Driving Early-Stage Medical Innovation

Pd-m’s CEO Richard Hall Shares Insights on Early-Stage Innovation at NIHR Programme

Last week, Richard Hall, CEO of Pd-m and an experienced leader in medical device development, took the stage at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) programme on the Adoption and Implementation of Innovation for Early-Stage Innovators. The event, hosted by Health Innovation Wessex in collaboration with ABHI, brought together emerging innovators from across the healthcare industry to explore key topics in medical technology development.

Richard’s presentation focused on the early stages of product innovation, with a particular emphasis on technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3. His session covered:

• Technical development stages critical for bringing a medical device to market, including the early conceptualisation phase and technical feasibility.

• Design considerations that can make or break a product’s success, ranging from user-centered design to regulatory compliance.

• Organizational resources and external support available to help innovators navigate the complex landscape of medical technology development, including design and development partners.

• The importance of working with expert collaborators to ensure that early-stage ideas are aligned with technical feasibility and market needs, ultimately driving a smoother path to commercialisation.

Peter Rhodes, Programme Manager, praised the session, stating: “Thank you for such an excellent and comprehensive talk on product development. You gave the delegates such a clear overview of all they need to consider…we could have spent a week on this topic alone.”

This programme is designed to give early-stage innovators the insights and tools they need to move their innovations from concept to market, addressing critical stages of technical development that can significantly impact the trajectory of their projects.

Through his experience leading product development across a range of medical technologies, Richard highlights how getting innovation right in the early stages helps mitigate risks, reduce costs, and lay a solid foundation for future scalability.

By sharing our expertise in design and development, we aim to contribute to the growth of emerging innovators and ensure that their ideas have the best chance of reaching the market.

We extend our best wishes to all the participants of the programme and look forward to seeing their products make an impact.

Pd-m at the West Yorkshire Supply Chain Showcase

Supporting the Supply Chain with Sustainable Innovation

Last week, Tim Flood and Richard Hall represented Pd-m at the West Yorkshire Supply Chain Showcase in Leeds. The event brought together industry leaders, SMEs, and key stakeholders to explore how innovation, particularly in decarbonising supply chains, can drive both sustainability and profitability.

The primary goal of the event was to highlight the opportunities available to businesses that embrace sustainable supply chain practices. Key discussions focused on how companies can adapt their processes to meet net-zero targets, reduce carbon footprints, and improve operational efficiencies, all while boosting financial performance.

Several influential speakers, including Alan Whittaker and Steve Gregory from RTC North, discussed the importance of innovation in supply chains, showcasing how local businesses can leverage technology and collaboration to meet sustainability goals. The event also featured discussions on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and its support for supply chain decarbonisation initiatives, particularly in industries where environmental impact is a growing concern..

Major insights from the day included the need for businesses to:

• Integrate sustainability at every stage of the supply chain to meet growing regulatory and market demands.

• Collaborate with SMEs and regional partners to drive innovation in low-carbon technologies.

• Leverage government funding and programs such as Innovate UK and the UKSPF to support sustainable transitions.

We were pleased to exhibit at the event and demonstrate Pd-m’s capability in decarbonising supply chains through innovative product and process solutions. Our message was clear: by prioritising sustainability, businesses can increase profitability while contributing to a greener economy.

It was also a great opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and peers, including Terry McStea, James Smith, Georgia Halston, Dawn Bream, Lisa Whalley, Annette Hobson, and Glyn Selway, who share our passion for driving sustainable change across the industry.

If you’d like to learn more about how Pd-m can support your sustainability initiatives, book a meeting with us.

We look forward to continuing these important conversations and helping businesses navigate the challenges and opportunities of sustainable innovation.

Beyond Disposal: Building a Circular Economy for Medical Devices at the ReMed Conference 2024

This week, we had the privilege of attending ReMed Conference 2024 at Loughborough University, where experts gathered to discuss innovative approaches to a more sustainable future for medical devices. The event centered around creating a circular economy for small medical devices—an important shift away from single-use products to reusable, resource-efficient solutions.

