September 15, 2024 • 16 mins
This week, we're joined by Joanne Henry from NIHR, winners of the 2024 Northern Power Women Inclusive Innovation Award.
Joanne shares how winning boosted their mission to transform healthcare and ensure fair access to health research for underserved communities in Greater Manchester.
From the joy of winning to a celebration that involved everyone from finance to communications, Joanne’s story highlights the power of teamwork and community.
Listen to learn:
- Joanne’s journey from children’s nurse to leader in health research
- How the NIHR team is changing the face of healthcare and research for underserved groups
- Why innovation is essential in tackling health inequalities
- The importance of celebrating success as a team
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
The Northern Power Women podcast for your career
and your life, no matter whatbusiness you're in.
Well, hello, hello and welcometo the we Are Power podcast.
This podcast is all aboutchatting to some of the
brilliant role models across in,across from our North and
beyond, and listening to some oftheir sharing and inspiring
(00:42):
stories, some of theirprofessional side hacks and side
tips that they can pass on toyou, whether it's your career,
whether it's your life, whateveradventure you may be on and at
the moment we are in ouratrociously holder season I
think is what I'm calling it orwinners, where we're talking,
we're recapping on everyone whowent away with one of those
beautiful statues back in March,and this week I am thrilled to
(01:07):
be introduced to you.
Joanne Henry is the matron atthe NIHR Clinical Research
Network, our InclusiveInnovation winner from this year
.
Joanne, welcome, welcome backto the pod.
We got you on, didn't we?
Back in March, very quickly,straight after the awards, and
you said I asked you at the timewhat the three words um, that
(01:28):
described how you were feeling,and you said you, it was proud,
inspired and energized.
Where are you right now?
Where are those three wordsright now?
Speaker 2 (01:38):
yeah, I guess, um, still the same.
Really, we're still rolling,you know, on that kind of cloud,
um of winning, and we stillmake a point of you know
pointing out the award toeveryone that comes in the door.
Um, you know, it's a talkingpoint for visitors, um, and yeah
, we're just um, we're juststill reveling, basically, and
and winning the award.
It was just so fantastic.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Well, you've answered my next question.
Where is the award?
I didn't know whether it's goneon tour or is in a specific
place.
Pride of place in the office.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Where is it?
Speaker 1 (02:29):
no-transcript.
Read out on the night.
Um, why you'd won is becauseabout the transformation that
you are making across healthcare in the region and focusing
on equity of access to healthand care and research for those
underserved communities.
And you know, delighted toannounce you as winner this year
(02:52):
.
Now, you were going off to havea mini celebration afterwards
in the office, did you do?
Speaker 2 (02:56):
that?
Yeah, we did, and it was reallylovely.
We invited everyone into theoffice and we'd prepared some
slides.
So we also we shared what we'dwritten in the nomination and
I'd made a video as part of theshortlisting process.
So we played that and we alsoplayed the video of the actual
ceremony on the night, soeveryone could see us getting up
(03:17):
on stage and we had littlecupcakes made with the MPW logo
on them.
So it was a really lovelylittle celebration and we also
made a point of demonstratingthat.
You know, it wasn't just likeme and my team's success, it was
a, you know, a whole team'ssuccess, and so we invited
people, like from finance andfrom the communications team, to
(03:37):
talk about their experience,because it, you know, it's not
just down to us.
It it takes everyone in theteam to work together to get
this far really with it.
So, yeah, it was a reallylovely event.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
That's brilliant.
I feel like that needs to beturned into sort of a pack,
isn't it?
You know, when you do sort ofthe coffee mornings for
Macmillan or whatever.
I feel like this is how towaste your celebration event.
It's a watch along party.
It's a video, read out all theinformation of what went into it
(04:08):
and then, of course, brandedcupcakes.
That's brilliant.
Yeah, it was really nice thereand you talked about your
highlight from the awards wasbeing part of the community.
Have you made any newconnections since, uh, joining
us on the evening?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
yeah, well, we, um, we connected with our the
inclusive innovation awardsponsor, so connected places
catapult, and they interviewedmyself and our chief operating
officer, sarah fallon um, andthey wrote up a really nice
article about the work we'vebeen doing and about the awards,
and so that was really nice.
We came along to one of thecelebration events at the ey
(04:42):
offices in manchester citycenter and so that was really
nice to to kind of see againsome of the celebration events
at the EY offices in Manchesterand City Centre.
