Realising Innovation
HEE was established in 2004 as the Innovation Hub for the eastern region, but has since grown to offer a wide range of technology advisory and innovation management services to the NHS. Our work ensures NHS ideas are developed to realise their potential.
HEE is currently working with 28 Trusts in the East of England, East Midlands and North London providing a range of services delivered by an expert team, these include:
- Intellectual property management & commercialisation advice and support
- Proof of concept assistance & CPD accredited innovation training
Tell us about your idea
Use our simple form to tell us about your idea or innovation.
This can also be done via the designated IP lead or Innovation Scout at your Trust.
The information disclosed will be treated as confidential and following a review an Innovation Manager will be in contact with you.
Submit your idea through the online Disclosure Form
What happens next?
The initial evaluation of an idea disclosed involves reviewing a number of key aspects, including:
Exploring the unmet need and patient benefit
Determining the potential market opportunity
Ascertaining the Intellectual Property (IP) that could be protected
Estimating the development requirements and costs
This initial evaluation review takes 4 – 6 weeks and it may be necessary to meet to discuss an idea further.
Following the review, HEE will provide your organisation with feedback and recommended next steps, including any proposed support which may be offered by HEE to assist with the development of the idea.
The next steps for your innovation
Recommendations and next steps are dependent on the nature of the innovation, but may include:
Intellectual property protection
Prototype development
Proof of concept
Commercialisation strategy
Deal negotiation
NHS Trusts have IP policies providing details of the sharing of revenues generated from commercialisation. These ‘reward to inventor’ schemes are set by each individual Trust with the Trust’s Research and Development department usually responsible for the policy itself.
Meet the Inventor...
Dr Tamsin Brown
Community Paediatrician
Cambridgeshire Community Services
Invention: Hear Glue Ear
Meet the Inventor...
Dr Vincent Gnanapragasam
Consultant Urological Surgeon
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Innovation: CAMPROBE (Cambridge Prostate
Biopsy Device)
Meet the Inventor...
Dr Andrew Michell
Consultant in Clinical NeurophysiologyCambridge University Hospitals
Invention: Ulnar Splint