The Bedfordshire Palliative Coordination Service has been shortlisted for Neighbourhood and Community Care Innovation of the Year at the 2026 HSJ Awards.
The nomination recognises the joint initiative by Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice in Moggerhanger, Keech Hospice, and Bedfordshire NHS colleagues across primary, acute, and community care.
Award nomination
The service beat competition from more than 1,300 entries across the country, with 231 projects and individuals securing a place on the final shortlist.
Official judging panel members selected the local coordination network ahead of the official awards ceremony later this year.
Round-the-clock support
The Bedfordshire palliative coordination service provides a single route into expert palliative care across Bedfordshire, accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week through NHS 111 Option 4.
Patients, families, carers, and health professionals can access timely advice, reassurance, symptom management support, and guidance navigating care options.
By joining up care through a shared system-wide approach, the partnership helps local people receive support sooner and remain in their preferred place of care whenever possible.
Leadership response
Elaine Tolliday, deputy chief executive and clinical director at Keech Hospice, said: “We are delighted that the Bedfordshire Palliative Coordination Service has been shortlisted for a 2026 HSJ Award.
“This recognition is a testament to the strength of partnership working across Keech Hospice, Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice and NHS colleagues, and to the dedication of everyone involved in creating a simpler, more responsive way for people to access palliative care support.
“At its heart, this service is about helping people live well with a life-limiting illness, ensuring patients, families and professionals can get expert advice and coordinated support whenever they need it.
“Whatever the outcome on the night, we are incredibly proud to see this collaborative work recognised nationally and to share what we have learned with colleagues across the health and care sector.”
Panel feedback
Alastair McLellan, editor of Health Service Journal (HSJ), said: “It always gives me great pleasure to congratulate our finalists at this stage of the judging process and this year is no exception…
“…we acknowledge the Bedfordshire palliative coordination service for being shortlisted in the category of Neighbourhood and Community Care Innovation of the Year.
“However, it’s always important to remember that the HSJ Awards are not just a celebration of success stories but also a platform to shape the future of the NHS.
“We can’t wait to welcome our finalists to the awards ceremony in November and to recognise and applaud such impressive achievements across the sector.
“Huge thanks also go to our headline partner, Lloyds Clinical, who share our mission of driving the standard of healthcare excellence and creating better patient experiences.”
The awards judging panel comprised figures from the healthcare community and board-level executives from NHS trusts across the UK.
Winners will be announced during the ceremony at Evolution London on 19 November 2026.
