PRINCESS Alexandra Hospital has signed up to be one of the first hospital trusts in the country to take part in a new national problem solving network.

The ‘Statement of Clinical Need’ initiative is funded by the NHS National Innovation Centre and UK Government Technology Strategy Board.

The idea of the pilot scheme is that when staff have a problem or an issue with a new piece of clinical kit or equipment, or they believe there is a need to introduce new equipment in a clinical area, they first discuss it amongst themselves.

They can then ask for the matter to be logged as a report on to a dedicated national website detailing the problem and asking for views and ideas.

Other colleagues in NHS organisations, government offices or in the private sector can contact the trust via an online facility and discuss their own experiences, suggest alternatives or come up with solutions to the problem.

The network was initially developed to help clinicians who often have little input into the design and development of new products and practices, but are on the frontline in having to use them to deliver better care or improve the quality of service to patients.

The trust’s research and development facilitiator, Chris Cook, who is leading the project, said: “Our staff have vital practical knowledge of what works and what sometimes needs to be adapted to make work. There are new products coming on to the scene all the time and it’s a fact that sometimes they are designed without that key practical knowledge being taken into account.

“By partnering with other trusts and the private sector, we can work together to reduce waste, overcome hitches and ensure that new kit and fresh ideas improve quality of care for our patients.” If the pilot is successful it will be rolled out nationally across the NHS and other public sector organisations.