Oxford Academic Health Science Network newsletter July 2014

News from the Oxford Academic Health Science Network

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Newsletter Issue 9 - July 2014

In this edition...

Partners help us shape a better future
How to make SBRI process work for you
Making the most of mobile apps
SBRI Healthcare competition details
Oxford AHSN sponsors new award
Oxford AHSN and partners successful in innovation awards

Latest news

Partners help us shape a better future

Our first annual Partnership Council meeting provided an excellent opportunity for formal and informal networking. More than 70 people attended, drawn from across our region and representing a wide range of stakeholders including NHS trusts, academic institutions and industry. They listened to presentations from leaders of two of our ten clinical networks – comorbidity (Dr Michael Yousif) and out-of-hospital care (Dr Dan Lasserson).

Oxford AHSN Chief Executive Prof Gary Ford highlighted the strengths of our region including a thriving life sciences sector. He set out the foundations for future progress including access to robust high quality data, informed and engaged patients and empowered staff.
He said: “We should not fear failure but learn from the things that don’t work to develop really excellent care – the NHS has not been good at this in the past. To quote Bill Clinton – we should celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”
The formal part of the event ended with a wide-ranging Q&A session chaired by our Chair Nigel Keen. Topics covered included:

How to make best use of data
The interconnectedness of our clinical networks
Sharing research
Working more efficiently for patient benefit

The discussions continued after the formal part of the meeting ended – some of it around the poster display area which included recent SBRI Healthcare competition winners.
One of the exhibitors, Dr Al Edwards, Lecturer in Pharmaceutics at the Reading School of Pharmacy, said: “I met with vital contacts from industry, hospital and pharmacy education – and planned a small clinical study – all before dinner.”
The Partnership Council meeting took place at the Magdalen Centre, Oxford Science Park, on 18 June.

Briefing helps to make SBRI work for you

Life sciences businesses, NHS organisations and researchers were among those who found out more about funding opportunities through SBRI at a briefing organised by the Oxford AHSN. The deadline for applications in the latest round is this Thursday (10 July) – but another competition will be launched with different themes in the autumn. SBRI Healthcare National Director Karen Livingstone is pictured at the briefing with our Commercial Director Nick Scott-Ram. Keith Errey, Chief Executive of Isansys, which has made successful bids for SBRI funding, said: “It is far and away the best funding mechanism I have ever seen.” Keith said the SBRI application process was straightforward, easy to follow and transparent.

Making the most of smartphone apps

Smartphone app developers offered handy hints and shared their experiences at our latest workshop. Quick-fire presentations were followed by informal networking opportunities. A novel innovation was the introduction of a ‘Help Wanted’ wall where participants could post requests. This project links into our Clinical Innovation Adoption and Wealth Creation programmes.

We're sponsoring
new award

We are sponsoring the Best Public-Private Collaboration in the OBN Annual Awards. Nomination deadline: 31 July. The award recognises new and innovative partnerships between the NHS and independent sector in line with the Oxford AHSN vision – best health for our population and prosperity for our region. Contact us for more information or to make a nomination.

Coming soon...

8 July
Venturefest

10 Sep
Horizon 2020 briefing

18 Sep
Isis Innovation showcase

More events >>>

Two dozen complete sustainability training

Thanks to the 24 people who attended training organised by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare in May and June. There was good representation from organisations across the Oxford AHSN area. Future dates will be highlighted here.

Oxford AHSN and partners successful in innovation awards

Oxford AHSN and its partners have been shortlisted in the HSJ Value in Healthcare awards. Among them is the Bucks cardiac rehabilitation programme which was featured in the poster showcase at our Partnership Council meeting and at BioTrinity 2014. The Care4Today Heart Health Solutions collaboration between Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and Janssen Healthcare Innovation uses exercise and education to help patients make lifestyle changes. Other shortlisted entries from our region included:

The Monster Manor game app for children with type 1 diabetes
Earlier and better dementia diagnosis (NHS Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead CCG and Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust)
Better Training Better Care programme – ‘making every moment count’ (Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and Health Education England)

The award winners will be announced on 23 September.

R&D work makes progress in Bucks

Our Chief Executive Officer Prof Gary Ford and Chief Operating Officer Dr Paul Durrands attended an open forum at the Uxbridge Campus of Bucks New University on 16 June to discuss opportunities for collaboration and networking.

University staff with professional expertise in nursing, social work and psychology attended the forum and discussed the opportunities created by the work and goals of the Oxford AHSN. Staff were also able to have 1-1 sessions with Gary and Paul to explore specific areas of individual interest.

Topics included the use of narrative as a service development tool and the potential role of positive psychology, taught at Bucks New University, in contributing to health promotion. Prof Susan Procter, Professor of Clinical Nursing Practice at Bucks New University, said: “Staff were interested to hear about engagement opportunities and the visit created quite a buzz in the faculty.”

Fluid management benchmarking project

Oxford AHSN is working with NHS Benchmarking to introduce an inter-operative fluid management benchmarking initiative as part of the National Theatre project. The aim is to help Trusts and commissioners share best practice and inform service development and implementation plans. Inter Operative Fluid Management is a key element of enhanced recovery post-surgery.

The Oxford AHSN is working with anaesthetists from across the region to design the benchmarking project, with the Oxford AHSN region participating in the benchmarking in 2014/15. National roll-out by NHS benchmarking is expected in 2015/16.