So that was really nice to kindof see again some of the other
nominations and we'd met them onthe awards day at the afternoon
tea, but it was nice to chat tothem again and meet some new
people as well.
Yeah, so, yeah, it's been great.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
And what would you say to anyone who's thinking oh,
there's no point nominating,it's the largest event
celebrating gender equality inEurope.
We're not going to get anywhere.
What would you say to peopleout there who may be considering
their nomination at the moment,but thinking I'm teetering.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Well, I mean, that's exactly what we thought.
And look where we are now.
You know we're doing podcaststalking about how we won um, and
I know it's really difficult toblow your own trumpet and
because you're you know it'syour day to day job and you're
just doing what.
You know what you do and whatyou're getting paid for.
But I think it's important totake some time to reflect on it
first before you start writingthe nomination, and just think
(05:36):
about the journey you've had.
You know from start to finish.
And I'd say, also get somefeedback from colleagues,
because it's highly likely theyprobably think what you've been
doing has been amazing andgetting that kind of different
perspective from other people.
You know they might just havethought of something you've not
thought of.
They might tell you about animpact it's had that you're not
aware of, whether that was onthem or the organization, or you
(05:59):
know your clients or serviceusers.
So, yeah, I would speak topeople on the team and see what
they think and just take yourtime to write it and don't be
afraid to really blow thattrumpet and show off what you've
been doing, Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
I think we've got, we've had our nominations, how
to ace nominations webinar andit's almost kind of it's okay.
We've talked about the humblebrag but it's okay to go for the
full on brag, right, If you'redoing good stuff and clearly the
work that you're doing can.
How would you explain?
You know it's a very, veryheart of the communities about
what you are, but how would youexplain to our listeners out
(06:34):
there about NIHR?
Speaker 2 (06:36):
We basically we facilitate health research
across the region.
So we want to ensure that thepeople in Greater Manchester get
relevant research opportunities, that we increase inclusivity
in research.
So a lot of research in thepast has been done on people not
(06:57):
done on people I shouldn't saythat but it's been done with
people.
You know it can white educated,you know men, and that's not
relevant to our population asnow.
So it's really important thatto reduce health inequalities,
we have research that'srepresentative of, you know, of
our population.
So that's what we do.
We we identify these relevantresearch studies and we take
(07:18):
them out into the communitywhere the people are that need
them the most.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
And what have you seen as the the good news
stories and the impact that youdoing this has achieved and done
?
Speaker 2 (07:28):
I mean, I think the biggest thing in the main is
that now underserved populationsin Greater Manchester are
accessing research, they'retaking part.
So we've done studies involvingpeople with mental health
issues, people with addictionissues, people from black and
minority ethnic groups, pregnantwomen issues people from black
(07:50):
and minority ethnic groups,pregnant women, young people who
previously kind of weren'taccessing research.
Um and you know we celebratethings like um one of the
studies that we've been workingon that we talked about in the
nomination the genes and healthstudy we celebrated massively
when we hit a thousandparticipants, because that's
just so huge.
1,000 south asian people havetaken part in the study that
we've been delivering.
So it's just the impact is thatthese people are now getting
(08:11):
these opportunities and it'sgoing to make a difference.
It's the long game but it isgoing to make a difference and
we see now studies that arebeing done on the back of this
work that are going to have hugeimplications for some of these
communities and really changethings, improve their health and
improve treatments for them.
So so that.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Yeah, that's the biggest impact, and I know it's
about the team and it's a ratherwider organization than what
you do.
But how did you get into thisrole?
How did you become matron ofNIHR?
Speaker 2 (08:40):
So I qualified as a children's nurse and I worked on
the children's ICU at the RoyalManchester Children's Hospital
for a couple of years.
But then I kind of always had abit of an interest in research
and I took a BAM5 research nursejob at the Clinical Research
Network and I just worked my wayup.
I just found my passion.
(09:01):
I really enjoy research, Ireally enjoy working at the
network, I enjoy getting out andabout to all these different
settings.
There's such huge variety inour um, in our network um, and
yeah, so I just I worked my wayup.
Um, you know COVID was such a,you know challenging time but
you know I've got to look at thepositives and it really helped,
(09:22):
you know, shape me as, as aleader um, so I was lucky enough
to to get into the matron role.
