AN opportunity to recognise the people, organisations and participants in south Cumbria who helped deliver research and innovation in healthcare during the recent pandemic has been launched.

The North West Coast Research and Innovation Awards 2022 will be hosted by the Innovation Agency; Clinical Research Network North West Coast (CRN NWC); and Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast (ARC NWC). Held annually since 2015 the awards return after a two-year break due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The event is a welcome opportunity to reward and acknowledge those involved in research during the last two years who have helped save thousands of lives through developing, delivering, participating in or applying an innovative idea or piece of research. Key areas which the awards cover include Covid-19 research, patient safety, public involvement and cross sector collaboration.

Innovation Agency Chief Executive Dr Phil Jennings said: “When it comes to research and innovation the North West Coast is a powerhouse. These awards are an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have worked tirelessly to reduce health inequalities and improve patient care despite the pandemic. I look forward to receiving nominations and meeting those who have made a real difference to life in the region and beyond.”

The awards have been boosted further with the support of the region’s two Integrated Care System organisations covering Cheshire and Merseyside and Lancashire and South Cumbria, who are sponsoring two new awards in the areas of sustainability and tackling health inequalities.

Twelve awards in total will showcase the best research and innovation from NHS organisations, industry and academic partners, third sector organisations, local authorities and other collaborators in health innovation.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on June 23.

The 2022 awards categories are:

• Innovation in Patient Safety

• Innovation in Workforce Deployment

• Culture for Innovation

• Research Student of the Year

• The Ruth Young Award for Research Implementation

• Outstanding Contribution to Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)

• Research Delivery Team of the Year

• Research Collaboration of the Year

• Primary Care and Community Research Site of the Year

• Tackling Health Inequalities Award

• The 2022 Sustainability Award

• The Covid-19 Research and Innovation Award

To enter applicants should visit www.nwcawards.co.uk, check the criteria of the award they are interested in and ensure their nomination is submitted before the deadline of March 18.