Alfa shortlisted for HSJ Award as UHB teams celebrate national recognition
Published on 10/08/2026
University Hospitals Birmingham’s ground-breaking Alfa controlled drug management programme has been shortlisted for a prestigious HSJ Award, in the Driving Efficiency Through Technology category, adding to an already exceptional year of national recognition for the Trust’s innovation and improvement work.
The latest shortlist follows success at the NHS Excellence Awards, where the Alfa project won the Digital Innovation Award, and builds on its recognition as a finalist in two categories at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2026.
Led by Pharmacy and delivered in partnership with digital and clinical teams across UHB, Alfa has transformed the way controlled drugs are managed, replacing paper-based processes with a real-time digital system that improves medicines safety, governance and efficiency.
This year’s HSJ Awards received over 1,300 nominations from healthcare organisations across the country, with more than 230 being shortlisted for the finals which are to be held on 19 November.
The latest recognition reflects the dedication, innovation and collaboration of colleagues across UHB. However, Alfa is not the only UHB-led contribution being recognised nationally at the HSJ Awards this year.
UHB colleagues have also played a significant role in two other HSJ Award finalist entries:
- Delivering Martha’s Rule at scale: Empowering escalation to transform patient safety across the Midlands, shortlisted in the Provider Collaborative of the Year category
- BSol 4Rs Programme, shortlisted in the Workforce Initiative of the Year category
Jonathan Brotherton, Chief Executive, said: “Together, these nominations highlight the breadth of expertise across UHB and the regional health and care system, as well our commitment to partnership working and fostering an improvement culture. They demonstrate how UHB colleagues are helping to deliver safer care, empower patients and families, improve workforce experiences and drive innovation at scale.
“Congratulations to everyone involved in these achievements. Being recognised alongside some of the very best initiatives from across the NHS is a fantastic accomplishment and a testament to the commitment, skill and passion of colleagues across UHB and its partners.”
