Innovative remote monitoring and virtual care projects were among the winners at the 12th annual HealthTech Innovation Awards announced last week, including the University of Galway’s Healthy Islands project and the implementation of a digital platform for oncology virtual care.
The University of Galway – Digital Health Continuum partnership won the award for the best healthcare collaboration, involving the university, the hospital, the HSE, Cisco, MyPatientSpace, and island communities.
The €1 million collaboration was launched in 2022 and involves the Home Health project, which combines video consultations with remote physiological monitoring, including blood pressure, weight, blood sugar, to deliver more useful virtual care.
It is already seeing results, including a new initiative to provide telemedicine to island communities along with remote monitoring services for people with chronic conditions.
Remote monitoring using MyPatientSpace for virtual assessments in the oncology setting was also a winner, with Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda taking out the transformative impact – digital health award.
Best indigenous healthcare start-up was Spryt International, which has developed an AI receptionist called Asa, which allows patients to book, reschedule and cancel appointments, as well as ask questions via WhatsApp.
Asa incorporates behavioural science and generative AI to tailor language and messaging to different patient groups. It has recently partnered with North Central London Integrated Care Board and the Islington GP Federation on a pilot, the first time WhatsApp and AI have been approved by the NHS for appointment scheduling.
Medical device winners include HSL for its Brevera system, MED Surgical for its Zeiss Forum, and Synapse Medical for its Mozart system.
The outstanding contribution to healthcare award went to HSE’s national clinical advisor for primary care, David Hanlon.
HealthTech Ireland CEO Susan Treacy said the awards were a “unique coming together from across the sector”.
“Each of the winners is recognised by the judges for the impact they are having or will have, and their potential to deliver value and better outcomes for patients,” Ms Treacy said.
“They bring value in how healthcare is delivered through cutting-edge innovation and solutions. This includes improving care for those with cancer, making treatments more sustainable and accessible, and more closely linking community and hospital care.”
Ms Treacy said HealthTech Ireland was honoured to award a posthumous lifetime achievement award to the former chief executive of the Mater Private Fergus Clancy, who passed away this year.
“He was a source of inspiration for many in the sector,” Ms Treacy said.
