Asset (FAQs)

FAQs innovation fellows: programme information

What is the purpose of the programme?

To develop innovation skills in Healthcare Scientists (HCS). The intention is to maximise and apply their scientific background in preparation for new roles and more flexible ways of working.

What will Fellows gain by doing this programme?

Training and project experience in the process of innovating and evaluating new healthcare technologies. The focus will be on reducing issues associated with healthcare inequalities by using innovative technologies for diagnosis or monitoring, that help people to live their lives well, for longer.

What is the Host Trust expected to provide to Fellows?

A commitment to support the Fellow’s application by providing 1 day per week of protected study/project time. This will include undertaking an innovation project within the Trust. The agreement of the Fellow’s employer will be a requirement of the application.

Who will deliver the programme?

The NIHR Devices for Dignity and MedTech Co-operative will deliver the taught content and will provide mentoring support during projects.

How will the programme be delivered?

Using a blended approach of online coursework broken into modules and hosted on a bespoke platform and through a mentored project undertaken in the Host Trust.

What is the expected time commitment?

Fellows and their departments are expected to commit on average 1 day per week for the programme over 12 months. It is envisaged that there will be some need to travel over the 12 months to meet in person with the mentors, other Fellows and the Devices for Dignity team. This will be kept under review according to COVID-19 restrictions.

How flexible is the course content – can Fellows pick and choose parts of the course?

The expectation is that Fellows will complete all the elements of the online ‘introduction to innovation’ learning resource designed as an integrated innovation course. We recommend that Fellows complete the first four learning elements in the first 2 months of the Programme as a foundation for their project development.

Do I need to be working directly with patients?

No, but Fellows will be encouraged to look at projects seeing the patient as a partner and understanding their journey.

What is the role of the mentor?

The mentors will be matched to the Fellows based on areas of expertise appropriate to the project and their role is to provide expert guidance on the project; make connections where appropriate and act as a critical friend.

Does the Fellowship need to be linked to a product or innovation or can a Fellowship be about learning how to adopt and adapt innovation into the NHS?

As part of each Fellows project, there is a requirement to consider plans for its adoption into the wider NHS system.

How can an ICS support the programme?

We are happy to have involvement and support of an ICS.

Who is offering these modules, would there be long terms plans to offer these as standalones?

This programme is a collaboration between the National School of Healthcare Science, the Office of the Chief Scientific Officer for NHS England, Health Education and Improvement Wales, Healthcare Science Cymru and the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS). The programme will be delivered by NIHR Devices for Dignity MedTech Co-operative (Devices for Dignity), an organisation embedded within the NHS and successfully catalysing medical technology innovation since 2008.

Last updated on 23rd November 2023