Croydon’s Pharmacy Team shortlisted for the 2025 HSJ Awards
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust is proud to announce that a transformational project which improves patient outcomes, medicine safety and makes financial savings has been shortlisted for the Medicines, Pharmacy and Prescribing Initiative of the Year at the prestigious 2025 HSJ Awards.
This recognition highlights the exceptional work and innovation demonstrated by the team and is a testament to the Trust’s commitment to providing excellent care for all.
This year’s awards attracted more than 1,250 entries from across the health sector. With only 245 projects and individuals making it through to the final shortlist, the competition has been incredibly tough, demonstrating the impressive scale of talent, commitment and impact across the NHS and wider healthcare landscape.
The Trust’s shortlisted entry was selected following a rigorous judging process and has been recognised as a standout example of excellence in healthcare delivery.
The 2025 awards judging panel was once again made up of a diverse range of highly influential and respected figures within the healthcare community, including Matthew Style, Director General, Secondary Care and Integration, Department of Health & Social Care, Mark Cubbon, Chief Executive Officer, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, NHS England, as well as a range of esteemed Chief Executives from NHS Trusts across the UK.
This pioneering project, led by the Trust’s Pharmacy Homecare Team in partnership with Rheumatology, Gastroenterology and Dermatology specialists, involved coordinating the transition of medication for over 300 patients to a more user-friendly, cost-effective alternative.
As well as reducing side effects, improving patient satisfaction and encouraging patients to continue with their treatment, the project could save the Trust almost half a million pounds a year. The initiative also established a new agreement with a homecare provider, making it even easier for patients to access the treatment they need.
Bhavesh Patel, Chief Pharmacist at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, said:
“We are honoured to be shortlisted for the Medicines, Pharmacy and Prescribing Initiative of the Year at the HSJ Awards 2025.
“This is a proud moment for our team, whose hard work and passion for improving healthcare have been extraordinary. To be recognised among so many outstanding initiatives is already a win in itself.
“Regardless of the outcome on the night, we’re thrilled to be able to share our journey and learnings with others across the sector, and to celebrate what’s possible when we come together to deliver better care.”
HSJ Editor Alastair McLellan commented:
“On behalf of all my colleagues, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate Croydon Health Services NHS Trust on being shortlisted as a finalist in the category of Medicines, Pharmacy and Prescribing Initiative of the Year. All of the applications represent the ‘very best of the NHS’ and often leave our esteemed panel of judges with an impossible choice!
“Year on year the number of entrants continues to rise which I find so encouraging and is testament to the effect that HSJ Awards can have on improved staff culture and morale.
“We’re all very much looking forward to welcoming our finalists to the awards ceremony in November, celebrating their impressive achievements and jointly acknowledging our values of sharing best practice, improving patient outcomes and continuously driving for better service. But we never forget that the award ceremony is not just a celebration within a night, but a platform to recognise the hard work of all our NHS staff, all year round.”
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 20 November 2025 at Evolution London. The event celebrates excellence in healthcare, promotes best practice, and recognises the people and projects improving outcomes for patients nationwide.
For more details on the 2025 HSJ Awards shortlist, visit https://awards.hsj.co.uk/
To learn more about our partners, visit https://awards.hsj.co.uk/partners