New Northern Ireland Health & Social Care Awards launched to celebrate excellence across the sector
Nominations now open for inaugural awards recognising the people, teams and organisations making a difference across health and social care in Northern Ireland
A new awards programme dedicated to celebrating excellence across Northern Ireland’s health and social care sector has officially launched, with nominations now open for the inaugural Northern Ireland Health & Social Care Awards.
The awards will bring together professionals, organisations, teams, volunteers and unpaid carers from across the province to recognise the dedication, compassion, innovation and outstanding contribution that underpin health and social care services every day.
The inaugural awards ceremony will take place at the Hilton Belfast on 8 December 2026, providing an opportunity for the sector to come together, celebrate achievement and shine a spotlight on those who go above and beyond in their roles.
The Northern Ireland Health & Social Care Awards have been created by Care Talk to recognise excellence across the breadth of the sector, from frontline care and clinical professionals to managers, leaders, innovators, support teams and organisations delivering services in communities across Northern Ireland.
Categories span a wide range of health and social care roles and services, including care for older people, specialist care, residential and community-based support, frontline care, leadership, training and innovation. The awards are open across the statutory, independent and voluntary sectors, with unpaid carers also recognised as an important part of the health and social care landscape.
The awards will also provide an opportunity to highlight best practice, innovation and person-centred care, recognising those who are helping to improve services and make a positive difference to people’s lives.
Nominees will be considered by an independent judging panel, with shortlisted finalists invited to attend the gala awards ceremony in Belfast. The evening will bring together colleagues, organisations and sector leaders for an evening of celebration and recognition.
Who can be nominated?
Nominations are welcomed for individuals, teams and organisations working across Northern Ireland’s health and social care sector.
This includes:
- Care home and residential care teams
- Domiciliary and community care providers
- Nurses and other healthcare professionals
- Care workers and support workers
- Health and social care managers and leaders
- Social workers
- Voluntary and community organisations
- Specialist care services
- Innovation and training teams
- Unpaid carers
- Individuals and organisations making an outstanding contribution to health and social care
The team behind the awards are encouraging employers, colleagues, service users, families, partners and members of the public to put forward individuals and organisations whose work deserves to be recognised.
A spokesperson for the awards said “It’s been really encouraging to receive such positive initial support for the Northern Ireland Health & Social Care Awards. We’re delighted to be launching an event that will give the sector a chance to come together, celebrate achievements and recognise the people who make such a difference every day.”
Nominations are now open, with nominations closing on the 23 October 2026. Shortlisted nominees will then be contacted and invited to attend a virtual judging day where they will be judged by a panel of health and social care professionals.
The Northern Ireland Health & Social Care Awards will take place on 8 December 2026 at Hilton Belfast.
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