Category: Press Release

Over 100 counsellors and psychotherapists sign up in three hours for telehealth pilot

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Monday, May 11: Enterprise Ireland and HSE partnership, Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI), telehealth company Wellola and the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) have launched a pilot for 103 IACP members to enable client sessions from home. Pre Covid-19 almost 100 per cent of this mental healthcare support was delivered face-to-face and now many counsellors are moving to online platforms to provide care to their clients.

The HIHI pilot provides the Wellola platform at no cost to IACP participants for six months. HIHI will then evaluate the impact of preventative, community-based mental healthcare, supported by digital tools and how online counselling compares with face-to-face therapy. Core features of the Wellola platform include:

  • Online Booking
  • Video Consultation Software
  • Secure Messaging
  • Form Completion to assist in triaging
  • Resource Sharing
  • Payment Functionalities (e-Invoicing, payment in video-screen etc)

The Wellola system offers high levels security and aims to remove structural barriers to care via its secure GDPR-compliant patient communication portal. As winners of the  HIHI national call 2019, Wellola requested the support of HIHI to explore pilot opportunities in the mental health space. Last month it was announced that the Dublin-based tech company, is providing a dedicated online portal for GPs to treat people remotely and protect against Covid-19.

Sonia Neary Wellola CEO said:

“We are delighted to be delivering this project with HIHI at a time when our citizens and care providers urgently need to find alternatives to conventional care pathways and to doing business. Wellola aims to remove structural barriers to care via its secure GDPR-compliant patient communication portal.

“We are very grateful to the IACP and its members in facilitating the study and are hopeful that learnings gained will further inform the development and application of digital tools in the mental healthcare setting”

Lisa Molloy IACP CEO said: “The IACP is delighted to collaborate on this project with the HIHI and Wellola. Our members are very keen to assist in the evaluation of how an online portal can support access to counselling and psychotherapy services

Eimear Galvin HIHI Manager (TCD) said:

“Telehealth is providing solutions to challenges right across healthcare. Although we were working on this pilot pre-Covid 19, the launch has come at the just the right time. IACP members are independent service providers whose business depends on person-to-person communication and we are supporting Wellola to explore efficacy of its portal in the critical area of mental health.”

ENDS

Leading clinicians call for applications to develop ‘Healthcare Innovation Ambassadors’ in an educational first for Ireland

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Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) today announced a new Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation, Level NFQ 9 – the first focused on the development of ‘Healthcare Innovation Ambassadors’ in Ireland. Uniquely, this programme develops the person to be innovative in their approach and thought processes within healthcare, rather than current offers where the focus is on the innovation itself. The result being the creation of Ambassadors who will lead development and improvements in Irish healthcare overall. Places on the course are mixed, both industry and HSE, with one third offered at a reduced rate for the HSE applicants.

HIHI is a joint government initiative of both the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) and the Department of Health (DoH), funded through Enterprise Ireland and supported by HSE. Operationally, it is a partnership of clinical and academic centres. Of the four HIHI academic partners, Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has specific responsibility for the delivery of educational products that will stimulate a culture of innovation within the HSE and Irish healthcare.

Prof John Higgins, HIHI Lead Principal Investigator, UCC Professor and Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said:

“I urge all those working in healthcare to consider this course. We want to engage right across the hospital structures and create a healthcare culture receptive to innovation, by teaching a new way of thinking to find creative solutions to health challenges.

“Ultimately, HIHI wants to facilitate an eco-system whereby those on the frontline become drivers of innovation in Irish healthcare. That is why one third of the places on the course are reserved for HSE staff at a reduced rate.”

Prof Seamas Donnelly, Course Director, Professor of Medicine at the School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, and HIHI Principal Investigator said:

“HIHI and its partners, not least among them the HSE, want to look at solutions for the long-term, not just to get by in the short-term. Through education, HIHI seeks to achieve a lasting behaviour and culture shift that ensures those in Irish healthcare are the lead architects of positive change and accelerate our system to one with innovation at its core.