Key learnings and highlights from the day included:

1. Future of NHS Waste Strategy led by Liam Hogg, Head of Waste & Resources at NHS England. The session emphasized the importance of policy shifts and behaviour change towards a Net Zero Carbon NHS by 2040, tackling labour abuses and linear supply chains that heavily impact the planet .

1. Design for Life Initiative presented by Dr. Karen Mayor, showcasing the Department of Health and Social Care's commitment to improve reuse, recycling, and remanufacturing of MedTech. This aligns directly with Pd-m’s focus on circular design and reducing environmental impact through innovative technology.

1. Insights on Medical Device Reprocessing by Prof. Shahin Rahimifard, who is leading efforts on sustainable design and lifecycle management at Loughborough. His vision for more resource-efficient manufacturing resonated with our mission to contribute to the future of reusable medical devices.

1. Engaging conversations around Sustainability in Procurement and The Big Repair Project further underscored the urgency to shift industry practices towards a zero-waste mindset.

We were especially inspired by how the themes at ReMed mirror the work we’re currently doing. Recently, we completed a case study on CardiacTech, where we worked to transition a product from single-use to multi-use. This shift represents our commitment to circular design, reducing waste, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainable innovation. It’s the core of what we stand for at Pd-m: turning sustainability from a conversation into action.

As Pd-m, we believe in the power of collaboration and shared knowledge to drive innovation and sustainability in healthcare. This event provided us with valuable insights and connections to support our ongoing efforts toward a net-zero future.

Navigating the Path to Net Zero

In our journey towards sustainability, understanding and addressing carbon emissions is crucial. Recent carbon reduction plans reveal a startling truth: while Scope 1 and 2 emissions (direct emissions and purchased energy) are those we can most easily influence, they only account for around 5% of total emissions. It's therefore imperative that we look to address Scope 3 emissions, as they dominate the carbon footprint of most organizations.

Diving deeper into Scope 3 emissions, we find that 'Purchased Goods & Services' often constitute the largest portion, followed by transportation (both upstream and downstream). Our approach is to address scope 3 through an early 'screening' activity looking purely at spend based data. Whilst this method is less accurate it is much quicker to achieve, and gives the hotspot areas that need further work. Going through this process it becomes clear to all involved the direct correlation between carbon and cost. For every invoice paid there is an associated carbon impact, making cost reduction a powerful tool for carbon reduction.

When mapping emissions against Net Zero goals, it becomes clear that focusing solely on Scope 1 and 2 emissions leaves organizations well short of their targets. To avoid a steep, reduction in emissions in the final years before 2045 (the goal required by the NHS), it's essential to address Scope 3 emissions early on.

This is where product design becomes crucial. Research by The Ellen MacArthur Foundation shows that a staggering 80% of a product's environmental impact is determined during the design stage. As such it's a fundamental responsibility for designers to ensure the products being developed have environmental considerations made at every stage. 

At Pd-m, we integrate sustainability considerations into the product development process, balancing environmental impact with commercial viability. By adopting circular design principles that support the circular economy, we aim to create products that are not only profitable but also environmentally responsible.

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of these concepts and how they can be applied to your organization's sustainability efforts, we encourage you to watch our detailed video series on this topic.

Pd-m Exhibits and Presents at MediWales NHS Connects Conference

Pd-m recently participated in the MediWales NHS Connects conference in Cardiff, a vibrant event that brought together over 400 delegates from across the Welsh health and care sector. The conference focused on addressing current healthcare challenges, celebrating successes, and fostering collaboration and innovation.

As part of our commitment to the thriving Welsh Health Tech industry, Pd-m was proud to exhibit at the event. Our CEO, Richard Hall MSc, BA(Hons), CMgr MCMI, FRSA, delivered a talk on leveraging commercial success through strategic innovation and sustainability.

