Innovation News
Autumn 2024
BevanCommission
ApplyforBevanFellowsCohort2
ThecallforapplicationstobecomeaBevanFellowisnowopenuntil8th December2024.BevanFellowsarehealthandcareprofessionals,clinicians, managers,anddoctorsintrainingwhowanttoinfluenceandmakea differenceinleadingchangeand transformationthroughtheirwork. Theyhelptobridgethegapbetween clinicalservicesandacademiaby takingapracticalandaction-based approachinleadinganddriving changesupportedbyresearch, evidence,educationandtrainingto demonstrateimpact.
FormoreinformationabouttheBevanFellowsprogrammeandtoapply.
‘SillyRules’-Breaktherulesforbettercare
TheBevanCommissionandLlaisinpartnershipwiththeInstituteforHealthcare Improvement,havelaunchedthe‘SillyRules’surveytogatherinsightsfrom healthandsocialcareprofessionalsandthepublicinWalesabout'unhelpful rules'or'administrativebarriers'thathindercareandwasteresources.
ThisinitiativebuildsontheworkoftheInstituteofHealthImprovement,which launchedthe‘BreakingtheRulesforBetterCare’Campaignin2016,ledby BevanCommissionerProfessorDonBerwick.The'SillyRules'initiativehas expandedacrosstheworldandis regardedasaninstrumentaltool internationallytoimprovepractice andoutcomes.
Whatrulewouldyouchangeto enhanceexperienceandoutcomesin healthandsocialcareforthepublic, staffandorganisations?Haveyour say:SillyRulesSurvey.
Forfurtherinformationorany questionspleasegetintouchwithSarahOwenats.k.owen@swansea.ac.uk
BevanExemplarsProgrammewelcomes52projectsforCohort9
FollowingtheoverwhelmingresponsetoourlatestBevanExemplarscall,the BevanCommissionwasdelightedtowelcome52projectstobepartofCohort9 atthefirstnetworkeventattheendofSeptember2024.
Thistransformativeprogrammeempowershealthandcareprofessionals acrossWalestoturntheirinnovativeideasintopracticalsolutions,enhancing patientcareandserviceefficiency.Overa12-monthperiod,BevanExemplars willreceivededicatedtrainingandmentorship,enablingthemtotackle pressinghealthcarechallengesalignedwithWelshGovernmentandNHS priorities.
Thisyear'stheme,“AchievingChangeTogether,”willseeBevanExemplars developingprojectsfocusedonprevention,mentalhealth,women’shealth,and long-termconditionslikediabetes.
Welookforwardtosupportingthepassionateprofessionalsdeliveringthese projectsoverthecomingmonths.Tolearnmoreaboutpastcohortsandcurrent projectsclickhere.
BevanCommissionClinicalInfluencers Programme:CommencementofCohort3
TheClinicalInfluencersprogramme, sponsoredbyWelshGovernment,unites like-mindedcliniciansacrossWalestohelp themtodevelopskills,confidenceand competencefortransformationalchange.
FollowingexceptionalinterestintheClinicalInfluencersprogramme,theBevan Commissionhasnearlydoubledtheprogrammeintakethisyear.Nominations werereceivedfromMedicalDirectorsacrosshealthboardsandtrustsinWales andwewerepleasedtoinvite48cliniciansfromdiversesettingsandclinical specialitiestoattendtheintroductorysessionthattookplacerecently.
TolearnmoreabouttheClinicalInfluencersProgrammeclickhere.
CardiffUniversity
Economicbackgroundanddeprivationarekeyfactorsaffectingparticipation intertiaryeducationinWales
Householddeprivationandsocio-economicbackgroundareamongthemost significantfactorsaffectingwhichpost-16pathwaysarefollowedbylearnersin Wales,astudyshows.
Thereport,fromtheWalesCentreforPublicPolicy(WCPP)whichisbasedat CardiffUniversity,wascommissionedbyWelshGovernmenttosupportMedr, thenewCommissionforTertiaryEducationandResearch,whichhas responsibilityforalltertiaryeducationinWalesincludingaremittoincrease equalityofaccess.