“If we can’t change how we work in the system, the system simply won’t change.”

A one-year course delivered through Trinity College Dublin, the Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation, comprises eight modules. There are six taught foundation modules and two project modules, including methodology workshops and a practical field project. The programme will offer fundamental grounding in key subjects: design thinking and embedding a culture of innovation; process innovation; lean thinking; social innovation and health economics; innovation and leadership. The practical project will help students to identify and plan an innovative solution applicable to their workplace, with a view to implementation.

This Postgraduate Diploma will be a catalyst in transforming the innovation mind-set within the Irish healthcare landscape. Graduates are expected to lead the adoption and embedding of innovation in the Irish health system. Closing date of June 30 for applicants.  Full course detail here.

ENDS

Health Innovation Hub Ireland’s 25 winning companies show a surge in home grown connected health solutions, reflecting global health trends

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The winners of Health Innovation Hub Ireland’s call aimed at companies, start-ups, SMEs, who have innovative products or services that are at pre-commercial or late development phase with the potential to significantly affect healthcare, are announced today. There was a 58% increase in applications to the HIHI national call compared to 2016 when it ran previously, with almost half being connected health solutions.

Of 70 applications, 40 made it through to the pitch panels late last year, which included experts from HSE, Enterprise Ireland (EI), HRB, Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI), Department of Health, clinicians, and industry. There were 25 winners and HIHI will now match companies with relevant clinical teams, overseeing a study of each product in an Irish clinical setting. These pilot and clinical validation studies provide critical test beds to support Irish companies going to market and can identify any further refinements in the development cycle.

The winning companies range from self-funded to current revenue generators. Others such as  ILI – Independent Living Ireland Limited, a digital re-enablement pilot programme which allows older people to return home sooner from hospital have €65K seed funding from Cork County Council SBIR programme. Feeltect a medical device company producing an adjustable, ‘smart’ compression device for venous leg ulcers (VLUs) is funded through an EI commercialisation fund and engagement platform myPatientSpace Limited won the EI competitive start up fund last year. Full list of winners here.

HIHI National Director, Dr Colman Casey said:

“What we have seen across the Irish med tech sector is enormous growth and progress in the ‘enterprise of health’ but entrepreneurs and businesses pre-HIHI, very much siloed from the ‘health sector’. Irish start-ups were taking their products elsewhere as they simply could not access our health system to develop and test. Ireland was missing out.

“The HIHI class of 2019 (our 2018 pitch winners) is a strong reflection of what the healthcare start up and SME industry is like in Ireland right now. Almost half were connected health solutions, which reflects the global shift towards personalised preventative healthcare and where we will see the most cost savings in healthcare.”

HIHI is a joint government initiative of both the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) and the Department of Health (DoH), funded through Enterprise Ireland and supported by HSE. The support of both DoH and the HSE means HIHI is uniquely placed to facilitate industry interaction with the healthcare sector. HIHI drives collaboration between the Irish health service and enterprise, developing new healthcare technologies, products and services such as those seen in today’s announcement.

 HIHI National Lead and Principal Investigator, Prof John Higgins said:

“These are companies are just a flavour of what Ireland produces in terms of health innovation talent. Through HIHI we can now connect them with people qualified to test their products. “At the same time our heath service and clinical teams benefit from the use of innovative products that are not available to them in the current system. Overall this positively benefits patient care.”

HIHI started as a demonstrator hub in 2013, launched officially in Cork in September 2016 and in 2018 opened doors in both Dublin and Galway.

 ENDS

Minister for Health Simon Harris TD opens second Health Innovation Hub Ireland in Dublin

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Thursday, October 4: Minister for Health Simon Harris TD, today continued the Health Innovation Hub Ireland growth story by opening the second office in the national network, based at St James Hospital partnered with Trinity College Dublin. Minister of State Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan TD, joined Minister Harris at the opening.