I think based on based on that.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
And what is coming up for you at NH, because it it to
me it feels like it's.
There's always something, isn'tit?
You can't stay still in in thisworld and equally, you're
innovation, inclusive innovationwinners.
So you absolutely can't.
You've got to keep innovating.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Yeah, well, that's so true now.
So we're actually going throughquite a significant period of
change at the moment.
So, um, from the first ofoctober we're going to be a
different organization.
So we're merging with people inthe northwest coast clinical
research network.
So there'll be greatermanchester, lancashire and south
cumbria and cheshire andmerseyside all coming together
to be one big regional researchdelivery network for the
(10:08):
Northwest.
So that involves, you know,changes in services and
functions and structures.
So we're going to be, as I say,starting that for the 1st of
October.
But the opportunities that aregoing to come with that because
of the diverse populations thateach of these three areas serve,
you know, is huge.
We're going to have sevenmillion people um to serve.
So, um, and as we know, thenorthwest has, uh, you know,
(10:31):
poorer health outcomes incomparison to uk.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
We've got areas of, you know, really significant
deprivation, um, but you knowthat means that we've got lots
of work to do there, um, so it'squite exciting because I think
I remember reading um, oh gosh,a wee while ago, and it was
somebody living growing up inRichmond in the southeast of
England, will have 10 yearslesser health, good health
(10:54):
quality, than someone in Burnley.
That's, it's like criminal,isn't it?
It's and is this some of thework that you're trying to
highlight?
Overturn it's, it'snever-ending, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (11:08):
yeah, exactly, exactly.
I mean you know we'll always bein a job, I think, because
there's always, you know,there's going to be research.
You know it's one of the mostsignificant ways we can reduce
health inequalities.
You know, one of the studieswe've supported, one of the
results of the studies we'vesupported anyway, is that
there's this drug, clopidogrel,that just doesn't metabolize
properly in over 50 percent ofsouth asian people, but
(11:29):
two-thirds, and it's given topeople that have had a heart
attack, but two-thirds of peopleare given that drug, and so
that just shows you, you knowthere's people you know taking a
drug that for half of them it'snot going to be working anyway,
and so it's things like thatyou know that is, you know that
is a health inequality that'sbeing, that's been created.
So that's why we need toincrease diversity in clinical
trials and in research studies.
So, yeah, we need to get outthere and set all these
(11:52):
different communities and ensurethat there's great
representation on studies so wecan reduce inequalities such as
that and the opportunity thatthat brings by making you a
broader organisation across theregions.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
The power in that that is literally northern power
, isn't it?
I think it's going to bringthat to life.
Do you have any sort of keygoals as to where?
Speaker 2 (12:19):
do you go with this?
Well, we focus on a variety ofdifferent specialties.
So there's things likecardiovascular disease and
diabetes, mental health, whichare really significant issues
for the North West.
But I mean there's literallythousands of studies.
So we recently had a 10 yearcelebration event to kind of
mark the end of the clinicalresearch network, and the
(12:43):
statistics from that showed thatwe've delivered in the last 10
years 4,900 studies.
So that shows you, you know,the vastness of research and
clinical trials and researchstudies.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
It's almost kind of the bigger picture, isn't it?
You know where do you start.
You've got this big kind of bigarea, bigger region.
Now what's the?
Is there a big sort of a big,hairy, audacious goal, so to
speak?
Speaker 2 (13:06):
Yeah, okay, so one of our big focuses for the next
few years is going to be abouttaking research into the
community more into thecommunity and focusing on those
out of hospital settings.
So we've done stuff in thecommunity more into the
community and focusing on thoseout of hospital settings.
So we've done stuff in thecommunity and but obviously we
want to increase that.
Um, primary care is such a hugeopportunity.
(13:26):
You know everyone has a gp andso we want to engage more and do
more primary care research andsocial care as well.
So get more research into carehomes.
So really increase thatdiversity of research setting so
that you know you can go to thesupermarket and take part in a
research study and you know youcan go to your GP, you can go
get your eyes tested and you'regetting that opportunity.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
That's, that's where we'd like to be and that's one
of the things that the judgescommented on was the judges
wanted to make a note thatinnovation in healthcare isn't
easy.
Not least in the, the NHS, theteam are doing incredible work
that is changing theconnectivity between research
and underrepresented growth,which is absolutely life
changing.
