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Mental health trust shortlisted for HSJ Patient Safety Award 2026
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has been shortlisted for a prestigious Health Service Journal (HSJ) Patient Safety Award 2026, recognising its commitment to improving the safety and quality of care for patients using mental health services.
This follows work spearheaded by the Trust’s Divisional Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, Matt Thomas alongside Mental Health Risk Assessment and Risk Management Trainer, Tim Page, to strengthen clinical risk assessment and safety planning practices across mental health and learning disability services.
In response to national guidance, wider safety learning and feedback from staff, carers and service users, Matt, Tim and the wider working group undertook a comprehensive review of the Trust’s clinical risk assessment approach.
A strong focus on lived experience was central to this work, ensuring the voices of patients, families and carers directly shaped improvements to how risk is understood and managed.
This led to the development of a new, enhanced risk assessment training package for clinicians. It includes co-produced videos featuring families and carers to highlight the vital role loved ones play in supporting safe care and managing risk.
A new narrative-based risk assessment form was also introduced and is now embedded within the Trust’s electronic patient record system. This approach encourages more personalised, holistic assessments.
Expressing his delight at being shortlisted, Matt said: “This recognition reflects a huge amount of work and collaboration across our teams, and most importantly, alongside our patients, families and carers.”
“By listening to real experiences and learning from both national evidence and local feedback, we’ve been able to make meaningful changes to how we assess and manage risk in mental health.”
Building on this, the Trust has further strengthened its approach to safety planning and crisis planning and has shared learning nationally through the Culture of Care programme, helping to influence broader improvements in patient safety across the NHS.