The finalists have been announced for the North West Coast Research and Innovation Awards 2025, recognising the best innovators and researchers in health and care in Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and South Cumbria.

There are awards in 10 categories that will showcase NHS organisations, industry and academic partners, third sector organisations, local authorities and other collaborators in health innovation.

Hosted by Health Innovation North West Coast and Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast (ARC NWC), the awards attracted more than 100 entries.
The awards will be presented by Roger Johnson, BBC North West Tonight and BBC Breakfast presenter, who will introduce the awards for the third time.

Dr Philip Jennings, Chief Executive of Health Innovation North West Coast, said: “I am delighted we have received so many high-quality applications for the awards. The quality of the submissions underlines the exceptional work being carried out across our region, highlighting the dedication, creativity, and impact of our research and innovation community.”

Professor Mark Gabbay, Director of ARC NWC, said: “These awards are a fantastic opportunity for showcasing the collaborative approaches being utilised to maximise the impact of research findings, all with the aim of reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for patients.”

Three new award categories have been created to recognise the work being done in specific areas. They are: Capacity Building in Research; Industry Collaboration – Primary Care; Industry Collaboration – Secondary Care.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 10 April at The Spine in Liverpool.
The finalists are listed below. To find out more about their entries, visit https://www.nwcawards.co.uk/awards
The finalists are:

Capacity Building in Research
• Primary Care 24
• The Wirral Academic Surgical Programme
• Transforming Social Care

Industry Collaboration – Primary Care
• Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB & Cancer Alliance; Cyted Health; Health Innovation North West Coast
• Moreton and Meols Primary Care Network (PCN); Marine Lake Medical Practice; Wirral Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group; Health Innovation North West Coast and Cepheid
• Safe Steps Ltd

Industry Collaboration – Secondary Care
• C2-Ai
• Mersey Burns
• NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group

Innovation in Workforce Culture
• Bay Medical Group
• Lancaster Medical Practice
• The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Outstanding Contribution to Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Award
• Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Collaborative; University of Central Lancashire; Royal Liverpool University Hospital
• The Creative Influencers and Liverpool Lighthouse
• University of Liverpool

Patient Safety and Care Improvement Award
• Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust; North West Neonatal Operational Delivery Network
• Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board; and Health Innovation North West Coast
• Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Research Student of the Year Award
• Donna Shrestha
• Lucy Kaluvu
• Sarah Stanley

Tackling Health Inequalities Award
• Edge Hill University
• Everton in the Community
• Liverpool Citizens Advice

The Ruth Young Award for Research Implementation/Impact
• Level Up Lead Provider Collaborative for Cheshire and Merseyside
• Liverpool John Moores University
• University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

The 2025 Sustainability Award
• Cheshire and Merseyside Greener Practice; Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board; Central Liverpool Primary Care Network; Vauxhall Primary Health Centre; and Brownlow Health
• Lancaster and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board
• NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group