Information for Researchers & Inventors
Are you working on a research project?
Do you have an idea for improving patient care?
If yes, then before you publish or tell anyone, please download and complete the Disclosure Form and return it to us. Click here to access the form.
Simple Guidelines
If you have an idea or concept which may have commercial potential there are a few simple guidelines to follow which will help maximise the chances of the idea being properly protected and reaching the market place:
- At the earliest possible stage speak to your R&D department or the IP lead within your Trust and they will put you in contact with us.
- Keep it secret and resist pressure to announce, disclose or publish details to any party outside the NHS until the IP has been protected. Once the IP has been protected, the results can be published - it may only be a short delay.
- Use Confidentiality Agreements when discussing your idea with external parties such as university colleagues or commercial companies. Confidentiality Agreements can be obtained from your R&D department, IP lead or NHSIL.
- Do not disclose the idea either orally or in writing, nor give away, donate or sell samples.
- Do not involve external organisations or companies in testing or prototyping without a written agreement together with confidentiality agreement being in place.
- Do not sign any contracts or agreements until they have been reviewed by R&D, your IP Lead or NHSIL
Remember - Public disclosure (other than under explicit terms of a confidentiality agreement) will invalidate any subsequent patent application and severely diminish both commercial value and the benefits accruing to the Trust and inventor.
Ownership of the Intellectual Property will always reside with the Trust as employer but you will be recognised as the inventor. Trusts are encouraged to adopt a revenue sharing scheme to reward inventors by sharing a percentage of the revenue generated.
NHSIL will not be involved in negotiations regarding revenue sharing between Trusts and Inventor.
Why should I protect my invention?
Protecting your Intellectual Property (IP) prevents others from exploiting your invention without acknowledging your ownership or sharing the rewards of exploitation with you.