Entering the Patient Safety Improvement Competition

What is the Patient Safety Improvement competition?

The Patient Safety Improvement Competition 2025 recognises safety and quality improvement initiatives from the UK and provides an important platform for patient safety advocates to share and exchange safety and quality breakthroughs with peers and healthcare stakeholders. 

Who can enter?

To enter the Patient Safety Improvement Competition, please complete this  form.  

If you have submitted your entry but would like to update it before the deadline, please email eventssupport@hsj.co.uk 

Why should I enter?

If your entry is celebrated as one of 10 category winners, it will be showcased to over 1,000 patient safety experts and advocates who attend the Congress this September via the event app. You will also have the chance to present in a 10-minute lightning talk in the the Innovation Spotlight theatre. Participants at the event will vote for the overall patient safety improvement competition winner, which will be announced live at the event.

How do I enter?

To enter the Patient Safety Improvement Competition, please complete this form.  

If you have submitted your entry but would like to update it before the deadline, please email eventssupport@hsj.co.uk  

Can I submit an entry into more than one category?

No, unfortunately you can only submit each entry into one category. You can, however, submit different entries into different categories. 

When is the deadline?

The deadline for the patient safety improvement competition is 5pm on Friday 13 June 2025.

I have made a submission, but now would like to submit an updated version. What do I do?

If you have submitted your entry but would like to update it before the deadline, please email eventssupport@hsj.co.uk and attach your updated poster.

What is the process after I submit my entry?
  1. Once you have completed your entry form with your details you will receive an automated ‘submission accepted’ email.
  2. After the entry deadline has passed, the entry will progress to our judging stage.
  3. Each category will have one winner selected and you will be notified before the Congress if you are a category winner by 14 July.  
  4. At the Congress, attendees will have the opportunity to vote via the app to determine the Overall Patient Safety Poster Competition Winner from the ten category winners.   

Judging

What is the process for judging?

There is one round of judging that takes place from 16th -30th June when ten category winners will be chosen. The overall winner of the patient safety improvement competition will be chosen from the ten category winners by attendees at the live event.

What are the judges looking for?

In every category, judges are looking for well-presented entries that describe clear, well-evidenced projects with the ultimate goal of delivering tangible improvements in patient safety. Please view the category list for more information regarding each individual category  

Who is the judge?

HSJ senior correspondent 

When is the judging taking place?

16-30 June. Category winners will be announced and informed prior to the event by 14 July  

If I am unsuccessful, will I receive feedback as to why it did not meet criteria? 

No, in view of the number of entries we receive, we will not be able to provide feedback as to why your entry was unsuccessful. 

How and when will I know if I've won my category?

We will be announcing the ten category winners via email and they will be listed on our website. The lead contact from each category will also receive an email by 14 July providing next steps. 

If I did not win my category will I be notified? 

No, we will only notify the category winners, if you have not received an email from HSJ by 14 July your entry did not win the category. 

How will the overall winner of the competition be chosen?

During the Patient Safety Congress live event, taking place on 15-16  September 2025, the audience will vote from the ten category winners, via the app to choose the Overall Patient Safety Improvement Competition Winner, which will be announced at 9am in the Tuesday plenary by Congress Chair and Health Editor for the Sunday Times, Shaun Lintern 

Attending the event

What if my category wins but I cannot attend the event?

We require all category winners to attend Congress, to present their submission on either Monday 15 or Tuesday 16 September. The time and date will be scheduled with the Programme Director. 

Winner Announcements

How many winners are there?

There will be ten category winners, 1 for each category selected prior to the event. During the Congress, the audience will vote for the Overall Patient Safety Improvement Competition Winner.  

When and how will the category winners be announced?

An email will be sent by the 14 July to announce category winners

 

I have another question

If the FAQs have not answered your questions, please contact kelly.powell@hsj.co.uk who will be happy to help.