ALDER HEY
right values that fit strategically with what we ' re trying to achieve here at Alder Hey ,” she explains .
Now , Microsoft acts as an important tool for Alder Hey as it looks to rationalise the huge data sets it now has access to . Liddy comments : “ From a values point of view , they share a lot of our values around tech for good , AI for good and there was a real match there . We have always had a good partnership with Microsoft . For the two things that we wanted to do — one was the digital platform , and two was , moving forward with AI — they became the natural partners and we have been able to unlock a more innovative partnership model with Microsoft . We co-invent , which is very different to them supplying us technology . That ' s going really , really well and we ' ve got some exciting stuff coming around our Alder Hey Anywhere platform product .”
Diveplane also works as another key strategic partner with its unique synthetic data technology : “ With our ambitions around our big data , AI and using data across organisational boundaries as well to really give children and young people that individualised intervention , we knew it might be really interesting to have a synthetic data tool . One of the biggest challenges in the data space is around GDPR and other datasharing regulations . The synthetic data tool gives us the opportunity to use digital twin technology to innovate but without the risk of privacy issues . So we partnered up with Diveplane ,” outlines Liddy . immersive technologies with its augmented reality / virtual reality ( AR / VR ) capabilities and user experience ( UX ).
The prototype lab has been imperative for the innovation team ' s more recent projects , despite not yet being live across the globe . “ We have been able to design and develop a transparent mask for PPE . There ' s a big problem with mask wear and COVID-19 , around communication and being able to provide equal communication . So we were able to prototype the transparent mask , which has now been commercialised . Our hope is to get that mask out there as a new global product ,” says Liddy .
During the pandemic itself , the innovation team were able to pivot to solve COVID-19 related problems . “ I think having the innovation centre almost gave our profile a massive boost because everybody suddenly realised they could look to innovation to help solve problems . So it really helped with our credibility in the hospital and we did a fantastic job to support the hospital . We also didn ' t
Taking lessons from the pandemic to harness new innovations Comprised of four expert labs , the Innovation Centre has the infrastructure in place needed for prototyping new ideas , harnessing AI technology , exploring
128 May 2022