Dudley Trust celebrates double national recognition for digital innovations

Two digital innovations that are helping to make diagnostic care safer and more efficient for patients at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust have been shortlisted for prestigious national awards.

The Trust has been shortlisted in the HSJ Awards 2026, recognising work to help GPs choose the right diagnostic investigation for their patients and to ensure hospital test results are reviewed and acted upon promptly.

The Trust’s CDS iRefer project has been shortlisted for the Patient Safety Award, while its Compass Results Acknowledgement Pilot is a finalist in the Modernising Diagnostics Award.

The CDS iRefer project is helping GPs across Dudley make more informed decisions when referring patients for diagnostic imaging.

Working across 46 GP practices and around 1,000 active users, the CDS iRefer system provides clinicians with real-time, evidence-based guidance when requesting an investigation, helping them select the most appropriate test for their patient. Since going live, over 19,500 referrals have been processed through the system.

As well as making better use of diagnostic capacity, the approach helps patients receive the right investigation first time and can prevent unnecessary exposure to radiation.

The Trust’s second shortlisted project tackles another important part of the diagnostic journey – making sure results are seen, acknowledged and acted upon.

The Compass Results Acknowledgement Pilot replaced paper-based processes for managing outpatient diagnostic results with a digital workflow. During the pilot, more than 8,000 investigations were tracked, including 6,310 respiratory and 1,135 general surgery results.

Rather than relying on paper processes, clinicians are digitally prompted when results become available so they can review, acknowledge and take any necessary action. Built-in prioritisation, shared task management and a 28-day escalation process provide additional safeguards, while creating a clear digital record of the decisions made.

Sally Mole, Group Head of Digital PMO , said: “What makes these projects particularly rewarding is that they have been developed around real challenges faced by our clinical teams and patients. By working closely with colleagues in radiology, primary care and other specialties, we have been able to use digital technology to make important parts of the diagnostic pathway simpler, safer and more reliable.

“To see both projects now operating at scale, supporting thousands of referrals and investigations, and being recognised nationally is a fantastic achievement. It reflects a huge amount of work across digital and clinical teams, and shows what can be achieved when we design technology around the needs of the people using it.”

Ravinder Kaur Sahota, Group CIO, reflected, “These nominations demonstrate the impact that well-designed digital solutions can have on patient safety, clinical decision-making and operational efficiency. Both projects have been developed in partnership with frontline teams to address real challenges within the diagnostic pathway, and their national recognition reflects the dedication and innovation of colleagues across our organisation. We are proud to see this work helping to deliver safer, more effective care for our patients. I am incredibly proud of our teams”

Diane Wake, Group Chief Executive, said: “Being shortlisted twice at the national HSJ Awards is fantastic recognition for our teams and, importantly, for work which is making a genuine difference to the care our patients receive.

“Both projects demonstrate what digital transformation should be about. It isn’t simply about introducing new technology; it is about identifying where we can make care safer, remove unnecessary steps and give our clinicians better information to make the right decisions for their patients.

“From helping GPs request the right investigation first time to strengthening the way we review and act on diagnostic results, these are practical improvements that have patient safety at their heart.

“I’m incredibly proud of the teams and partners who have worked together to make them happen.”

The winners will be announced at the HSJ Awards ceremony on Thursday 19 November 2026.