OntopoftheinequalitieswithinWales’tertiaryeducationsector,Walesalsohas lowerparticipationinhighereducationthananyotherUKnation,andahigher numberof16–18-year-oldsnotineducation,employmentortraining.Readthe fullarticle.
PhysicalactivityupamongsecondaryschoolpupilsinWales
PhysicalactivityamongsecondaryschoolpupilshasincreasedinWales, reversingadeclinethatstartedin2017.
TheSchoolHealthResearchNetwork(SHRN),acollaborationbetweenPublic HealthWales,CardiffUniversityandWelshGovernment,carriesoutoneofthe biggestsurveysofschoolpupilsintheUK.Everytwoyearsitaskssecondary schoolpupilsquestionsonarangeoftopicsincludingmentalwell-being, substanceuseandschoollife.Thelatestsurveywascompletedbynearly 130,000learnersinyearssevento11,within200maintainedsecondaryschools acrossWales.
TheresultsareincludedaspartofanewupdatetotheSecondarySchool Children’sHealthandWell-beingDashboard,aneasy-to-usetoolwhich enablesuserslikeschools,governmentandlocalauthoritiestolookatfigures fromSHRNsurveysovertime.Readthefullarticle.
CardiffandValeRegionalInnovation CoordinationHub
HealthylifestyleeventgivespatientsinEasternValeunprecedentedaccessto freescreeningandadvice
On26thOctober,CardiffandValeRegionalInnovationCoordinationHub,in collaborationwithEasternValePrimaryCareCluster,offeredpatientsin EasternValeunprecedentedaccesstofreehealthassessmentsandadviceata communitycentredhealthylifestyleeventinPenarth.Theaimoftheprojectwas toimplementhealthpreventionstrategiesandgivehealthylifestyleadvice aimedattargetingtherootcauseofillhealthbeforeithastakenhold.Patients werealsooffereddirectaccesstoservicesthatwouldnormallyneedGP referral,includingbloodpressure,cholesterolandpre/diabetesscreening.
Resultsweregivenontheday.76%ofthoseattendingtheeventhadtheclinical testing.63%ofthosewerefoundtohaveabnormalresultsand6%werefound withhiddenseriousconditions.Followupclinicappointmentsarenowbeing organisedforthosepatients.
Readthefullstoryhere.Ifyouwouldliketoknowmoreabouttheworkof CardiffandValeRICHuborbeinvolvedinthespreadofthiskindofcommunity basedmodel,pleasevisitourwebsiteorgetintouch.
CwmTafMorgannwgUniversity HealthBoard
PlasticWasteProject
CwmTafMorgannwgUniversityHealthBoard(CTMUHB)havebeenworking onanSBRIprojecttoaddressthechallengeofplasticwastefrompathology andsurgicaldepartments.Throughcollaborationwithexternalpartnerslike ElitePaperSolutions,PulsePlastics,andNaturalUK,theyhavefoundinnovative waystorepurposethisplasticwaste.
Theprojecthasinvolvedstreamliningthecollectionandprocessingofplastic wastefromtheSurgicalandPathologydepartmentsinCTMUHB.External partnersthentakethisplasticandtransformitintoavarietyofsustainable products,suchaschairs,keyrings,coasters,andpenholders.
Thisinitiativedemonstratesthepotentialforhealthcareorganizationstowork withlocalbusinessestoimplementcirculareconomypracticesandreduce waste.TheteamatCTMUHBhopestoexpandthisprogramandinspireothers tofollowsuit.
HealthTechnologyWales
HealthTechnologyWalespublishes2023/24AnnualReport
HealthTechnologyWales(HTW)ispleasedtoannouncethepublicationofits 2023/24AnnualReport.
During2023/24HTWpublished11newpiecesofnationalguidanceontopics rangingfrommyopiacontrolcontactlensesandspectaclestowearable cardioverterdefibrillators.HTWalsopublishedtwopiecesofsocialcare guidance-IntensiveFamilyPreservationProgrammesandVideoFeedback Interventions.
Throughoutthisperiod,theorganisationfocusseditseffortsonsupportingthe deliveryofWelshGovernment’ssixministerialhealthandcarepriorities.
MeanwhileHTWhascontinuedtoengagewithpartnersacrosstheUKand internationallyincludingaspartoftheInnovativeDevicesAccessPathway (IDAP)programme.
