Public service teams developing practical solutions to healthcare challenges have until Friday, 30 October 2026, to enter the national innovation awards. The call is aimed at projects that have already been implemented and can show measurable improvements for patients or staff.
The Department of Public Service and Administration, the Centre for Public Service Innovation and the Government Employees Medical Scheme are making a final appeal for entries to the National Batho Pele Service Excellence and Innovation Awards. Health-related finalists will also be considered for the 2026/27 GEMS Health Award, which provides funding to support the further development and replication of successful innovations.
One entry process for health projects
Teams do not need to submit a separate application for the GEMS award. They must enter through the Innovation category via the CPSI registration portal at cpsiregistrations.co.za. Any finalist whose project is health-related will automatically be considered for the additional health award.
The invitation extends across the public health system, including clinics, hospitals, district offices and other health units. Organisers are looking for initiatives that make effective use of available resources, address a clearly identified healthcare problem and offer an approach that could be repeated in other facilities or communities.
The awards are intended to recognise more than ideas. Entries must reflect solutions that are in operation and can demonstrate their effect on service delivery. This places the focus on changes that make care more accessible, improve the experience of patients or help health workers provide safer and more efficient services.
Previous projects show the potential impact
The 2025 Gold Award went to a project that changed how oral health services were delivered in the Knysna and Bitou sub-districts in the Western Cape. The initiative repurposed unused dental chairs into mobile units, allowing dental services to reach five rural clinics.
According to the information provided about the project, waiting times were reduced from six months to two weeks, while treatment capacity rose by 30%. The example illustrates how existing equipment can be adapted to improve access, particularly where rural communities face distance and service constraints.
| Previous project | Reported result |
|---|---|
| Mobile oral health units in Knysna and Bitou | Waiting times fell from six months to two weeks; treatment capacity increased by 30% |
| Remote learning at Greytown Hospital | Training supported medicine management, reduced expiry-related wastage and promoted safer care |
The Silver Award was given to Greytown Hospital’s Remote Learning Channel for Pharmacy Assistants and Ward-Based Nurses. The project used WhatsApp, short videos and visual posters to deliver training directly to healthcare workers. Its reported benefits included improved medicine management, less wastage linked to expired stock and safer patient care.
What prospective entrants need to show
- The project must have been implemented in the public service.
- It should address a healthcare challenge and demonstrate measurable improvement.
- The approach should use resources effectively and have potential for replication.
- Entries must be submitted through the CPSI Innovation category by 30 October 2026.
The closing appeal comes as public healthcare institutions continue to seek ways of improving services within existing resources. Projects such as the mobile dental units and the remote learning channel show that innovation can involve adapting equipment, changing how services reach communities or using familiar communication tools to strengthen staff capacity.
Minister for the Public Service and Administration Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi said:
“The best solutions …”
Full eligibility requirements and submission information are available on the entry portal. Teams with evidence that their work has improved healthcare delivery are encouraged to complete their submissions before the deadline.