So that was a massive kind ofmassive high five, if you like,
(14:09):
from the judges.
And finally, what we've beendoing with our series this time
is we've been asking every oneof our winners, our commender,
to give us a question for thenext guest, um.
So the question I have for youfrom eloise from north and real
water, is what is the quote thatmost inspires?
Speaker 2 (14:32):
you, um, so I would say it would be, and I've no
idea who said it first but ifyou always do what you've always
done, you'll always get whatyou've always got.
And I think, because we do haveto keep evolving and keep
innovating, and you knowrecognising when things you know
do need changing or updatingand you know always focusing on,
(14:55):
you know, the bigger pictureand bigger picture and the
future.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
It couldn't be more perfect for the winner of our
Inclusive Innovation Awardbecause, like one of our judges
said, it's so difficult toinnovate across the sector of
healthcare.
But you did.
Nihr winners of the 2024Northern Power Awards.
Inclusive Innovation winner.
So delighted to have you on thepodcast this week, joanne.
(15:21):
Thank you, and we will begetting your question.
We'll make it a difficult onefor our next guest that we can
pass on to our next winner orcommender.
Joanne, thank you so much forjoining us on the pod.
Thank you, and exciting thatConnected Places Catapult will
be our sponsor again for the2025 Inclusive Innovation
winners.
And also this year, there aregoing to be two winners.
(15:42):
We're going to have a winnerfor Tech for Good and we're
going to have a winner for HumanCentred Tech.
Again, just part of thisconversation about innovation,
everyone's part of innovation.
It's not just about drones andlab coats, is it, joanne?
It's wider than that, isn't itInnovation?
But just about drones and labcoats, is it, joanne?
It's wider than that, isn't itinnovation?
But thank you so much and thankall of you for listening.
(16:03):
Thank you for your comments,thank you for your feedback and
thank you for your support.
Please get nominating.
We are powernet.
It's free to nominate in ourdigital hub and nominations are
open until the 27th of september.
So go out there, unearth yourrole models, your innov
innovators, your greatorganizations and your game
changes.
Open to all genders, allsectors.
So many great people andorganizations to honor.
(16:24):
So thank you all for listeningand thank you to Joanne for
joining us.
Stay connected on all of oursocials.
We are Power on Facebook andLinkedIn, and we are Power
underscore net on TikTok,instagram.
On Twitter, my name is Simone.
This is the we Are Powerpodcast for what Goes on Media
Productions.
The Northern Power Women podcast for your career
and your life, no matter whatbusiness you're in.
Well, hello, hello and welcometo the we Are Power podcast.
This podcast is all aboutchatting to some of the
brilliant role models across in,across from our North and
beyond, and listening to some oftheir sharing and inspiring
(00:42):
stories, some of theirprofessional side hacks and side
tips that they can pass on toyou, whether it's your career,
whether it's your life, whateveradventure you may be on and at
the moment we are in ouratrociously holder season I
think is what I'm calling it orwinners, where we're talking,
we're recapping on everyone whowent away with one of those
beautiful statues back in March,and this week I am thrilled to
(01:07):
be introduced to you.
Joanne Henry is the matron atthe NIHR Clinical Research
Network, our InclusiveInnovation winner from this year
.
Joanne, welcome, welcome backto the pod.
We got you on, didn't we?
Back in March, very quickly,straight after the awards, and
you said I asked you at the timewhat the three words um, that
(01:28):
described how you were feeling,and you said you, it was proud,
inspired and energized.
Where are you right now?
Where are those three wordsright now?
Speaker 2 (01:38):
yeah, I guess, um, still the same.
Really, we're still rolling,you know, on that kind of cloud,
um of winning, and we stillmake a point of you know
pointing out the award toeveryone that comes in the door.
Um, you know, it's a talkingpoint for visitors, um, and yeah
, we're just um, we're juststill reveling, basically, and
and winning the award.
It was just so fantastic.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Well, you've answered my next question.
Where is the award?
I didn't know whether it's goneon tour or is in a specific
place.
Pride of place in the office.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Where is it?
Speaker 1 (02:29):
no-transcript.
Read out on the night.
Um, why you'd won is becauseabout the transformation that
you are making across healthcare in the region and focusing
on equity of access to healthand care and research for those
underserved communities.
