SUPPORT
The support we can offer, how to collaborate with us, and our innovation pathway
IDENTIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF UNMET NEEDS
We work with healthcare professionals and patients across the country to identify and validate unmet clinical needs in child health. You can let us know about an unmet need using our collaboration request form.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
We have extensive experience overseeing projects across academia, healthcare, and industry, and can manage and support projects of various sizes.
INPUT FROM CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE, AND FAMILIES
We work closely with patient and public involvement (PPI) groups and experts to help identify unmet needs and gain their feedback on early stage innovations.
ACCESS TO NHS AND NIHR INFRASTRUCTURE
We work across NHS and NIHR infrastructure, and are one of the 11 NIHR MedTech and In vitro Co-operatives (MICs). We can help you find the right NHS and NIHR organisations to work with.
FACILITATE COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN STAKEHOLDERS
We have extensive networks across healthcare, industry, and academia, and can help you find the right people to collaborate with.
CLINICAL EVALUATION
We can advise on and support the rapid clinical evaluation of medical technologies in the NHS.
ACCESS TO THE NATIONAL PAEDIATRIC TECHNOLOGY TEST BED
We host the only dedicated NHS child health technology test bed. The test bed supports the rapid clinical evaluation of child health technology.
ADVICE FROM LEADING CLINICIANS
We focus on developing child health technology in seven themes, each led by expert clinicians around the UK. We work very closely with our Theme Leads to ensure we develop innovations that address validated unmet needs.
SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE TO SECURE FUNDING
We are highly experienced in securing funding, and can advise on and support funding applications.
REGULATORY AND IP GUIDANCE
We can advise on the regulatory guidance and intellectual property required for various medical technologies.
ACCESS TO THE TITCH NETWORK
We run the Technology Innovation Transforming Child Health (TITCH) network. TITCH is a network of experts that are dedicated to developing technology solutions across all health specialities to improve child health. We can support innovations through the TITCH Network where appropriate.
COLLABORATION REQUEST FORM
Please complete our collaboration request form to tell us about unmet needs, ideas for innovation, or innovations in development. All collaboration requests are treated as strictly confidential and will not be shared with third parties without your express permission.
COLLABORATION REQUEST GUIDANCE
Please read our collaboration request guidance before submitting the form to ensure your request is within our remit.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For answers to our most frequently asked questions, please visit our FAQs page.
EMAIL US
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us and a member of our team will get in touch.
STAGE ONE IDENTIFY
UNMET NEED
Observe an unmet need in child health. Unmet needs can be identified by anyone, regardless of profession or age.
INNOVATION
Identify an idea for innovation that addresses an unmet need in child health. Ideas for innovation can be suggested by anyone, regardless of profession or age.
STAGE TWO REQUEST
SUBMIT COLLABORATION REQUEST
Complete our collaboration request form to let us know about an unmet need, idea for innovation, or early stage innovation. Please read our guidance carefully before submitting a collaboration request to ensure it is within our remit.
STAGE THREE VALIDATE
OTHER PEOPLE
Speak to other people in similar situations to find out if they have the same unmet need.
TRENDS
Review and monitor known unmet needs to identify potential trends.
SCOPING
Conduct a scoping exercise to find out if an innovation already exists that addresses the unmet need.
Engage with stakeholders and end users (e.g. clinical teams, NHS commissioners, children, young people, families) to find out if they think the innovation is a good idea.
Conduct preliminary searches to find out if there is any protection, such as intellectual property, that may prevent the innovation from being developed.
STAGE FOUR OUTCOME
PROJECT
If there is a clear need for innovation, we can support the unmet need or innovation as a project. This is likely to include:
1. Establishing a project team
2. Applying for funding
3. Prototype development
4. Clinical evaluation
5. Health economics
6. Protection
SHARE
In some circumstances, one of our partner organisations may be better equipped to progress the innovation. For example, if a product is almost ready for NHS adoption, one of the Academic Health Science Networks may be better resourced to continue the project.
PAUSE
If the unmet need cannot be validated or if similar innovations already exist, it may not be appropriate to continue progressing the innovation.
