Winners of the Irish Healthcare Awards 2025

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Hospital Project of the Year

Winner: St James’s Hospital
Ambulatory Pleural Effusion Pathway

“The judges said that this innovative project transformed patient experience by delivering high-quality care in a less invasive manner, saving costs and being transferable to other hospitals. They highlighted that, as the first of its kind in Ireland, it has the potential for national impact and protects patients while achieving excellent outcomes.”

Highly commended: Tallaght University Hospital
Implementation of a rapid-access seizure pathway

Nursing and Midwifery Project of the Year

Winner: HSE National Screening Service
Building a resilient, responsive and future-focused cervical screening education model

 “The judges said that this nurse-led national training programme for cervical screening offers flexible and accessible education with strong governance and a clear strategy. They noted that it adapts to clinicians’ needs, includes inclusive outreach and is a superb educational development with a positive impact.”

NCHD led Project of the year

Winner: Tallaght University Hospital
The Irish National Capsule Endoscopy Registry

“The judges said that this multi-centre national audit registry project delivers valuable data on gastrointestinal diseases and improves patient care. They praised its strong stakeholder engagement, use of patient feedback, significant results and achievements, noting that it is well positioned for nationwide rollout and further success.”

Patient Advocacy Project of the Year

Winner: Global Heart Hub with Croí Heart & Stroke Charity and Weber Shandwick Fatal searches

“The judges said that this initiative addresses women’s unique clinical needs and closes knowledge and awareness gaps through simple yet powerful messaging via YouTube. They appreciated its important and impactful approach to raising awareness of symptoms among women and the broader public.”

Research Project /Paper of the year

Winner: St John of God University Hospital with University College Dublin Metformin for the prevention of antipsychotic induced weight gain: Guideline development and consensus validation

“The judges said that this project developed internationally applicable guidelines and tools to prevent antipsychotic-induced weight gain using metformin, addressing an important gap in mental health care. They praised its rigorous methodology, independence and global relevance and noted that it should lead to significant improvements in patient outcomes.”

Best use of Artificial Intelligence in a Healthcare setting

Winner: St Vincent’s Private Hospital
Deep Resolve: Revolutionising MRI with AI for accelerated scans and enhanced patient outcomes#

“The judges said that this programme illustrates an effective use of AI in radiology, with clear benefits for patient experience, quicker MRI interpretation and reduced waiting times. The approach reduces costs, saves time and enhances safety and comfort.”

Best use of Digital Health and IT

Winner: Cork University Hospital Pathpoint eTrauma and Virtual Fracture Assessment Clinic

“The judges said that this digital solution accelerates the patient journey for older adults, delivering measurable improvements in patient flow, compliance with national standards and cost savings in a major trauma centre.”

Innovation in Healthcare & Medicine

Winner: Mobile Medical Diagnostics Mobile x-ray service

“The judges said that this service brings mobile radiology diagnostics directly to people’s homes and care facilities, reducing unnecessary hospital attendance and meeting community needs. They considered it a patient-focused innovation that is delivering very good results and has strong potential for expansion across regions and additional diagnostic services.”

Medical Device, Technology or Service of the Year

Winner: University of Galway CnámhAR: Augmented reality exergames for bone health

“The judges said that this project uniquely combines rehabilitation with immersive technology, engaging service users and empowering them to take an active role in their recovery. They described it as an innovative and interesting concept backed by informative publications.”

Highly commended: myPatientSpace myPatientSpace digital health as a service

Innovation in Primary Care

Winner: HSE Chronic Disease Management programme

“The judges said that this programme, with its high uptake by general practitioners and patients, eases pressure on acute services and improves quality of life by enabling early detection and intervention at home. They viewed it as a robust and adaptable framework for proactive prevention, an innovative example of collaborative service design and a model that centres the patient’s voice.”

Cross Border Initiative/International  Collaboration of the Year

Winner: Queen’s University Belfast with the Institute for Experimental Medicine Ensuring sustainability in diabetic retinopathy screening in Ireland

“The judges said that this cross-border research project is an exemplary collaboration between Ireland, Northern Ireland and England. They praised its robust methodology, clear results and relevance to current challenges such as long waiting lists and an ageing population, noting that it focuses resources on those most at risk, improves diabetic retinopathy screening and delivers efficient, patient-focused care.”

