Record-breaking shortlists for our hospitals
We’re delighted to share that we have been shortlisted for five Picker Experience Network Awards (PENNA).
This is the highest number of shortlistings we’ve ever achieved for PENNA — and a real testament to the power of patients, carers, communities, and staff working side by side to make healthcare more compassionate, inclusive, and equitable.
From local champions and lived experience voices to carers’ feedback and grassroots panels, every project shows the impact of people-powered change.
Engaging the public – Health Equity Action Leadership (HEAL) Project: a people-powered approach to transforming health equity.
Through a partnership with TELCO’s network of 80 community organisations, HEAL Champions are trained in health literacy and leadership to support neighbours, challenge barriers, and co-design fairer services. Every Champion reports feeling more confident navigating healthcare and advocating for change — helping to rebuild trust and bring more voices into shaping the future of care.
Measuring, reporting and acting – Using Insight for Improvement: Empowering champions: from measurement to meaningful change.
Over 40 end-of-life care champions across Whipps Cross are using real patient and family feedback to drive improvements in pain management, hydration, and communication. By sharing stories and data ward-by-ward, staff feel ownership of change — transforming care culture from the ground up.
Patient contribution – Whipps Cross Patients’ Panel: 20 years of support.
Born out of crisis, the Panel has grown into a trusted group of 50+ patients and carers who partner with staff at every level. From advising on strategy to co-designing events that celebrate care, they are long-term ‘critical friends’ whose insight helps shape services across the hospital and Trust.
Strengthening the foundation – Dementia and delirium mandatory learning training package and introduction video: The patient’s voice is key.
Co-designed with patients, carers, and clinical experts, this innovative training helps all 24,000 staff understand dementia and delirium through real patient stories. By hearing lived experience first-hand, learners connect emotionally as well as intellectually — making the training more memorable and impactful. This approach not only improves care for patients and families but also sets a new standard for how we embed the patient voice in future mandatory learning.
Support for caregivers, friends and families – Co-designing compassion: Inclusive feedback that drives change.
Our bereaved carers’ survey, redesigned with families, gives a compassionate way to share honest feedback. Insights have already improved how we return belongings, explain the coroner process, and support families in A&E. Most importantly, it ensures every bereaved voice helps shape more compassionate care in future.
The winners will be announced on 2 October — but whatever the outcome, these five nominations already speak volumes. They show that when we listen, partner, and act together, we can transform care for patients, families, and staff alike.