Wirral hospital service shortlisted for prestigious national digital healthcare award

Wirral University Teaching Hospital has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award in recognition of the digital innovation helping patients who have undergone elective surgery.

The Trust’s Digitally Supported Arthroplasty Service has been announced as a finalist in the HSJ Digital Awards 2026 in the Empowering Patients Through Digital category. The healthcare awards celebrate organisations that use digital innovation to improve patient experience, outcomes and care delivery across the NHS.

Launched in 2022, the Digitally Supported Arthroplasty Service was designed to ensure every patient undergoing elective hip or knee replacement receives consistent, high-quality information and support throughout their surgical journey. Since its launch, more than 2,800 patients have been recruited to the platform, with its reach continuing to grow.

The service combines a user-friendly MyMobility smartphone app with a web-based clinical dashboard, creating an innovative digital platform that connects patients and clinicians. This supports timely communication, smarter workflows and improved outcomes before and after surgery, while helping patients feel informed, confident and supported at every stage of their care.

Nigel Donnachie, Consultant Surgeon in Trauma and Orthopaedics and Digitally Supported Arthroplasty Co-Lead at Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH), said: “Being shortlisted for a national digital healthcare award is a fantastic achievement and a real testament to the hard work, innovation and commitment of the whole team.

“Our focus from the outset was on improving the patient experience by making sure people felt informed, supported and connected to their care team. Digital technology has allowed us to deliver more personalised care while also improving how we work as a service.”

Rose Finley, Nurse Consultant and Digitally Supported Arthroplasty Co-Lead at WUTH, added: “This service has transformed the way we support patients before and after joint replacement surgery.

“The digital platform gives patients the right information at the right time and allows them to communicate directly with the team, which helps reduce anxiety and builds confidence throughout their recovery. Being shortlisted recognises the real difference this approach makes for both patients and staff.”

The positive impact of the service is reflected in patient experiences, including Wirral resident Robert Lundy, who used the MyMobility app as part of his knee replacement surgery at the Cheshire and Merseyside Surgical Centre.

Robert, 72, from Irby, said the app played a key role in helping him prepare for surgery and manage his recovery.

He said: “I was really happy with the MyMobility app. I’d never heard of it before, but once it was explained to me, I was fully on board.

“It was the best thing I could have done, it made such a difference.”

The app provided tailored pre-operative exercises, daily to-do lists and direct communication with his care team, helping him feel supported throughout his recovery.

“I felt really connected to the team and well looked after,” Robert added. “The messaging system meant I could ask questions, and one of the nurses even called me a couple of times to check in, which was really reassuring.”

After experiencing a setback while on holiday, Robert was able to contact the team through the app for advice and reassurance, helping him avoid unnecessary worry or a visit to A&E.

Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “It is fantastic to be announced as finalists in the awards. This highlights our commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care through digital innovation.

“The Digitally Supported Arthroplasty Service shows how technology can enhance patient experience, improve outcomes and support our staff to work more effectively. I’m incredibly proud of the teams involved and the difference this service continues to make for our patients.”

The HSJ Digital Awards celebrate the very best in digital healthcare across the NHS, recognising teams that are using technology to improve care, outcomes and patient experience.