The Medical Futures Innovation Awards 2002

 

8 May 2002

 

The medical profession houses a wealth of knowledgegathered through the experiences of managing and caring for many differenttypes of patients. This knowledge stems ideas that can revolutionise patientcare.

 

Yet through a lack of time, money and opportunity, thevast majority of great ideas never get off the ground. Recognising this situation,a group of dynamic doctors came together to create the Medical Futures Awards.

 

Anyone involved in health and care can submit an idea intoany one of ten categories: BUPA is very proud to be sponsoring one of theawards:

        best innovation to improve patient care

 

The other award categories include:

        best medical innovation

        best surgical innovation

        best business proposition

        best innovation to improve child health

        best diagnostic/imaging innovation

        best non medical innovation

        best innovation in integrated medicine

        best innovation in preventive medicine

        best biotech start-up innovation

 

The competition is open to the entire medical professionincluding doctors, nurses, operating department personnel, pharmacists,radiographers, physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths.

 

The BUPAaward for best innovation to improve patient care
This award seeks to attract diverse ideas that benefit the entire experience ofcare for a patient in any location (home, hospital, surgery or alternativedelivery centre), and at any life stage. An idea may appear to be of smallbenefit, but applied to millions of patients at times of concern and stress,the benefits may be significant. Ultimately the goal is to improve patientcare.

 

The winner of this prestigious award will be announced ata ceremony in London on the 23 May 2002. Profits from the award ceremony shallbe donated to our chosen charities which include the Meningitis Trust, BreastCancer Care and Diabetes UK.

 

BUPA group medical director, Dr Andrew Vallance-Owen waspart of the eminent judging panel for the whole award series. Andrew becameMedical Director of BUPA Hospitals in 1994 and, in 1995, became BUPA's GroupMedical Director where he has furthered his interests in the quality of healthcare, clinical audit and outcomes. He has expertise in health screening andhealthcare promotion and is a keen advocate of improved doctor/patientcommunication and shared decision-making.

He qualified at the Birmingham University Medical School,later undertaking surgical training in Newcastle upon Tyne and Melbourne,Australia. He spent many years working for the British Medical Association,BMA, starting as a Provincial Medical Secretary for the north of Englandfollowed by promotion to the post of BMA Scottish Secretary.

 

His experience spans the broad management spectrum inmedicine with hands on experience of management, industrial relations,negotiating, political lobbying, public speaking and media communications. Hehas also developed a specific interest in clinical audit and professionalaccountability over the last 15 years and has published on the subject.

 

Find out more at www.medicalfutures.co.uk.