The conference highlighted several key opportunities:

1. Showcasing the exceptional work of Wales' health and care communities

2. Strengthening connections between health boards, industry, and researchers

3. Elevating the profile of NHS Wales and clinical innovation

4. Exploring business support and investment opportunities in Wales' health-tech sector

Richard's presentation focused on how organisations can strategically address sustainability through innovation, particularly in light of increasing Net Zero demands. Key takeaways for delegates included:

1. Considering the Net Zero landscape in product development

2. Viewing sustainability as an opportunity, especially for startups

3. Evaluating both product and pathway footprints

4. Using circularity as a guiding principle

5. Partnering with suppliers who share your vision

The industry programme provided valuable insights into the healthcare landscape, routes to market, and adoption within the UK healthcare system. It also covered the role of procurement and the importance of aligning with NHS priorities, including its drive towards sustainability and carbon-neutral targets.

As a company with clients in Wales, we were honored to contribute our industry perspective to this important event. The MediWales NHS Connects conference proved to be an excellent platform for sharing ideas, experiences, and visions for innovation and sustainability in healthcare.

If you would like to know more about how we can help you in your sustainability journey, reach out!

Levering sustainability advantages across industry: Insights from Industry Leaders

Our recent panel session on sustainability in the medtech industry, hosted by Rich Shaw, brought together leaders to share their experiences and strategies for integrating sustainable practices into their operations. This event was particularly timely, considering the current NHS sustainability roadmap and its key milestones. 

The NHS Sustainability Roadmap 

The NHS has published a comprehensive net zero roadmap aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, and for it’s suppliers by 2045. Key milestones include: 

• 2024: Carbon Reduction Plans required for all framework contracts and extended to cover all new procurments. 

• 2027: Carbon Reduction Plan to include all emission categories of Scope 1,2 & 3 for UK and global emissions. 

• 2028: Product level carbon footprint provided as part of the procurement process.operation. 

Key Speakers and Their Insights 

Addie MacGregor, Sustainability Manager at the ABHI (Association of British HealthTech Industries) highlighted how the sector was initially overwhelmed by the sustainability requirements the NHS was introducing. ABHI, which represents around 400 members, has seen a significant learning journey over the past few years. Initially, there was a rapid period of literacy building, learning terminology such as Scope 1, 2, and 3.. However, through dedicated efforts and the NHS's support, these companies have made commendable progress. 

Richard Cohen,Head of Operations at Pennine Healthcare, shared Pennine's journey. Recognizing the industry's shift towards sustainability, Pennine leveraged Lean Six Sigma to eliminate waste and improve processes. A critical aspect of their strategy was identifying and reducing energy consumption, which has led to significant operational improvements. 

Claire Brook, Sustainability Manager EMEA at Boston Scientific discussed their long-standing commitment to sustainability. Their journey began with efforts to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs. A key challenge was fostering internal collaboration within their large organisation. By integrating sustainability into everyday business practices and educating all employees, Boston Scientific has made significant strides. 

Dr. Tom Dawson, founder and CEO of Revolution Zero, emphasised sustainability as the core of their business model. Formed during the pandemic, Revolution Zero focuses on replacing single-use medical textiles with reusable alternatives. Dr. Dawson introduced the concept of "carbon investment," where initial carbon costs lead to greater long-term savings. This approach aligns with the NHS's roadmap by prioritising circularity and resource preservation. 

Current Challenges and Strategies 

The panellists discussed the rapid evolution of sustainability practices and the need for organisations to adapt quickly. They highlighted several strategies: 

• Internal Collaboration: Effective communication and collaboration across all levels of an organisation are crucial. This ensures that sustainability efforts are integrated into every aspect of the business. 

• Carbon Reduction Plans: Developing and implementing carbon reduction plans is a key requirement of the NHS roadmap. These plans not only help in reducing emissions but also raise awareness and drive organisational change. 

• Financial Benefits: Framing sustainability in terms of financial benefits can attract support from senior leadership. Sustainable practices lead to cost savings, making a compelling case for their adoption. 

Conclusion 

The panel concluded that sustainability in medtech is an ongoing journey. Regardless of the size of the organisation, shared knowledge and strategies can help overcome barriers. The NHS roadmap provides a direction for industry, and by focusing on efficiency, collaboration, and financial impacts, the medtech sector can make significant progress towards a sustainable future. 

Or you can also watch these panel snippets!