And you know, delighted toannounce you as winner this year
(02:52):
.
Now, you were going off to havea mini celebration afterwards
in the office, did you do?
Speaker 2 (02:56):
that?
Yeah, we did, and it was reallylovely.
We invited everyone into theoffice and we'd prepared some
slides.
So we also we shared what we'dwritten in the nomination and
I'd made a video as part of theshortlisting process.
So we played that and we alsoplayed the video of the actual
ceremony on the night, soeveryone could see us getting up
(03:17):
on stage and we had littlecupcakes made with the MPW logo
on them.
So it was a really lovelylittle celebration and we also
made a point of demonstratingthat.
You know, it wasn't just likeme and my team's success, it was
a, you know, a whole team'ssuccess, and so we invited
people, like from finance andfrom the communications team, to
(03:37):
talk about their experience,because it, you know, it's not
just down to us.
It it takes everyone in theteam to work together to get
this far really with it.
So, yeah, it was a reallylovely event.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
That's brilliant.
I feel like that needs to beturned into sort of a pack,
isn't it?
You know, when you do sort ofthe coffee mornings for
Macmillan or whatever.
I feel like this is how towaste your celebration event.
It's a watch along party.
It's a video, read out all theinformation of what went into it
(04:08):
and then, of course, brandedcupcakes.
That's brilliant.
Yeah, it was really nice thereand you talked about your
highlight from the awards wasbeing part of the community.
Have you made any newconnections since, uh, joining
us on the evening?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
yeah, well, we, um, we connected with our the
inclusive innovation awardsponsor, so connected places
catapult, and they interviewedmyself and our chief operating
officer, sarah fallon um, andthey wrote up a really nice
article about the work we'vebeen doing and about the awards,
and so that was really nice.
We came along to one of thecelebration events at the ey
(04:42):
offices in manchester citycenter and so that was really
nice to to kind of see againsome of the celebration events
at the EY offices in Manchesterand City Centre.
So that was really nice to kindof see again some of the other
nominations and we'd met them onthe awards day at the afternoon
tea, but it was nice to chat tothem again and meet some new
people as well.
Yeah, so, yeah, it's been great.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
And what would you say to anyone who's thinking oh,
there's no point nominating,it's the largest event
celebrating gender equality inEurope.
We're not going to get anywhere.
What would you say to peopleout there who may be considering
their nomination at the moment,but thinking I'm teetering.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Well, I mean, that's exactly what we thought.
And look where we are now.
You know we're doing podcaststalking about how we won um, and
I know it's really difficult toblow your own trumpet and
because you're you know it'syour day to day job and you're
just doing what.
You know what you do and whatyou're getting paid for.
But I think it's important totake some time to reflect on it
first before you start writingthe nomination, and just think
(05:36):
about the journey you've had.
You know from start to finish.
And I'd say, also get somefeedback from colleagues,
because it's highly likely theyprobably think what you've been
doing has been amazing andgetting that kind of different
perspective from other people.
You know they might just havethought of something you've not
thought of.
They might tell you about animpact it's had that you're not
aware of, whether that was onthem or the organization, or you
(05:59):
know your clients or serviceusers.
So, yeah, I would speak topeople on the team and see what
they think and just take yourtime to write it and don't be
afraid to really blow thattrumpet and show off what you've
been doing, Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
I think we've got, we've had our nominations, how
to ace nominations webinar andit's almost kind of it's okay.
We've talked about the humblebrag but it's okay to go for the
full on brag, right, If you'redoing good stuff and clearly the
work that you're doing can.
How would you explain?
You know it's a very, veryheart of the communities about
what you are, but how would youexplain to our listeners out
(06:34):
there about NIHR?
Speaker 2 (06:36):
We basically we facilitate health research
across the region.
So we want to ensure that thepeople in Greater Manchester get
relevant research opportunities, that we increase inclusivity
in research.
So a lot of research in thepast has been done on people not
(06:57):
done on people I shouldn't saythat but it's been done with
people.
You know it can white educated,you know men, and that's not
relevant to our population asnow.
So it's really important thatto reduce health inequalities,
we have research that'srepresentative of, you know, of
our population.
So that's what we do.
We we identify these relevantresearch studies and we take
(07:18):
them out into the communitywhere the people are that need
them the most.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
And what have you seen as the the good news
stories and the impact that youdoing this has achieved and done
?
