Northwest Kidney Network, Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System, Liverpool University Hospitals Group and Cheshire & Merseyside Biochemistry Network collaborative, named winners of best use of integrated care partnership working at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2025
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) whole pathway improvement project has won the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2025: Best Use of Integrated Care and Partnership Working in Patient Safety Award. Delivered in partnership with the Northwest Kidney Network, Liverpool University Hospitals Group, Cheshire & Mersey Integrated Care System, Cheshire & Mersey Biochemistry Network, and Public Health, and supported by the Telehealth team from Mersey Care,
The HSJ Patient Safety Awards are among the most respected accolades in the healthcare community, celebrating teams and organisations that go above and beyond to protect patients and improve safety standards. This year, the Awards received 456 entries, with 216 projects shortlisted, and just 25 winners selected by a panel of expert judges.
The collaborative effort between the Northwest Kidney Network & Specialised Commissioning, Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System, Liverpool University Hospitals Group, Health Inclusion and the Cheshire & Merseyside Biochemistry Network was honoured with an award for Best Use of Integrated Care Partnership Working, in recognition of the Core Kidney Initiative.
This pioneering initiative has established a comprehensive, system-wide framework aimed at improving the early detection, risk assessment, and proactive management of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It has successfully united services across primary care, public health, laboratory diagnostics, and secondary care creating a truly integrated approach.
At its core, the model prioritises patient safety, transitioning from hospital-based to community-centred care, from analogue systems to digital solutions, and from reactive treatments to preventative strategies.
With scalability built into its design, the initiative is now poised for wider regional rollout ensuring a future-ready system that delivers better outcomes for CKD patients across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Dr Wodeyar North West Kidney Network CKD Clinical lead for Cheshire and Merseyside said “We are incredibly honoured to receive this award – it is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our whole team. Patient safety is at the heart of everything we do, and this recognition highlights our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care for a group of patients we deeply care about. Through this award, we also want to raise the profile of our co-produced solution – so that more primary care colleagues come forward to partner with us in tackling this urgent public health challenge. Together, we can ensure earlier detection, better prevention, and safer, more consistent care for people living with chronic kidney disease.
Now in its 15th year, the HSJ Patient Safety Awards shine a spotlight on organisations driving forward patient safety and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the NHS and independent healthcare providers.
HSJ Editor Alastair McLellan said:
“The HSJ Patient Safety Awards are a vital platform for celebrating the efforts of healthcare staff who continually strive to reduce risk and protect patients. This year’s winners have shown remarkable innovation, resilience, and commitment to improving outcomes for patients, and they should be incredibly proud of their achievements.”
For more information about the HSJ Patient Safety Awards and the full list of winners, visit: https://
HSJ Patient Safety Awards
