A project using smartphone and internet prompts to put patients in control of their care, tiny cameras that replace endoscopy procedures, and a non-invasive technique to diagnose blood-borne viruses have been thrown under the spotlight as part of the 2013 Medipex NHS Innovation Competition.
The three solutions were among the winners of this year’s contest, which recognises and celebrates the best new healthcare innovations across Yorkshire and the Humber and the East Midlands.
Now in its ninth year, the competition showcases pioneering products and services developed by NHS staff members, academics and companies, all designed to improve the health of NHS patients and increase NHS efficiency.
This year’s competition attracted 110 entries across the five award categories, and a special award of Innovation Champion was selected from peer nominations.
Entrants were specifically asked to demonstrate how they were meeting the Government’s Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) agenda aimed at making the NHS more efficient through the adoption of new technologies and cost-saving innovations.
Commenting on this year’s event, Richard Clark, chief executive of Medipex, said: “We found that a large number of this year’s finalists had embraced technology to improve patient care and also streamline internal processes and increase efficiency. These are innovations that could be commissioned across other trusts and organisations, spreading good practice across the NHS. As always, it’s a pleasure for Medipex to run these awards and all the finalists should be congratulated for their work in improving patient care.”
The 2013 winners were:
- GP & Primary Care Award: Dr Shahid Ali from the Phoenix Medical Practice in Bradford is putting patients with long-term health conditions in control of their care through an internet and smartphone service. Patients connect with their doctor via the technology, together creating healthcare action plans for the patient to update remotely and the doctor to view. GP appointments are therefore freed up for other users
- Secondary Care Award: Dr Mark McAlindon and the team from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are using cameras contained in a pill format – and swallowed by the patient – to replace conventional endoscopy techniques. Live images of the gastrointestinal tract are transmitted from the camera to a data recorder and downloaded for viewing, saving clinician time and improving patient comfort
- Mental Health Award: Dr Alinda Gillott and Professor Chris Hollis from Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust have developed mixed media resources, including a film and a self-help guide, to capture the attention of adults with ADHD. This helps clients understand their condition, engage with treatment and increase their wellbeing, reducing pressure on professional services
- Medical Devices & Diagnostics Award: Dr Helena Ellam and Professor Goura Kudesia from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have devised a non-invasive technique to diagnose blood-borne viruses (BBV) such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in non-healthcare settings. Home sampling kits makes testing more accessible and increases BBV screening uptake in high-risk, hard-to reach communities
- Software and Telehealth Award: Dr Nigel Humphreys from Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has developed a prescribing aid for the iPad and iPhone to reduce prescribing errors caused by poor legibility of handwritten prescriptions. Patient information can also be added to the prescription information, improving support for the prescriber
- The Innovation Champion Award: The winner is Chris Payne from NAViGO Health and Social Care Community Interest Company in Grimsby. He is committed to addressing health inequalities facing individuals experiencing severe mental health issues. He has influenced and inspired practitioners to acknowledge that these individuals are at high risk of suffering from other serious health issues as a result of their SMI and to support him in piloting and implementing the health and wellbeing agenda in North East Lincolnshire
