The NHS Confederation is working with the Local Government Association, HEFCE and Universities UK to launch the first such ‘Local Growth Academy.’ The purpose of the Local Growth Academy is to support universities, local and combined authorities and healthcare providers in navigating this fast-evolving environment, and to build operational capacity in order to maximise their contribution to and involvement in local developments.
Coventry University has two funded PhD opportunities available, connected to dementia care and supporting ageing: Innovation for dementia care: evaluation of digital health and wellbeing apps in "real life" living labs and Communities within communities - an ecosystem to support ageing in place. The application deadline is 24 February.
The National Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) Awards 2017 deadline has been extended due to demand, to 5pm on Wednesday 1 February. The awards seek to capture and celebrate the diversity of contributions healthcare science makes to the NHS and patient care, whether this is through leadership, clinical research, technological innovation or communicating science to the public, are open to all healthcare scientists in England.
The annual Medilink West Midlands Healthcare and Business Awards took place on 12 January at the brand new Park Regis Hotel Birmingham, with the event this year also marking Medilink West Midlands' 15th birthday. The awards dedicated newsletter is now available to download, highlighting the winners and finalists as well as the sponsors for this year’s awards.
A national information line has been launched for people wishing to find out more about the 100,000 Genomes Project. The information line can answer ad-hoc questions or people can book an appointment to go through the consent materials in detail. Current participants and members of the public can also call with questions about taking part in the project.
Innovation Birmingham has a fantastic opportunity for 10 – 15 companies looking for opportunities to trade with, build relationships with or gain investment from India, but you need to act now to secure a place. The opportunity is a trade delegation trip to Chennai for the IESS 2017 conference and exhibition, 16 – 18 March.
An interactive event to showcase healthcare innovators from across the West Midlands is being held in Birmingham next month. The event, Meridian LIVE, will commemorate the first birthday of the Meridian online health innovation exchange, developed by the WMAHSN. The free event will take place on Wednesday 15 February at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham, home to Warwickshire County Cricket Club.
SBRI Healthcare has announced eight companies will receive funding to develop innovations that aim to improve operational efficiency in acute care through the management of patient flow. The successful technologies focus on activities that will enable more efficient progress through acute care, including diagnostics, therapy and discharge.
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy is seeking views on their approach to building a modern industrial strategy that addresses long-term challenges to the UK economy. The successes of the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) are mentioned within the green paper, as well as the greater capacity and capability planned within Academic Health Science Networks in the context of the Accelerated Access Review.
Capgemini has launched an innovation competition, “Innovator Race50”. InnovatorsRace50 is seeking to reward the most innovative entrepreneurs and disruptive early-stage start-ups. The top five businesses, one from each theme, will win equity-free funding of $50,000 each. The closing date is 28 February.
WMAHSN will be joining Edgbaston Medical Quarter (EMQ) on its first visit to Arab Health 2017 to showcase the healthcare and life sciences revolution taking place in the West Midlands, in the heart of the UK. Also representing the West Midlands at Arab Health will be Birmingham Health Partners, the Centre for Defence Healthcare Engagement and the Institute of Translational Medicine, as well as a number of pioneering med technology companies from the region.
The WMAHSN is now entering a new year of EIT Health KIC operations. EIT Health runs on an annual planning cycle and the call for proposals for inclusion in the 2018 Business Plan has now been issued, with a deadline of 12 April. Projects will need partners, and those who are considering or preparing proposals can find partners at the forthcoming Matchmaking Event.
The BioHub Birmingham®, Birmingham’s flagship life sciences incubator, is hosting its first BioBrum Life Science event on 16 February, with the support of WMAHSN. Aimed at pre-revenue life science companies, the free event will include talks on finance, intellectual property, effective use of professional networks and business development.
The Health Foundation is looking for 18 senior health care leaders from across the UK to join its leadership programme GenerationQ, a part time and fully-funded for senior leaders from healthcare practice, policy and the charity sector. It is designed to equip its Fellows with the skills and techniques to drive forward and influence improvements across services and organisations.
The West Midlands Patient Safety Collaborative (WMPSC) is supporting the adoption of the Life Quality Improvement (QI) system. Life is built around the Model for Improvement, a framework for accelerating improvement. The model is used by hundreds of health and social care organisations across the globe to facilitate quality improvement work.
Mental Health campaigner, writer and film producer, Jonny Benjamin MBE, recently joined the launch event for the release of an innovative mental health app, ‘Silver Linings’ by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (BSMHFT). ‘Silver Linings’ was created by clinicians from BSMHFT, app experts from web development firm Appadoodle and young people themselves, and was supported by WMAHSN as part of its youth pathway work in mental health.
The Department for International Trade, China-Britain Business Council and the Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) are organising a trade mission to the China Medical Equipment Fair. Participation will provide companies with the opportunity to scope the Chinese market and build on existing contacts. The mission will include meetings with Chinese government agencies, company-partnering opportunities, expert briefings on the market and a hospital visit.
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) in the West Midlands has been reflecting on what has made them feel proud in 2016. In celebration of the hard work and great achievements of adult social care services across the region, they have compiled some of the outstanding case studies submitted to them over the last year.
Showcase the excellence in your team and wider organisation by applying for this year's Patient Safety Awards. Past shortlisted entries and winners have found participation incredibly rewarding, and the recognition provides a critical boost to staff and patient care.
The University of Birmingham is one of the most ambitious institutions in the UK and they are looking for a Business Engagement Partner to expand the business development team working within the College of Medical and Dental Sciences, and in conjunction with Birmingham Health Partners, to exploit their leading position in translational medical research and medical education by partnering with industry.
Health Education England's Genomics Education Programme will be running its online course ‘Whole Genome Sequencing: Decoding the Language of Life and Health’, on 23 January. The course explores the ins and outs of whole genome sequencing and features interviews with leading scientists and medics working at the forefront of this new technology.
People with learning disabilities are 10 times more likely to have serious sight problems than other people. A free online course has been developed by Health Education England, West Midlands Local Eye Health Network, NHS England and the RNIB to raise awareness and supply practical ideas to support people with a learning disability and sight loss in daily life.
Pioneering UK healthcare companies keen to develop or strengthen partnerships in Texas are being urged to take part in the next medtech mission to the state. Organised by the Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI), in partnership with leading Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) and supported by the UK government, the mission aims to forge relationships between UK companies and Texas healthcare establishments.
A national eLearning course enabling health professionals to get up to speed with technology enabled care, which has been supported by local health organisations, has been launched. “Telehealth, telemedicine and telecare: an introduction to TECS (Technology Enabled Care Services)” is hosted online by the Royal College of GPs. The course has been developed in collaboration with NHS Stoke-on-Trent Clinical Commissioning Group and West Midlands Academic Health Science Network.
SMEs in need of a cash injection to drive innovation and growth could be eligible for up to £2,500 in this year’s Innovation Vouchers scheme. The EU-funded initiative, delivered by Aston University, Birmingham City University and the University of Wolverhampton, was set up to help smaller businesses pay for new processes and systems that will improve efficiency and help bring new products to market.
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded £3.5m after successfully bidding for European Regional Development Fund monies to establish a Medical Devices Testing and Evaluation Centre in partnership with the University of Birmingham and Aston University. Alongside the key delivery partners, Birmingham City University, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the West Midlands Academic Health Science Network will also be supporting partners.