TheorganisationhasalsocontinuedtobeaCollaboratingPartnerofHealth andCareResearchWalesEvidenceCentre.
LifeSciencesHubWales
LifeSciencesHubWalesdrivesinnovationinhealthandsocialcare, benefitting50,000patientsin2023-24
InOctober,welaunchedour2023-24AnnualReport.Ourcommitmentto enhancinghealthandsocialcarethroughinnovationcontinuestomakea lastingimpact.
OurAnnualReporthighlightshowcollaborationisdrivingforwardessential innovationsthatimprovecareandwellbeingacrossWales.
Fiveproudmomentsfrom2023/24forlifesciencesinWales
Followingtherecentlaunchofour2023-24AnnualReport,ourChair,Chris Martin,shareshisreflectionsontheprogresswe’vemadeoverthepastyear.
ReadChris’blogtoexplorehistopfiveproudestmoments,fromsupporting cancercareinnovations,toadvancingAIinhealthandsocialcare-andhow theseachievementsaredrivingrealimpactforpatients,healthsystems,andthe economy.Readmore.
QuicDNAMax:ExpansionOpportunitiesforLiquidBiopsyTestinginWales
TheQuicDNAteamisinvitingpartnerstosupporttheexpansionofctDNA testingacrossWales,improvingcancerdiagnosisthroughinnovativeliquid biopsytechnology.
Launchedin2022,QuicDNAisalreadytransforminglungcancerdiagnosisin Wales,speedingupgenomicanalysisandenablingprecise,personalised treatmentsforpatientsacrossallWelshHealthBoards.
Buildingonthissuccess,QuicDNAMaxisaimingtomakeliquidbiopsystandard formultiplecancertypes,seekingcollaborationtoscaletheprogrammeand drivefutureNHSWalesInnovations.Findoutmore.
TheAICommissionendorsesstandardfortransparentuseofAIinhealthand socialcare
TheAICommissionforHealthandSocialCarehasofficiallyendorsedthe AlgorithmicTransparencyRecordingStandard(ATRS),animportantframework designedtoimprovethetransparencyofAIuseinhealthandsocialcare sectors. Learnmoreaboutthisanditsimpactonhealthandsocialcarehere.
AICommission,supportedbyLifeSciencesHubWales.
MediWales
MedTechRegulatoryEvent
MediWalesareholdingaMedTechRegulatoryEventonthe20thofNovember attheMaltings,Cardiff.Theworkshopwillofferguidanceonnavigatingthe privacyandsecurityrequirements,focussingonorganisationalstrategiesand productspecificcomplianceneeds.
ThiseventisfreetoallMediWalesmembersandnon-memberscanattendata costof£150+VATperdelegate.
Formoreinformationandinstructionsonhowtoregister.
MediWalesInnovationAwards
ThenineteenthannualMediWalesInnovationAwardswillbeonThursday5th December2024attheMecureHollandHouseHotel,Cardiff.
MediWaleslooksforwardtowelcomingourindustrymembers,academiaand healthandsocialcarestaffforafabulouseveningofcelebratingtheamazing achievementsofthelifesciencessectorinWales.
Formoreinformationandhowtoregisterfortheevent,pleaseclickhere.
BioWalesinBristol
MediWalesarehostingaBioWalesinBristoleventincollaborationwithMedilink SouthWestonthe23rdofJanuary2025.Theeventwillbekindlyhostedby FutureSpace.
Thiseventwillfocusonexploringtheexistingandpotentialnewcollaborations betweenWalesandtheSouthWest.Thedaywillfeaturearangeofsessionsof keytopicssuchasfunding,startupsupport,investorrelations,business showcases,clinicalaccessandresearchopportunities.
Tofindoutmoreinformationabouttheevent,clickhere.
MediWalesConnectsConference
MediWalesisholdingtheirannualConnectsconferenceonthe17thJune2025at theAllNationsCentre,Cardiff.
MediWalesConnectsistheallWalesNHSCollaborationconferenceforthe healthandcarecommunitiesinWales.Theconferencewillconnectyouwith over400delegatesfromNHSpatientfacingclinicians,innovationleads, communityhealth,industry,governmenttopolicymakers.
