What is Innovation?

Innovation results from creative thinking; it is the act of bringing about an improvement by introducing something new, such as a way of doing something or a product. Innovative healthcare professionals take a modern and fresh approach to existing unmet needs in order to provide original solutions. An innovation may be a new process, or it may be an original medical device, assay, therapeutic or software. Innovation is an integral part of the provision of healthcare services, as it improves patient care.  If you have a great idea which could improve patient care, this could be an innovation. 

At NHSIL we have a dedicated team to evaluate your innovation.        

Is my idea an innovation?

NHS employees routinely identify needs in the pursuit of providing excellent patient care, and are well placed to develop innovative solutions. However, many innovations go unnoticed or unrecognised as those that develop them are not aware that they have developed a fresh solution that others may find useful. The innovation therefore remains restricted to the ward or department in which it is developed and does not benefit patient care in general. The vital first step, therefore, is to recognise innovations as they arise. 

NHSIL can help member Trusts generate and identify innovations for example our team run innovation management training for employees of member Trusts. 

Can you give me some examples of innovation?

Have a look at some of our projects. You can see that these cover a wide variety of different innovations. The innovators for these projects identified unmet needs in their roles and sought creative solutions.   

Innovation can be rewarding

Innovation may not simply seek to further healthcare; they may also have commercial potential too. For example, product manufacturers may be interested in paying for new ideas for medical devices. NHSIL have the time, funding and expertise to help evaluate, protect and commercialise your innovation to deliver tangible healthcare improvements and in many cases achieve a financial return to both you and your Trust.  However, in order for us to commercialise your idea we may need to protect it with some Intellectual Property Rights.   

What do I do if I think I've developed an innovation?

If you've got a great idea, follow our simple rules. Most importantly, keep your idea to yourself or your team until either NHSIL or your R&D team have been able to evaluate whether any protection of your idea will be required.  You can tell us about your idea by filling in our Disclosure form. Please note we have a Confidentiality Agreement already in place with our member Trusts.

To speak directly to a member of the team call 0207 025 0900.