Health Innovation Manchester shortlisted for ‘Digital Team of the Year’ at HSJ Digital Awards 2026
Health Innovation Manchester is proud to announce that the cross‑functional team behind the GM Care Record has been shortlisted for the prestigious Digital Team of the Year category at the HSJ Digital Awards 2026, recognising outstanding digital transformation and collaboration across Greater Manchester.
This achievement reflects the collective efforts of Health Innovation Manchester, NHS Greater Manchester, and technology partner Graphnet, alongside the essential involvement of Greater Manchester residents, who have shaped the record’s design, purpose, governance, and usability.
A partnership delivering one of the UK’s most ambitious digital transformations
The GM Care Record (GMCR) is now one of the largest and most advanced shared care records in the UK, connecting data from 500+ organisations and supporting 3 million residents. The record is actively used by 28,000+ professionals, with more than 460,000 patient records viewed each month – an 83% increase in patient records accessed over two years.
The GMCR integrates information from primary care, hospitals, mental health, community services, social care, and voluntary sector partners to create a single, secure view of a patient’s health and care journey. This significantly reduces duplication, supports safer and more coordinated care, and ensures clinicians have access to the right information at the right time.
The programme is a joint collaboration across the NHS, industry and the public:
- Health Innovation Manchester: leading governance, engagement, innovation, clinical partnerships, and public involvement
- NHS Greater Manchester: providing operational leadership and product management
- Graphnet: delivering the technical platform and interoperability framework
- Members of the public: shaping privacy, accessibility, inclusive design, and trust
A system‑wide approach to digital transformation
Established in 2020, the GMCR digital team set out to address the urgent need for integrated, data‑driven care across the region. Over the years, it has grown to include integrated care planning and provided community pharmacy access, helping them play a more central role in holistic care provision.
To achieve awareness and adoption at scale, the team has undertaken 85+ clinical engagement meetings in a single year, delivered targeted adoption support for low‑uptake areas, provided bespoke training sessions, and onboarded GMCR Digital Champions across provider organisations which has contributed to its success.
Gareth Thomas, Clinical Director for Digital & Data Products, said:
“Being shortlisted for Digital Team of the Year is testament to the exceptional partnership across Greater Manchester. Our collaboration with NHS GM, Graphnet, and, critically, the public who shaped the GM Care Record has enabled one of the most impactful digital transformations in the NHS.”
Cara Afzal, Programme Director for Digital & Data, added:
“The GM Care Record works because it has been co‑designed with clinicians, patients and communities. This shortlisting recognises not just digital innovation, but the culture of partnership, inclusion and transparency that makes Greater Manchester’s approach unique.”