Connectswillshowcasenewtechnologies,digitalhealth,NHSinnovationsanda wellbeingzone.Theeventwillincludekeynotepresentations,interactive workshopsandexhibitionstands.
Tofindoutmoreinformationabouttheevent,clickhere.
NNISH,SwanseaUniversity
Officespaceandhotdeskingoptionsforsmallcompanies
TheNationalNetworkforInnovationinSport&Healthhasofficespace availabilityatMorristonHospitalandSwanseaUniversity.Ifyouworkinthe sportstech,medtech,innovationorwellbeingsectorsandareinterestedinthe space,thisisanidealopportunitytoaccessacademics,researchersand medicalprofessionalstosupportyourideas.Findoutmorehere.
NorthWalesRegionalInnovation CoordinationHub
DigitalSocialCareShowCase5March2025
We’reexcitedtoshareourplansforaNorthWalesDigitalSocialCareShow CasetobeheldatVenueCymruon5March2025.Thiseventwillgivepeople whouseandprovidesocialcareanopportunitytodiscoverandtryoutdigital technologythatcanhelpthemlivetheirlivestothefull.Thisdoesn’tneedtobe thelatestcutting-edgetechnology(althoughthere’saplaceforyouheretoo),it canbeeverydaydevicesusedincreativewaystohelppeoplelivewell.
Lastcallforsponsors!Wehaveafewsponsorshipopportunitiesremaining–a greatwaytoconnectyourinnovativedigitalsolutionswiththepeoplewho commission,provideanddrawonsocialcare.
Findoutmore:NorthWalesDigitalSocialCareShowCase2025 Improvingdementiascreeningforpeoplewithlearningdisabilities
Toimprovecareforpeoplewithlearningdisabilities,ateamoflearning disabilitynursesinDenbighshirestartedscreeningthepeopletheysupportfor dementia.Theycarryoutabaselinecheckwhenpeopleturn30andthenlook forchangeseveryfewyearsafterthat.Thishelpstopickuppeoplewhoare developingdementiaatanearlierstagetomakesuretheygetthebestpossible care.
Asapilotapproachit’sworkedreallywell,andtheteamarekeentosharethis modelwithotherareas.Therewasjustoneproblem.Thesystemforidentifying whoneedstobecheckedforwhatandwhenwasextremelycomplicatedand involvedalotoftimetrawlingthroughfiles.Itmadetheapproachaveryhard sell.
That’swherewecamein.TheRICHubworkedwiththeteamtotryandsimplify theprocess.WecameupwithasimpleExcelspreadsheetpoweredbysome veryelegantformulasthatmakeiteasytoseewhoneedstobecheckedfor whatandwhen.Andit’sworked!Theteamnowjustneedtoglanceatthe spreadsheetandthengetonwithwhattheydobest–supportingpeopletolive well.
RippleEffectsMapping
Weoftengetinamuddletryingtounravelawholelotofdifferentinterventions interactingwithacomplexsystemwhentryingtofindoutwhichinnovations work.Butwhatifweembracethatcomplexityratherthantryingtosimplifyit?
RippleEffectsMappingisanapproachthatbringspeopletogethertomapout thewiderimpactofaprojectorprogramme–includingthingswehopedtosee andthingswedidn’texpect.We’vebeenexperimentingwiththeapproachasa waytoevaluateprojectsfundedbytheRegionalIntegrationFund,whichhelps integratehealthandcareservices.It’sworkedreallywelltohelpusunderstand thewiderimpactsofprojectsaswellasprovidinganopportunitytoreflectand learnfromeachother.
What’snewonourwebsite
We’veredesignedourwebpagestoshowcaseresearchfindingsfromNorth Wales.
Readour‘focuson’serieswherewetakeanin-depthlookatarangeof evidencetosupporttheChildren’sRegionalPartnershipBoard.
BrowserecentresearchfromNorthWalesinoursearchablecollectionof publishedresearch.
KeepintouchwiththeteamviaX,theirnewsletterandwebpage.
