Chat Mental Health wins HSJ Digital Award
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) have won national recognition at the HSJ Digital Awards 2026. Chat Mental Health won the Improving Mental Health through Digital category, which recognises the power of digital initiatives to transform patient care, improve access to services, and deliver more efficient, equitable healthcare.
In their joint entry, NHFT's Integrated Response Hub, known as the mental health number, and LPT's Digital Health Transformation Service (DHTS) were recognised for the implementation of LPT's Chat Mental Health messaging service in Northamptonshire, which improves access to mental health crisis support. The project impressed judges for its impactful innovation, scalability and ability to deliver inclusive, round-the-clock care.
Christine Edwards, Service Manager for the Integrated Response Hub at NHFT, said:
We are incredibly proud to have received the HSJ Digital Award. This recognition reflects the dedication of the ChatHealth team, who have worked tirelessly to embed a 24-hour text service into our crisis pathway. By removing barriers for those who are unable to use the telephone, we are now able to offer a truly inclusive, accessible service.
The feedback from our service users speaks volumes about the difference ChatHealth is making - providing support at any time, in a way that works for them, and helping to keep people safe. It was an amazing evening, and we are deeply grateful to see this work recognised.
Caroline Palmer, Digital Health and Service Transformation Clinical Lead at LPT, said:
We're incredibly proud of the Chat Mental Health win at the HSJ Digital Awards for Improving Mental Health through Digital. This is a fantastic achievement that reflects the commitment, hard work and dedication behind delivering such a successful and impactful service - both by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, who developed the ChatHealth technology, and the collaborative working with Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust.
This award celebrates the positive difference the Northamptonshire team is making in improving access to mental health crisis support, and how they are leading the way for other mental health services across England to set up their own Chat Mental Health messaging support within their local communities.
The judging panel - composed of influential figures from across the health and digital sectors - praised NHFT for implementing ChatHealth in partnership with LPT to offer discreet, timely and inclusive support via text, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Now managing more than 600 conversations each month, the service is reducing pressure on phone lines, improving staff efficiency and empowering service users to seek help in a way that suits them.
This national recognition highlights the strength of partnership working between NHFT and LPT and reinforces the role of both Trust's as digital leaders within the NHS. It also highlights the importance of innovation, collaboration, and patient-centric design in driving forward digital transformation.
An anonymous user of the Chat Mental Health service in Northamptonshire said:
Talking on the phone can feel impossible. Sometimes I freeze or cannot get the words out. Sometimes waiting on hold just makes everything worse. ChatHealth takes that barrier away. I can type when I am ready, in my own words, at my own pace. I can be blunt and literal and that is accepted. That matters.
When the service became 24/7, it made a huge difference. A crisis does not stick to office hours, and having support at any time of day or night has kept me safe more than once.
ChatHealth is not like other helplines because it is integrated with the NHS. Staff can see my records, understand the full picture, and act if I am at real risk. That is lifesaving. I would not be here without that.
The HSJ Digital Awards received a record number of entries this year, reflecting the scale and pace of digital innovation taking place across UK health and care settings.
Lincolnshire Partnership launches ChatHealth
The ChatHealth crisis text service is now available to people across Lincolnshire.
Anyone needing urgent mental health advice and support can send a text message from any mobile phone or start a chat online through the ChatHealth online platform.
The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or emotional distress, or those who may be worried about a friend or family member.
Lee Wing, Director of Operations from Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, explained that:
Introducing ChatHealth is an important step in making urgent mental health support even more accessible for people across Lincolnshire. We know that not everyone feels comfortable speaking on the phone, particularly when they are in distress, so offering text and online chat options provides another safe, confidential way for people to reach out for help at any time of the day or night.
Our priority is ensuring that anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, or is concerned about someone else, can access timely support in a way that works best for them.
Read the full story on the Lincolnshire Partnership website.