First launched by Minister Harris in Cork in 2016, Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) is establishing Ireland as a leading location for start-ups and expanding healthcare companies, by allowing easy interaction with hospitals and primary care centres. Collaboration between the health service and enterprise, is leading to the development of new Irish healthcare technologies, products, and services.

The official opening of a second HIHI in Dublin, with another to come in Galway marks a period of strong growth for HIHI:

  • Since 2016, HIHI has managed 200 company engagements, ran 25 studies in Irish healthcare settings, 72 companies receiving follow up support through HIHI.
  • 46 % increase in applications to the HHI national call aimed at companies, start-ups, SMEs (2016: 45 applicants, Vs 2018: 66 applicants.)
  • One location, to three in 2018 (Cork, Dublin, Galway).
  • Staff more than trebled – four to 15, across the country.

HIHI, established by Department of Business, Enterprise, Innovation, and the Department of Health, supported by Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Health Service Executive (HSE). As a unique joint government initiative, HIHI offers companies the opportunity for pilot and clinical validation studies and the health service access to innovative products, services, devices. HIHI works to impact Irish business and Irish healthcare in three key areas.

1. Industry: Acting as a broker, HIHI matches companies with relevant clinical teams, overseeing a study of each product in an Irish clinical setting.

2. Healthcare: HIHI is an open door to all healthcare staff to assess ideas to solutions they have encountered in their work. HIHI acts as mentors and advises on taking an idea and developing it into a service or product.

3. Education: Delivering a series of five HIHI workshops and a diploma in healthcare innovation, HIHI is embedding an innovation culture in Irish healthcare.

Minister for Health Simon Harris, TD, said:

“I am delighted to be launching the new Dublin office of the Health Innovation Hub Ireland here in St. James Hospital today. The Hub is important because it aims to foster a unique partnership between the health service and the enterprise sector that will improve healthcare and outcomes for patients.

“The innovative ideas will not only come from enterprise – I am pleased to say they will also emerge from within the health service, and I want to encourage people working in healthcare to take part and make proposals.  I am confident the development of the Hub has huge potential that can, ultimately, greatly benefit patient care.”

Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan TD, said:

“I’m very pleased with the work the Hub is doing to provide innovative enterprises with the support they need to gain access to the Irish healthcare system. This will afford them the opportunity to develop and test their new healthcare technologies, products, and services, which will in turn help to create Irish jobs and exports.”

“I am delighted to announce the launch of HIHI’s new education programme. Through a series of five workshops, over 12 months – HSE and voluntary hospital staff will gain the tools to experiment, think and propose solutions to the questions and challenges we face today and into the future. Healthcare professionals, across all disciplines and grades, can visit the Hub’s website today, and enrol for the first workshop due to take place here in St James’ Hospital. I encourage them to do so.”

Announced at the opening were details of the HIHI educational programme, designed to build a sustainable culture of improvement and innovation in the Irish health system and enrolment was opened for the first of a series of five workshops here

HIHI Principal Investigator, Dublin, Prof Seamas Donnelly, said:

“We are proud that HIHI is establishing Ireland as a leading location for start-ups and expanding healthcare companies, allowing easy interaction with hospitals and primary care centres. But we also want to create a sustainable culture of innovation within the Irish healthcare system so we need to reach the frontline.

“The HIHI education programmes, announced today are designed specifically for clinical staff – to empower problem solvers and convert thinking into action. People who participate in these programmes then become catalysts for innovation within the health system. The overall aim is to embed ambassadors of innovation within the healthcare sector and build a national network of alumni who will foster an internal ecosystem of entrepreneurship within the HSE.”

Operationally HIHI is a partnership of clinical and academic centres from across the country. HIHI works directly with three hospital groups (South/South West, Dublin Midlands and Saolta in the West/North West), but the HIHI network can access all acute and community hospitals, pharmacies, primary care centres and healthcare centres. Academic partners are UCC and CIT, TCD and NUI Galway respectively. HIHI operates an open door policy, across its national network, to both industry and healthcare.

