In this blog, Dr Nicola Hutchison, Chief Executive for Health Innovation North East North Cumbria (HI NENC), discusses the release of this years shortlist for the Bright Ideas in Health Awards and it’s focus on Women’s health. Nicola also shines a light on how a week long news feature by the BBC has showcased the progress made in women’s health across the region.

Bright Ideas in Health Awards

I’m thrilled to announce that the finalists for this year’s Bright Ideas in Health Awards have been revealed. Hundreds of innovators from across the region submitted entries across ten categories. You can see the full list of finalists here.

Now in its 19th year, the awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable work of individuals and teams working within the NHS, industry, academia and voluntary and community sector, who are dedicated to improving healthcare services for patients.  We’re really looking forward to the awards ceremony next month, where we will announce the winners and celebrate their outstanding achievements.

Championing Women’s Health

We are especially pleased to introduce a new category this year, sponsored by the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, focusing on women’s health. The category acknowledges the pioneering individuals and teams who are driving innovation in this area.

It is encouraging to see the progress already being made across the region in women’s health, as highlighted recently by the BBC during a week-long series of special reports. These reports provided a powerful platform to emphasise why women’s health is a national priority, featuring deeply moving stories that illustrate the real-world impact of specialised local healthcare services.

This included the story of a woman from Sunderland who experienced post-partum psychosis and shared her journey of being sectioned with her newborn. She was thankful that she was able to access care in the region during this time, so that she could be close to her support network. Stories like these highlight the importance of continued innovation and investment in women’s health, ensuring that people receive the care they need, close to home.

Shining a Spotlight on Homegrown Innovation

The BBC reports also highlighted how innovation and advances in technology can drive better outcomes for women’s health. One feature included Newcastle-born innovator Jack Parker, CEO of AIATELLA. Jack co-founded the medical device that uses AI to automate the most time-consuming and complex parts of the analysis of a cardiovascular scan. Watch back some of these highlights here.

Northern Cancer Alliance

I am also pleased to announce that the Northern Cancer Alliance has recently released an unmet need call for innovations which would help aid earlier detection of cancer.

The application process opened on the 18th of October and closes on the 22nd of November. Whether you have a scalable solution which is ready to expand or a novel idea you’d like to test, don’t hesitate to apply. For further information or to discuss potential project ideas, contact Aaron Tucker, Head of Programmes at Northern Cancer Alliance ([email protected]).