The John Howard Centre (JHC) provides specialist psychiatric services in east London. The app was created at the Centre to help service users to achieve their goals while staying in hospital.
The Pathways App is co-produced by staff and service users, making patient care easier and more connected across Forensic Services. It enables all parties to track progress on healthcare objectives that have been set, such as progressing through the hospital and working towards their individual recovery goals. It also helps to tackle any setbacks and guides each step of a service user’s journey in one place. This holds staff accountable, helping to keep everyone on the same page.
It is fully accessible in its format, giving service users ownership of their own objectives. This has enabled staff and patients to develop positive relationships, so that progress can be monitored in real time.
The latest national recognition follows a series of previous successes for the project. In 2024, the team won the ‘Psychiatric Team of the Year: Digital Mental Health’ award at the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ annual RCPsych Awards. The Pathways App Team was also recognised at the 2025 HSJ Awards, receiving a ‘Highly Commended’ award in the ‘Mental Health Innovation of the Year’ category. Earlier this year, the team won the ‘Empowering Patients Through Digital’ category at the HSJ Digital Awards.
The Chief Allied Health Professions Officer Awards recognise the outstanding contribution of allied health professionals and celebrate innovation and best practice that improves care for patients. The awards also provide an opportunity to share and promote successful approaches across health and care services.
The winners of the 2026 Chief Allied Health Professions Officer Awards will be announced on National AHPs Day on Wednesday 14th October.
