£22 million of funding is available for NHS and non NHS organisations in Yorkshire and Humber to improve the health of the population, reduce inequalities, and develop the quality of health services in the region over the next five years.
Following Lord Darzi’s ‘High quality care for all’ report in June 2008, a legal obligation was given to Strategic Health Authorities (SHA) in relation to encouraging innovation. This report has prompted Yorkshire and Humber’s SHA to create their own report – Healthy Ambitions; which led to the creation of the Regional Innovation Fund.
With a constant demand for new and innovative Healthcare Technologies solutions, innovation is essential in creating more effective clinical treatments, reducing hospital stays, shortening procedures and improving future outcomes; and with regional funding becoming available to companies – this innovation has a greater chance to flourish.
The RIF fund is a five year programme offering over £20 million to local Healthcare Technologies companies. The RIF will be allocated alongside national guidelines which focus on:
- Developing innovative, self improving systems
- Delivery of the Healthy Ambitions –Better for Less priorities
- Accelerating the uptake of TeleHealth technology to improve the quality and efficiency of care for people with long term conditions
- Improving provider quality and efficiency through innovation
- Improving the quality and efficiency of health and healthcare through the commissioning of innovative, high quality, efficient services
The closing date for the next round of funding is 31 January 2010. For more information see the guidance form and to apply complete the attached form.