National recognition for Our Dorset health professionals at innovation awards

Dorset's integrated care system (ICS), Our Dorset, has been shortlisted for its Dorset Innovation Hub in the 'Innovative Health System of the Year' category of the Innovate Awards.

Dorset Innovation Hub (DIH) is one of 4 Health Foundation innovation hubs, hosted by University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) overseen by partners across Dorset. Its vision is to establish the conditions to facilitate and sustain innovation adoption across the Dorset ICS for the benefit of our patients and service users. The Hub draws on partner experience and expertise to focus on the adaptation of innovation to the local context, using patient and public involvement and co-production principles to ensure that the process takes account of and is sensitive to the needs of patients, staff, existing culture and working practices.

The Innovate Awards is a collaboration between the Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs), which operates as the innovation arm of the NHS in England and acts as the collective voice of the 15 academic health science networks, and the NHS Confederation, the membership body which represents healthcare in the UK. They celebrate excellence in innovation in health and care, showcasing those teams, organisations and health and care systems leading the way in positive change.

The 'Innovative Health System of the Year' category recognises health and care systems where a culture of innovation is the bedrock of how things are delivered. It celebrates ICSs with the culture, capability and track record of adopting and spreading innovation at scale.

Commenting on the news, Dr Alan Betts, chair of the Dorset Innovation Hub programme group and director of improvement and integration at University Hospitals Dorset, said:

"To be a finalist is really great recognition of the leadership, vision, team work, hard work and passion for innovation in Dorset.

"It's a fantastic tribute to what can be achieved when everyone gets to use their strengths."

The Innovate Awards ceremony takes place at Leonardo Royal Hotel, London Tower Bridge on 29 September - you can read more about the event at www.innovatehealthcareawards.co.uk.

More information on the Dorset Innovation Hub can be found here: www.ourdorset.org.uk/innovation/about/.