Health Innovation Hub Ireland offers unique quid pro quo to enterprise and the HSE, as it launches national ‘dragons den’ style call for Irish start ups

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Government initiative, Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI), today launched a national call – both focussed and open – to industry. HIHI works across the health sector with Irish businesses to solve problems, improves the health service and in the process helps to create jobs and exports. The annual HIHI call brings finalists together for a national dragon’s den style pitch, with the winning products fast tracked into Ireland’s health service for study.

This 2018 call is aimed at companies, start-ups, SMEs, who have innovative products or services that are at pre-commercial, demonstration or late development phase and have the potential to significantly impact healthcare.  HIHI offers a unique tailor made pathway for start-ups seeking pilot or validation studies for commercialisation.

The first stage of the HIHI call will be open until August 31, during which time companies must submit an application, available on hih.ie. At stage two, successful applicants are invited to a rigorous competitive pitch process, with representatives from Enterprise Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland, Health Research Board, HSE and other influencers that they would not ordinarily have direct access to.

At stage three, HIHI acts as a broker, matching companies with relevant clinical teams, overseeing a study of each product in a real life Irish clinical setting and authors a report upon completion of the study. The completed report can offer leverage for products in international markets, enhance distribution opportunities and inform further development.

HIHI National Director, Dr Colman Casey said:

“HIHI provides a unique quid pro quo – we offer companies the opportunity for pilot and clinical validation studies and the health service access to innovative products, services, devices, that they may otherwise not be exposed to.

“These studies offer added credibility with investors and may help with early adoption. The fact is if you have not tested your product in a clinical setting, then commercialisation is distinctly more difficult.  Or the HIHI study may identify that a product needs further refinement after observing its use by a clinical team, which is crucial prior to achieving commercial return on any product or device.”

HIHI partner, the HSE, has highlighted a strategic need for the health service in the focussed call – ‘Enabling positive ageing’ and although all products will be considered for the HIHI pitch, the HSE has asked that companies also consider impact in:

  • Dementia Care
  • Integrated Care
  • Limiting acute hospital admissions
  • Promoting healthy living for longer
  • Minimising polypharmacy
  • Promoting increased independence at home
  • Providing care closer to home

The HSE faces many pressures including an ageing population, rising incidence of long-term conditions, increased costs and budget limitations.

HIHI National Lead and Principal Investigator, Prof John Higgins said:

 “The HSE recognises that collaboration with enterprise can benefit patient care, patient pathways and outcomes. Although HIHI operates an open door policy to both start-ups and the healthcare community, we also work with our partners on focussed calls such as this.

“Our population is growing older, with the number of people aged 65 years and over increasing from 11% in 2011 to 13% in 2016. And this trend will continue; forecasts tell us that the number of people aged over 65 will increase by a further 18% to 753,000 in the next five years. HIHI can provide solutions here, working in partnership with the HSE.”

 HIHI works directly with three hospital groups (South/South West, Dublin Midlands and Saolta in the West/North West).  Pitch winners will effectively have express access to these 23 hospitals, community healthcare facilities and three clinical research networks and HIHI network can access other acute and community hospitals, pharmacies, primary care centres and healthcare centres.

Health Innovation Hub Ireland Launches Calls for Innovation

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Call for Projects 2016

Health Innovation Hub Ireland is now seeking applications under two Calls

(1) Innovation Into Healthcare Call 2016

Health Innovation Hub Ireland is seeking project proposals from companies or entities whose innovative products or services are, at a minimum, at pre-commercial, demonstration or late development phase and have the potential to significantly impact healthcare.

Applications may be submitted to either the Focussed Call – for innovations that address an HSE identified priority area (see Application Form) or to the Open Call- for innovations that address ANY healthcare need.

