HEALTHCARE frontline staff in the region are being invited to submit their innovative ideas for this year’s Bright Ideas in Health Awards.

Now in its 15th year, the competition celebrates and rewards the ground-breaking work emerging from NHS staff and other enterprises in the North-East and North Cumbria.

The awards are organised by the Academic Health Service Network for the North-East and North Cumbria (AHSN NENC).

Chief operations officer at AHSN NENC, Dr Nicola Wesley, said: “We are looking forward to celebrating the region’s brightest healthcare pioneers at this year’s Bright Ideas in Health Awards.

“Over the past 15 years, the awards have gone from strength to strength and have grown to become one of the most highly sought after and respected accolades in the region’s healthcare sector.

“The awards are a fantastic showcase of the bright ideas that help to improve patient care and innovation in the NHS.

“We eagerly anticipate another year of outstanding entries from the individuals and teams working within the NHS, industry and academia, who have risen to the challenge of developing innovative solutions to tackle the healthcare challenges we face today.”

The awards are open to all healthcare professionals, including those in primary and secondary care, and regional SMEs engaged in healthcare, and are designed to show how everyone can play their part in improving innovation.

There are five categories this year: development of an innovative device or technology; service improvement; innovation champion of the year; demonstrating an impact upon patient safety and research impact: improving patient care. The winners of each category will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday, November 29, at the Newcastle Gateshead Hilton Hotel.

The winners will receive a cash prize to help progress their ideas, as well as specialist support from innovation experts at AHSN NENC, including two new innovation managers, Charlotte Fox and Mark Taylor.

Charlotte said: “I’d encourage anyone with a great idea – whether it’s a groundbreaking piece of technology or a better way of delivering a service – to enter the competition, as the awards can lead to new opportunities to develop your ideas further.”

Mark said: “Ultimately, innovation is about spreading the adoption of ideas and sharing knowledge to achieve better outcomes for patients. It’s great to be working with our healthcare partners to encourage the submission of ideas.”

Last year’s winners included a non-invasive test for bladder cancer; a specialist training programme for allergies and an acute kidney injury awareness initiative.

The deadline for applications is September 17. To enter visit: www.brightideasinhealth.org.uk