communications
The Right Care in the Right Place: A National Call for Neurology Care

Research Project/Paper of the Year

Winner:

St Patrick's Mental Health Services, Department of Pharmacy
Global trends in clozapine utilisation between 2014 and 2024: a longitudinal epidemiological study with data from 75 countries

"The judges praised this substantial international study for examining clozapine use across 75 countries over a ten-year period. Its rigorous analysis reveals important differences and trends in prescribing and supply, offering fresh insight into potential barriers to treatment. The findings provide a valuable evidence base for further research and could help inform mental health policy and practice internationally. This is an ambitious piece of research with significant potential to improve access to care."

Finalist:

Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin, Diabetes and Endocrinology Department
Neonatal Diabetes in Ireland over the Past 19 Years: Clinical Presentation, Management, Genetics and Outcomes

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Mental Health First Aid Ireland and St John of God University Hospital
Co-Designed Mental Health Education for Eating Disorders: A Realist Evaluation of an Innovative Training Model for Future Healthcare Professionals

St Joseph’s Centre a service of St John of God University Hospital
Evaluating the Volunteer Impact in St Joseph’s Study

UCD Scool of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, the National Maternity Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital Kilkanny and Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar
The Early Motherhood Expectations versus Reality Study

University College Dublin and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, UCD Centre for Precision Surgery
Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Angiography for Digital Decision Support in Surgery