CAMHS Collaborative recognised as regional champion in the first NHS Excellence Awards
The East Midlands Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Provider Collaborative has been named the regional winner in the Improving health outcomes category at the inaugural NHS Excellence Awards.
Led by NHFT, the collaborative brings together NHS and charity partners to deliver community and inpatient services that support the mental health and wellbeing of young people across the region. By working collectively, the collaborative has transformed community-based CAMHS services - reducing waiting times, increasing access to care closer to home, and significantly lowering both inpatient admissions and lengths of stay.
The NHS Excellence Awards are the only awards run by, and for, the NHS. They recognise, celebrate and share innovative work taking place across health and care. The awards shine a light on local teams, projects and individuals who are driving improvements, with the aim of sharing learning and inspiring others to adopt successful approaches in their own areas. More than 2,500 were submitted nationwide across 10 categories, each reviewed by a judging panel.
Since its launch in 2021, the East Midlands CAMHS Provider Collaborative has reduced inpatient admissions by 65% and introduced a range of new initiatives to improve experiences and outcomes for young people and their families. Two new day service sites are set to be launched by the collaborative this year, in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire, with a view to rolling out the service model across the region. These services can provide crucial alternatives to hospital admission in a less restrictive, community-based setting for young people in need of specialist mental health support.
Simon Harris, Director of New Care Models for the East Midlands CAMHS Collaborative said:
"We're absolutely delighted to receive this regional award. It's a fantastic recognition of the passion, commitment and hard work shown by every single person involved in the collaborative. Our teams pour their hearts into improving the lives of children, young people and their families, and seeing that effort celebrated on this scale is incredible. This achievement gives us even more momentum to keep pushing forward and delivering the best possible care."
Dr Jessica Sokolov, Regional Medical Director for NHS England - Midlands, said:
"These awards celebrate some of the outstanding work happening across the Midlands by local projects and teams who are making a real difference to patients and communities. The teams and individuals recognised should be very proud - congratulations to all our Midlands champions."
The East Midlands CAMHS Provider Collaborative will now represent the East Midlands as finalists at the national awards in Manchester on 10 June 2026.