Call for brilliant ideas
The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care System (ICS) has put out a call for people to pitch their prize-winning ideas to tackle digital exclusion in the area, as it extends the deadline for applications to the Health Inequalities Challenge Prize 2022 to 1 May
The first of its kind in the area, this Challenge Prize gives individuals and organisations the chance to submit their ideas and solutions to help more people in the area access digital health and care services. Ideas can be simple or complex, big or small – the important thing is that they should make a positive difference to local communities. A panel of judges will select eight finalists from the applicants who will each receive £3,000 to develop their idea, with a winner selected from the finalists being awarded a further £10,000 to make their winning idea into a reality.
Over the course of the pandemic many of us have increasingly relied on digital services for our health and care needs. Examples include 111 Online, the NHS App, and nhs.uk where lots of information and advice on common health conditions can be found.
Whilst lots of people locally are successfully accessing these services, the ICS is mindful that some people have more difficulty using digital services. The Challenge Prize seeks to address some of the challenges patients can face whilst trying to access digital services, helping more people get to the great range of resources the NHS has to offer.
Anyone in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough can submit their idea to the Challenge Prize, regardless of their age. All finalists chosen by the panel will be provided with additional support to help develop their idea into a deliverable project.
Jan Thomas, Chief Executive Officer Designate of the ICS said: “The Health Inequalities Challenge Prize is a great opportunity for local innovators to put forward their ideas for ways in which we can make health information and services online accessible to everyone.
“The extension of the deadline is excellent news as it means even more local people and organisations can come forward with their proposals. If you’ve got a brilliant idea that could help us make our online services accessible to everyone, please apply now – your idea could make a huge difference.”
Michael O’Toole, Chief Executive at the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation, added:
“I am delighted that we can offer more time for local ideas to come forward in applying for the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Health Inequalities Challenge Prize. The impact of digital exclusion amongst disadvantaged groups can result in serious inequalities in health and social care. Tackling digital exclusion is vitally import for our communities..... if you have the germ of a brilliant idea, then please apply by 1st May.”
People can find out how to apply via the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation website, with applications closing on 1 May.