Highland Businesses Invited To Attend First NHS Innovation Open Day

7th April 2012

Highland businesses will have an opportunity to find out about the possibilities of developing products and ideas with NHS Highland and Inverness College UHI at a free event this month.
The Innovation Open Day, which is the first event of its kind, is being held at the Centre for Health Science, near Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, on Wednesday April 18 between 10am and 4pm.

It is designed to introduce businesses from any sector to a new Innovation Programme that will be delivered at 12 events to be held between May 2012 and November 2013.

NHS Highland Research and Development Manager, Frances Hines, explained that the programme will provide any business with skills and support for innovation and aims to help businesses develop marketable new products, services and ideas for any aspect of healthcare. And, those that are not marketable may still be of use to NHS Highland in its service delivery.

Ms Hines has written to small and medium sized businesses across the Highlands to invite them to attend the open day, which will start with an introduction to the Innovation Programme, followed by a presentation on examples of innovation from Professor Bernie Conway, of Strathclyde University.

Those attending will be able to find out what might be useful to NHS Highland in terms of products or ideas to help patients or health professionals and to learn more about funding opportunities and the help on offer from support organisations.

There will also be exhibitors' stands, opportunities for one to one meetings and a buffet lunch.

Ms Hines said: "One of the functions of the Research and Development department in NHS Highland is to see if we can support the development of new ideas and products that will improve patient care, medical care or healthcare generally.

"This can cover everything from making new bits of equipment for use in any aspect of the health service, such as surgical instruments, new types of bandages, therapeutic toys, electronic alarms, monitors and pumps, to developing products or ideas that can improve people's health from a preventative or interventional perspective.

"This might include different types of food, specialist fabrics or clothing, different products for the home to support long-term conditions, for people with disabilities or to prevent falls or any other health issue."

She added that mental health issues may generate opportunities to develop ideas relating to therapy, such as art and crafts and therapy products. There are also opportunities relating to electronic media, apps, DVDs for self help and many other potential product areas.

"We would like as many Highland companies to come along as possible to meet with people from NHS Highland, but also to meet with representatives from support bodies, funding bodies and the like, and to learn more about the Innovation Programme," said Ms Hines.

Businesses wishing to register for the free open day should go to www.eventbrite.com/event/3023765163 or contact Frances Hines on 01463 255822 or by email at frances.hines[AT]nhs.net