What Makes a Good Submission to Innovation Factor?

Dr Yvonne Kuma, Technology Officer, TRUSTECH. 

We've seen a fantastic response to IF since it was launched almost a year ago. The ideas submitted have been hugely varied, ranging from medical devices and new pieces of software to service improvements, new delivery pathways and mobile apps. Clearly, any idea or innovation can be submitted to IF and obtain bespoke feedback and advice.

In order for you to get the most out of IF, it is important to make sure your submission is as clear, effective and informative as possible. This makes it easier for the reviewer to put together more detailed and helpful feedback. 

 Here's how Dr Yvonne Kuma, Innovations Officer at TRUSTECH, summarised the key ingredients of an effective IF submission:

1. Give as much information as you can
“This is probably the most important piece of advice I can give. The best submissions are always the ones which provide lots of information. We’d like you to go into as much detail as you can – there’s no such thing as too much!”

2. Do a bit of research
“When completing your submission, you will be asked to show any research you have done on market size and existing products/services. Presenting some research will give the person reviewing your submission a much clearer understanding of what your innovation could look like and its overall viability. This will also help you to start thinking about your 'sales pitch' going forward. I can’t recommend this enough.”

3. Include an attachment
“Those submissions which come with designs, drawings and diagrams are always the most engaging and easiest to understand. The quality doesn’t matter – if you have an idea in your head, make sure you get it on paper. We’d love to see it.”

4. Think about the big picture
“Some submissions will genuinely only be relevant to a certain NHS organisation or even a specific role within it. However, innovations which are described as only applying to a certain hospital or department often have the potential to eventually be rolled out on a much wider basis. If you can, take the time to think about this properly while completing your submission. Who else could benefit from your idea?”  

5. Contact us!
“Remember, you don’t need to complete your submission on your own. If you need help at any stage, please get in touch with Yvonne at Yvonne.Kuma@trustech.nhs.uk or call 0161 276 5769.”

Yvonne has a background in biochemistry. She gained her PhD from the MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit at the University of Dundee, during which she conducted research into the physiological roles of the newer members of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase family. This was followed by post-doctoral work mainly at the University of California at Berkeley, and more recently a Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law from the University of Manchester.