Background
Front line NHS staff and early career researchers who create new innovations are often completely unprepared for developing it, what the process entails, or even whether they have created something new. Graduates who have just started work in the NHS often feel their ideas won't be listened to because of hierarchical structures in the NHS. Micro Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) wanting to introduce new products to the NHS can be set back without understanding the requirements, product fit, patient pathway or how to sell into the NHS.
These are issues that can not only leave to disillusionment in staff, but also frustration for technology transfer / improvement & transformation specialists who are trying to help. I've seen this happen with about 90% of new disclosures over the years.
The main reasons for this are:
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No understanding of what the problem actually is, the scale of it, or the exact nature of the problem. When presented, this is often poorly researched (if at all) and communicated. This can result in frustration between innovation managers and inventors who need to develop a working relationship.
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No checks to see whether there are existing solutions or how their idea is different / adds value.
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No understanding about the feasibility of solutions and the commercialisation pathway / business model (or potential impact and how to assess this).
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Understanding how to identify and involve key strategic people (internal and external) in the target industry to gain support for the idea and get through the door.
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Developing business cases and pitching.
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Timescales and inventor drive that is involved.
This is nobody's fault but a communication breakdown and lack of understanding between professional groups. The information that technology transfer / improvement / transformation teams need can seem alien, but in reality researchers and front line staff already have the answers. Most people in health have never had the opportunity to be trained in health innovation like this before. Where present, most business or innovation modules at Universities are taught as optional and not by industry specialists. Where they are, the expert speakers often delve too deeply into a subject and the continuity doesn't flow.
The course has been designed to address these issues. It provides practical tools and experience to maximise the chances of new ideas and innovations being taken up and potentially saving a lot of time for everybody concerned. This is particularly important for those starting out with their careers - being able to make a case (no matter what level they are at with their career), understand how different people and organisations can help at different stages, leverage funding, and understand how different industries operate to get through the door or even gain employment!
Target Audience
The Health Innovation Expedition is a crash course that has been designed to address the most common issues that innovators in health face - whether:
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Front line NHS staff
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Soon-to-be front line NHS staff on relevant medical, nursing or allied health profession degree courses, or
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Early career researchers in any discipline with a health focus or application
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Academia, Industry and the NHS coming together to solve real problems in healthcare and medicine.
Those who will benefit most are those starting out on their careers or those interested in joining regional innovation networks. This course will empower the next generation or health care providers and health researchers to understand and engage with innovation, increase their employability, and work collaboratively in new ventures.
Ultimately however, this course is applicable to anyone interested in innovating in health.
Early Career Researchers
Researchers interested in finding out how their research could be translated into new products and services for patient benefit For early career researchers and PhD students - from any faculty where their research could be applied to health, understanding how to access the NHS with a potentially new product, service, diagnostic (etc) is imperative. Working with technology transfer offices and understanding how other industries work to get through the door can be vital. This can also help future employment away from academia. Developing a business case and pitch, understanding IP and potential benefits is also increasingly important for grant funding
Undergraduate &
Taught Masters
Those studying medicine, nursing, allied health or other health-related science, computing and engineering disciplines interested in the future of health For students studying a vocational (front line) health degree or a degree subject which may result in employment in biotech / medtech industry. Students will gain a practical understanding of how innovation works, how to make a case for change even if starting at the bottom of the ladder, and an understanding of how the industry works.
Front Line NHS Staff & Health Providers
Front line staff in the NHS and private sectors regularly encounter real problems (Market Pull). Getting ideas noticed and translating them into new products and services can be challenging For Front line NHS Staff and others providing health care in other settings, real problems are encountered daily - whether system wide or related to a particular process, procedure or piece of equipment.This course will help those interested in developing solutions maximise their chances of success, working as teams.