Posts by: Eimear Galvin

Enterprise Ireland’s €1 million Competitive Start Fund (CSF) opens

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The CSF is open to early-stage companies from all sectors with an eligible innovative product or service set for global markets. The fund will award up to €50,000 in equity funding for up to 20 successful applicants. The fund  aims to increase the number of diverse high potential start-ups (HPSUs) that have the potential and ambition to succeed internationally. It iss designed to help start-ups reach key commercial and technical milestones, including evaluating overseas market opportunities, building prototypes, developing market entry plans, and securing third-party investment.

“At Enterprise Ireland we are committed to helping Irish innovators by backing entrepreneurs and start-ups with the early-stage funding needed to scale internationally,” said manager of Enterprise Ireland’s HPSU division, Jenny Melia.

“Each successful company will receive a €50,000 investment as well as mentoring opportunities with an extensive team of Enterprise Ireland experts and access to entrepreneurial networks which will help companies kick-start their journey to global success. We’re very excited to see what the next generation of innovative Irish businesses will achieve, and we look forward to working alongside the successful applicants to help them grow further.”

Applications close May 25.

For more: https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/funding-supports/company/hpsu-funding/competitive-start-fund-all-sectors.html.

 

Congratulations to the graduates – 2019/20 class – of our Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation

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Congratulations to all of the students of the 2019/20 class of our Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation with Trinity College Dublin, who graduated last Friday. A fantastic network of Innovation Champions driving the the health innovation agenda nationally.

Applications for September enrolment now open.

Information webinars and Q&A sessions

Information webinars for September 2021 enrolment will begin Wednesday March 31, offering prospective students the opportunity to find out more about the course. In each session you will hear from an expert in the field of healthcare innovation, receive detailed information about the course content, and hear from past students of the course. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and speak with facilitators of the course.

Please register attendance here:

Through the one year, Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) and TCD Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation programme students are supported to develop a personal innovation framework for leadership. Uniquely the course is clinician designed and led by Professor Seamas Donnelly. Students are usually a mix of health industry, health sector and health policy, forming an action focused learning community focused on accelerating change within their organisations.

Over the 12-month programme, students complete eight modules, have access to workshops, resources and events to share challenges and experience, learn from expert guest lecturers.  Focusing on new health solutions, students gain a practical understanding of applying new technologies in healthcare.  Examining the role of health economics, quality improvement and the principles of governance in leading effective, innovative health services is a key learning. The postgraduate course culminates with modules seven and eight focusing on a practical project comprising two phases.

Students are supported to identify and implement an innovative solution suitable for their workplace that will have a positive impact in Irish healthcare. Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation form part of a  year-on-year a growing network of national Innovation Champions.

Applications close June 16 for HSE scholarships and June 30 for general applications. More here: https://www.tcd.ie/medicine/clinical-medicine/postgraduate/healthcare-innovation/

HIHI/TCD clinician designed healthcare innovation diploma now open for applications – HSE scholarships available

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Applications for HSE and Enterprise Ireland partnership, Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI), and Trinity College Dublin one year Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation are now open for September enrolment. The programme is the only innovation course in the country that is clinician designed and actively recruits from both the frontline and health industry. Now entering its third year, typical students and graduates come from the Department of Health, HSE, primary care, pharma and health tech.   These form part of a year-on-year a growing network of national Innovation Champions.

Focusing on new health solutions, students gain a practical understanding of applying new technologies in healthcare.  Examining the role of health economics, quality improvement and the principles of governance in leading effective, innovative health services is a key learning. The postgraduate course culminates with modules seven and eight focusing on a practical project comprising two phases.  They are supported to identify and implement an innovative solution suitable for each participant’s workplace, that will have a positive impact in Irish healthcare. Some of the innovations that students were supported to develop in the 2019/20 cohort:

  • Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) programme for teenagers experiencing social anxiety.
  • Looking at virtual assistants and smart automation services in primary care.
  • Experimental device for screening of Parkinson’s disease.
  • Diagnostics access platform to support   improving clinical care and disease surveillance in low-to-middle income countries.

As a HSE and Enterprise Ireland partnership, HIHI holds a number of places for HSE scholarships, offering reduced fees. The aim is to reach right across levels, grades and disciplines in the health service offering the academic opportunity to all. There are seven HSE scholarships available at reduced fees. The students become part of an action focused learning community focused on accelerating change and innovation within their organisations.

Course Director Prof Seamas Donnelly said:

 “Speaking as a clinician on the frontline, I know we need to adjust and reset some approaches in healthcare in Ireland and this postgraduate course is part of that effort. All of our students share a common vision of creating an innovative healthcare system to change the system and improve outcomes for patients. They come from both industry and the healthcare community and that is a unique aspect to this programme of study. Drawing leaders from across healthcare landscape to drive the national healthcare innovation agenda.”