Speaker 2 (07:28):
I mean, I think the biggest thing in the main is
that now underserved populationsin Greater Manchester are
accessing research, they'retaking part.
So we've done studies involvingpeople with mental health
issues, people with addictionissues, people from black and
minority ethnic groups, pregnantwomen issues people from black
(07:50):
and minority ethnic groups,pregnant women, young people who
previously kind of weren'taccessing research.
Um and you know we celebratethings like um one of the
studies that we've been workingon that we talked about in the
nomination the genes and healthstudy we celebrated massively
when we hit a thousandparticipants, because that's
just so huge.
1,000 south asian people havetaken part in the study that
we've been delivering.
So it's just the impact is thatthese people are now getting
(08:11):
these opportunities and it'sgoing to make a difference.
It's the long game but it isgoing to make a difference and
we see now studies that arebeing done on the back of this
work that are going to have hugeimplications for some of these
communities and really changethings, improve their health and
improve treatments for them.
So so that.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Yeah, that's the biggest impact, and I know it's
about the team and it's a ratherwider organization than what
you do.
But how did you get into thisrole?
How did you become matron ofNIHR?
Speaker 2 (08:40):
So I qualified as a children's nurse and I worked on
the children's ICU at the RoyalManchester Children's Hospital
for a couple of years.
But then I kind of always had abit of an interest in research
and I took a BAM5 research nursejob at the Clinical Research
Network and I just worked my wayup.
I just found my passion.
(09:01):
I really enjoy research, Ireally enjoy working at the
network, I enjoy getting out andabout to all these different
settings.
There's such huge variety inour um, in our network um, and
yeah, so I just I worked my wayup.
Um, you know COVID was such a,you know challenging time but
you know I've got to look at thepositives and it really helped,
(09:22):
you know, shape me as, as aleader um, so I was lucky enough
to to get into the matron role.
I think based on based on that.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
And what is coming up for you at NH, because it it to
me it feels like it's.
There's always something, isn'tit?
You can't stay still in in thisworld and equally, you're
innovation, inclusive innovationwinners.
So you absolutely can't.
You've got to keep innovating.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Yeah, well, that's so true now.
So we're actually going throughquite a significant period of
change at the moment.
So, um, from the first ofoctober we're going to be a
different organization.
So we're merging with people inthe northwest coast clinical
research network.
So there'll be greatermanchester, lancashire and south
cumbria and cheshire andmerseyside all coming together
to be one big regional researchdelivery network for the
(10:08):
Northwest.
So that involves, you know,changes in services and
functions and structures.
So we're going to be, as I say,starting that for the 1st of
October.
But the opportunities that aregoing to come with that because
of the diverse populations thateach of these three areas serve,
you know, is huge.
We're going to have sevenmillion people um to serve.
So, um, and as we know, thenorthwest has, uh, you know,
(10:31):
poorer health outcomes incomparison to uk.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
We've got areas of, you know, really significant
deprivation, um, but you knowthat means that we've got lots
of work to do there, um, so it'squite exciting because I think
I remember reading um, oh gosh,a wee while ago, and it was
somebody living growing up inRichmond in the southeast of
England, will have 10 yearslesser health, good health
(10:54):
quality, than someone in Burnley.
That's, it's like criminal,isn't it?
It's and is this some of thework that you're trying to
highlight?
Overturn it's, it'snever-ending, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (11:08):
yeah, exactly, exactly.
I mean you know we'll always bein a job, I think, because
there's always, you know,there's going to be research.
You know it's one of the mostsignificant ways we can reduce
health inequalities.
You know, one of the studieswe've supported, one of the
results of the studies we'vesupported anyway, is that
there's this drug, clopidogrel,that just doesn't metabolize
properly in over 50 percent ofsouth asian people, but
(11:29):
two-thirds, and it's given topeople that have had a heart
attack, but two-thirds of peopleare given that drug, and so
that just shows you, you knowthere's people you know taking a
drug that for half of them it'snot going to be working anyway,
and so it's things like thatyou know that is, you know that
is a health inequality that'sbeing, that's been created.
So that's why we need toincrease diversity in clinical
trials and in research studies.
So, yeah, we need to get outthere and set all these
(11:52):
different communities and ensurethat there's great
representation on studies so wecan reduce inequalities such as
that and the opportunity thatthat brings by making you a
broader organisation across theregions.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
The power in that that is literally northern power
, isn't it?
