“We couldn’t believe it; we all stared at each other, thinking ‘Did they just say our name?” recalls Joanne Henry, a matron from the Clinical Research Network, Greater Manchester; which won the Inclusive Innovation award, sponsored by the Catapult and announced in Manchester in March. “It took us a while to get to the stage because we were numb. It was a privilege to be there.”
Chief Operating Officer Sarah Fallon adds: “I met many nominees at the event and was so impressed with the calibre of the candidates who were shortlisted. It was amazing to have won.”
Joanne, Sarah and colleagues triumphed at the Northern Power Women ceremony for their work in taking research out to the local communities within Greater Manchester to improve health and social care access, especially for under-represented groups.
Their network began 10 years ago; funding and facilitating staff including nurses, doctors and research associates operating across NHS settings and education facilities within the region. In the last three years, this has extended to increase research in primary care, social care, and other community settings including schools and prisons. In the last year more than 65,000 people took part in studies in Greater Manchester.