I am pleased to confirm further funding arrangements to provide support for efficiency improvements through the use of technology. This follows another successful open call last autumn. This is an opportunity for you to bring forward more projects which can quickly make an impact on the financial challenge that we face across the system.
As we have seen in many of the examples of current ETTF projects, this funding has a strong emphasis on taking quick practical actions to improve the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare services. We cannot afford to postpone this effort due to current pressures, and I expect once again to see a good number of strong project proposals, drawn from your integrated medium term plan, which can make an immediate start. Proposals are invited for both evaluation and upscale projects:
- Rapid evaluation projects – to test the real world impact of new products and services on efficiency and effectiveness. These projects must complete within nine months, with a funding requirement of £50k to £200k.
- Scale-up projects – to accelerate the adoption of products and services which demonstrate significant improvements in efficiency and effectiveness, to national or regional level. These projects can run for up to three years (though ETTF money will only be available for two) with a minimum funding requirement of £200k.
The application and selection process is very straightforward – project proposals of up to four pages in length must be submitted by 30 August 2017 and we aim to confirm funding for selected projects by the end of December.
To help advise potential applicants and discuss project ideas, the Fund team will be available in person or via video conference at the Life Sciences Hub in Cardiff Bay every Tuesday from June until the closing date in August. For further details and to schedule appointments, please contact the team by email at healthtechfund@wales.gsi.gov.uk.