A hospital trust in Somerset has been named the national winner of the Digital Innovation category at the first NHS Excellence Awards.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust working with NHS England’s NHS 111 Online service won the title following a national judging process that assessed entries against criteria including innovation, measurable impact and collaboration.

The awards, delivered by NHS England, celebrate the people, teams and organisations driving improvement, innovation and collaboration across health and care in England.  Winners were announced during a ceremony at NHS ConfedExpo in Manchester yesterday (Wednesday 10 June).

The NHS 111 Online self-referral for breast cancer diagnostics, which launched in 2025, has seen a huge improvement for women, reducing the time taken for a diagnosis by referring through an online portal. There has been a 28% reduction in GP referrals, releasing over 1,000 GP appointments for other patients. The service has helped diagnose cancers early for patients across Somerset, and is setting the standard nationally after featuring in the NHS Cancer Plan for reducing cancer waiting times.

Dr Trevor Smith, Regional Medical Director for NHS England in the South West, said: “This is a fantastic achievement, and I want to say a big congratulations to the teams in Somerset and NHS 111 Online for this well-deserved award.

“This service is already making a real difference for patients. It helps people with worrying symptoms get seen more quickly, which can reduce stress and lead to earlier diagnosis of cancer. At the same time, it frees up GP appointments for those who need them most.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and NHS 111 Online self-referral for breast cancer diagnostic wins the Digital Innovation category at the first NHS Excellence Awards.

“It’s a great example of how simple, well-designed digital tools can make care easier to access, quicker for patients, and better for the NHS. This work sets a strong example for other services to follow.”

The judges recognised the scheme for successfully delivering a simple yet high-impact digital innovation that improves access to breast cancer diagnostics.

Judges highlighted its role in transforming NHS 111 Online into a clinically safe “digital front door”, enabling patients with concerning symptoms to self-refer quickly and directly to specialist assessment.

It stood out for demonstrating clear, measurable benefits at scale, including early cancer detection, reduced pressure on GP services, and faster patient access to care.

The approach was praised for being practical, already operational, and evidence-based, rather than theoretical.

Overall, the service was commended for showing how well-designed digital tools can improve efficiency, equity, and patient experience simultaneously, offering a replicable model for wider NHS transformation.

The NHS Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding work improving care for patients and communities across England, providing a national platform for sharing learning and encouraging adoption of successful approaches across the country.

Watch the winners video