ACT Safety and Quality in Health Care Awards 2026

Introduction 

World Patient Safety Day brings together governments, health services, partners, and communities worldwide to raise awareness of patient safety and inspire action to reduce avoidable harm in health care. In 2026, the global theme focuses on safe care for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), recognising the long‑term, complex care needs of people living with chronic conditions across the lifespan. Under the slogan “Safe care for life!”, the campaign highlights the importance of delivering safe, high‑quality care across the entire patient journey and at all stages of life. 

The ACT Safety and Quality in Health Care Awards recognise individuals, teams, and organisations that demonstrate excellence and leadership in patient safety and quality improvement across the ACT health system. The 2026 Awards will be presented on 17th September 2026 as part of World Patient Safety Day celebrations. 

Who can submit a nomination 

Nominations may be submitted by: 

• Individuals nominating themselves
• Individuals nominating a team they are part of
• Individuals nominating another individual or team 

Eligible Sectors 

Nominations are welcomed from all areas of the ACT health system, including but not limited to: 

• Public health services 
• Private health services 
• Primary health services 
• Community health services (including pharmacy) 
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services 
• ACT Ambulance Service 
• Residential aged care services 
• Consumer and carer organisations 

Eligibility Requirements 

• Nominees must be working within the ACT health sector. For team nominations, the team must demonstrate a clear connection to the ACT, with either the majority of team members based in the ACT or the team delivering services that directly benefit the ACT community. Team members may include individuals based outside the ACT where their contribution is part of a collaborative model of care 
• Be involved in activities that contribute to safety, quality, innovation or improvement in health care or related services 
• Work within public, private, non‑government, health services, primary care settings and/or not‑for‑profit health and community service settings
• Meet the specific eligibility criteria of the selected award category, where applicable 
• Be actively working in their role or team during the eligibility period 
• Not be subject to any current professional misconduct investigation, restriction, or disciplinary process at the time of nomination 

Award Categories 

1. Clinical Excellence and Patient Safety 

Recognises initiatives, practices, or leadership that enhance the safety, effectiveness, and quality of clinical care. This includes work that reduces harm, improves patient outcomes, strengthens clinical governance, or embeds evidence‑based practice into routine care. 

Please indicate whether your initiative involved partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Priority population groups.

Where applicable, please describe:

• The Priority population group involved.
• How the initiative was developed in partnership or co-designed with consumers, carers, community members, Elders, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, or relevant community representatives.
• How community voices informed decision-making.
• How culturally safe practice was embedded.
• The measurable outcomes or impact achieved.
• How the initiative improved equity, access, safety, experience or outcomes for the ACT community.

Please note : Additional assessment consideration will be given to nominations that demonstrate genuine partnership, co-design, community leadership and measurable impact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Priority population groups.

2. Health Care Measurement 

Recognises excellence in the use of data, measurement, and evaluation to improve patient safety and quality. This includes innovative or effective approaches to monitoring outcomes, using data to drive improvement, supporting transparency, and fostering system‑wide learning. 

Please indicate whether your initiative involved partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Priority population groups.

Where applicable, please describe:

• The Priority population group involved.
• How the initiative was developed in partnership or co-designed with consumers, carers, community members, Elders, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, or relevant community representatives.
• How community voices informed decision-making.
• How culturally safe practice was embedded.
• The measurable outcomes or impact achieved.
• How the initiative improved equity, access, safety, experience or outcomes for the ACT community.

Please note : Additional assessment consideration will be given to nominations that demonstrate genuine partnership, co-design, community leadership and measurable impact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Priority population groups.

3. Sustainable Health Care Delivery 

Recognises initiatives that improve patient safety and quality while supporting the long‑term sustainability of health services. This may include workforce innovation, system redesign, equity‑focused approaches, responsible resource use, or efficient and scalable models of care. 

Please indicate whether your initiative involved partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Priority population groups.

Where applicable, please describe:

• The Priority population group involved.
• How the initiative was developed in partnership or co-designed with consumers, carers, community members, Elders, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, or relevant community representatives.
• How community voices informed decision-making.
• How culturally safe practice was embedded.
• The measurable outcomes or impact achieved.
• How the initiative improved equity, access, safety, experience or outcomes for the ACT community.

Please note : Additional assessment consideration will be given to nominations that demonstrate genuine partnership, co-design, community leadership and measurable impact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Priority population groups.

4. Digital Health Innovation 

Recognises the effective use of digital technologies, systems, or data‑enabled solutions that enhance patient safety, quality of care, access, or coordination across services and care settings. 

Please indicate whether your initiative involved partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Priority population groups.

Where applicable, please describe:

• The Priority population group involved.
• How the initiative was developed in partnership or co-designed with consumers, carers, community members, Elders, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, or relevant community representatives.
• How community voices informed decision-making.
• How culturally safe practice was embedded.
• The measurable outcomes or impact achieved.
• How the initiative improved equity, access, safety, experience or outcomes for the ACT community.

