Meet the Inventors
Dr Jason Klein
The Salisbury Innovation Experience
I am one of the Emergency department Consultants and have been working at Salisbury for approximately two years. During that time, I have put forward three projects for the Innovations department to consider. Each project is at a different stage of theinnovation process.
How has the Trust Innovation Leader (TIL) helped you?
The TIL has provided encouragement, support and advice.
It was the broadcast from the TIL that made me aware of the potential for a Trust vehicle for developing my idea for an invention.
As a novice innovator there were doubts in my mind. I had recognised the need for my device. It provides what I believe to be a novel solution to a real clinical problem. It was helpful to have someone to bounce my ideas off. Someone who although not an expert in my field of practice, could provide an objective opinion.
It was explained how important it was to secure any intellectual property at an early stage.
Debbie Postlethwaite has been an enthusiastic, energetic and driven TIL who has given me lots of useful advice to ensure that my innovations progress in a manner that is more likely to provide a successful outcome for the Trust, my department, and myself. More than just advice, she has provided an organised framework to progress the innovations.
Debbie has always been very approachable, keen to help and easy to contact. Although very friendly and encouraging, she still retains objectivity and gives an honest opinion regarding aspects of the innovation, its progress and potential development partners external to the Trust.
How has NHS InnovationsSouth West (NISW) helped you?
Chris Sawyer is the Business Development Manager that has helped me with my projects. He has provided invaluable experience and expertise in the fields of business protocol and negotiation. He has also been helpful in establishing and judging the integrity of potential business partners.
The NISW website http://www.nisw.co.uk explains the process of development from idea to a commercial product.
Delivery of the Innovation Process
1. Has the benefits of my idea been established? Yes the first step has after ensuring that there was a clinical need and my solution provided a benefit.
2. Initial searches of the internet for products and a patent search has been conducted.
3. The demand has been evaluated within the NHS and around the world.
4. Meetings have been organised with manufacturing companies to negotiate and conduct design modifications and improvements under the restrictions of non-disclosure agreements.
5. My ideas have been novel and so the rights have been established with the help of a patent attorney.
6. For my first invention, a commercial package is in the process of negotiation.
7. I have as yet not reached a reward stage although the structure of a reward system has been discussed.
How important is it for the NHS to innovate?
I certainly want the NHS to continue to improve the care and safety of its patients and staff. Any innovations that can provide improvement to the NHS in a cost effective way has to be encouraged. The innovation team provides a structured way to ensure that innovations are screened and developed to completion in a way that can provide the NHS with revenue whilst still rewarding the inventor.
The Rewards and Challenges of the Innovation Process
The Challenges of the Innovations process includes:
Maintaining the commitment and dedication to the potential successful development of an invention when stretched by attempting to meet the demands of a busy Consultant post in Emergency Medicine.
I would also have to cite the potential disappointment of patent searches and unrewarding business partners.
I would feel rewarded if my innovations achieved their aims of improved patient care and improved training and education of clinicians. Any financial reward would be dependent upon the commercial success in the market. This is clearly a far more competitive and challenging part of product development.
I remain excited by the prospect that one day my ambitions for my innovations may be realised and continue to strive to think of new solutions to significant problems in patient care.
