Praise for Sheffield Hospitals at regional innovation awards
21 October 2013
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SHEFFIELD Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been named as a double winner for innovations which have dramatically improved patient care at a major regional award ceremony.
Dr Mark McAlindon and the gastroenterology team from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital were the first centre in the UK to start using cameras contained in a vitamin-sized pill to take pictures of the gut to diagnose tumours and internal bleeding. The technique, known as capsule endoscopy, is far more comfortable for patients as it avoids the need for an instrument to be passed through the body. Live images of the gut are transmitted from the camera to a data recorder as the capsule travels through the patient’s body and downloaded for viewing, saving time. The technique was named as winner in the Secondary Care category Dr Helena Ellam, Professor Goura Kudesia and the laboratory medicine and communicable directorate team from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust picked up the Medical Devices and Diagnostics Award accolade for their new non-invasive way to test for highly infectious but easily treatable blood-borne diseases in high risk communities.
Sir Andrew Cash, Chief Executive for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am delighted that we have been named as double winners at the Medipex NHS Innovation Awards 2013. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a proud history of pioneering new treatments to benefit patients, so it’s a privilege for these achievements to be recognised at this major regional award ceremony. “I would also like to pass on my congratulations to all of the finalists, whose efforts highlight the key difference clinicians, doctors and specialists make towards improving patient care.” Other shortlisted finalists from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust include:
Winners of the regional Yorkshire and Humber Medipex NHS Innovation Awards were announced at a special event at Tankersley Manor Hotel, near Barnsley on Thursday 10 October 2013. ENDS MEDIA CONTACT: |
A tiny pill camera, which can take pictures of the small intestine through a tiny capsule that is swallowed, and new finger prick testing allowing for quick and easy detection of blood-borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis B were singled out from hundreds of entries at the Yorkshire and Humber Medipex NHS Innovation Awards 2013.
These included the development of a rapid results finger prick blood test for HIV and Hepatitis B and C screening, and a new home sampling oral fluid kit to help diagnose patients with HIV. The latter could be requested online, and could help prevent the spread of the disease by helping more people get treatment quicker. The tests were developed to be processed on the same equipment as routine blood samples to allow ease of use in routine laboratory work.
