Member Article

Competition call for healthcare innovators

Healthcare innovators from across the region are being encouraged to enter a prestigious competition that celebrates innovation and excellence within the NHS.

The Bright Ideas in Health Awards seeks to shine the spotlight on NHS staff and healthcare SMEs working towards improving patient care throughout the North East and North Cumbria.

Now in its 12th year, the competition has supported a range of innovative ideas put forward by frontline staff and budding entrepreneurs. Organisers hope to do the same this year and are calling on the next generation of healthcare pioneers to submit their product or service ideas before the March 25th deadline.

Dr Nicola Wesley, Head of NHS Innovations North and Director of Innovation at the Academic Health Science Network for the North East and North Cumbria (AHSN NENC), said: “These awards highlight the hotbed of creativity, passion and ingenuity of healthcare staff here in our region. With the support of our sponsors, we are honoured to once again be able to celebrate the achievements of hardworking people who focus their time and efforts on striving to improve care for their patients.

“We know this year won’t be an exception and I’d urge anyone who thinks they may have an idea - whether a new device or a better way of delivering a service - to enter the competition. We can help turn your bright idea into a reality and you could be crowned one of our winners at the awards ceremony in May.”

The event is organised by NHS Innovations North, a service delivered by RTC North Ltd on behalf of the AHSN NENC. This year there are five categories; Service Innovation, Innovative Technology or Device, CCG Innovation within Primary Care, SME Innovation in Healthcare and Patient and Public Involvement – Making Research Better.

Winners in each of the categories will receive a cash prize to help develop their ideas.

Andrew Turner, Innovator and Director at Quality Hospital Solutions, which is linked to City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and helps other companies get their products into the NHS, has a history of success at the awards.

In 2010 the Patient Food and Beverage Trolley he helped develop was awarded second prize in the Innovative Service Delivery category, and his bedwings invention was awarded third prize in the Innovative Technology or Device category. Last year, he was part of the team which picked up first prize in the Innovative Technology or Device category for a nebuliser mask regulator.

He said: “The Bright Ideas in Health Awards provided me with a fantastic platform to develop and launch a number of products over the years and I’d recommend entering the competition to anyone who thinks they have a great idea. Not only does winning an award help in financial terms, it also gives your product visibility and acts as validation that you’re on to something good as the entries are assessed by the experts at NHS Innovations North.”

This year’s awards ceremony, which is sponsored by the AHSN NENC, Clinical Research Network: North East and North Cumbria, Archer IP, RTC North Ltd and ERDF, will take place at the Hilton Gateshead on Thursday 21st May.

The evening will be hosted by TV presenter Kim Inglis and speakers will include Tilly Hale from LIVErNORTH (a regional liver patient support group), Ken Bremner, Chief Executive of City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Richard Kirk, Chief Executive of Polyphotonix and Gordon Ollivere, Chief Executive of RTC North Ltd.

The closing date for entries is 25th March 2015. To submit entries, visit http://tracker.nhsinnovationsnorth.org.uk/ or email sarah.black@nhsinnovationsnorth.org.uk for more information.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by HEALTH NEWS .