Current student, John Kelly, Deputy CEO Tallaght University Hospital said:

“Innovation is one of the key pillar of the TUH Corporate Strategy which was launched in late 2019. I am completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation Healthcare to provide me with the opportunity to enhance my knowledge and skills to assist me to embed a culture of innovation in a large teaching hospital.”

2021 graduate Caitriona Heffernan, Innovation Programme Lead, Cork University Maternity Hospital said:

“I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to be an agent of change and innovation within their own expert area of work or indeed at a wider organisational level across healthcare. The internal network of healthcare innovators in Ireland is rapidly growing and this is such an exciting time to get involved.”

Applications close June 16 for HSE scholarships and June 30 for general applications.

Information webinars

Information webinars for September 2021 enrolment will begin Wednesday March 31, offering prospective students the opportunity to find out more about the course. In each session you will hear from an expert in the field of healthcare innovation, receive detailed information about the course content, and hear from past students of the course. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and speak with facilitators of the course.

Please register attendance here:

Smart D8 call for pilots – seeking innovative solutions to community health challenges – open to all public and private sector organisations, companies and academia

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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris T.D. today launched officially the Smart D8 initiative and call for pilot project to respond to community health challenges.  Led by Dublin City Council, Smart Dublin, the Digital Hub Development Agency and St James’s Hospital, Smart D8, is the latest Smart District – a collaborative initiative to improve the health and well being of citizens in Dublin 8 through innovation. HIHI is pleased to partner on the Smart D8 initiative.

Bringing together public authorities, academia, healthcare, citizens and industry, Smart D8 applies a people-centred approach, with the engagement and active participation of the local community at its core. In late 2020, the first SmartD8 Community Survey was launched, capturing the needs and priorities of the local community. The call for innovative pilot projects that address three key areas are based on these findings:

Mental Health – Focused Call

  • Innovative approaches to managing mental health for individuals. Tools to support good mental health in the community including diagnostic, preventative, treatment, support and management solutions.

Population Health Management – Focused Call

  • Chronic Disease Management solutions that will allow people to manage their chronic health conditions in the community.
  • General Preventative Health solutions that can be implemented in a community setting to maintain good health and wellbeing.

Covid-19 Impact – Open Call

  • An open call for innovative and scalable solutions that will address the impact of Covid-19 on the health and wellbeing of the community in Dublin 8.

Who Should Apply?

The pilot call is open to all public and private sector organisations, companies and academia who:

  • Offer innovative and scalable products, services or devices.
  • Provide new practices/solutions/perspectives that address an unmet need in the community.
  • Have a solution that is ready for deployment within the next 6 months as a pilot initiative that will commence in 2021.
  • Provide a solution that can be enabled by a co-creation and collaborative approach.

Why Apply?

  • Opportunity to pilot and demonstrate the scalability of your offering in a community setting.
  • Access to a unique collaborative ecosystem with established clinical, academic, public and private sector engagement.
  • Funding support available for selected pilots.
  • Project management support.
  • Marketing and promotion support.
  • Access to free workspace in Dublin 8 during the pilot period.

Application Process

  • Companies must submit a completed application form available at the link below.
  • Pilot Call opens on 10.03.2021 and closes for applications at midnight on 28.04.2021.
  • Your submission will be reviewed by Smart D8 and an expert panel.   A shortlist of applicants will be selected and shortlisted companies will be asked to make a presentation.
  • An update on the call outcome will be provided to all applicants on 19.05.2021.

Apply here

Health Innovation Hub Ireland wishes Dr Colman Casey the very best in his retirement and appoints interim Director

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Dr Colman Casey, UCC, who has led Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) since 2015, announced his retirement last week. The entire HIHI team across Cork, Dublin and Galway, thank him for his leadership and wish him the very best in his retirement.

National HIHI PI Prof John Higgins said:

“Colman has provided great leadership in this role. He has contributed very significantly to the successful establishment of Health Innovation Hub Ireland and has helped build very strong foundations for the future.  We wish Colman health and happiness in his retirement and look forward to continued success for Health Innovation Hub Ireland.”

Dr Tanya Mulcahy, UCC, will be acting as Interim Director for Health Innovation Hub Ireland over the next six months, ensuring  seamless continuity of the HIHI programme and time to recruit a suitable successor.

New Venture Dynamics in Healthcare & Life Sciences: Module 3 of HIHI/TCD Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation

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Module 3 of our Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation (Level 9 NFQ) took place on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th of December. This module focused on the creation, development, growth and funding of new ventures in healthcare & life sciences.

The session was led by Adjunct Professor Dan Maher, education development advisor to HIHI and founder of innovation management company, Nua Venture. Performance Coach Liam Moggan (known as ‘the Coaches’ Coach’) delivered an excellent lecture on ‘Motivating for Innovation’.

