Collaboration with the NHS Presented by: Mary Maher Marketing Services Manager Invacare Limited
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Collaboration with the NHS Invacare have recently won both the MediWales and UK Medilink Innovation Awards for working with the NHS. The award was based on work carried out by Invacare as the manufacturer, Dolby Medical who are Invacare s current contractors in Scotland, and SHS who manage the contract and are the finance and patient interface. The project used the innovative Invacare Homefill product; a portable oxygen filling system that allows patients to fill oxygen cylinders and be supplied with oxygen at the same time.
Scottish NHS Homefill project 200 patient trial of the Homefill oxygen filling system in the area of Home Oxygen Therapy. Patients in desperate need for mobile oxygen modalities. HOT budget under huge pressure from 7% patient growth and large price increases from oxygen suppliers. Shortage of gas cylinders and reliance on pharmacies delivering to many remote locations. SHS drove project forward with Dolby s aid; clinical staff engaged in a series of road shows.
Project results : 200 patient trial produced savings of 250k. 100% of patients wanted to keep Homefill modality as their oxygen supply. Awareness has created a waiting list in excess of 100 patients. However after approx 18 months, Homefill still awaits release by government, due to pressure from pharmacy lobby and constant changes in Scottish DOH personnel. Patients now trying to buy Homefill privately!
Project Challenges The many NHS Innovation Hubs often only engage with projects / ideas from within NHS. Also seem to favour hospital trials. Primary care projects at home / community require buy in from nurses, as they understand home environment. Route required for trials of home based technology. No Welsh NHS Innovation Hub? Too many Innovation Hubs creates fragmented approach to the introduction of innovation within NHS and SHA s.
Homefill Update The new DOH tender specification includes Homefill and other new modalities and allows for introduction of innovation going forward. Trials underway both in England and Wales with all three contractors ahead of tender process in late 2010. N.I. NHS about to undertake 25 patient trial with lead NI respiratory nurse patient group.
Looking Forward Find clinical champions to create awareness and change. Lobby at DOH, government, and NHS finance level for change. Use patient trial data and HOT service models as examples from Europe and USA. Carry out above in Ireland, NI., Scotland, all English SHA s and Wales.
Summary Invacare produce many new products each year from our many divisions, which creates revenue profit wealth and jobs. Due to expansion, recently moved into 150,000sq ft facility in Bridgend. Industry, Academia and the NHS invest in trials and publish results, however this information needs to be acted on to improve patient care and lead to a more efficient NHS. A route needs to be found to create a route for commercialisation of innovative products or services which are patient focussed, linking private, public and academic groups.
Huw Roderick Presented on behalf of Mr Huw Roderick Business Development Manager Oxygen Products Mobile 07977 980713 Email hroderick@invacare.com For more information on all Invacare products please go to www.invacare.co.uk