Please note : Additional assessment consideration will be given to nominations that demonstrate genuine partnership, co-design, community leadership and measurable impact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Priority population groups.

5. Emerging Leaders in Health Care 

Recognises individuals who are early in their leadership journey and demonstrate initiative, commitment, and measurable impact in improving safety and quality within the health system. 

Please indicate whether your initiative involved partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Priority population groups.

Where applicable, please describe:

• The Priority population group involved.
• How the initiative was developed in partnership or co-designed with consumers, carers, community members, Elders, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, or relevant community representatives.
• How community voices informed decision-making.
• How culturally safe practice was embedded.
• The measurable outcomes or impact achieved.
• How the initiative improved equity, access, safety, experience or outcomes for the ACT community.

Please note : Additional assessment consideration will be given to nominations that demonstrate genuine partnership, co-design, community leadership and measurable impact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Priority population groups.

6. Minister’s Excellence Award (Non‑nominated Category) 

The Minister’s Excellence Award recognises an outstanding individual or team that demonstrates exceptional leadership, innovation, and system‑wide impact on safety and quality in health care. 

This award is not open for nomination. 
Recipients will be identified and selected by the Awards Judging Pane across all submitted nominations. The award recipient will be notified ahead of time and formally invited to be present at the WPSD awards ceremony. 

Team Nominations – Important Information 

If you are nominating a team, you may list the names of up to a maximum of five (5) key team members. These names will be announced if the team wins an award. The award certificate will display the team name only, not individual names. 
If nominated as an individual, the certificate will display the individual’s name. 

Assessment Criteria 

All nominations will be assessed against the following criteria. Not all criteria will apply equally to every award category; however, each nomination should address the criteria most relevant to the selected category. 

1. Targeting Disparities and Consumer Focus

The initiative or contribution demonstrates a clear focus on addressing disparities in care processes, access, experience, or outcomes within the ACT health system. This may include an explicit consumer‑centred approach, co‑design, or efforts focused on equity for underserved or Priority populations. 

Assessment considerations may include: 

• Identification of the disparity, gap, or unmet need 
• Focus on equity, access, cultural safety, or consumer experience 
• Engagement with patients, carers, families, or communities 

2. Clear and Purposeful Intervention

The nomination describes a well‑defined and purposeful intervention designed to address the identified issue or need. The approach should be intentional and aligned with improving patient safety and/or quality of care. 

Assessment considerations may include: 

• Clarity of objectives and rationale 
• Appropriateness of the intervention to the problem identified 
• Use of policies, programs, models of care, or practice changes 

3. Evidence of Outcomes and Measurement

The initiative demonstrates evidence of outcomes and learning through meaningful measurement or evaluation. Where possible, this should include data, indicators, or qualitative evidence showing improvement or impact. 

Assessment considerations may include: 

• Use of baseline data or comparison points 
• Outcome measures, process measures, or consumer feedback 
• Evidence of sustained improvement or ongoing monitoring 

4. Collaborative Leadership and Partnerships

The nomination demonstrates leadership and collaboration across disciplines, teams, organisations, or sectors. Partnerships with consumers, Priority population groups, community groups, or non‑clinical organisations are particularly valued.

Assessment considerations may include: 

• Shared decision‑making or partnership approaches 
• Leadership engagement and accountability
• Cross‑sector or multidisciplinary collaboration
• Inclusive and culturally safe care

5. Innovation, Sustainability, and Knowledge Sharing

The initiative demonstrates innovation and contributes to learning beyond its immediate setting. This includes the potential for sustainability, scalability, or transferability across the ACT health system. 

Assessment considerations may include: 

• Novel or creative approaches to safety and quality 
• Adaptability or sustainability over time 
• Novel or creative approaches to safety and quality 
• Adaptability or sustainability over time 

Application Requirements 

To be eligible, all nominations must meet the following requirements. 

Submission Requirements 

• One award category selected per submission 

• A separate nomination form is required for each category entered 

Project / Initiative Details (Required) 

• Project / Initiative Title 
  A clear and descriptive title that reflects the scope and focus of the nominated work. 

• Abstract / Summary [Max 500 words] 
  A concise overview (maximum word limit to be specified) that includes: 

• The problem or safety/quality issue addressed 

• The context and setting (ACT health system) 

• Key actions or interventions implemented 

• Measurable outcomes and impact 

• Relevance to patient safety and quality improvement 

Supporting Documentation (Mandatory) 

Applicants can upload one supporting document with their nomination. 

The supporting document must: 

• Be PDF format only 

• Be no more than two A4 pages 

• Use a minimum 10‑point font 

• Address the assessment criteria for the selected award category 

• Include evidence of impact such as key outcomes or achievements, supported by evidence of improvement or change over time, demonstrated through data, measurement, and impact. 

Privacy Declaration:  

The information you provide will be collected by the Health and Community Services Directorate and stored securely using the SmartyGrants platform. SmartyGrants stores data in Australia and applies security measures to protect information from unauthorised access or misuse. Your information will be shared with members of the Awards judging panel for the purpose of assessment. 

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