Halton groups on awards shortlist
HEALTH teams and organisations from Halton have been named as finalists in the North West Coast Research And Innovation Awards 2018.
They were selected from a record number of entries and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in Preston in March.
On the shortlist, NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have been nominated for the Culture For Innovation Award for the Well Halton initiative.
Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service, NHS Halton CCG and Halton Borough Council are in the running for the Transformation Award for identifying atrial fibrillation across Runcorn and Widnes.
A total of 37 teams and researchers have been named as finalists in a range of categories.
The NHS and the wider social care system represent the most integrated clinical research system in the world and the awards are also an opportunity to celebrate the 70th birthday of the NHS and the research breakthroughs that have taken place in that time. The awards are a collaboration between three organisations which are key to driving research and innovation in the North West.
It includes the Collaboration For Leadership In Applied Health Research And Care For The North West Coast (CLAHRC NWC), part of the National Institute For Health Research.
Professor Mark Gabbay, director of the CLAHRC NWC, said: “I look forward to the opportunity to celebrate the innovative and excellent applied research and implementation work we are doing to seek ways to reduce health inequalities.
“The CLAHRC NWC brings together universities, NHS organisations, local authorities and the public working together to devise and deliver research and innovation evaluations through to delivering the findings to make a real difference to health and wellbeing.
“These awards enable us to recognise the excellent work developed and delivered across this partnership.”
Also involved is the Clinical Research Network For The North West Coast (CRN NWC), part of the National Institute For Health Research.
Jacqueline Pirmohamed is the chief operating officer for the CRN NWC and believes the awards are the year’s highlight. She said: “Clinical research plays a vital role ensuring the NHS remains at the forefront of delivering world class care.
“The awards provide us an opportunity to say thank you to all staff, patients and public involved in clinical trials as we are in debt to all of those who step forward to be part of the research solution.”
The third organisation is the Innovation Agency and chief executive Dr Liz Mear said: “There are fantastic innovations happening across the region which are transforming the way health care is delivered to patients – and which are helping people to manage their own conditions.
“These awards will showcase the very best of health innovations and the individuals and teams who are introducing and spreading them for the benefit of our local population.”