Case Study

How we helped bring innovative suppliers and healthcare together to solve some of our biggest challenges

The role of innovation in healthcare has never been more important. There is a huge opportunity for our healthcare services to work more closely with industry.

29

innovation challenges delivered

600+

ideas created by industry and academia

£12.1 Million

grant funding allocated for innovative solutions

Working with SimplyDo allowed us to pioneer a new approach to SBRI innovation challenges in Wales. As a result, we have been able to automate the time-intensive process of new supplier engagement and qualification. This has created a much better experience for all the key stakeholders involved.

Lynda Jones, Head of Challenge Led Innovation, SBRI Centre of Excellence, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Background:

Connecting innovative suppliers with healthcare challenges

Summary:

1

Aiming to increase industry engagement with health related challenges

2

Historical resource-heavy processes that were time consuming for all stakeholders

3

Seeking to embed innovative products and services into health and social care

The SBRI Centre of Excellence is hosted by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and funded by Welsh Government.

Their aim is to work with Public Sector Bodies to identify and resolve unmet needs and challenges within health. They do this by running competitions inviting Industry to develop innovative and exciting solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of those living in Wales.

The SBRI Centre was using a manual email process with suppliers submitting their solutions using a Microsoft Word template. However, their aim was to automate this time-intensive process and improve the experience and subsequent quality of supplier submissions.

Solution:

Simplifying the connection between industry and healthcare challenges

Summary:

1

Providing an end-to-end innovation workflow with everything in one place

2

Automating manual tasks such as managing submissions and panel assessments

3

Enabling co-production of solutions between industry and the NHS

Working in partnership with the SBRI Centre, we were able to customise our end-to-end open innovation workflow with consistent branding and messaging throughout the challenge lifecycle, enabling a broader range of suppliers to access opportunities quickly and easily.

The challenge creation process also underwent significant refinement, providing purpose built tools for more engaging challenges with enhanced functionality, such as word limits and document uploads. Potential suppliers were also able to regularly save and return to their ideas, accessing ‘live chat’ and a central inbox for continued support.

The solution pipeline was also automated, reducing the time spent sifting and sorting potential suppliers and surfacing solutions through distributed yet rigorous online assessment. Automated communication with potential suppliers at key moments sustained engagement, whilst reducing the transactional burden on staff too.

Impact:

Improving the quality of innovative supplier solutions

Summary:

1

Increasing the reach to engage innovative yet previously hidden suppliers

2

Saving of human resources in managing and coordinating prior processes

3

Improved level of data reporting and business intelligence

Our work with the SBRI Centre of Excellence has delivered significant game-changing innovation with real social impact.

The health board challenges that have been tackled so far range from simulation technologies for Tracheostomy training through to transformation of the outpatients experience.

There is further impact with small businesses gaining access to otherwise inaccessible procurement opportunities with the NHS. To date, 87% of solutions submitted are from businesses with less than 50 employees.