The module began with an introduction to the theoretical foundations of innovation dynamics. Students then gained insight into new venture healthcare creation and funding by participating in focused exercises to embed the learning and understanding. This module is a foundation stone for developing a framework for each student’s Healthcare Innovation Project (to be undertaken across modules 7 and 8).

More information on the HIHI/TCD Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation can be found here or email Nina Holmes, holmesni@tcd.ie

HIHI National Director, Dr Colman Casey, makes the Professional 100, an annual listing of the Top 100 hospital professionals across Ireland

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Congratulations to HIHI National Director, Dr Colman Casey, makes the Professional 100, an annual listing of the Top 100 hospital professionals across Ireland. Dr Casey is in good company with such a breadth of talent across Irish healthcare, HIHI HSE Clinical Liaison Dr Diana Hogan-Murphy and recent graduate from the HIHI /TCD Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innaviotn, Snr. Speech and Language Therapist at Cork University Hospital, Caitriona Heffernan.

Appearing in the December magazine, the annual list celebrates Ireland’s top hospital and healthcare achievers across a range of disciplines – healthcare to pharma industries, who act as ambassadors and role models for their peers and colleagues.

Editor of Hospital Professional News, Kelly-Jo Eastwood said:

“From working on the front-line in Ireland’s hospitals to contributing innovative research for the betterment of the profession, never has there been a more opportune time to recognise the unwavering excellence and dedication of Ireland’s hospital professionals.”

There was an outpouring of nominations throughout the sector and while each healthcare professional deserves to be recognised, the final list of professionals have displayed inspirational leadership affecting the development of hospital services across Ireland.”

More here: https://hospitalprofessionalnews.ie/2020/12/01/hospital-professional-news-celebrates-heroes-on-the-frontline/.

 

Ibec launch: Ireland aims to be recognised as global hub for digital health

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Tuesday, 24 November 2020

Ireland has the potential to become a leader in the development of digital health solutions, attracting international investment and growth in high-tech indigenous companies. The claim is made as part of a new campaign- Where Digital Health Thrives- launched jointly by Ibec’s Irish Medtech Association, BioPharmaChem Ireland and Technology Ireland.

Digital health is the intersection of healthcare and technology and involves the innovative use of technology to deliver better patient care. The goal is to translate the benefits that technology has brought to other industries and bring them to healthcare, resulting in improved outcomes for patients and the providers of healthcare.

Where Digital Health Thrives aims to raise understanding of the potential of digital health, and Ireland’s potential to be a hub for its growth. The campaign was launched virtually today by Jim O’Donoghue, Chair of the Ibec Digital Health Working Group and President of S3 Connected Health.

Speaking at the launch, Mr O’Donoghue said;
Digital health is driving the personalisation of medicine and healthcare, putting the patient at the centre of their treatment in an informed and supported manner. Through connected devices, remote monitoring, apps and other technologies patients are empowered to manage their health and receive care in the right setting.

Digital health is supporting health care professionals by offering insights and providing them with new ways to support and treat patients. With data from connected devices HCPs can measure outcomes, personalise healthcare interventions and better connect with patients in multiple care settings.

This campaign is about demonstrating how Digital health can lower the cost of, and increase access to, healthcare. This not only leads to improved outcomes for patients and HCPs, but for payers and providers too.

Also speaking at the launch, Sharon Higgins, Director of Member Services in Ibec said;

We wanted to capture the scale and scope of the digital health ecosystem already here in Ireland, including nearly 200 companies already delivering digital health solutions such as telehealth, data, analytics and cyber security, health information technology, connected medtech, mobile health and many more.

Ireland is the 7th most competitive economy in the world. It is a location of choice to start and grow a business. Going Global from Ireland is in our DNA. Ireland is small open economy with a global outlook. We are a location of choice for FDI investment and home to world-class start-ups. Our business model is underscored by substance and has helped us achieve a global footprint. We can apply this to digital health by delivering solutions across boundaries and borders. Ireland’s unique ecosystem with leading digital health, medtech, pharma, and tech companies can make us a global digital health powerhouse.

Ibec is uniquely placed to support cross sectoral innovation and product commercialisation. The Irish Medtech Association, Technology Ireland and BioPharmaChem Ireland came together to develop and deliver this campaign which spans a publication, ecosystem map, digital collateral and networking events. Training will be delivered in partnership with Connected Health Skillnet, which was established in Ibec in 2017 to support the drive skills development in this area.

Source: https://www.irishmedtechassoc.ie/IBEC/Press/PressPublicationsdoclib3.nsf/wvIMDANewsByTitle/ireland-aims-to-be-recognised-global-hub-for-digital-health-24-11-2020?OpenDocument

‘Design Thinking & Embedding a Culture of Innovation’: Dr Barry McMahon leads Module 2 in our Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation

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On Friday and Saturday 6th and 7th of November Health Innovation Hub Ireland and TCD welcomed students to Module 2 of the Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation (Level 9 NFQ).

