The awards celebrate innovative initiatives that place service users at the heart of care delivery, a principle that has been brought to life through two impactful projects developed by teams at Cygnet Hospital Blackheath and Cygnet Sedgley House and Lodge.
Improving Engagement at Cygnet Hospital Blackheath
At Cygnet Hospital Blackheath, a 30-bed service providing inpatient low secure and PICU services for men with a mental health illness, the team has been shortlisted in the ‘Independent’ category for their project: Improving Service-user Engagement with Psychology Groups.
Focused on enhancing inclusivity, accessibility, and the overall quality of psychology sessions, the project introduced a series of targeted changes.
These included raising awareness of available therapies, boosting staff engagement, refining ward processes, and offering incentives to encourage participation.
The aim was to improve attendance, increase confidence, and help service users find more value in psychological interventions. The project’s positive outcomes and commitment to person-centred care have earned it a place among six finalists in its category.
Enhancing Communication at Sedgley House and Lodge
The second shortlisted initiative was delivered at Cygnet Sedgley House and Lodge, a 34-bed residential service in Bilston, West Midlands offering specialist support for men with learning disabilities, autism and associated complex needs.
Their project, Improving the Communication and Co-Production of Discharge Pathways, is a finalist in the ‘Communicating Effectively with Patients and Families’ category.
The aim was to increase service user awareness of their treatment needs from 60% to 80% within six months. To achieve this, the team introduced a Visual Discharge Plan (VDP), integrated consistent discussions about treatment and discharge into ward rounds and one-to-one sessions, and ran awareness days to build staff and patient engagement.
Key Outcomes included:
- Awareness of treatment needs before discharge increased from 60% to 82%.
- Service users involved in discussions about their treatment plans over a four-week period rose from 14% to 66%.
- Achievement of individualised goals grew from 55% to 62%.
- Understanding of nursing, psychology and occupational therapy plans increased significantly, with psychology plan understanding jumping from 50% to 79%.
The Picker Experience Network Awards are considered the benchmark for best practice in patient experience. From groundbreaking projects to dedicated teams, the awards showcase those delivering compassionate, person-centred care at every level.
Eden Hawes, Quality Improvement Manager at Cygnet Health Care, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the teams at Cygnet Hospital Blackheath and Cygnet Sedgley House and Lodge for their innovative and impactful work.
“These projects highlight how Quality Improvement isn’t just about processes, it’s about making a real difference in people’s lives. Being shortlisted for national recognition reinforces our commitment to ensuring that our service users feel heard, involved and supported in every step of their care journey.”
The awards ceremony will take place later this year.