Innovative collaboration to make employees’ lives healthier

An innovative Lancashire-based project to make employees’ lives healthier has received national funding.

A programme led by Active Lancashire and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and supported by the Innovation Agency, will train gym and leisure centre employees so they are qualified to conduct health screenings within workplaces. It follows funding from the UK Research and Innovation’s industrial strategy challenge fund for healthy ageing.

Read more >

Call for next NHS Innovation Fellows…

Applications are invited to the prestigious NHS Innovation Accelerator, which supports individuals with proven, impactful innovations, in a partnership between NHS England/NHS Improvement and the Innovation Agency and other AHSNs.

This year’s applicant innovations must address at least one of the following themes: NHS response to COVID-19; mental health; or supporting the workforce.

The deadline is 16 October.

Find out more plus links to informational webinars >
nhsaccelerator.com

To request support from the Innovation Agency, email info@innovationagencynwc.nhs.uk.

…and for Clinical Entrepreneurs

The Clinical Entrepreneur training programme is open for new applications from clinical, NHS staff and wider health professionals, to join a scheme offering a range of support to develop their entrepreneurial aspirations during their clinical training period.

Apply here >
england.nhs.uk

Digital solutions for pulmonary rehab

The Innovation Agency is working with respiratory teams across the region to accelerate the rollout of digital-first approaches, based on an understanding of the needs of teams and patients.

We have developed the Innovation Insight: Pulmonary rehabilitation tool which categorises innovations.

Read Innovation Insight: Pulmonary rehabilitation >
innovationagencynwc.nhs.uk

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Julia.Reynolds@innovationagencynwc.nhs.uk.

Mobile ECG Kardias available

GPs and other primary and community staff are invited to request a free, one-lead ECG device which links to a smart phone app. The Kardia is commonly used in general practices to identify sinus rhythm and potentially atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias.

The Innovation Agency has a small supply available to colleagues on a first come, first served basis; and anyone who would like one is asked to contact Julia.Reynolds@innovationagencynwc.nhs.uk.

Watch a 50-second video on KardiaMobile >
youtube.com

Support for primary care teams looking at long term conditions

The Innovation Agency is supporting the rollout of a framework developed by Dr Matt Kearney and colleagues at UCLPartners to look at how many high, medium and low risk patients are in seven common conditions. This can be run independently by general practices.

Find out more plus search tools and educational resources >
uclpartners.com

Please contact julia.reynolds@innovationagencynwc.nhs.uk to discuss how the Innovation Agency can support you with this.

System flow innovations 

Check out these latest additions to the Innovation Agency Exchange which support improvements to system flow:
 
Penguin is a platform that remotely assesses patients to determine whether they need a follow-up appointment.

Compass provides accurate risk assessment and supports genuinely informed patient consent.

Health Navigator combines artificial intelligence and health coaching to predict and prevent avoidable emergency care
 

innovationagencyexchange.org.uk

Learn how to develop an ‘Innovator’s Mindset’

A 12-week foundation course from the Innovation Agency Coaching Academy, ‘Innovator’s Mindset’ is available to curious individuals seeking to develop or reaffirm a mindset for innovative thinking and behaviours.

As well as online modules there will be a weekly forum chat and virtual coaching and collaboration session every Wednesday from 11.00 to 12.00, starting in November. Places must be requested before 30 September, by emailing karla.rimaitis@innovationagencynwc.nhs.uk.

Hospify helps to get the message out

A Lancashire company specialising in secure messaging for the health service has seen a four-fold increase in uptake of its product since the start of COVID-19.

Hospify offers a communications platform that allows healthcare professionals to communicate securely while sharing confidential information with other clinicians and patients.

Read more >
innovationagencynwc.nhs.uk

Data project drives improvements in care

Millions of people across the North will benefit from improved health thanks to a project aimed at better managing patient data.

Connected Health Cities, led by the Innovation Agency in the North West Coast, was a £20m, four-year pilot funded by the Department of Health to unite local health data and technology to improve care for patients in the North of England.

An impact report has been published demonstrating how the project linked 10 million health records; created at least £30m investment; and showed early indications of at least £150m worth of cash savings each year in the North of England’s NHS and social care.

Read more >
innovationagencynwc.nhs.uk

New King’s Fund report on transformative technology for long-term health conditions

A new King’s Fund report titled Technology and innovation for long-term health conditions uses four unique case studies from the UK and the Nordic countries, to explore key themes in effective implementation of digital innovation.

The report was commissioned by the AHSN Network to demonstrate transformative potential and compare and contrast themes across geographies.

Read more >
kingsfund.org.uk

Genomic innovation: technologies for personalised medicine

An AHSN Network report and film, Genomic innovation: technologies for personalised medicine, were launched at an online discussion chaired by Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of NHS Confederation.

The 15-minute video hears from Sir Mark Caulfield, Chief Scientist from Genomics England as well as Hilary Newiss, Chair of National Voices and Matt Whitty, Interim Chief Executive of Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC), together with colleagues from industry body ABPI, Health Education England and the report authors.

Watch the film and read the report >
ahsnnetwork.com

Events

Health as the new wealth: The NHS, collaboration and COVID-19 recovery

10 September 13.00-14.00
 

Join cross-sector leaders from Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership exploring how we can achieve an inclusive economy and tackle health inequalities.

Sign up here >

Big Innovation Conversation: COVID and managing the risk of deterioration in care homes

16 September 12.30-13.30
 

This Big Innovation Conversation webinar features companies whose products are designed to help manage deterioration and the risk of falls in care home settings.

Register here >

Health as the new wealth: The NHS, collaboration and COVID-19 recovery

17 September 10.00-11.00
 

This event explores delivering social value at scale; chaired by NHSE/I Director of Strategy Ben Jupp.

Register here >

Barriers to information sharing

21 September 11.30-13.00
 

This Innovation Scouts event will explore some of the innovative solutions for data and information sharing in health and care.

Register here >

Innovation in Covid-19 patient pathways

23 September 16.00-17.00
 

This Oxford AHSN webinar will explore innovations in assessing and managing patients with suspected Covid-19; speakers include Trish Greenhalgh, Matt Inada-Kim and Dan Lasserson.

Further information and registration details here >

Recorded webinars

NHS appointments by video – a temporary fix or here to stay?

Many hospital outpatient appointments are now taking place by video, using the website Attend Anywhere. This webinar brings together three paediatricians in Lancashire and South Cumbria; a patient and parent; and the NHS England and Improvement digital lead for the region, to look at how it’s working – and whether it will continue post COVID-19.

Read the top tips and watch the fill webinar >

Podcasts

How COVID-19 has changed our role – hear from Dr Liz Mear and Dr Phil Jennings about the impact of the pandemic on themselves and their work; how they pivoted to focus entirely on the needs of local systems; and their vision of the future landscape in the North West Coast.

Listen here >

Blogs

Let’s reset the NHS to green – by Gideon Ben-Tovim OBE

Seven lessons from digital transformation during COVID-19 – by Caroline Kenyon

Personal stories of digital transformation during COVID-19
 

Using digital technology to help vulnerable residents during lockdown – by Tayeb Mirza
 
How digital solutions saved our skin during COVID-19 – by Dr Faisal Ali
 
Visors, ventilators and innovation – by Dr Elliot Street
 
Neonatal telemedicine – by Dr Chris Dewhurst

Neonatal telemedicine – by Simon Minford

Physio appointments by video – by Laura Atherton