PowysRegionalInnovation CoordinationHub
PowysPatientsTriallingApptoHelpManageMacularDegeneration
PowysRICHubhassupportedacollaborationbetweenPowysTeachingHealth BoardandOKKOHealth,toevaluatetheeffectivenessofasmartphoneappfor measuringvisualacuityinindividualsdiagnosedwithorreceivingtreatmentfor WetAged-relatedMacularDegeneration.
OKKOHealthoffersastraightforwardsmartphoneappthatcanaccurately measuresightdeteriorationbycombiningstrongvisionsciencewithclinical insightandgametechnology,whichhelpstodevelopalgorithmstopredict deteriorationofsightaheadoftime.Havingaccuratesmartphoneapps measuringvisionremotelycanhelpreducewaitingtimesandbringpatientsto theclinicwhenitmattersmostandprovidesafereassurancewhenalliswell.
Readthefullstoryhere.
SBRICentreofExcellence
First-of-Its-KindCancerChallengeSparksInnovationAcrossWalesand NorthernIreland
TheSBRICentreofExcellencerecentlylaunchedafirst-of-a-kindCancer ChallengeinpartnershipwithBusinessServicesOrganisationinNorthern Ireland.Withabudgetof£1mavailabletoaportfolioofprojects,theChallenge calledforreal-worldtrailsofnovelsolutionsthatcouldimprovecancerpatient outcomes,reducehealthinequalities,andprovideefficacy/efficiencythrough innovation.Thecallreceivedsignificantinterestwithahighnumberof applicationsthatweresubjecttoarigorousselectionprocessbyexpert assessorsfromclinical,academic,andthirdsectorbackgroundsacrossWales andNorthernIreland.Contractsforsuccessfulapplicantswillbeawarded shortly,markingtheinitiationofaground-breakingcross-nationcollaboration.
CarehomesinNorthWalesaretakingpart inaremotemonitoringservicetrial, supportedbytheWelshAmbulanceService andSBRICentreofExcellence. Theinnovative‘Luscii’appcapturesa patient’svitalsigns,includingheartrateand bloodoxygenlevels,anddataissentin real-timetothecontrolroom,where cliniciansdeterminetheappropriatenext stepsincareplanning.It’shopedthe technologywillhelpfulfiltheTrust’s ambitionofprovidingtherightcare,inthe rightplace,everytime.
Inthecomingmonths,theTrustwillexpand thepilottootherpartsofWalesandseeksto trainvolunteerstosupportpatientswhen respondingtocallsintheircommunity.Read thefullarticlehere.
BringingCareClosertoHomewithCutting-EdgeTechnology!
BreathingNewLifeintoSustainability:How WalesisTacklingNitrousOxideEmissionsin MaternityCare
Thankstoateamofclinicians,Cardiffand ValeUniversityHealthBoardhavemoveda stepclosertotheir2030NetZeroGoalwith theco-developmentoftheaward-winning e-Breatheinnovationthatreducesharmful emissionsofNitrousOxideandEntonox.
Staffandpatientsalikehaveresponded enthusiasticallytothemachine,citingboth thepositiveimpactstotheenvironmentand theirownwellbeing,aswellasdelivering improvedpatientcareandsustainablepain relief.Theproject,deliveredbytheSBRI CentrewithWelshGovernmentfunding,has promotedconversationsaboutreducingthe NHScarbonfootprint,raisingawareness, andfosteringapositiveattitudetowards sustainablehealthcare.
SwanseaUniversity
WelcomingProfessorSallyLewistothe Value-BasedHealthandCareAcademy
Wearedelightedtoannouncethe appointmentofSallyLewisasProfessorof ValueinHealthManagement,workinginthe Value-BasedHealthandCareAcademy. Sallyjoinstheacademicteamledby ProfessorHamishLaingandwillsupportour localandinternationaleducational programmes.
PioneeringHealthInnovation!TheFirstVolumeofInnovationAcademy: InnovationManagementinHealthandSocialCare(2023)
WearedelightedtointroducethefirstvolumeofInnovationAcademy: InnovationManagementinHealth&SocialCare(2023).Thispublication capturesrigorousresearchandinsightsfromourpioneeringcohortof postgraduatestudentsenrolledontheMScAdvancedHealthandCare Management(HealthInnovationandTransformation)andMScAdvanced HealthandCareManagement(Value-Based)programmes.
