Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (ASPH) is delighted to announce that its colorectal team has been shortlisted for Quality Improvement Initiative of the Year at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2026. The awards recognise the critical work being done to deliver safe care amid significant change and long-standing pressures across health and care services.
The team's work on early optimisation, personalised treatment and ultra-enhanced recovery in colorectal surgery was selected following a rigorous judging process. Judges recognised the initiative as a standout example of patient safety that extends beyond clinical excellence by fostering a culture of openness, learning and collaboration, while harnessing technology to create safer, more resilient systems.
As part of this improvement project, the team redesigned the patient pathway, shifting the focus from treating illness to preventing complications through early assessment and optimisation before surgery. They also introduced digital remote monitoring, enabling patients to recover safely at home after discharge while clinical teams track their progress in real time.
The project has increased the use of minimally invasive surgery to 80% through robotic techniques, resulting in smaller incisions, less pain and faster recovery for patients. It has also reduced length of stay by half and surgical site infections by 10% while improving performance against the 62-day cancer pathway standard.
Rana Madani Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon, Colorectal Cancer and Enhanced Recovery Lead at ASPH, said: "We are incredibly proud to be shortlisted for this award. This recognition reflects the dedication, expertise and innovation of our multidisciplinary team, who have worked together to transform the surgical pathway for our patients. It is a real testament to everyone involved and the positive difference they make to patients every day."
Dr Mark Roland, Chief Medical Officer at ASPH, said: "This shortlist recognition is a fantastic achievement, and I am very proud of the team. They have shown remarkable commitment to improving the experience and outcomes of patients undergoing surgery, while embracing innovation and new ways of working.
“Their dedication has delivered measurable benefits for patients and demonstrates our trust's commitment to continuous improvement. I wish them the very best of luck and thank every member of the team for their outstanding contribution."
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 28 September 2026 at the Telford International Centre. The event celebrates outstanding teams that are improving patient safety across health and care services.
For more details on the 2026 HSJ Patient Safety Awards shortlist, visit https://awards.patientsafetycongress.co.uk/shortlist-2026
