SBRI Healthcare, an Accelerated Access Collaborative initiative, in partnership with the AHSN Network, is delighted to announce that applications are open for Competition 23: Child health.
Children and young people (CYP) represent almost a third of the UK population and improving their health and wellbeing is a key priority for NHS England, as set out in the NHS Long Term Plan.
The vision for the NHS is that:
-
By 2028, children and young people in England will have better physical health, mental health and wellbeing.
-
Children and young people, and their parents and carers, will experience a seamless service delivered by an integrated health and care system.
-
There will be a skilled workforce that listens to them, responds, and meets their needs.
The competition focuses on priority areas outlined in the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s 2020 State of Child Health report :
Long term conditions - Many long term conditions develop during childhood. More children are presenting with multiple and complex morbidities requiring tailored management.
-
Asthma is the most common long-term condition among children and young people and is among the top ten reasons for emergency hospital admission of children in the UK.
-
Epilepsy is the most common long-term neurological condition of childhood.
-
Diabetes is becoming increasingly common among young people in the UK, the majority due to Type 1 but there are growing numbers of Type 2.
Prevention of ill-health - Promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing people from becoming ill is key to reducing the existing and future burden of disease and ensuring that everyone can live long and healthy lives.
-
Obesity is a major area of concern, as obese children are highly likely to become obese adults, with an increased chance of developing a range of other health conditions.
-
Oral health - Early intervention in childhood fosters healthy behaviours for life, notably in areas such as oral health. Tooth decay can lead to pain and time off school, resulting in loss of work for families, despite dental decay being almost always preventable.
Reducing health inequalities as outlined in NHS England’s Core20PLUS5 for Children and Young People is a core component of this competition, and equity of access and experience should be a central pillar of any successful innovation.
The competition is open to single organisations based in the UK or EU from the private, public, and third sectors, including companies - large corporates and small and medium enterprises, charities, universities and NHS Foundation Trusts.
Organisations based outside the UK or EU with innovations in remit for this call can apply as subcontractors of a lead UK/EU based organisation or via a UK or EU subsidiary.
The competition is for Phase 1 proposals which concentrate on activities that will significantly contribute to proving the scientific, technical and commercial feasibility of the proposed innovation.