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North West NHS Innovation Awards 2009 - Launch Date 19 May

The 2009 North West NHS Innovation Awards competition will be launched on 19 May 2009 at 12:00 midday. Managed by TrusTECH, the North West NHS Innovation Hub, the awards provide the opportunity to win up to £1000 and receive advice from specialist NHS Innovation Managers at TrusTECH.

This year, applications are invited for each of the four core categories below (each with a £1000 prize for the first prize winner towards further development of their innovation).

1. Training or Educational Materials
2. Medical Device, Equipment, Diagnostics, or Therapeutics
3. Software/Systems
4. Service Innovations or Developments

The awards are open to anyone with an employment or honorary contract with a North West NHS organisation. Last year's awards saw more than 100 entries, across 4 categories, submitted for consideration by a judging panel of 16 experts from within the NHS, professional media and specialist commercial companies.

TrusTECH strongly urges any employee who:

• is developing or has an idea for a new healthcare product; or
• has implemented an innovative product or service that has demonstrated improved patient care, cost savings or other benefits within their Trust

to apply for the awards this year.

The innovation described in the application should:

1. Be original and innovative (the applicant must have made reasonable efforts to ensure that a similar innovation has not been developed elsewhere)
2. Meet a clear healthcare need
3. Have the ability to benefit healthcare
4. Have been developed by the applicant (either alone or in collaboration with others)
5. Fit into one of the competition categories

The awards are presented directly to the innovators on behalf of their trusts with the winning professional in each category picking up a cheque for £1000 on behalf of their Trust. In addition the winners may also be put forward for a National Awards program, organised by the National Innovation Centre.

Richard Deed, Innovation Unit Manager of TrusTECH says "Now in its seventh year the North West NHS Innovation Awards is the only scheme dedicated to rewarding North West NHS innovators. Previous year's awards have highlighted the vast amount of innovations that are taking place and being developed in NHS Trusts across the North West. It really does show that our region is at the forefront of NHS innovation and we hope this continues."