News and blogs

A rugby fan from Widnes is urging people to be on the ball and “know their pulse” during Global AF Aware Week 2019. Launching on Monday, November 18, GAFAW19 is dedicated to raising awareness of atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular pulse that affects millions of people worldwide and, if left untreated, can lead to stroke.

Over 500 patients have been identified with atrial fibrillation (AF) in the last six months thanks to an improvement programme involving 24 GP practices.

A host of health and care organisations and small businesses from across the North West Coast have collected honours in this year’s NHS in the North Excellence in Supply Awards. The awards, hosted by the NHS Northern Customer Board and the Innovation Agency, celebrate the work of businesses, third sector organisations and the NHS in collaborating to deliver great patient care.

The search is on for the North West Coast’s most inspiring clinical research and innovation teams and individuals whose work is making a difference to people’s lives.
The North West Coast Research and Innovation Awards 2020 are open for nominations. The awards will celebrate success and the excellent work being undertaken in health and care across the region, demonstrating the impact of clinical research and innovation on patient and social care.

A campaign is underway by the Innovation Agency and the AHSN Network to increase diversity in health innovation.

A tree planted at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital by Liverpool legend Sir Ken Dodd has had a change of location.

A new network will help health and care innovators to convert their ideas into reality – and ultimately benefit patients.

Ten North West health and care organisations have been presented with awards sponsored by the Innovation Agency. They were among winners at the North West Skills Development Network’s Informatics Awards, part of the Connect 2019 conference showcasing pioneering work in digital health. 

Earlier this month I had the privilege to attend the inaugural Women in Life Sciences Forum, facilitated by the American Pharmaceutical Group, with support from 10 Downing Street and the Office for Life Sciences.

The Cheshire and Merseyside Care Home Academy brought together system leaders in the local NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and local authorities to recruit staff from 13 care homes in the region for a series of learning sessions on workplace culture, quality improvement and leadership.The system leaders participated in the shared learning to support improvement in the care homes.