Taking place online (due to ongoing government restrictions), the course was opened on Friday with welcome addresses from Dr Barry Mc Mahon, Chief Physicist/Clinical Associate (Clinical Medicine), Trinity College Dublin; Dr. John Dinsmore, Assistant Professor in Digital Integrated Care and the Health Innovation Lead of the Trinity Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation (TCPHI); and Professor Paul Coughlan, Professor in Operations Management and Director of Accreditation & Quality Assurance at Trinity Business School.

The objective of this module was to understand and use design thinking methodologies in a group environment to try to solve healthcare challenges. Creativity and design can be combined with knowledge and experience to accelerate and drive improvements in the delivery of healthcare. Students explored how healthcare organisations can develop and transform their services, their processes, and create new products ideas.

Working in teams, the students identified a healthcare challenge, developed a prototype solution, and finished the module with a pitch in front of a panel of Dr Barry McMahon, Dr John Dinsmore, Prof Paul Coughlan, Ann Quinn (Organisational and Development lead at Children’s Health Ireland), and Fran Hegarty (Chief Healthcare Technology Officer at New Children’s Hospital Dublin). Using these ‘real world’ challenges allows students the opportunity to develop critical thinking, creative problem solving, and visualisation methodologies.

More information on the HIHI/TCD Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation can be found here or email Nina Holmes, holmesni@tcd.ie

 

HIHI/HSE Health Innovation Champion Scholarships announced

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HIHI/HSE Health Innovation Champion Scholarships announced

 Today Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) announces the seven HSE staff who have been successful in gaining a scholarship place on the second year of the clinician led HIHI and Trinity College Dublin Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation. From almost 50 applicants these seven, (detail in notes) were identified as high potential change makers in the Irish health system and offered a scholarship place among a class of health industry and health sector students.

A HSE and Enterprise Ireland partnership, HIHI holds a number of places for HSE scholarships, offering reduced fees. The aim is to reach right across levels, grades and disciplines in the health service offering the academic opportunity to all. The 2020/21 cohort of HIHI/HSE Health Innovation Champions come from organisations spanning the country – Cork, Dublin, Drogheda, Tullamore, Westmeath, Mayo and Donegal representing a diverse range of roles, departments and levels. These seven  are now part of an action focused learning community of 18, focused on accelerating change within their organisations. Over the 12-month programme, the students will complete eight modules, have access to workshops, resources and events to share challenges and experience, learn from expert guest lecturers.

Focusing on new health solutions, students gain a practical understanding of applying new technologies in healthcare.  Examining the role of health economics, quality improvement and the principles of governance in leading effective, innovative health services is a key learning. The postgraduate course culminates with modules seven and eight focusing on a practical project comprising two phases. Along with their fellow students, HIHI/HSE Innovation Champions will be supported to identify and implement  an innovative solution suitable for  each participant’s workplace, that will have a positive impact in Irish healthcare. As the HSE continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, innovation – new ways of doing things – is  vital to the health sector.

Course Director Prof Seamas Donnelly said:

“Speaking as a clinician on the frontline, I know we need to adjust and reset some approaches in healthcare in Ireland and this postgraduate course is part of that effort. Our students are confident and inspirational leaders, learning to create their personal innovation framework to apply in healthcare organisations. All of our students share a common vision of creating an innovative healthcare system to change the system and improve outcomes for patients.

”The application process for this year’s Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation was more competitive than ever, with a very high number of applications. I want to publically congratulate the outstanding applicants who have been accepted onto the programme.”

Sustained innovation in Irish healthcare, at an economically and fiscally responsible pace, must be a collaborative effort, requiring input from key players across the health landscape. HIHI and TCD recognise this and deliberately recruit students from both the health sector and the enterprise of health to the postgraduate diploma in healthcare innovation. The Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation is currently delivered entirely online in keeping with government recommendations. Lectures will take place in TCD’s Tangent in the TCD business school on campus when these are lifted.

ENDS

 HIHI/HSE Health Innovation Champion Scholarships awardees:

Name Title Organisation Location
Eleanor Campbell Clinical Specialist Radiographer in the Emergency Department (ED) Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda
Antoinette Doherty Clinical nurse Specialist/ Advanced Nurse Prcatitioner CHO Area 1 Donegal
John Kelly Deputy CEO Tallaght University Hospital Dublin
Marie Prendergast Business Manager
Primary Care		 Community Healthcare Organisation 2 Castlebar, Co Mayo
Niamh Gibney Senior Occupational Therapist Community Mental Health Centre Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
Eileen Lombard Senior Physiotherapist Mercy University Hospital Cork
Wishes to remain anonymous     Tullamore, Co Offaly