a Summer Evening of Reward & Opportunity for the Health & Lifesciences sector

Taking place on Wednesday 10th July 2019, this was a summer evening of reward and opportunity with short presentations, networking, good food and zoological wonders at Bristol Zoo.

Organised by the Health Tech Hub in partnership with the West of England AHSN, the South West AHSN, Medilink South West and supported by ERDF Funding and UWE, the event was a fantastic opportunity to gain an insight into the work of the organisations supporting companies working in the areas of health and life science, med-tech, digital health, wellbeing, innovative foods and nutrition across the region and beyond. We heard about the latest opportunities from the Health Tech Hub, the Academic Health Science Networks and Medilink South West as well as presentations from the 2019 Medilink South West Healthcare Innovation Award Winners.

Delegates enjoyed drinks upon arrival and a walk around the Zoo grounds for an hour before Richard Luxton (Director of HTH and MLSW) welcomed attendees with an overview of the Health Tech Hub and Medilink South West, whilst birds and monkeys could be heard in the background. Nigel Harris (West of England AHSN) then gave an overview of the WEAHSN’s relationship to the HTH, the Health Tech Hub Accelerator Programme and their newest project, a social media platform for health, Hive.

Rupa Chilvers (South West AHSN) then provided some information on their work down in Exeter, and of their newly formed partnership with the Health Tech Hub and Medilink South West. Both WEAHSN and SWAHSN work to improve the health and patient experience of people by supporting and accelerating innovation and quality improvement.

Later on, we heard presentations from the 2019 Medilink South West Healthcare Innovation Award Winners:

Start-Up Award: Dr Julian Medical Group (Julian Nesbitt) Sponsored by IBST

Julian kicked off the presentations with his start-up’s insightful take on mental health services in the UK "there has got to be a better way for getting help for people needing mental health support.." Dr Julian Medical Group is a platform working hard to change how we deal with mental health issues.

Collaboration with the NHS Award: FH Intuition (Andrew Hollowood) Sponsored by WEAHSN

Andrew delivered an engaging talk about FH Intuition’s vital work in staff engagement: ‘Staff well-being is critical to the success of any organization and FH Intuition provide an innovative staff engagement package aimed at improving the working environment for all’. High performing organisations recognise the need to listen to all employees - FH provide a real time feedback tool and training package that is designed for organisations that provides a continuous understanding of organisational, cultural, leadership and management elements of the environment. Through their software application and bespoke teaching and training package they aim to help organisations develop by: Improving engagement, Driving organisational culture and Delivering success. Necessary work in these uncertain times.

Innovation Award: Walk to Beat (Neha Chaudhry) Sponsored by Hayes Parsons Insurance Brokers

Neha is an ambitious young innovator, who is already making waves in the assisted living sector with her Smart Stick, which has been designed for Parkinson’s sufferers. The Smart Stick monitors walking patterns and gives a vibratory cue felt in the handle, which prompts users to step forward, with the aim of breaking through ‘freezing episodes’. The device is currently being trialed. Walk to Beat were selected as one of only two runners up at the national Medilink Awards (15th May, Birmingham), a big achievement.