I think it's going to bringthat to life.
Do you have any sort of keygoals as to where?
Speaker 2 (12:19):
do you go with this?
Well, we focus on a variety ofdifferent specialties.
So there's things likecardiovascular disease and
diabetes, mental health, whichare really significant issues
for the North West.
But I mean there's literallythousands of studies.
So we recently had a 10 yearcelebration event to kind of
mark the end of the clinicalresearch network, and the
(12:43):
statistics from that showed thatwe've delivered in the last 10
years 4,900 studies.
So that shows you, you know,the vastness of research and
clinical trials and researchstudies.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
It's almost kind of the bigger picture, isn't it?
You know where do you start.
You've got this big kind of bigarea, bigger region.
Now what's the?
Is there a big sort of a big,hairy, audacious goal, so to
speak?
Speaker 2 (13:06):
Yeah, okay, so one of our big focuses for the next
few years is going to be abouttaking research into the
community more into thecommunity and focusing on those
out of hospital settings.
So we've done stuff in thecommunity more into the
community and focusing on thoseout of hospital settings.
So we've done stuff in thecommunity and but obviously we
want to increase that.
Um, primary care is such a hugeopportunity.
(13:26):
You know everyone has a gp andso we want to engage more and do
more primary care research andsocial care as well.
So get more research into carehomes.
So really increase thatdiversity of research setting so
that you know you can go to thesupermarket and take part in a
research study and you know youcan go to your GP, you can go
get your eyes tested and you'regetting that opportunity.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
That's, that's where we'd like to be and that's one
of the things that the judgescommented on was the judges
wanted to make a note thatinnovation in healthcare isn't
easy.
Not least in the, the NHS, theteam are doing incredible work
that is changing theconnectivity between research
and underrepresented growth,which is absolutely life
changing.
So that was a massive kind ofmassive high five, if you like,
(14:09):
from the judges.
And finally, what we've beendoing with our series this time
is we've been asking every oneof our winners, our commender,
to give us a question for thenext guest, um.
So the question I have for youfrom eloise from north and real
water, is what is the quote thatmost inspires?
Speaker 2 (14:32):
you, um, so I would say it would be, and I've no
idea who said it first but ifyou always do what you've always
done, you'll always get whatyou've always got.
And I think, because we do haveto keep evolving and keep
innovating, and you knowrecognising when things you know
do need changing or updatingand you know always focusing on,
(14:55):
you know, the bigger pictureand bigger picture and the
future.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
It couldn't be more perfect for the winner of our
Inclusive Innovation Awardbecause, like one of our judges
said, it's so difficult toinnovate across the sector of
healthcare.
But you did.
Nihr winners of the 2024Northern Power Awards.
Inclusive Innovation winner.
So delighted to have you on thepodcast this week, joanne.
(15:21):
Thank you, and we will begetting your question.
We'll make it a difficult onefor our next guest that we can
pass on to our next winner orcommender.
Joanne, thank you so much forjoining us on the pod.
Thank you, and exciting thatConnected Places Catapult will
be our sponsor again for the2025 Inclusive Innovation
winners.
And also this year, there aregoing to be two winners.
(15:42):
We're going to have a winnerfor Tech for Good and we're
going to have a winner for HumanCentred Tech.
Again, just part of thisconversation about innovation,
everyone's part of innovation.
It's not just about drones andlab coats, is it, joanne?
It's wider than that, isn't itInnovation?
But just about drones and labcoats, is it, joanne?
It's wider than that, isn't itinnovation?
But thank you so much and thankall of you for listening.
(16:03):
Thank you for your comments,thank you for your feedback and
thank you for your support.
Please get nominating.
We are powernet.
It's free to nominate in ourdigital hub and nominations are
open until the 27th of september.
So go out there, unearth yourrole models, your innov
innovators, your greatorganizations and your game
changes.
Open to all genders, allsectors.
So many great people andorganizations to honor.
(16:24):
So thank you all for listeningand thank you to Joanne for
joining us.
Stay connected on all of oursocials.
We are Power on Facebook andLinkedIn, and we are Power
underscore net on TikTok,instagram.
On Twitter, my name is Simone.
This is the we Are Powerpodcast for what Goes on Media
Productions.
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