Mental Health Initiative of the Year

Winner: Jigsaw
Increasing access to timely therapy for young people in a national mental health primary care network

“The judges said that this mental health initiative for children and young people introduced single-session therapy to reduce waiting times and maintained high satisfaction levels. They recognised that its multi-phase design achieved a substantial reduction in waiting times and has the potential to improve access to therapy nationwide.”

Outpatient Care Initiative of the Year

Winner: St James’s Hospital
Digital obstructive sleep apnoea identifier pathway

“The judges said that this digital pathway for obstructive sleep apnoea streamlines diagnosis and management using technology, reducing clinic visits and waiting times. They saw it as a cost-effective, patient-centred initiative that delivers significant clinical and non-clinical improvements in quality of life.”

Patient Service Initiative of the Year

Winner: National Cancer Control Programme Acute Haematology Oncology Nursing Service

“The judges said that this initiative exemplifies integrated care and partnerships and has achieved strong outcomes that warrant further expansion. They commended its patient-centred focus and measurable impact and supported continued investment to extend the service, including 24/7 provision.”

Pubic Health Initiative of the Year

Winner: Croí, the West of Ireland Cardiac and Stroke Foundation  and the Irish Farmers’ Association Farmer health checks

“The judges said that this innovation delivers healthcare to farmers where they live and work, supported by impressive data and materials. They regarded it as one of the best initiatives they have seen, noting its patient-centred approach and the effectiveness of delivering services to a traditionally neglected population through a pilot programme.”

Highly commended: myPatientSpace myPatientSpace digital health as a service

Sustainable Healthcare Initiative of the Year

Winner: Vhi
Code Green: Clinical waste reduction programme – pilot and rollout

“The judges said that this practical, scalable pilot demonstrates VHI’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact, particularly in clinical waste. They recognised its significance in fostering sustainable practices and saw great potential for wider adoption.”

Patient Education Project of the Year – Non Pharmaceutical

Winner: Global Heart Hub with Croí Heart & Stroke Charity and Weber Shandwick
Fatal searches

“The judges said that this powerful awareness campaign used emotive storytelling to highlight gender disparities in cardiac health, achieving exceptional reach and increasing awareness and monitoring from 34 to 64 per cent. They admired its innovative and impactful delivery and suggested blending digital and traditional communication to ensure all women are reached.”

Healthcare Innovation Event of the Year

Winner: Mater Private Network Dublin Heart Summit 2025

“The judges said that this flagship educational event raised awareness of cardiac conditions and treatments, achieving high-impact education with large attendance and very high delegate satisfaction. They commended its continued growth and the organisers’ commitment to learning from each event and supporting future summits.

Patient  Project of the Year – Pharmaceutical

Winner: Novartis Ireland Novartis Ireland Eurovision Patient Choir Contest

“The judges said that this campaign creatively used a virtual choir contest to disseminate information, combining storytelling, technology and inclusivity. They felt that the personal stories and interactive elements created emotional resonance and community engagement, showcasing the therapeutic benefits of choir participation and providing an inspiring example of public engagement.”

Excellence in Healthcare Management

Winner: HSE
Chronic Disease Management programme

“The judges said that this early-detection programme for chronic disease risk factors showed specific positive outcomes and is a highly effective, preventive initiative. They were impressed by the programme’s clear objectives and audit results and felt there is no doubt about its success.”

Medical Team of the Year

Winner: Beaumont Hospital
Respiratory Department Airways Team

“The judges said that this initiative integrates hospital and community care, offering tangible benefits and clear positive outcomes. They applauded its thoughtful planning, multi-specialist collaboration and shift towards proactive scheduled care, describing it as a model for other specialities.”

Outstanding Contribution to Irish Medicine

Winner: Professor Donncha O’Brien

As a Consultant Neurosurgeon to four Dublin hospitals, Prof. O’Brien has made a major contribution to the development of neurosurgery, the training of neurosurgeons and neurosurgical research in Ireland. He has now been given the job of tackling neurosurgical outpatient and in-patient waiting lists, which is one of the major challenges in the Irish health service

The Future of Medicine Award

Winner: Croí, the West of Ireland Cardiac and Stroke Foundation and Irish Farmers’ Association
Farmer health checks

This initiative demonstrates innovative outreach by delivering health checks directly to farmers, providing robust data and impressive support materials. By meeting people where they work, it addresses a neglected population and has been warmly received. For future iterations, clarifying statements such as how many participants acted on their results and including evidence of follow‑up actions would further strengthen the case for wider adoption.