(2) Innovation Out of Healthcare Call 2016

Health Innovation Hub Ireland is seeking concepts or ideas that address a healthcare need from individuals or teams involved in healthcare delivery.

Applications may be submitted to either the Focussed Call – for innovations that address an HSE identified priority area (see Application Form) or to the Open Call- for innovations that address ANY healthcare need.

Assessment Criteria:

As a guideline, all projects will be assessed against a number of broad criteria including:

  • Potential cost saving associated with the proposed innovation
  • Fit with the reform agenda of the healthcare system
  • Potential impact on the healthcare system
  • Potential relevance/impact of the proposed project on company growth in Ireland (for Innovation INTO Healthcare Projects)
  • Commercialisation readiness
  • Market potential
  • Export potential of the proposed innovation

Please download the Briefing Document and Application Forms here.

Contact info@hih.ie for more information.

Health Innovation Hub Launched

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PV HIgen 11

 

PRESS RELEASE

Health Innovation Hub Ireland launched at University College Cork by Minister Simon Harris TD

• Ireland’s first Health Innovation Hub – actively connects industry and healthcare
• National Call announced – encouraging innovation
• Fast-tracks innovation – improving outcomes for patients
• Accelerates healthcare commercialisation
• Directly creates jobs and exports for Ireland

Cork. Monday, September 26th 2016. Mr Simon Harris TD, Minister for Health and today officially launched Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI). Ireland’s first national Health Innovation Hub will directly improve treatment and care for patients.

The Ministers’ announced government funding, through the Department of Health and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland of €5 million for the establishment of Health Innovation Hub Ireland, which is led by University College Cork (UCC).

Health Innovation Hub Ireland, a partnership of clinicians, academics, innovators and entrepreneurs from across Ireland will accelerate healthcare innovation and commercialisation, by addressing healthcare challenges and in doing so will create jobs and exports for the country.

Speaking at the launch Minister Harris TD stated:

“I am delighted to launch Health Innovation Hub Ireland today, and to announce a first call for submissions on the focused theme of improving care for older people in the healthcare system.

This project will foster a unique partnership between the health service and the enterprise sector, with the aim of improving patient outcomes.

I look forward to seeing in the coming months and years this collaboration, and the projects that are being supported by the Innovation Hub, making a significant contribution to improvements in patient care, finding efficiencies in service delivery and supporting health service practitioners in bringing innovative ideas to fruition.”

Health Innovation Hub Ireland delivers activities at a national level to all academic institutions, healthcare providers and commercial companies. These activities are delivered by the HIHI Consortium of formal collaborators, which include UCC, Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD), their associated Clinical Research Facilities (Cork, Galway, Dublin) and their Hospital Groups (South/South West, Dublin Midlands and Saolta University Healthcare), with associated Primary Care Centres, Community Health Organisations, Pharmacies and HSE support infrastructures.

Welcoming the launch, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, TD, said, “This exciting initiative allows for mutually beneficial interaction between industry and the health system. This is a win-win scenario. The health service needs products to meet its particular needs, and enterprise needs guidance from users on their developing products, and test-beds for their trials. We have combined exports from our lifesciences and ICT sectors of over €140 billion annually and the strengths of our enterprise base can be leveraged to deliver much needed innovation into our health system and at the same time sustain and create more jobs in these sectors.”

Dr. Colman Casey, Director Health Innovation Hub Ireland said, “Health Innovation Hub Ireland focuses on bringing new and exciting ideas into the healthcare system by both encouraging and exciting employees to believe in their innovative ideas, which in turn, will bring about a cultural change towards innovation within healthcare. We will achieve this through a system of annual calls encouraging both individuals and companies to actively innovate into the healthcare system and out of the healthcare system”.

