Key Takeaways
- The winners of the 2026 Digital Health Awards were announced at Summer Schools 2026, celebrating key figures in NHS innovation.
- Recognized leaders include Dr. Paul Atkinson (CCIO of the Year), Debbie Loke (CIO of the Year), Hayley Grafton (CNIO of the Year), and Daniel Tudor (Rising Star).
- The awards highlight dedication to digital healthcare transformation and excellence in leadership roles within the NHS.
Celebrating Digital Health Leaders
The 2026 Digital Health Awards were presented during a ceremony at Summer Schools 2026, recognizing outstanding contributions to healthcare innovation and leadership. The awards took place on July 16, 2026, at the University of Nottingham, focusing on the achievements of prominent NHS IT leaders and emerging talents in the field.
Award Winners
CCIO of the Year – Dr. Paul Atkinson
Dr. Atkinson has served as the chief clinical information officer (CCIO) at NHS Gloucestershire since 2015, transitioning to a full-time role in June 2022. His extensive experience includes being a founding fellow of the Faculty of Clinical Informatics and providing clinical guidance to Tata Consultancy Services. Between 2017 and 2018, he was a clinical advisor at NHS Digital, influencing the GP IT Futures programme. Furthermore, he has contributed as a digital clinical champion at NHSX from 2016 to 2020, advocating for digital primary care and patient online initiatives.
CIO of the Year – Debbie Loke
Debbie Loke received the award for her impactful leadership as the executive chief digital information officer (CDIO) at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust. She first served as chief information officer (CIO) from May 2020 to July 2024 before transitioning to the CDIO role. Recently, Loke joined DHU Healthcare as chief digital officer, focusing on NHS 111 and urgent treatment centers to further enhance prevention and care delivery. Additionally, she has been an active member of the Digital Health Networks CIO Advisory Panel for the past three years.
CNIO of the Year – Hayley Grafton
Hayley Grafton earned recognition as the chief nursing information officer (CNIO) of University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, where she held the position from November 2023 to February 2026. Currently, she serves as the group CNIO for UHL and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire Group. Grafton has also contributed to the Digital Health Networks CNIO Advisory Panel for four years and currently chairs the panel.
Rising Star – Daniel Tudor
Daniel Tudor was honored for his role as the AI technical lead at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust over the past year. His responsibilities encompass the comprehensive delivery of AI projects, encompassing problem identification, data management, model development, and deployment in clinical settings. Tudor plays a pivotal role in shaping the trust’s AI strategy, focusing on key use cases and guiding investment decisions.
The 2026 Digital Health Awards serve as a vital recognition platform for those committed to fostering digital transformation within the NHS, highlighting the dedication and innovative efforts of these leaders.
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