Thisvolumeisrootedinpractitioner-focussedprojectsthataddresscurrent challengesinvalue-basedhealthcare,innovation,andtransformation, highlightingboththeacademicexcellenceandcommitmenttoreal-world impactofourstudents.Withbackgroundsinhealth,socialcare,thethirdsector, andlifesciences,ourstudentsbringadiversityofperspectivesthatenrichthis work,layingafoundationformeaningful,cross-sectorchange.Wehopethese insightsinspireyou!
Readmorehere.
IfyouhaveanyquestionsorqueriesabouttheMScAdvancedHealthandCare managementprogrammes,orwouldliketoapply,pleasecontact IHSCAcademy@swansea.ac.uk.
PrinciplesinValue-BasedHealthandCareExecutiveEducationShortCourse –March2025.Scholarshipsavailable!
OuracclaimedPrinciplesofValue-BasedHealthandCareintensivecoursewill takeplaceon19thand20thMarch2025attheSchoolofManagement,Bay Campus.SwanseaUniversity.Designedforprofessionalsinhealth,socialcare, thethirdsector,andlifesciences,thistwo-daycourseexploresboththetheory andpracticalapplicationofValue-BasedHealthCare(VBHC),aswellas strategiesforcross-sectorcollaborationtodrivevalue.Fullfeescholarshipsare availableforthoseworkinginhealth,socialcareandthirdsectororganisations inWales.Theclosingdatefortheseis2ndDecember2024.
Formoreinformationandtoapply,pleasevisittheIntensiveLearningAcademy Scholarshipspage:IntensiveLearningAcademyScholarships-Swansea University.
Youcanalsocontacttheteamwithanyquestionsat VBHCAcademy@swansea.ac.uk
SwanseaUniversityCollaborationHelpsHealthcareTechFirmReachNew Heights
ApartnershipbetweenSwanseaUniversityandhealthcaretechfirmCPR GlobalTechLtdhasacceleratedthecompany'sinnovationinwearable patient-monitoringdevices,securinganadditional£50,000toadvancecurrent technologies.BasedinSwansea,CPRenablesremotepatientmonitoring, helpingvulnerablepeoplestayindependentandreducinghospitaladmissions.
ThroughaKnowledgeTransferPartnership(KTP),expertsfromtheSchoolof Management-ledbyDr.DanielReesandProfessorNickRich-provided strategicinsightsontechnology,marketopportunities,andorganisational culture.Thecollaborationresultedinincreasedfunding,WelshGovernment support,andemploymentgrowth,contributingtoCPR’smissionof revolutionisingpatientcareandbolsteringthelocalhealthcarelandscape.
Readmorehere.
WestGlamorganRegional Partnership
DrivingChangeinWestGlamorgan
FormanypeopleinNeathPortTalbotandSwansea,publictransportis essential.However,peoplewithLearningDisabilitieshavesharedthatthey oftenfeelpublictransportservicesdonotmeettheirneeds.Theyexperience challengesthatcanmaketravelstressfulandlimittheirindependence.
Inearly2024,theWestGlamorganRegionalPartnershippublishedtheir LearningDisabilityStrategyfor2024-2029.TheStrategyoutlinessevenpriority areasforpeoplewithLearningDisabilitiesbasedontheengagementcarried outduringitsdevelopment.Thefirstpriorityidentifiedwas‘transport’.
Aspartoftheworktotacklethispriorityarea,aco-producedworkshopwas arrangedtobringtogetherpeoplewithLearningDisabilitiesandorganisations todiscussthechallengespeopleface.Theworkshopattracted70+participants, includingpeoplewithLearningDisabilitiesandorganisationssuchasTransport forWalesandvariouscommunitytransportschemesoperatingwithinthe region.
Onekeyoutcomeoftheworkshopisthedevelopmentofa‘TransportCharter’ incollaborationwiththeCommunityTransportAssociation.ThisCharterwill outlinesharedcommitmentsandgoalstoimproveaccessibility,ensuringthat thevoicesofpeoplewithLearningDisabilitiesarecentraltocreatingamore inclusivetransportnetworkacrosstheregion.
Checkoutthenewfilmcreatedbytheteamonthetopic.
