The Picker Experience Network Awards 2026 are now open for submissions. As the UK’s leading awards celebrating excellence in patient experience, they recognise outstanding contributions across healthcare settings, from individuals to teams and organisations.
What’s new for 2026?
This year there is an updated category framework that reflects the full journey of experience improvement, including:
- Establishing strong foundations such as partnership working, leadership and staff wellbeing
- Turning insight into impact and building capability for person-centred care
- Delivering better experiences through personalised care, joined-up services, and improved environments
- Enabling innovation through digital, technology and operational excellence
- Recognising sector-wide, international, and long-term improvement
- Celebrating individuals, teams, patients, and volunteers making a difference
Whether your work focuses on equity and inclusion, digital innovation, community partnership, or improving everyday care experiences, we would love to hear from you. You can explore the full category listings, along with judging criteria and guidance, on the website: https://patientexperiencenetwork.org/awards/
Key details:
📅 Submission deadline: Sunday 28th June 2026, 5pm
🏆 Shortlisted finalists announced: Monday 27th July 2026
📍 Event Day: Thursday 1st October 2026, University of Birmingham
Submitting is straightforward, and we strongly encourage you to share your achievements and learning. If you would like to consider submitting an application, please contact the Patient Experience Team in the first instance. Patientexperience@cht.nhs.uk
For more information, including entry costs and FAQs, please visit the website.