IPEM members join new innovation programme
A NEW healthcare science innovation programme has been launched - and two IPEM members are among the first cohorts.
The Healthcare Science Innovation Fellowships Programme is a collaboration between the Office of the Chief Scientific Officer for NHS England and Improvement, the National School of Healthcare Science, and the National Institute for Health Research Devices for Dignity MedTech Co-operative (D4D) hosted by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Over the course of 12 months, the programme, which is funded by Health Education England, will provide Fellows with experience of the innovation process, focusing on technologies to benefit cancer patients, equipping Fellows with the knowledge and skills to initiate and lead their own technology projects in the future.
IPEM members Dr Darren Hart and Maighread Ireland are among the first cohort of Healthcare Science Innovation Fellows.
Darren is a Clinical Scientist at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust. He has a background in electronic engineering, microvascular imaging and the development of new services, software and devices. Through his work and research, he is experienced in applying his engineering and physiological measurement skills for patient benefit.
He said: ‘I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with Devices for Dignity, the other Fellows, new colleagues and patients to develop innovative technology to benefit those living with or beyond cancer.’
Maighread is a design engineer at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS FT, working within the clinical engineering team at Addebrookes Hospital. She has managed multiple projects, ranging from early-stage concept development to post-market surveillance in project management and as engineering lead on a Class IIb medical device.
She said: ‘I’m looking forward to undertaking the Fellowship to develop my knowledge of innovation by learning from D4D, in order that the future innovation work of my teal will be recognised as the gold standard.’
Professor Stephen O’Connor, IPEM’s President, said: ‘I am delighted for Darren and Maighread that they are among the very first cohort of this new programme.
‘I am sure they will learn a lot during the course of the next 12 months and will put that experience into action to benefit both patients and their colleagues.’