TECHNOLOGY
“INDUSTRY CAN HELP THE NHS RECOVER ”
DR ANNE BLACKWOOD CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER , HEE
" Innovations and technologies that can support greater efficiencies in care , reduce the backlog on waiting lists , continue to support and monitor patients at home , and free up clinical time are all needed , and industry can help the NHS recover here ", Blackwood says .
Examples include the grant recently awarded to Tekihealth Solutions Ltd to help fund the development of a telemedicine device to combat the effects of COVID-19 among care home residents . A hand-held device , which connects to a lightweight wireless router , has been designed to help care home residents who may have been struggling to access their doctor ’ s appointments due to poor IT infrastructure . Another grant has been given to a rehabilitation device called SoftPower , aimed at the elderly and partially able individuals whose ability to exercise has been affected by the pandemic .
Start-ups such as these are " engines of creativity and innovation ", Blackwood says . " Like much of the public sector , I think the NHS has previously overlooked startups . Concern over lack of evidence when it comes to new technologies , and lack of a track record of delivering created a more risk-averse culture ."
" I am hopeful that procurement channels will remain open to start-ups after this phase and that hospital trusts will recognise that within the communities that they sit , there is a wealth of creativity and innovation that they can tap into right on their doorstep ."
What makes a successful collaboration ? Tanis says that for the NHS and tech sector to work effectively together , they need to understand each other ' s worlds . " HEE works for that reason ", he explains . " We offer insight into the other side ' s world . For the NHS , that means we understand intellectual property , how to identify whether something is unique , whether it ' s practical in terms of development and production , and whether it would be value for money . From a clinical innovators ' point of view , we can shine a light on what commercialisation , product development , and a successful rollout would look like ."
It ' s also important that creators understand that in isolation , their
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