SBRI: Simulation Technology for Healthcare Training

News article

Up to £400,000 funding for innovations that could deliver 'future fit' training for medical procedures, taking advantage of new technologies

Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Centre of Excellence in Wales is running another SBRI competition in the area of health and wellbeing. This time, the aim is to fund innovations that could deliver 'future fit' training for tracheostomy procedures. This training would take advantage of emerging digital and technology advancements.

Before Covid-19, tracheostomy training was traditionally delivered through a combination of online education and face-to-face simulation training. Due to the current challenges of social distancing and lack of training facilities, traditional training has become increasingly difficult and alternatives are being sought to:

  • deliver tracheostomy training in an appropriate safe way
  • make the training experience as close as possible to the bedside experience, providing a real sense of the actual environment
  • reduce the need for face-to-face training
  • deliver training in a more convenient method, without time or location restrictions, increasing numbers being trained and reducing any backlogs

In total, up to £400,000 funding is available for this challenge. The challenge is structured across three phases:

  • Phase 1: Feasibility - funding for up to five projects up to a value of £30,000 each
  • Phase 2: Development - funding for up to two of the most successful Phase 1 projects
  • Phase 3: Testing - robust testing of up to two of the successful Phase 2 solutions in real life operating conditions

Whilst the first phase of this challenge would initially be focused on tracheostomy training, there should be potential for the application of the innovation to be used in many other areas, including life support. Solutions must be suitable for rapid deployment.

For any enquiries about this competition, you can email: SBRI.COE@wales.nhs.uk.


First published 26 April 2021