Health Innovation Challenge Fund calls for 'Smart Surgery'
16 February 2011
New techniques that reduce or avoid the need for invasive surgery would have a significant positive impact on patient outcomes and would reduce the burden on acute care and rehabilitation services. However, the high-risk nature of the development and introduction of such technologies creates barriers to the adoption of new approaches.
The Health Innovation Challenge Fund (HCIF) is making available up to £10 million for healthcare innovators who can overcome these barriers and deliver 'Smart Surgery' solutions that will translate into safe and cost-effective practice in the NHS.
The aim is to develop innovations that will reduce trauma and recovery times, improve post-surgical management, decrease surgery-associated morbidity, shorten inpatient stays for the patient and lower healthcare costs.
The deadline for preliminary applications is 28 April 2011.
The HICF is a parallel funding partnership between the Wellcome Trust and the Department of Health to stimulate the creation of innovative healthcare products, technologies and interventions, and facilitate their development for the benefit of patients in the NHS and beyond. The HICF will have a succession of thematic calls for proposals, each selected to focus on unmet needs in healthcare relevant to the NHS.
Image: A surgical procedure in progress. Credit: Wellcome Photo Library, Wellcome Images.
