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The University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) Toxicology Team has been recognised on the national stage, winning a prestigious award at the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2026. 

The ceremony took place on Friday 19 June at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, bringing together healthcare scientists and allied health professionals from across the UK to celebrate innovation and excellence.  

UHB’s Toxicology Team received the NHS England Chief Scientific Officer’s Award for Outstanding Healthcare Science Service of the Year, a category that recognises services delivering exceptional impact for patients and the wider health system.  

The team was recognised for its entry, “Integrated Toxicology, System-Wide Impact: Providing real-time toxicology insight that strengthens frontline decision-making, improves patient outcomes, and underpins system-wide safety.”  

Their work demonstrates how high-quality, responsive toxicology services can make a tangible difference at the frontline—supporting clinicians with timely expertise, improving patient care, and enhancing safety across the system. 

Alex Lawson, Consultant Clinical Scientist and Clinical Service Lead for Biochemistry, Immunology and Toxicology, said: “Our entry focused on the detection of novel opioids such as nitazenes using high resolution mass spectrometry and, importantly, how we used this information to improve patient care and reduce harm in the community. This harm reduction was only possible due to close and effective collaboration within UHB and with partner organisations such as HM Coroner, Birmingham Council, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Change Grow Live amongst others.  

“The award also recognised how we are ensuring this type of work continues, with our commitment to training, education and schemes such as apprenticeships.  

“The judges felt that our demonstrated science in action across all five domains of good scientific practice. Our team was stated as being ‘truly inspirational, expanding the boundaries of healthcare science across the wider system, responding to huge growth in demand with cross-sector working, strong communication and a patient-centred approach that has the potential to spread and scale’.  

“It was an honour for this work to be recognized, and it was wonderful to spend the day with the team. I am very fortunate to work with such a skilled, dedicated and enthusiastic team of clinical scientists, biomedical scientists and medical laboratory assistants. They are all stars and this work genuinely saved lives.” 

This national recognition highlights the vital role of healthcare science at UHB and the team’s commitment to delivering innovative, high-impact services that benefit patients every day. 

Jonathan Brotherton, UHB’s CEO, said: “This is an excellent achievement and a really significant accolade, not just for the team but also for UHB as a Trust.  

“This award recognises the innovative work that the Toxicology team do for our patients and the wider system and I am incredibly proud of their efforts.”