The commercial enterprise team held the first industry innovation event for Newcastle Hospitals staff focused on manufacturing and engineering.
Innovation is an enabler to helping the Trust to achieve some of its key objectives and to ensuring it remains at the forefront of advances in patient care.
The event enabled us to support some of our services, and colleagues from across our departments and services were able to see the diverse capabilities and expertise first hand.
Charlotte Fox, business innovation manager, said: “We know we have valuable assets and innovative ideas throughout the Trust such as our in-house medical physics and engineering services who provide bespoke solutions and innovations for our colleagues.
“We wanted to come together to build capacity and capability with the diverse range of skills and expertise across the manufacturing and engineering sector.
“The event has sparked some new conversations and potential collaborations with our industry partners. There was an exciting exchange of ideas to improve patient care, support our people, and help to address some of the challenges the NHS has around unmet needs.”
She added: “We were delighted with the turn out with guests from across our departments and services along with some of our partners. I’d like to thank the manufacturing and engineering companies who took the time to come along and share their fantastic innovations.”
Michael Drinnan, head of clinical engineering at Newcastle Hospitals, said:
I came for ten minutes and stayed for two hours! I had some really worthwhile conversations about potential collaborations for prototyping.
“It was very interesting to hear about how some of the companies operate, which helps to inform our service and work. Sometimes it can be a challenge to get from an idea – to a prototype – to something to benefit patients. It has been really valuable for me.”
Nick from AM3D said:
It’s an excellent opportunity for the NHS to engage with the latest technologies in manufacturing. We’ve had some really good conversations with staff and the medical physics and engineering team about working together. It has been really worthwhile.”
Shane Adams, direct delivery team coordinator in research for NIHR said:
I’ve met some new companies like AM3D who are really passionate about what they do. Events like this are really important to link everyone up.”
Dr Bryan Allcock, CEO of TRL9 said:
I’ve spoken to a diverse group of very intelligent people with a great insight into what we are looking for ideas wise. We already had quite a few ideas and we’ve shared those with some of the guests today and they’ve been able to really inform them.”
Helen Chambers, senior research sister in the Sir Bobby Robson Clinical Trials Centre said:
I think it’s a really good idea to have an event like this. When you have an idea and you don’t know where to turn….this event popped up and I was able to come and link in with Charlotte and think about my next steps.”
Newcastle Hospitals is launching a new innovation strategy next year. To find out more and how you can get involved please contact business innovation manager Charlotte Fox in the commercial enterprise team on [email protected].
