Organisations across the East Midlands are invited to enter an awards scheme that will showcase the incredible work of their staff to transform health and social care services for local people.

The second East Midlands Innovation in Healthcare Awards are launched today (22nd June) by the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN) to recognise and celebrate innovation throughout the region.

Prizes are available across six categories and entries are invited from staff at all levels, especially those on the frontline and at more junior levels who have introduced changes to tackle problems and improve services.

The entry deadline is 14 August and the awards are open to any organisations involved in health or social care including NHS trusts and Clinical Commissioning Groups, universities, councils, companies and third sector / voluntary organisations.

Last year's inaugural awards – which attracted around 100 entries - provided a platform to support the development of a number of ground-breaking initiatives that will help save lives and improve services for patients (see 'notes to editors').

EMAHSN Managing Director Professor Rachel Munton said: "The NHS faces major challenges to meet the increasing demand for services and growing financial pressures. Innovation is absolutely central to overcoming these challenges.

"Great ideas and solutions are being generated every day. We want to celebrate them and explore the potential to develop and adopt them on a wider scale so they benefit patients throughout the region and potentially the UK.

"The quality of last year's entries highlighted the commitment and expertise of teams across our region. The breadth of innovation was incredible and it is clear that great ideas and solutions are being generated every day throughout our region by frontline staff."

There are six categories and entries can be submitted online. Winners will receive £3,000 to help develop the innovation, with £1,000 for two runners-up in each category.

In addition to the prize money EMAHSN offers wider support to develop innovations: for example last year's awards provided a launch pad to help a number of winners secure major grant funding and spread their projects within and outside the East Midlands.

The six categories are:

1. Patient identified innovations: innovative projects, services or products developed from patient input, ideas or suggestions, and / or in partnership with patients.

2. Improved access, experience and outcomes for underserved communities: innovative projects, services or products to support, for example, people living in rural and remote areas, people with disabilities and / or and Black and minority ethnic communities.

3. Frontline innovations: innovative projects, services or products developed by staff at more junior levels, that are benefiting patient care, resolving unmet needs, or demonstrate collaborative working.

4. Medical Technology: innovative medical devices, equipment or therapies that support EMAHSN's clinical priorities including cancer, frail older people, stroke rehabilitation, mental health, diabetes and obesity.

5. Technology Enabled Care Services: innovations with potential to transform the way people engage in and control their own healthcare, empowering them to manage it in a way that is right for them. Innovations could include Telehealth, telecare, telemedicine / teleconsultations, telecoaching and self-care apps.

6. Innovation through integration: innovative projects, services or products developed in partnership that support one or more of the following: address an unmet need, deliver a better experience or care for patients, build people's independence or improve access and experiences of underserved communities.

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Notes to editors

Last year's winners included a tool to improve survival chances of people suffering heart attacks, a messaging service benefiting 100,000 school children and wrist bands that are reducing deaths. Just under 100 entries were submitted and the finalists showcased an incredible depth of frontline innovation.

The 2014 winners were:

• Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, "Oxygen saturation wristbands": use of coloured wristbands to signpost the correct target oxygen saturation for patients. Following the awards this innovation is being developed in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire

• East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust, "Cardiac biomarkers": a diagnosis tool to support clinicians in diagnosing heart attacks

• Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, "ChatHealth": a messaging service that puts secondary school pupils in touch with a school nurse. Following the awards this innovation is being spread throughout the East Midlands

• Rampton Hospital (Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust), "Electronic Integrated Care Pathway": a centralised electronic record of patients' care across all services

• University of Derby and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, "DRIFT": using social media to make information more accessible to patients, parents and carers

• University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, "EPIFFany": inspired by Team Sky's Tour de France success, it builds on the idea small changes lead to big gains in learning. Following the awards this innovation was showcased at an international conference and is being spread in Lincolnshire

• University of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and Nottingham CityCare Partnership, "Guide to Action in Care Homes" fall prevention programme.

About the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN):

EMAHSN is one of 15 Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) in England, licensed by NHS England. EMAHSN works to bring together the NHS, universities, industry and social care to transform the health of the region's 4.5M residents and stimulate wealth creation. Follow us on Twitter at @EM_AHSN

Media enquiries: Chris Taylor 0115 748 4242 email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Lucy Hose 0115 748 4243 emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.