Have you seen the announcement from the Small Business Research Initiative for Healthcare (SBRI Healthcare) where up to 12 small business could each benefit from £100,000 Phase 1 product development funding? In this latest round, SBRI will look to award a total of £1 million for ideas from companies focused on addressing challenges in older people with multiple-morbidities and specifically in the problem areas of: Falls, Incontinence and Decline in Functional Ability. SBRI have also shared the slides from the briefings
SBRI Healthcare is an NHS England funded initiative to develop innovative products and services that address unmet health needs, they works with Academic Health Science Networks to identify priority areas where technology can be applied to address major clinical challenges. The programme focuses on clearly identified NHS needs, bringing clinicians and business together at an early stage to harness the expertise of SMEs to develop effective solutions. Companies successful in the six month feasibility stage (Phase 1) are eligible to move on to more detailed product development and NHS validation where up to £2 million in further funding support can be secured across two additional phases.
Defined as suffering two or more chronic conditions, multi-morbidity affects patients of all ages but prevalence increases markedly with age, being present in most people aged 65 years and older. The types of chronic conditions included are multiple and varied, and it is widely recognised that the number of patients with multi-morbidity is increasing – particularly as the population ages – and that those patients are likely to have complex needs for healthcare. It's estimated that over 15 million people live with a long term condition nationally.
In the East Midlands, the EMAHSN has recognised the need to tackle health inequalities and variations in regard to the care of Frail Older People. By 2030, there will be a 51% increase in people aged 65+ and a 101% increase in people 85+ years. Our Frail Older People programme concentrates on falls and the consistent delivery of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). If you are interested in joining our community of practice, can you register on our Knowledge Hub which is an online community for knowledge transfer and exchange.
The SBRI competition theme areas have been chosen in partnership with the Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) across England and specifically for this programme; Falls and Care Planning – Health Innovation Network (South London AHSN); Decline in Functional Ability – Eastern AHSN; and Urinary and Faecal Incontinence – West of England, UCL Partners and North West Coast AHSNs.
The competition closes on August 11, 2015 with winners announced in December. Briefing events for businesses to learn about the competition have been taking place and you can watch the videos here.