Health and social care organisations across the region have been shortlisted in the inaugural East Midlands Innovation in Healthcare awards.

The shortlist highlights the astonishing range of innovations developed by local hospitals and universities that are improving services and saving lives throughout the region – with the potential to be expanded throughout the UK and abroad.

The awards, launched by the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network, recognise and celebrate the work of NHS organisations, universities, charities, councils and businesses to develop new and better delivery of healthcare services for local people.

Over 90 entries were submitted across six categories, and the 18 finalists showcase the incredible depth of frontline innovation taking place (see below for the full shortlist).

They range from a tool to improve the survival chances of people suffering heart attacks, to a text messaging service benefiting 100,000 school children, wrist bands that are helping reduce avoidable deaths, an instrument to enable earlier detection of lung tumours and a novel approach to training using techniques pioneered by Team GB Olympic cyclists.

Entries were invited from staff at all levels, especially those on the frontline and at more junior levels with ideas to tackle problems and improve services for patients.

Independent Chair of the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network, Martin Hindle, said: "The quality of the submissions highlights the commitment and expertise of health and social care teams across our region.

"The depth of innovation is absolutely incredible and it is clear that great ideas and solutions are being generated every day throughout our region by frontline staff.

"The NHS faces major challenges to meet the increasing demand for services and growing financial pressures, and innovation is central to overcoming these challenges. These new awards aim to celebrate innovative ideas and explore the potential to develop and adopt them on a wider scale so they benefit patients throughout the region – and potentially the UK and beyond."

The awards will be presented at an event at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham on Wednesday 22 October. The winner in each category will receive a £2,000 prize to help develop their innovation.

The full shortlist can be viewed here.

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Notes to editors

There are six categories in the East Midlands Innovation in Healthcare awards. Three finalists are shortlisted in each and the category winners receive £2,000 to help develop their innovation.

The following organisations are finalists:

• East Midlands Ambulance Service
• Hardwick Clinical Commissioning Group (Chesterfield)
• Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
• Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
• Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (Rampton Hospital and Wathwood Hospital)
• Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
• Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust (Glenfield Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary)
• University of DerbyUniversity of Leicester
• The University of Nottingham

The awards are coordinated by the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN), one of 15 Academic Health Science Networks in England.

EMAHSN brings together the NHS, universities, industry and social care to transform the health of the region's 4.5M residents and stimulate wealth. Current priorities focus on identifying and spreading innovations that address health challenges including obesity, diabetes, mental health, respiratory disease, stroke and support for frail older people.

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