All above board for Chris’ innovative idea

A duty locality officer in Southend has won £500-worth of funding after coming highly commended in an innovation competition.

Chris wanted to solve the problem of no standard layout for paediatric equipment in ambulances or cars, and had the idea for a paediatric resuscitation and treatment board for use when treating a very sick child pre-hospital. The board would act as a treatment platform, as well as carrying guidance information as an aide memoire.

He entered the recent innovation voucher competition run by Health Enterprise East and was presented with a special glass plaque at Southend station on 23^rd March.

Chris said: “My board has the potential to be placed in every ambulance and emergency response car in the country and could be adopted worldwide. It could also be used in day care centres, nurseries and schools.

“In addition to helping improve care for the child, there is also the potential to reduce stress for the ambulance practitioner in these situations. I plan to use the prize money towards getting a working prototype made to take the project forward.”

The money will be used to help progress Chris’ idea in a number of ways such as feasibility research, design and development, and filing intellectual property such as patents and design rights.

Published 2nd April 2015