10 Levers to Sustainable Product Innovation

Sharing our insights to Sustainable Product Innovation, focus on Health Tech 

At Pd-m we are a team of passionate change-makers who have the skills, experience, and knowledge to help organisations on their journey towards Net Zero. Here we share ‘10 levers’ you can pull to achieve commercially viable, sustainable product innovation solutions.

As the Health Tech industry in the United Kingdom strives to achieve net-zero emissions, sustainable product innovation has become an urgent priority. Driven by the nation's ambitious climate goals and a growing demand for more sustainable solutions. Health Tech companies are exploring strategies to reduce their environmental footprint, improve margin whilst enhancing patient outcomes. 

The path to sustainability requires a holistic approach, encompassing every stage of the product life cycle, from material sourcing to end-of-life management. To navigate this complex landscape, we're sharing ten levers that Health Tech organisations can leverage to drive sustainable innovation.

1. Transportation Optimisation: Streamlining transportation routes, modes, and logistics can significantly reduce carbon emissions associated with product distribution. This includes strategies such as adopting electric vehicles, improved forecasting, and sourcing materials and components locally to minimise transportation distances.

2. Advanced Manufacturing: Embracing cutting-edge manufacturing techniques like additive manufacturing (3D printing), automation, and digital manufacturing can enhance resource efficiency, reduce waste, and enable more sustainable production processes. These technologies open up new opportunities for on-demand, localised production and smart factory solutions that optimise energy and material usage.

3. Onshoring, Reshoring and Nearshoring: This can dramatically reduce transportation emissions and support local economies. By bringing manufacturing closer to home, Health Tech organisations can build resilience against global factors as well as building stronger collaborations to implement sustainable practices up the supply chain.

4. User-Centred Design: Understanding user needs and behaviours through comprehensive user research and co-design can lead to more efficient and sustainable product designs that better meet user requirements, reducing waste and extending product life cycles.

5. Sustainable Packaging: Adopting sustainable packaging solutions, such as biodegradable or recycled materials, can minimise environmental impact by reducing waste and enabling circularity. This includes exploring alternatives to single-use plastics and exploring reusable packaging or take-back programs.

6. Circular Economy Principles: Embracing circular economy principles, such as product life extension, 'product as a service and re-manufacturing, and can significantly reduce waste and resource consumption. This involves designing products that are more durable but also have considerations for disassembly, repair, and material recovery.

7. Light weighting: Reducing product weight through strategic material selection and design optimisation can lower emissions and costs. This can be achieved through techniques like finite element analysis, tool optimization and material substitution.

8. Modular Design: Modular product designs enable easier repair, upgrade, and re-manufacturing, extending product life cycles and reducing waste. This involves designing products with standardised interfaces and interchangeable components, facilitating maintenance, upgrades, and component reuse.

9. Sustainable Care Pathways: Optimising care pathways and integrating digital solutions can improve patient outcomes while reducing resource consumption and emissions. This includes strategies like remote monitoring, virtual consultations, and streamlining care processes to minimise unnecessary resource use and travel.

10. Sustainable Materials: Selecting sustainable and responsibly sourced materials, such as bio-based or recycled materials, can reduce environmental impact and support circularity. Collaboration is needed with suppliers and QA/RA teams to ensure adherence to standards.

By addressing these ten levers holistically, Health Tech companies in the UK can drive sustainable innovation, reduce their environmental footprint, and contribute to the nation's net zero goals while improving patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.

The journey toward sustainability in the Health Tech sector is not without challenges, but it presents a unique opportunity for companies to pioneer innovative solutions that not only benefit the environment but also enhance patient care and foster long-term business resilience.

If you would like to learn more about how we can help you on your net zero journey, contact our Sustainability Lead Rich Shaw or book a free consultation here.

Watch, as Rich Shaw explores the 3 levers he finds most interesting and talked about during the Med-Tech Expo!

Med-Tech Innovation Expo 2024

Pd-m had the pleasure of connecting with industry professionals at the MedTech Innovation Expo 2024, an interactive, insightful and efficient event, designed to meet the needs of the industry.

