News
Greater Manchester Trusts Clean Up at Innovation Awards
NHS trusts across Greater Manchester have swept the board at the fifth TrusTECH North West innovation awards.
The awards recognise NHS employees and teams who have used innovative ideas, services and medical products to help improve the care that patients receive. A record breaking 200 entries were received for this year’s awards, which were held at the Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays on Tuesday 6 November.
The winning trusts include Manchester Mental Health and Social Care NHS Trust, who won joint first prize for a series of four booklets to support people with mental illness who have misused alcohol or illicit drugs; Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University Hospitals NHS Trust, who were recognised for a novel application of voice recognition software that would improve care for deaf patients; and the Salford EDIT Service within Bolton Salford and Trafford Mental Health NHS Trust, who picked up their prize for providing an evidence based talking therapy (cognitive therapy) which significantly reduces the likelihood that young people go onto develop mental health problems such as psychosis.
The ‘Out of Your Head guides’ at Manchester Mental Health
and Social Care NHS Trust are the brainchild of Mark Holland, a Consultant Nurse. The guides fill an unmet need for educational materials to help patients and their carers better understand their condition. The booklets were first developed in January and 30,000 have already been distributed worldwide. Mark said: “Due to the often chaotic lifestyles of these individuals it was particularly important to address this need.”
The voice recognition software that was pioneered at Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University Hospitals NHS Trust will significantly improve care for patients with profound acquired deafness. The software is used to record and transcribe a consultant’s speech onto a screen so that the patient can fully understand and be involved in what is being said to them. Rachel Belk, a registered genetic counsellor specialising in deafness said: “To enable a patient to make an informed decision they need to be able to discuss detailed information with healthcare professionals.”
The Salford EDIT Service (Bolton Salford and Trafford Mental Health Trust) were recognised for their unique preventative service that helps prevent young people, that are showing specific 'at-risk' signs, from going on to develop established mental health problems such as psychosis. Dr Samantha Bowe, EDIT Clinical Lead and Clinical Psychologist at the Trust said: "These difficulties can be very distressing and may result in a young person disengaging from college, work and their relationships and have a profound effect on their lives". The Salford EDIT service differs from the traditional 'watch and wait' approach
as it intervenes at a crucial early stage and helps young
people get their lives on track.
Dr Richard Deed, TrusTECH Innovation Unit Manager, said: “This year’s awards have seen some excellent examples of innovation. The winning NHS trusts from across Manchester have shown that their innovations can improve the lives of patients and they should be congratulated for their excellent achievements. I am sure these innovations will continue to provide many benefits to patients for years to come.”
Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health NHS Trust and Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University Hospitals NHS Trust each received £1000 to spend on ensuring their innovative entries improve the care that patients receive. Manchester Mental Health and Social Care NHS Trust received £500 as joint winners in their category with Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust who were recognised for an interactive website that helps junior staff with training needs.
Image (top right): Mark Holland, Consultant Nurse (Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust) and Mark Linnell (Lifeline Publications).
Image (middle right): Rachel Belk, Registered Genetic Counsellor Specialising in Deafness (Central Manchester and Manchester Children's NHS Trust)
Image (bottom right): Dr Samantha Bowe, Dr Sophie Parker and Paul French (Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health NHS Trust)
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NOTES TO EDITORS: For more information on TrusTECH and the awards please contact Emma Smith, Communications Officer on: 0161 276 6964.
• Mark Holland was awarded joint first prize in the Training or Educational Materials category of the North West NHS Innovation Awards 2007.
• Further information about the ‘Out of Your Head’ series is available at: www.lifelinepublications.org.uk.
• Dr Samantha Bowe and her team were awarded first prize in the Service Improvements or Developments category of the North West NHS Innovation Awards 2007.
• Rachel Belk was awarded first prize in the Software or Systems category of the North West NHS Innovation Awards 2007.
• Applicants submitted entries into four categories this year – (1) Training or Educational Materials; (2) Medical Devices, Equipment, Diagnostics or Therapeutics; (3) Software or Systems; (4) Service Improvements or Developments.
•TrusTECH was established in early 2001, as a partnership between Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust, the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Central Lancashire.
• TrusTECH serves 55 NHS Trusts across the North West.
• TrusTECH is one of nine regional innovation hubs based in England and coordinated by the National Innovation Centre (NIC ).