The winners at the 14^th annual MediWales Innovation Awards were announced at the Cardiff National Museum this month. 

The awards celebrate achievements in NHS Wales and Welsh life sciences and health technology communities.

Industry winners:

Innovation – Magstim, which manufactures and supplies Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) equipment for the treatment of depression. The company has recently launched StimGuide, a 3D TMS navigation system developed for the clinical setting.

Start-up – CanSense, which has developed a non-invasive diagnostic for early detection of bowel cancer using a blood sample. The technology speeds up the diagnostic process for the patients at greatest risk. 

Export – CellPath specialises in the manufacture and worldwide supply of consumables, equipment and services to aid hospitals in cancer diagnostics. Export sales have increased thanks to the opening of a new International Distribution Centre, and franchising agreements have been arranged across Europe for its storage solutions.

Partnership with the NHS – Creo Medical, a medical device company focused on surgical endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery has worked in partnership with East Kent Hospitals, to develop an advanced energy platform and endoscopic Speedboat device. It allows complex cases to be treated on-site rather than referred elsewhere.

Outstanding Achievement – CellNess is an archive management service delivered by CellPath. The organisation is celebrating its 17th successive year of growth since service launch, with a 100% customer retention rate and adoption in most NHS hospitals. 

Industry Judges Award – Blackwood Embedded Solutions, which specialises in medical embedded systems, provides both software and electronic design. The company changed its design approach and successfully completed three medical device proof-of-concepts in one year, with just a small team and limited funding.

NHS winners:

Innovation within NHS Wales – Cardiff & Vale University Health Board has developed a transitional cross-boundary Supportive Care Pathway for heart failure patients who are towards the end of their lives. It has resulted in increased and earlier referrals to palliative care.

NHS Wales Collaboration with Welsh Industry – Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has worked with SEWAHSP and Orchard Media to develop 10 virtual reality experiences that encourage young people to consider a career in the NHS. They hope to boost understanding of NHS workforce challenges, increase employment within local communities and more. 

Efficiency through Technology Programme - High Impact Award – The All Wales Medical Genomics Service has developed a new test called non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT). The test can now be offered to pregnant women in Wales as an alternative to an invasive test which has an associated risk of miscarriage.

Health and Social Care Research Partnership with Industry – In Velindre University NHS Trust's FAKTION trial, patients with the most common type of incurable breast cancer received therapy with a novel AKT inhibitor, supplied by Astra Zeneca. The results were overwhelmingly positive, showing significant improvements in cancer shrinkage and control.

NHS Judges Award – The Staying Steady Schools project is an intergenerational falls awareness and healthy ageing scheme, bringing together primary school children and older adults. Sessions are led by healthcare students who are trained by staff from Cardiff & Vale University Health Board and the Local Public Health Team.

Special Mention – Patients Know Best received a special mention at the Awards in recognition of their work with health boards across Wales, empowering patients with the tools and information to self-manage their care. In Swansea Bay University Health Board, Patients Know Best is now active across 15 services.