Roadshow Aims to Find Technology to Beat Hospital Bugs

Laboratory equipment businesses which have technologies that could help prevent the spread of MRSA or other hospital bugs (see news Labmate UK, July) are now being invited to attend an NHS roadshow as part of its programme to find the most effective new solutions in the fight against healthcare associated infections (HCAIs).

The Smart Solutions for HCAI programme offers businesses the chance to have their product or technology assessed by a team of independent experts, with a view to evaluating it in a hospital setting and potentially supplying it across the NHS.

Events take place as follows:
• Wednesday Sept 3rd: Biopark, Welwyn Garden City
• Thursday Sept 4th: Brooklands Hotel, junction 37 off M1, near Barnsley
• Thursday Sept 18th: Liverpool Innovation Park


Project director Bryan Griffiths said: "The Smart Solutions project is seeking new ways to combat HCAIs and is open to ideas from individuals or businesses in the laboratory equipment and other industry sectors.
"It is likely that there are some existing products or technologies which would be effective in preventing the spread of infection but which have not yet been used in a healthcare setting. For example, companies which make industrial air cleaning, food preparation and specialist textile products have already submitted applications to the project.
"The Smart Solutions programme is an opportunity for companies to have their products tested for use within the NHS, and potentially offers a ‘fast track’ route to becoming a supplier to NHS hospitals and healthcare organisations across the UK."

For further information about events and the project see the website at http://www.smartsolutionsforhcai.co.uk. Applications can be submitted online via the website on or before 26 September 2008.


Ends
For further information please contact:
Jill Hulme on 07913 278514 or Pauline Rawsterne on 07801 639816.

Notes for editors
Smart Solutions for HCAI
Smart Solutions for HCAI is a national programme run by TrusTECH®, the North West of England NHS Innovation Hub, on behalf of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA) and supported by the NHS National Innovation Centre.

Tackling healthcare associated infections (HCAIs)
Tackling the problem of HCAIs is high on the government agenda. The NHS Operating Framework for 2008/9 gives improving cleanliness and reducing HCAIs as a top priority for the NHS. NHS organisations will have to reduce the annual number of MRSA bloodstream infections to less than half the number in 2003/4 and by 2011 there will need to be a 30% reduction in C. difficile infections from 2007/8 levels.

NHS PASA
NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency is an executive agency of the Department of Health. It works to ensure that the NHS in England makes the most cost effective use of its resources by getting the best possible value for money when purchasing goods and services.