Pd-m hosted a panel session, “Levering Sustainability across the Industry”, with thought provoking discussions with industry leaders from organizations of various sizes. Panellists include, Addie MacGregor (ABHI), Richard Cohen (Pennine Healthcare), Clare Brooke (Boston Scientific), Tom Dawson (Revolution ZERO) with our very own sustainability lead, Rich Shaw, as the moderator.

The panelists stressed the importance of having consistent policies across countries, making sustainability a top priority in all regions, strengthening sustainable manufacturing and supply chains in the UK, working closely with local communities, and designing products with sustainability and current manufacturing methods in mind.
Read more about the panel discussion here.

Our theme this year, "Are you pulling all the levers to Sustainable Innovation," sparked a complex debate on our stand about the strategies and approaches required to drive sustainable practices within the industry.

The team shared their thought leadership insights, inspiring delegates to rethink their approach to sustainability and adopt more holistic design practices. Different perspectives showcased how the med-tech industry is rapidly progressing towards net zero practices, despite ongoing challenges.
Read more about our exhibit here.

As an official partner with Medilink Midlands, a prominent organization in the Midlands HealthTech community, Pd-m is thrilled to offer its expertise in carbon reduction plans and the "Innovate to Zero" program.

This partnership aligns with the company's previous collaboration with the HRC, further solidifying its commitment to driving sustainable practices within the industry.

Moving forward, we look forward to fostering a vibrant community dedicated to innovation and sustainability in healthcare.

Pd-m encourages industry professionals to reach out and explore collaboration opportunities, as collective efforts are crucial to addressing environmental challenges and promoting a more sustainable future for the healthcare sector.

To learn more, reach out!

Innovate to Zero Webinar

We are pleased to share that we hosted an insightful webinar on "Making sustainability an opportunity to reduce carbon and cost" in partnership with Bionow.

Expertly arranged by bionow's Dave Holmes, we had a thought provoking discussion with great panelists like Michelle Sullivan, Sustainability Chair (ABHI), who spoke about how with NHS England guidelines it is high time companies focus on carbon reduction. We were also joined by Pennine Healthcare’s CEO, Graeme Cameron, who talked about a ground up approach to inculcate sustainability in a company's culture.

Our sustainability lead, Richard Shaw gave critical insights about
-NHS net zero roadmap
-What scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions typically look like for device manufacturers
-CRP Insights
-Innovate to zero - a practical strategy to reduce carbon and cost through design and innovation.

Our speakers demonstrated that sustainability offers compelling business advantages, from cost savings and efficiency gains to strong branding and being an employer of choice. We covered practical steps organizations of all sizes can take, like designing light, reducing waste, and local manufacturing options.

There was insightful engagement during the interactive Q&A session hosted by CEO of Pd-m, Richard Hall, a sign that sustainability is top of mind.

As Michelle wisely put it, "One who believes infinite growth is possible in a finite environment is either a madman or an economist." Wise words to lead by.

If you have additional questions, we’re happy to discuss further. We look forward to continuing this momentum in the weeks and months ahead, and as ever, a huge thank you to all our attendees for being a part of a great event.

If you'd like to get in touch to find out more, please reach out to us with a Linked-In message or email at, sustainability@pd-m.com .

New Partnership

We're very pleased to make this announcement!

NIHR HRC in Accelerated Surgical Care and Pd-m Partner to Lead Sustainable Healthtech Innovation

We are thrilled to share that the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Accelerated Surgical Care HealthTech Research Centre has announced a strategic partnership with Pd-m, to drive sustainable HealthTech innovation.

Under this collaboration, Pd-m will provide guidance and implementation support to HealthTech innovators working with the HRC, enabling new technologies to align with net zero milestones and be optimized for a carbon-conscious world.

This partnership aims to set the standard for developing and delivering sustainable medical technologies and innovations. By embedding sustainability from the product development stage, the HRC and Pd-m will work together to meet the increasing demands of the Net Zero agenda and support the NHS's carbon reduction commitments.

This combines the HRC's healthcare expertise with Pd-m's experience in sustainable innovation and 'Innovate to Zero' agenda through sustainable design.

