Priory shortlisted for Long-term Impact and Most Innovative Mental Health Intervention awards
The Long-term Impact entry recognises sustained work on recovery, rehabilitation, least-restrictive care and greater independence
The Most Innovative Mental Health Intervention highlights digital developments including new online assessment tools, a groundbreaking addiction treatment app, immersive VR exposure therapy and a remote addiction treatment service
Priory has been named a finalist in two categories at the national Mental Health Awards 2026, recognising both its long-term approach to recovery-focused care and its growing use of digital innovation across mental health and addiction services.
The Long-term Impact entry recognised more than a decade of work to develop recovery-focused pathways that support people beyond an individual episode of treatment and towards greater independence and quality of life.
This has included sustained investment in rehabilitation, trauma-informed care, reducing restrictive practice, lived experience involvement and outcomes measurement, alongside the development of Priory’s whole-person care approach.
Through its Whole You model of care, Priory looks beyond an individual diagnosis and considers emotional health, physical wellbeing, relationships, social connection and purpose, helping to shape care around what matters most to each person.
Priory is also one of six finalists for Most Innovative Mental Health Intervention, recognising the organisation’s work to embed digital innovation within routine mental health and addiction pathways.
Examples include its partnership with Psyomics to develop digitally-enabled assessment pathways; Recovery360, which supports addiction recovery and relapse prevention beyond discharge; immersive virtual reality therapy within Priory’s Flourish addiction service; and Elevate 12, its fully remote addiction treatment programme.
Rather than treating technology as a standalone product, Priory’s approach has focused on integrating digital tools into existing care pathways, supported by clinical governance, patient feedback and outcomes measurement.
Rebekah Cresswell, Chief Executive of Priory, said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted in two categories which reflect important aspects of how Priory has continued to drive forward and innovate over recent years, despite challenges in the sector experienced by all.
“Our focus is increasingly on the whole journey of care – helping people not only through periods of acute illness or difficulty, but supporting recovery, independence and quality of life over the longer term.
“Digital innovation also has an important role to play when it is thoughtfully integrated into care. Used well, technology can help improve access, personalisation and continuity while supporting, rather than replacing, the relationships and clinical expertise at the heart of good care.
“Being shortlisted is recognition of the work of colleagues across Priory, as well as the patients, residents and people with lived experience who continue to help us improve our services.”
Priory is the largest independent provider of mental health, addiction and working-age adult social care in the UK, supporting more than 23,000 people each year at 270 services.
The winners will be announced at the Mental Health Awards ceremony at Reading Town Hall on Thursday, 8 October 2026.
Priory has also been named a finalist in the Public Private Partnership category at the LaingBuisson Awards 2026, with the ceremony set to take place on 19 November in London.