Shortlist announced for Yorkshire’s healthcare Oscars

The shortlisted nominees for the Medilink Yorkshire and Humber (Y&H) Innovation Day and Healthcare Business Awards 2009; the Yorkshire healthcare industry’s equivalent to the Oscars; have been announced this week.

The region’s premier healthcare event, which is expected to attract over 200 delegates from across the sector, is sponsored by leading medical device specialists, Xiros plc and supported by Business Link, Access to Finance, CPD for Health, Medipex and Hull Forward.

Taking place at The Royal Armouries, Leeds on 8th July 2009, the event showcases the cream of the region’s Healthcare Technologies sector celebrating cutting edge innovation, outstanding business achievements and international success.

It is also a great networking opportunity for the healthcare community (industry, clinical and academic) providing them with a chance to hear from a range of specialists on topics such as how to raise venture capital in challenging economic times (George Whitehead, Business Developer, NESTA) and the importance of innovation for UK Healthcare Technologies (Peter Ellingworth, CEO, ABHI). Adam Cairns, CEO, Airedale NHS Trust, will be talking on Telehealth and the critical need of implementation of it for the future of the NHS.

The awards - Innovation Award, Export Achievement Award, Growth in Sector Award, Start Up Award and Partnership with the NHS Award - are being judged by a panel of highly respected healthcare professionals and winners will be announced on the day.

Below are the shortlisted nominees for this year’s awards:

• UDL Innovation Award - AGA Healthcare (Hebden Bridge), (Brandon Medical Company Ltd (Leeds) and Tissuemed Ltd (Leeds). The award recognises the development of an innovative technology, design or process, which has produced a major improvement in business performance or enhanced user benefit.
• UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) Export Achievement Award - Downs Surgical Ltd, (Sheffield), Tissuemed Ltd (Leeds) and Trio Healthcare Ltd (Skipton). The award celebrates outstanding performance in international trade.
• Eversheds Growth in Sector Award - Paxman Coolers (Huddersfield), Single Use Surgical Ltd (Barnsley) and Trio Healthcare (Skipton). This award is for companies who have enjoyed consistent, sustainable, and profitable growth within the sector.
• Yorkshire Bank Start Up Award – Imagel Ltd (York), Intervene Ltd (Sheffield) and Neotherix Ltd (York). The award for newly established companies in the healthcare sector that, trading for up to 3 years, show a promising future.
• Jonathan Lee Recruitment Partnership with the NHS Award – Independent Care Products Ltd (Halifax), Leeds Reproductive Bioscience (Leeds) and Medcom (York). The NHS award recognises collaboration with the NHS that has, or will have major impact or benefit on business performance or patient care.

The Beacon Award will also be received by an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to healthcare.

The winner of each category will be automatically put forward for the national Medilink Awards which take place later next year.

Kevin Kiely, Managing Director of Medilink (Y&H) said: “Congratulations to all the companies that have been shortlisted. In the present economic downturn it has been encouraging to see the high standard of excellence in innovation, from within the region’s Health Technologies sector. This event is one of the region’s premier networking events and the Medilink team is looking forward to meeting the healthcare community on the day.”

To book your free place at the event please contact Nikola Alevizos on 0114 222 6317, email n.alevizos@medilink.co.uk

Note to editors: Media contact: Julia Price, Medilink (Y&H) on 0114 222 6313 or email j.price@medilink.co.uk  

More information about Medilink (Y&H)

Medilink Yorkshire & Humber (Y&H) is a membership-based professional association which serves Healthcare Technologies community within the Yorkshire & Humber region. Yorkshire & the Humber is home to 56 large hospitals, including two of the largest university teaching hospitals in Europe. Many of the regions 400 medical companies take full advantage of the special relationship that exists with some of Europe's leading clinicians based in the region.

Medilink offer a variety of services to its members, which include help with Export, Product Development, PR and Communications and Project Management. Medilink also organise seminars, workshops and conferences to give the region’s healthcare technology community the opportunity to network with their peers and keep up to date on the latest technology advances in the field. Medilink provide a gateway for national and international clients interested in developing relationships with the region's medical sector .