Picker

03/09/2026

The 2026 Picker Experience Network Awards will take place on Thursday 1st October at the University of Birmingham.

This annual event is a chance to recognise outstanding achievements in person centred care, while also providing space to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and gain inspiration for improving experiences across health and care.

Celebrate with us for those making a lasting impact on patients, families, and staff:

https://pickerhwa.org/4i5an4l

03/09/2026

The FFT is collected across a range of settings and in incredible volumes, but it has important limitations. Single question numeric ratings are too simplified to drive improvement, and patients’ written comments, whilst powerful and rich with insight, are difficult to process and interpret at scale.

These limitations mean that the vast amounts of data collected daily are not used as effectively as they could be to improve and transform patient care in the NHS.

Last year, Picker published a roadmap for reforming the Friends and Family Test, setting our recommendations for the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and local providers. In the report, we argue that patient feedback can play a stronger role in improving person centred care when organisations have better information about who is responding, stronger ways to analyse qualitative comments and clearer routes for using insight in decision-making.

Download our report here https://pickerhwa.org/464AW2s

A new report by Picker sets out a roadmap for reforming the NHS Friends and Family Test (FFT), with recommendations for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), NHS England (NHSE) and local NHS providers.

02/09/2026

Help shape the future of cancer care in Europe.

Yesterday marked the launch of the CANCERSurvey - a major European study collecting the real experiences of people affected by cancer, from diagnosis through to life after treatment.

Too often, patient experiences are missing from the data used to shape cancer services and policy. This survey aims to change that.

By taking part, you can help build evidence to strengthen patient advocacy and support more person centred cancer care across Europe.

We are proud to be conducting this independent study on behalf of the WECAN Foundation.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer as an adult in Europe, or if you are a carer, your experience matters.

Take the survey:

https://pickerhwa.org/4gu4Kvo

01/09/2026

The 2026 Picker Experience Network Awards will take place on Thursday 1st October at the University of Birmingham.

This annual event is a chance to recognise outstanding achievements in person centred care, while also providing space to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and gain inspiration for improving experiences across health and care.

Celebrate with us for those making a lasting impact on patients, families, and staff:

https://pickerhwa.org/4d7U7fp

31/08/2026

Some of the most powerful examples of person centred care begin with something very simple: listening.

Last year’s overall Picker Experience Network Awards winner, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, put this into practice with "Seasons of Life", a trauma-informed initiative supporting young people experiencing grief and loss.

Importantly, grief doesn’t always follow one path. The project recognises experiences including bereavement, parental separation, care placement, refugee status and family imprisonment.

Co-designed with young people and families, "Seasons of Life" combines clinical expertise with creative approaches such as narrative and art therapy, helping young people build resilience and access the support they need.

It’s a powerful reminder that person centred care isn’t just about providing a service. It’s about understanding people’s experiences, involving them in decisions and creating support around what matters to them.

Who will be joining Southern Health and Social Care Trust among the 2026 Picker Experience Network Awards winners?

Find out more about the 2026 Awards: https://pickerhwa.org/4gujf2p

28/08/2026

Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD) brings patients, carers and staff together to improve services by learning from lived experience and identifying what matters most.

Over the last year, more than 300 people have taken part in our EBCD training, helping to embed person centred improvement across their organisations.

Join us in person in London on 25th November 2026 for an interactive day of learning, where you'll:

- Learn directly from experienced facilitators
- Take part in practical discussions and activities
- Share experiences and ideas with peers from across health and care
- Leave with the confidence and tools to apply EBCD in your own organisation

Can't make it in person? Our next online course starts on 5th October 2026.

Learn more and book your place: https://pickerhwa.org/4xibyCd

This course provides a structured pathway through the Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD) methodology, one of the most

28/08/2026

How can organisations ensure digital transformation delivers improvements for patients and staff?

Join us at 26 to explore how research and experience data can help organisations understand what matters most and drive evidence-based improvement.

Our speakers include:

• Chris Graham, discussing NHS App: Transitioning from the Digital Front Door to the Digital Companion.
• Naomi Stockley, leading an interactive workshop on using Experience Based Co-Design to improve digital health.

We'll also be available throughout the event at stand I15 to discuss how Picker supports organisations to deliver person centred care.

https://pickerhwa.org/4wSeSTD

27/08/2026

Our Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD) training supports organisations to work in partnership with patients, carers and staff, using lived experience to identify shared priorities and drive lasting improvements in care.

Last year, we supported more than 300 people to learn and embed EBCD into improvement practice.

Join one of our upcoming courses:

- Online (Microsoft Teams): 5, 12 and 19 October, and 2 November 2026, 12:00-14:00 pm
- In person (London): 25 November 2026, 09:00 am – 16:30 pm

Find out more and book your place: https://pickerhwa.org/46o2BLK

26/08/2026

The shortlist for the 2026 Picker Experience Network Awards (PEN Awards) has been announced.

This year's finalists showcase the people, teams and organisations working to put person centred care at the heart of health and care services.

Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted, and thank you to everyone who took the time to share their work with us.

We'll be celebrating with our finalists at the PEN Awards ceremony on 1st October, where this year's winners will be announced.

View the full shortlist here: https://pickerhwa.org/4wQLmh6

26/08/2026

New findings from the 2025 Adult Inpatient Survey show that patients’ experiences in NHS hospitals are improving, especially when it comes to communication with staff and involvement in decisions about their care.

However, the results also highlight ongoing challenges around discharge and support after leaving hospital, with fewer than half of patients reporting they received enough support to help them recover or manage their condition at home.

The survey, coordinated by Picker on behalf of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), includes responses from more than 58,000 patients across England.

Read the full findings: bit.ly/PickerIP25