Today, HIHI announced the annual call, which focuses on two themes:

1. An Open Call – for any idea, process, product, service or technology that could benefit the healthcare system
2. A Focused Call – for any idea, process, product, service or technology that addresses care for older persons in the healthcare system

Principal Investigator of HIHI, Professor John R. Higgins, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Head of the College of Medicine at UCC said; “Today marks a milestone in the already successful work of the demonstrator project. We are now a national entity and we have the expertise of our partners; Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD). Health Innovation Hub Ireland represents a truly joined-up thinking, leveraging our national healthcare system and industry to jointly develop valuable solutions for health systems globally”.

Health Innovation Hub Ireland wants to hear from people in industry, healthcare professionals, healthcare workers and entrepreneurs who can demonstrate they have unique applied technologies and solutions ready for further commercial development or have an idea or concept that needs further development in Ireland. It will develop next generation technologies in Ireland for the global marketplace and in doing so to create jobs and exports from our communities at home.

– ends –

www.hih.ie

Media contact:
Kate McSweeney
Mobile: 087 6150199

About Health Innovation Hub Ireland
The HIH is a national collaboration composed of founders, strategic and industry partners and alliance members. The intention is to create a unified national approach to accelerate the development of health relevant industries. Over the coming months, the HIH will roll out a wide engagement platform that ensures Ireland can better link healthcare professionals, industry, entrepreneurs and academia to collaborate better in addressing today’s health challenges and opportunities.

The HIH was designated as a strategic National Project under the Government’s Action Plan for jobs 2013, with agreement to commence a demonstrator project in University College Cork to support the development of a national solution. Its mandate is equally shared by the Departments of health and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Staff will be located in Cork, Galway and Dublin offices and augmented by staff allocation from the HSE in those same locations.

Dr. Colman Casey
Dr. Casey joins HIHI having served as Administrative Director for Research and Industrial Liaison within University College Cork’s College of Medicine and Health where he pioneered the Health Innovation Hub Demonstrator project. He has had a profound impact within industry and academic circles where he has served as the Interim Director of the Cork Science and Innovation Park, the non-Executive Director of Avecia Biologics, a founder member and former President of PDA Ireland and as a General Manager of Schering-Plough, now owned by Merck.

Prof. John R. Higgins
Professor Higgins is the Principal Investigator of HIHI. He is the Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at University College Cork and is a practicing Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Cork University Maternity Hospital. He is the current Head of the College of Medicine & Health at UCC. In 2012/13, he chaired the national group which provided recommendations to the Minister on “The Establishment of Hospital Groups as a transition to Independent Hospital Trusts”. This report was approved by Irish Cabinet in May 2013. As Head of the College of Medicine and Health John is the Acting Chief Academic Officer for the South/ South West Hospital Group.

HIHI Team
Dr Colman Casey- Director, Health Innovation Hub Ireland
Dr Tanya Mulcahy- Manager, Health Innovation Hub Ireland
Mr Noel Murphy- Biomedical Engineer HSE and Health Innovation Hub Ireland,
Ms Gillian O’Mahony- Research Support Officer, Health Innovation Hub Ireland.
Ms Audrey Desmond, Clinical Liaison and Project Manager, Health Innovation Hub Ireland

CIT:
Mr Daithi Fallon, Head of Department of BioMedical Engineering, CIT, Director of Medic

NUIG:
Professor Martin O’Donnell, Professor of Translational Medicine at NUIG
Dr Martin O’Halloran, Fellow and Senior Lecturer in Medical Electronics, NUIG
Professor Mark Bruzzi, Professor of BioMedical Engineering, NUIG, Programme Director, BioInnovate, NUIG
Professor Timothy O’Brien, Consultant in Endocrinology and Metabolism, UHG, Dean of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, NUIG

TCD:
Professor Seamus Donnelly, Professor in Clinical Medicine, TCD, Head of Department, Tallaght Hospital
Professor Michael Gill, Professor of Psychiatry, TCD, Director and PI of the Dublin Centre for Clinical Research
Mr Dan Maher, Business Development, TCD