​Acute Sector Innovation of the Year

Acute Sector Innovation of the Year
​Acute Sector Innovation of the Year
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How to apply

  1. Register an account.
  2. Start your entry (save it in-progress).
  3. Submit your entry to be in the running.

Best of luck!

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In recent years of crises, acute trusts were forced to think and work differently - accelerating innovation and the application of technology to deliver patient care within operational and workforce constraints. This does not simply mean coming up with new ideas. It increasingly means reliably identifying and spreading best practice, perhaps combining elements of tech with working practices to solve particularly challenging problems.

This award will recognise NHS acute sector organisations doing just that. Our judges will be looking for innovations which are improving patient care, leading to improved experience and outcomes. They will be keen to identify NHS acute organisations where innovation is truly nurtured, good ideas are quickly identified and spread within and beyond the boundaries of the organisation.

We are not seeking reinventions of the wheel: we want to hear from teams who are doing something genuinely new, while building on the good practice already out there. Innovations which have been genuinely co-produced with patients will be of particular interest.

Eligibility

The award is open to all NHS acute or specialist organisations.

Ambition

The challenge and context within which your project, person or organisation is set alongside your goals and targets whether quantitative or qualitative, and how this aligns with national priorities.

  • Provide a clear rationale for the innovation, including the context in which it was required and how it aligns with national priorities for acute care.
  • What was the vision and how was this new or different from existing best practice? What quantitative or qualitative targets were set to measure success?
  • How were solutions researched and tested? Provide supporting evidence that supports comprehensive engagement with patients in the planning.
  • What measures were put in place to test efficacy and ensure the innovation was fit for purpose before wider rollout?

Collaboration

The stakeholders' involvement in co-designing and delivering the project. How have patients, staff at all levels, communities and other parties worked together to realise the outcomes?

  • Provide evidence of patient involvement in co-producing, including how their input shaped the final approach.
  • How have staff at all levels within the acute organisation worked together to develop and deliver the innovation?
  • Describe how an innovation culture has been nurtured within the team or organisation to enable these outcomes.

Impact

The measurable benefits delivered to patients, staff, your organisation or the wider system. Provide data and evidence showing improvements to outcomes, quality, access, equity or efficiency.

  • How has the innovation led to improved patient care, experience and outcomes? Please include quantitative and qualitative data.
  • Provide testimonial evidence of the effectiveness of the innovation, where possible from patients.
  • What has been the impact on staff and their ability to deliver high quality care within operational and workforce constraints?
  • Give detail on efficiency and capacity improvements and how the project has contributed to value for money.

Scale

How your work has been shared, adopted or replicated beyond your immediate team or organisation. This includes dissemination through publications, presentations, toolkits, partnerships or inspiring similar initiatives elsewhere.

  • How has the best practice learning from this project been shared outside the acute provider?
  • What evidence is there that this innovation has potential for positive outcomes if adopted elsewhere?
  • Provide any supporting material to evidence achievements and demonstrate the wider applicability of your innovation.

Sustainability

The potential for the project/work to continue and create lasting impact. Evidence of how it can be sustained or built upon.

  • How has the innovation been embedded into everyday practice to ensure it delivers lasting impact beyond its initial implementation?
  • What organisational structures or governance arrangements are in place to sustain and build upon the innovation over time?
  • How does your organisation continue to identify, test and spread new ideas to ensure a culture of innovation endures?

​Acute Sector Innovation of the Year

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To find out more

Partnership opportunities:  Sponsorship Sales Team
Awards entry enquiries: Delegate Sales Team
Judging and event management: Awards Support