Health and social care organisations from across the region have been honoured at this year’s East Midlands Innovation in Healthcare Awards.

The seven winning entries highlight the astonishing range of innovations that are improving services and saving lives throughout the region.

The awards, hosted by the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN), recognise and celebrate the work of the NHS, universities, healthcare companies, charities and other health and social care organisations to develop new, or ensure better delivery of existing healthcare services for local people.

The winners include an App to support young carers, an innovative pump that enables patients to return home more quickly following surgery, and a high-tech scanning technique that allows an autopsy to be conducted without the need for surgery. Over 100 entries were submitted and the finalists showcase an incredible depth of frontline innovation. Runners-up receive £1,000 each to help develop their innovation and the winners get £3,000 and the opportunity to work with EMAHSN to spread their innovations further.

The winners of the 2015 East Midlands Innovation in Healthcare Awards are:

• Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Patient Identified Innovations category: “Patients Lead the Way”: The Greater Nottingham Cancer Forum has developed an innovative approach to supporting people with cancer as they progress through the care system, through the use of inspirational patient stories

• Change Makers (hosted by the Renewal Trust), Improved Access, Experience and Outcomes for Underserved Communities category: “Health Improvement by the People, for the People”. This Nottingham initiative has recruited around 100 volunteers, speaking 18 different languages, to raise awareness of the signs of cancer within their community – saving lives by supporting earlier diagnosis.

• United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Frontline Innovations category: “Nurse-led COPD Service” - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the collective term for a range of lung disease and is a major cause of disability and death. This initiative was developed by nurses within the hospital to more quickly assess patients’ needs. It has ensured people are able to leave hospital sooner and has halved the risk of being re-admitted to hospital.

• Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Medical Technology category: “Improving the patient's experience of major surgery” - This innovation pioneers use of a nerve blocking pump that reduces pain, enabling patients to return home sooner after foot and ankle surgery.

• Carers Federation, Technology Enabled Care Services category: “Self-Help Health Assessment”. Developed in partnership with young people from Nottingham, this App can be used via a computer or smartphone. It provides young carers with a range of support and advice services, reducing the risk that they feel isolated and putting them in touch with other young people who care for family members.

• East Midlands Forensic Pathology unit at the University of Leicester, Innovation Through Integration category: “An alternative to traditional invasive autopsies”. This innovation uses Computed Tomography (‘CT’) scanning which reduces the need for surgical post mortems. This is the first service of its kind developed within the NHS, and it enables highly accurate investigations into deaths. This initiative also responds to the concerns of bereaved families who do not want an autopsy for cultural or religion reasons.

• Roundwood Surgery, Forest Town, Mansfield, Audience Award category (chosen by the attendees on the night and awarded to the remaining shortlisted entrants): iPad Technology for GP Virtual Ward Rounds within a Learning Disability Residential Home. The GP has a one to one consultation with their patient using Skype, reducing the need for the patients to be disrupted leaving their care home to come to the surgery.

Entries were invited from staff at all levels including those working on the frontline of service delivery and at more junior levels. Submissions were received from hospital trusts, clinical commissioning groups, businesses, charities and social enterprises, plus universities from around the entire region.

EMAHSN Managing Director Professor Rachel Munton said: “The judging was difficult as so many nominations merited award. However, as with last year our 18 finalists really show the outstanding solutions and innovations that exist in our region.

“The NHS thrives on innovation and the East Midlands has a huge range of talent, right across the board. We hope that through recognition and reward we can really put the East Midlands on the innovation map. Our aim is to increase the number of people come and train, work and settle here, not only improving patient experience, but adding to the region’s economic growth.”

The awards were presented at the National Space Centre in Leicester on Thursday 5 November.

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PHOTO CAPTION: Some of the 2015 winners are pictured with EMAHSN. Martin Hindle, Independent Chair, EMAHSN, Dr. Milind Tadpatrikar representing Roundwood Surgery, Sue Weston Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Guy Rutty University of Leicester, Helen Morledge Change Makers and Prof Rachel Munton, Managing Director EMAHSN

Individual photos of award winners are available from Lucy Hose (contact details below).



Note to editors

More background about the winners along with the full shortlist can be viewed here.

Download more photos from the event here.

Read about the winners in more detail.

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 on Twitter at @EM_AHSN

Media enquiries: Lucy Hose 0115 748 4243 or 07972 354742 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Chris Taylor 0115 748 4242 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.