NHS in East gets £1m boost

Papworth Hospital submitted the winning bid for funding

Hospitals and health organisations across the East of England are to benefit from £1m to support staff developing new technology.

Papworth Hospital in Cambridge led the bid on behalf of the 68 NHS organisations based in the East of England, including Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust and Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

The scheme is to support NHS staff in developing products and technology for the commercial uses.

Science and innovation minister Lord Sainsbury, announcing the government funding, said: "This funding is intended to capitalise on the cutting-edge research taking place in the public sector.

"Without backing and support in the early stages, commercial opportunities arising from scientific discoveries and new technologies can be lost."

'Benefits to patients'

The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) said it will match £500,000 the Government has pledged for the scheme.

EEDA said the funding means new concepts and innovations developed in the NHS in the region can help create businesses and new jobs.

Noreen Caine, Papworth's director of research, said: "We are delighted and very excited with this news.

"The aim is to harness the ideas and innovations that exist within the NHS and work with business to produce products that will provide real benefits to NHS patients.

"This should result in speedier development and evaluation of new products that really work, bringing further benefits to patients and providing staff with greater job satisfaction."

The Eastern NHS Innovation Hub bid was one of 16 successful bids awarded cash totalling £15m from the Government.