Funding awarded by the Cancer Alliance of over £100,000 is helping to progress 4 innovative projects to improve cancer outcomes for patients in our region and inspire colleagues to think differently. 

The Cancer Innovation Award Scheme 21/22 was launched on the 10th January 2022 by South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw (SYB) Cancer Alliance in conjunction with the Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network (YHAHSN).

There were 11 applicants bidding for grants of between £10-30k. Seven applications were shortlisted to present to a Dragon’s Den style panel of experts, with four awarded the funding, which totalled £109,574.

The successful applicants were:

Breast Cancer Rapid Diagnosis AI – University of Sheffield

Development of a symptom checker-style app – Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Trust

Programme to increase the accessibility of exercise and physical activity support for children – Sheffield Children’s Hospital 

Study examining face-to-face vs. remote exercise rehabilitation – Sheffield Hallam University

Applications were received from across the region and from a variety of partners including community organisers, cancer charities, and secondary and tertiary providers. The projects could be at any stage, from yet-to-be-piloted to already established. The Award Scheme was open to both single organisations and collaborative bids from organisations or care settings across Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

All applicants were asked to provide detail on how the funding was going to be used to support one or more of the following key activities:

-Improving access to diagnostics

-Managing cancer alongside other Long Term Conditions, including Long Covid

-Reducing health inequalities

-Supporting personalised care

The seven shortlisted applications went on to face a panel of experts, including an SYB GP, a patient representative, the Director of Innovation for SYB and a Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Surgeon. The unsuccessful applicants were provided feedback from the panel and an opportunity to strengthen their application should they wish to re-apply for the next round.