The National Technology Awards are given in recognition of leading edge technology innovations from NHS staff. Each year over 500 people, across all disciplines of the NHS, put forward their ideas to regional competitions, run by the NHS Innovation Hubs, and the best ideas from those are submitted to the National Awards.
This year, 30 nominated regional finalists competed for the national awards in four categories:
Therapeutics & Diagnostics
Medical Devices & Equipment (inc Assistive Technologies)
ICT/software
Publications & Media (DVDs, web, etc.)
Winners received £4000 and runners-up £2,000. All prize money is used to further develop the innovations.
The regional NHS Innovation Hubs support the development and commercialisation of Healthcare technology innovations from NHS staff across England. The Hubs offer legal, commercial and sometimes financial support to NHS innovators. In 2007 over 1,000 innovative ideas were submitted to the Innovation Hubs from NHS staff. The National Innovation Centre coordinates the work of the Hubs and makes the awards.
www.nic.nhs.uk
The award event was held at the Wellcome Trust in London. Prizes were presented by Professor Heinz Wolff of Brunel University and by entrepreneur and innovator of the wind-up torch and radio, Trevor Baylis. Ben Bradshaw, Minister of State for Health, also attended the event.
Guests included senior managers from winning NHS Trusts, from the Department of Health, Innovation Hub staff and the finalists.
Although several projects from the South West were finalists and received very positive feedback unfortunately on this occasion none came away with the winning entry.