14th December 2017
Celebrating success in the Welsh life science sector
Hundreds of guests gathered for the MediWales Innovation Awards on 12th December at Cardiff’s National Museum of Wales, to celebrate the achievements of the Welsh life science sector in 2017. Delivered with support from the Welsh Government’s Healthcare Technology, Strategy and Innovation team and Health & Care Research Wales, the black tie event consisted of a champagne reception, a gala dinner and a ceremony to announce the winners from industry and NHS award categories.
Chepstow-based medical device company Creo Medical won the industry award for Innovation, while Wrexham-based digital health company Aparito received the Start-Up award. DTR Medical won the industry Partnership with the NHS award for their hands-on device that allows medical trainees to practise examining patients for cervical cancer.
The award for Outstanding Achievement went to Sharp Clinical Services, a leading provider of specialist clinical supply chain services, and the Export award went to CellPath, whose international trade programme has resulted in a huge increase in their export sales. The final industry award, the Judges’ Award, was given to digital health start-up Bond Digital Health.
Research Excellence in the NHS was awarded to Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and Swansea University Medical School for their clinical trial that explored the use of the AliveCor Kardia mobile device to detect atrial fibrillation, which is a common cause of stroke.
OBS Cymru came out top in the Efficiency Through Technology – High Impact category, due to their work improving outcomes for women experiencing postpartum haemorrhage. The NHS Wales Collaboration with Industry award went to Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board’s Department of Diabetes and Swansea University Diabetes Research Group for their collaborative clinical trials with companies of all sizes.
Lymphoedema Network Wales received the Innovation within NHS Wales award thanks to their on-the-ground education project, enabling community nurses to gain knowledge and learn skills around lymphoedema and chronic oedema. The final NHS award, the Judges’ Award, was won by the NHS Wales Informatics Choose Pharmacy Team, who are increasing the availability of a new system that allows GPS and community pharmacists to share patient information.