Medilink

Healthcare companies from across the region gathered yesterday to discover the winners of the Medilink Yorkshire and Humber (Y&H) Healthcare Business Awards 2010.

Over 200 delegates were at the ceremony which saw six awards handed out as part of Medilink Y&H’s annual Innovation Day – the region’s premier healthcare networking event – held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

Speaking at the event Managing Director of Medilink Y&H, Kevin Kiely, said:

“Today’s event clearly highlights the buoyancy of the Health Technologies sector, and specifically the continued success and innovative capacity of Yorkshire Health Technology companies. In the present economic climate it is reassuring to see the achievements of companies on show - many of which confirmed the importance of bringing businessmen, academics and clinicians together to develop the technologies and industries of tomorrow.”

The winners of the awards are as follows:

The Business Link Start Up Award winner – I & IT Ltd, health integration and interoperability specialists dedicated to connecting contrasting IT systems. Their product iMethod+ allows for bespoke packages to be developed in conjunction with the NHS Trust; creating a clear solution to fit a particular budget.

The South Yorkshire Comprehensive Local Research Network Innovation Award winner – Surgical Innovations, specialists in the design and manufacture of innovative products for minimally invasive surgery. YelloPort+plus® is an award winning Resposable® laparoscopic port access system that combines both single-use and reusable components.

The Medipex Partnership with the NHS winner – Healthcare e-academy (a division of Virtual College), one of the UK’s leading providers of online and blended learning solutions for healthcare workers; providing good quality, up to date and accessible training. Their e-Academy has a suite of over 100 e-learning products; many developed in partnership with sector specialists.

The CPD4 Health Innovation Outstanding Achievement Award winner – Systagenix, the world leading supplier of woundcare products - has, in the last year, dramatically overhauled the production at their Gargreave site; introducing three new production lines including a new labelling and packaging system creating 188 new jobs.

The UK Trade and Investment Export Achievement Award winner – Paxman Ltd, the developers of the Paxman Scalp Cooler, a cap used to minimise hair loss during cancer treatments. Paxman has seen a 66% increase in export sales in the past year with 65% in new markets and currently have 800 systems used globally.


The Medilink Beacon Award acknowledges the outstanding contribution of an individual to the healthcare sector. This year’s award was given to Professor Peter Vowden for his unrivalled dedication to woundcare. Peter is an internationally acclaimed woundcare specialist and vascular surgeon from the Bradford Teaching Hospital Trust.

As well as the announcement of the awards, the event included an exhibition showcasing the latest innovations in Healthcare Technologies and services, as well as presentations from key figures, including Mirella Marlow from NICE – who explained the new single evaluation pathway which simplifies the difficult challenge of getting products adopted by the NHS; Mike Gordon (CEO of Healthcare at Home Ltd) – who shared the secrets to his business’ multi-million pound success – transforming his company to a £750 million business in just 10 years; and Richard Seabrook, Head of Technology Transfer at Wellcome Trust – who offered his advice on funding in LifeSciences emphasising their enthusiasm for engaging with Med Tech companies and supporting their development.