My name is Kiel Shoja and I am excited to be able to write this guest blog to talk about my role here at ELHT, helping to push innovation forward.
In order to stay to true to innovation I did consider having artificial intelligence chatbot such as Chat-GPT write this blog, but unfortunately for me this has been written by a 100% human.
I’ve been at ELHT for three years now, coming into the Trust as Undergraduate Medical Education Lead which involved ‘all things medical students’. More recently I have taken up the role as Innovation Lead within the Directorate of Education, Research and Innovation (DERI).
DERI has a been great place to work - it has allowed me to bring forward my own ideas and collaborate with others. Of course it can be a challenge just like anywhere else, but you know that everyone is pushing in the same direction, improving what we do and how we do things.
Growing up it was my dream to be an inventor, and whilst I didn’t exactly know what I was inventing I would build all manner of objects from old Cornflakes boxes, pipe-cleaners and Lego blocks so it seems almost fitting that I would find myself as Innovation Lead.
But enough of my origin story, what does my role entail? What even is ‘innovation’? The best way that I can describe what I do is to start by complimenting everyone who is reading this blog, you are a wealth of knowledge, you have your own bright, novel ideas or innovative way of thinking about the ways things could be done, ways to bring about positive change or add value.
My job is to get those ideas out of your head and help make them into a reality, not just improving the way things are done here in East Lancashire but in the hope we can improve healthcare for the population as a whole. Simply speaking, that is what innovation is, introducing new and creative ideas, products or methods that can lead to positive change.
We work with colleagues, students and patients from all over the Trust and beyond, across all job types and disciplines – simply anyone who has a great idea. It doesn’t have to be a futuristic medical contraption or some cutting-edge technology, often it’s the simplest ideas that are the best.
The journey isn’t straightforward however, and whilst we are all so busy doing our day jobs there often isn’t time to pursue your ideas.
Together with the incredible work done by the Research Team, we can support you with the first steps, signpost you to funding, help with applications, prototyping and setting up contracts. Working with external agencies such as Health Innovation North West Coast and UCLan’s Innovation Clinic we can make sure you are on the right track to make your ideas a reality.
If down the line your innovation idea becomes eligible for patenting and sold commercially, you can even receive a percentage of the royalties; we have innovations which started as scribbles on a piece of paper and are now sold internationally. For example, one of our ELHT consultants, Professor Teh, has been instrumental in the production of the Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL©) questionnaire which has had a truly global impact.
It really is exciting to be a part of something that advances healthcare and improves all our lives – something that starts right here at ELHT.
Thank you all for reading this blog. If like me you are passionate about innovation, no matter what your role is, please do get in touch. We are launching our ELHT Innovation Champions Group where like-minded individuals can become Innovation Champions, helping to promote and encourage innovation activity within their department or area. No experience is necessary - you just need an enthusiasm for innovation. Please email innovation@elht.nhs.uk if you are interested.
Take care everyone.
Best wishes,
Kiel Shoja, Innovation Lead