Game changing technologies are needed that address three main challenge areas in general practice:
- Workload and demand management: A significant volume of workload is being transferred from acute care to primary care. SBRI Healthcare is seeking technology solutions to improve demand forecasting to better arm the system and release general practice resources.
- Diagnostics and earlier triage: Primary care relies heavily on acute care for diagnostic testing adding waiting time and complex logistics to GP services. Solutions are sought that bring rapid, reliable and robust diagnostic testing within primary care enabling earlier triage and potentially redesign of care pathways.
- Self-care: Self-care is high on the agendas of several national health and care organisations including NHS England. SBRI Healthcare is looking for technologies that enable and inspire patients to care for themselves in partnership with their GP.
SBRI Healthcare is led by England’s Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) and has invested £57 million in the past four years to develop innovative products and services that address unmet health needs and stimulate economic growth. For the autumn competition 2016, total funding of up to £1.1 million is on offer to each successful company with £100,000 awarded for initial feasibility studies and then a further £1 million potentially available for prototype development.
Karen Livingstone, National Director, SBRI Healthcare and Director of Partnerships and Industry Engagement, Eastern AHSN commented: “NHS general practice is revered across the globe, but we know we need to transform the way the public sees our service and to equip our frontline staff with the game changing technology that will revolutionise primary care. Through this SBRI Healthcare competition the NHS will work with innovative and dynamic entrepreneurs – the challenges are significant and that is why we are prepared to invest in solutions.”
Applications are invited from across the UK. Briefing events will take place in Cambridge on 25 October and Bristol on 27 October 2016.
The deadline for applications is 24 November 2016. Full details available on the SBRI Healthcare website: www.sbrihealthcare.co.uk
About SBRI Healthcare www.sbrihealthcare.co.uk
The Small Business Research Initiative for Healthcare (SBRI Healthcare) is an NHS England initiative, led by the Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs), whose role is to promote UK economic growth by spreading innovation and best practice across the NHS. Winners receive fully funded development contracts between the awarded company and NHS England to meet known healthcare need.
Generally taking a three-phased development approach, projects start with a 6 month feasibility phase and can then move on to more detailed product development. Phase 1 contracts for feasibility testing are valued at up to £100,000 and last for six months. Phase 2 contracts for prototype development are worth up to £1 million over one year. Phase 3 contracts are intended to accelerate product adoption, with up to a further £1 million over 12 months, providing the opportunity for validation in NHS settings. While the public sector has the right to license the resultant technology, its intellectual property (IP) remains with the company, thereby enabling successful businesses to grow.
Funding for SBRI Healthcare has been secured from NHS England. The programme is directed by the Eastern Academic Health Science Network (EAHSN) on behalf of NHS England and the other regional AHSNs. Health Enterprise East is the management partner and supports the EAHSN to handle the applications, assessments and delivery against contracts.
About Academic Health Science Networks www.ahsnnetwork.com
There are 15 AHSNs across England. They connect academics, NHS, researchers and industry to accelerate the process of innovation and facilitate the adoption and spread of innovative ideas and technologies across large populations. They are driven by two imperatives: improving health and generating economic growth in their regions. SBRI Healthcare competitions are designed, supported and promoted in partnership with the AHSNs.
*******
Contacts:
SBRI Healthcare
Danielle Luciano
Eastern AHSN
Email: danielle.luciano@eahsn.org
Phone: +44 (0) 1223 661490
Media contact
Sarah Jeffery
Zyme Communications
E-mail: sarah.jeffery@zymecommunications.com
Phone: +44 (0) 7771 730919
______________________________________________________________________