HSE Spark Ignite 2022 competition on Monday, 14th February 2022.

 

Spark Updates

Spark Ignite 2022

The Spark Innovation Programme is delighted to announce the launch of the HSE Spark Ignite 2022 competition on Monday, 14th February 2022.

Spark wants energetic, passionate staff to apply with problems and potential solutions from their clinical area. Shortlisted candidates will enter the Ignite mini-accelerator and mentorship programme. This will feature three days of bespoke workshops bringing applicants through the stages of innovation from idea development, to business model refinement and ultimately to pitching to enterprise.

The initiative will culminate with an opportunity to pitch for funding at either, the Galway, Cork or Dublin Regional Final. A National Final will take place afterwards between the regional winners. Prizes will include funding towards the implementation of your project.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the Spark Ignite application portal on the website by 5pm on 25th March 2022.

For further information, please see the brochure, FAQ’s and Terms & Conditions below

Spark Ignite Brochure 2022.pdf (size 612.4 KB)

Spark Ignite Terms and Conditions.pdf (size 225 KB)

Spark Ignite FAQs.pdf (size 256.2 KB)

To apply, please see the link here

National Innovation Fellowship Opportunity for NCHDs

The Spark Innovation Programme and NDTP are proud to announce an exciting Innovation Fellowship opportunity:

The National Innovation Fellowship in Innovation for NCHDs

We believe that by joining the Spark Team, the Non Consultant Hospital Doctor will play a crucial role in evolving, expanding, growing and developing our initiatives and supporting frontline innovation.

Please see the advert and full description of the role for more information below:

NCHD National Fellowship in Innovation 2022-24.pdf (size 309 KB)

Applications are now open and we invite you to submit your application by

5pm on the 7th March 2022.

Spark Annual Report 2020

The Spark Annual Report for 2020 has now been published. To read the report, please click Spark Annual Report

Hospital-Innovation-Fund

Hospital Innovation Fund

The Spark Innovation Programme is delighted to introduce the Hospital Innovation Fund, an initiative designed to promote innovation in Irish Hospitals by funding senior-led hospital projects. This initiative offers funding from €20,000 up to a maximum of €60,000.

Senior healthcare professionals can apply for funding for novel initiatives that have the potential to improve the way care is delivered in our public health service.

The initiative will fund projects that:

  • Add value to your hospital through increased delivery of best practice care, cost savings or increased capacity.
  • Demonstrate new ways of working
  • Encourage collaboration within the hospital and between organisations.
  • Can be scaled up and transferred to other services or other hospitals.
  • Show commitment to innovation from your hospital or hospital group.

In particular, we are looking for the following features in your project:

  • An emphasis on sustainability and a commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of healthcare
  • Evidence of innovative or design thinking
  • Engagement with emerging technologies

Following the success of our pilot initiative, “The Consultant Innovation fund”, we have decided to scale our initiative and rebrand as “The Hospital Innovation Fund” to include the wide range of healthcare workers driving innovation in our hospitals.

This initiative is a cross-department, multi-stakeholder initiative made possible by funding from the following bodies:

  • Health Service Executive – Acute Operations Division
  • Health Service Executive – Office of the Chief Clinical Officer
  • National Doctors Training and Planning
  • The Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Director
  • Health and Social Care Professions
Application Process

Applications must be made using the Hospital Innovation Fund Application Form. Applications should be submitted via our Google Form application – open from 14th December and closing at 5pm on the 28th of January 2022. Applications must be approved by the hospital senior management team. Spark is aware that the Google form may not be accessible in all HSE hospitals – however, it is essential that the form is used to allow for timely processing of the data. A PDF version of the questions is available on request in order for you to prepare in the hospital.

While the application must be led by a senior member of the department, collaboration is highly encouraged. It is anticipated that applicants would apply on behalf of a multidisciplinary team including Doctors, Nurses, Midwives and Health and Social Care Professionals. The involvement of health service users in project design and implementation will also strengthen applications. Input from other organisations is also encouraged. The project lead will be the key point of contact during the application process.

Eligibility

This scheme is open to Irish Public Hospitals only. Commercial State bodies and Section 39 organisations are not eligible to apply for funding.

On receipt of your application, your proposal will be checked for eligibility. Please note that incomplete applications will be rejected without further consideration. There are a number of conditions which must be met for the application to be assessed by the judging panel:

  1. The proposed project must be innovative.
  2. The timeline described must be practical and feasible.
  3. The expected results must be clearly laid out, realistic and measurable.
  4. The funding amount sought must be justified and based on a clearly laid out budget.
  5. The application must be led by a senior healthcare professional working in an Irish public hospital. The criteria for senior are as follows:
    • Doctor – Consultant and above
    • Nurse/Midwife – CNM3, ANP, ADON and above
    • Health & Social Care Professions – Manager and above
  6. The application must be approved by the hospital CEO and Senior Management Team

Applications that do not meet the above requirements will not be shortlisted for further consideration. If your application is unsuccessful at this stage, you will be notified. This initiative is not to be considered a substitute source of funding for proposals such as funding of a job post, usual renovations or routine equipment, etc.

Funding

The minimum level of funding available through this fund is €20,000 and the maximum is €60,000. Applications for funding will be expected to deliver significant value to the health service and must provide a strong evidence base to justify this level of investment. Funding will be allocated based on the potential for the innovation to diffuse throughout the health service, the degree of collaboration involved and the expected impact on patients, healthcare providers and the health service. Allocated funds will have to be drawn by September 2022.

Successful Applicants

Successful applicants will be issued with a letter of offer and a Memorandum of Agreement for completion. As part of this agreement, applicants will be expected to share the results of their project with the Spark Programme and other stakeholders. You must accept the conditions outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement to receive funding. You will be asked to accept the offer two weeks post initial offer. An interim report will be required by 31st July 2022 outlining milestones and achievements of the project. Projects funded by the Spark Hospital Innovation Fund will be invited to be part of the Spark Innovation Showcase at the Spark Summit and may be considered as an entrant for our Bright Spark Awards.

For further information, please see the brochure HIF Brochure pdf (size 251.2 KB)

For the Applicants guide, please see here HIF Applicant’s Guide.pdf (size 253.9 KB)