A year after it’s launch, the South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub (SYDHH) has announced it will support innovative projects from its first cohort of applications with almost half a million pounds of seed funding.

The Hub’s first funding call attracted a diverse range of applications from across South Yorkshire. The review panel was impressed by the quality of the proposals, with many applicants successfully incorporating the training provided by the Hub on structuring pitches and creating impactful applications. This led to an exceptionally strong first round of applications.

The journey from concept to funding involved a dynamic and inclusive process designed to foster collaboration and innovation across the region. The Hub’s Innovation Pipeline invited participants from all corners of South Yorkshire—patients, community members, healthcare professionals, and innovators—to share their knowledge and ideas. The goal was to identify key areas where new digital health tools could have a meaningful impact on the region’s health outcomes.

The process began with a collaborative “Sandpit” in March 2024. This brought together an impressive 90 participants, facilitating an exchange of ideas and expertise. It marked the first step towards building a community of practice committed to advancing digital health innovation in South Yorkshire.

Following the Sandpit, multi-disciplinary teams developed potential digital health solutions. These received mentorship and support as they refined their ideas, with guidance from patient, public, and professional representatives. By the end of the process, teams had developed detailed applications that outlined their innovative concepts, their potential impact on South Yorkshire residents, and the role of Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) in shaping their proposals. Each application was accompanied by a video pitch to the funding panel.

The second call for applications will be held towards the end of 2024 and will be designed to further increase the reach of the Digital Health Hub across South Yorkshire.

Professor Tim Chico, Director of the South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub, explained: “We are committed to not only funding innovative projects but also constantly improving the process by which these projects are developed and selected so that they are as robust, inclusive, and impactful as possible. We will explore new approaches to increase patient and public improvement. Our aim is to make the next round of applications even stronger, even more inclusive, and aligned with the needs of South Yorkshire.”

The SYDHH is committed to creating a network across the region, including Barnsley, Rotherham, and Doncaster, that fosters collaboration among people and organisations who do not currently work together. The Hub’s collaboration between the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University is leveraging their strengths in research, innovation, and community engagement to drive the development of new digital health solutions.

Professor Chico emphasised the importance of these partnerships: “By bringing together the right partners, people, and ideas that tackle unmet medical needs, the Hub is creating a pipeline of projects that aim to improve health outcomes, including for marginalised groups. Our partnership with Google Health is a fantastic example of this collaborative approach, providing us with 500 Google Career Certificate scholarships for students and innovators and opening up new research opportunities.”

Professor Steve Haake, Deputy Director of the Hub, also highlighted the significance of regional collaboration: “Digital health is more than just technology – it’s about building networks that connect diverse stakeholders across South Yorkshire. By integrating patient and public involvement at every step, we ensure that our innovations are not only cutting-edge but also deeply rooted in the needs and experiences of our communities. The Hub’s success so far is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision.”

To stay updated on progress and future opportunities, please subscribe to the SYDHH mailing list – Subscribe to the SYDHH mailing list