If you're inquisitive to know more about this will help you, then please reach out to us via direct mail, email richard@pd-m.com.

Breaking the Barriers to Innovation

Following our successful participation at Surgtech 2024, the Pd-m team embarked on an illuminating interview series with prominent delegates. Our goal was to gain first-hand perspectives on the key barriers hindering innovation in the medical technology field.

We conducted short interviews with leaders from University of Leeds, HistoSonics, OstomyCure, regional healthcare innovators, and regulatory experts.

The insights revealed systemic obstacles spanning funding constraints, regulatory complexities, lack of real-world evidence, organizational silos inhibiting collaboration, difficulties defining target populations and value propositions, and more.

Experts like Ian Newington highlighted how innovators often forge ahead without fully understanding the true clinical needs - resulting in misaligned solutions. He emphasized the importance of comprehensive user insights.

Others like Varaidzo Mapunde and Pete Culmer pointed to a lack of interdisciplinary knowledge sharing and collaboration across the vast healthcare ecosystem. Building partnerships to navigate development and commercialization pathways is critical.

Stringent regulations and approval body constraints were cited as major hurdles by Kevin Kiely and Al Mills. They recommended proactive compliance planning, agility amid evolving guidelines, and robust evidence generation.

Defining populations, demonstrating health economic value, and integrating sustainability were identified as challenges by Joshua King. He advocated rigorous research, economic modeling, and collaborative ecosystems.

The difficulties of validating solutions for practical NHS implementation were expounded on by Neville Young, highlighting co-creation with providers and rollout roadmaps.

Funding and regulatory barriers loomed large for Graeme L. Smith, who stressed investor outreach, regulatory strategies, public-private partnerships, and accelerators.

"Speaking with all these brilliant minds really drove home how complex the HealthTech innovation journey is," reflected our CEO, Richard Hall. "But it also showed there are absolutely ways to overcome every hurdle if we're strategic and inclusive from the start."

By confronting obstructions through prudent policies, synergistic collaborations and practical resources, we aim to create a sustainable environment for medical breakthroughs to flourish. Our comprehensive approach exemplifies our commitment to advancing technologies that improve patient care and propel the healthcare industry forward.

SurgTech 2024

We recently had the pleasure of participating in Surgtech 2024, the premier conference exploring the latest surgical technology innovations. Hosted by NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) HRC on March 21-22 in Leeds, the two-day event provided an excellent forum for learning, networking and sharing our expertise.

In the lead up to Surgtech, we announced our speakers Richard Hall and Richard Shaw would be presenting on healthcare funding landscapes and promoting sustainability in surgical technologies respectively. We also teased an interactive word cloud activity planned for our exhibition booth to gather insights on barriers to innovation.

Day one kicked off with an inspiring opening speech by Vee Mapunde emphasizing the increasing importance of considering sustainability early in health technology projects. This set the tone for our messaging around adopting eco-friendly practices. Later that afternoon, our Sustainability Lead Rich Shaw gave a well-attended talk demonstrating cost benefits medical device companies can realize by going green.

The second day featured an engaging panel discussion with Shaw exploring how embedding sustainability into value propositions can unlock more funding opportunities for startups. We enjoyed this insightful dialogue alongside Dr. Graeme Howling, Emma Glass and others.

A highlight throughout the conference was our interactive word cloud visualizer. We were delighted by the level of engagement as 106 attendees contributed their thoughts in real-time on the biggest obstacles to fostering innovation in surgical tech. An analysis revealed funding constraints, regulatory hurdles, lack of clinical evidence and insufficient collaboration among the top barriers mentioned.

These findings reinforced what we've long suspected - that MedTech innovators face systemic hurdles on multiple fronts. As purpose-driven consultants, we are committed to helping clients navigate and overcome these challenges through inclusive, sustainable practices that demonstrate clear user benefits.

We'd like to thank all the attendees who stopped by our booth to participate in the word cloud activity and engage with our team. The connections made and perspectives gleaned over the productive two days will undoubtedly prove invaluable as we continue supporting innovation that advances patient care.