Innovation profile: Washseat From prototype tomarket Innovating to improve patients sense of dignity and self-esteem Elderly people and those living with disability can struggle with using the toilet and cleaning themselves afterwards, which can impact their sense of dignity and self-esteem. At an Eastern AHSN event, Andy Speechley shared his idea to develop a raised toilet seat with a washing facility which fits over an existing toilet to enable the user to manage their own hygiene. He needed support from Eastern AHSN to develop a prototype, access funding and set up a pilot in a care setting. We arranged a consultation with Clinical Engineering Innovation (CEI) at Addenbrookes Hospital later that day. The following day Andy was invited to a pitching event with our partners at Provide CiC, where the panel were impressed and immediately saw the difference the Washseat could make. Following an introduction, he has also been in contact with the local Director of Social Care at NHS England. Through our partners at Health Enterprise East, Andy received expert advice on intellectual property and patenting and we funded a continued refinement of the prototype with CEI. We are working with the Washseat to explore how the innovation could help other patient groups. Eastern AHSN supported Andy in presenting the Washseat at The Occupational Therapy Show and the innovation was runner-up at the events innovation awards. We also highlighted the Washseat on an innovation-sharing trip arranged by the British Embassy Life Science Department to a technology business incubator in Shanghai. We have entered into a revenue share with the Washseat and are facilitating a clinical trial AndySpeechleym Washseatinventor in more than 50 care homes in the region to evidence how the product impacts patients, with a view to access and uptake in the NHS. Innovators Share this articleWe help innovators overcome barriers to turn great ideas into positive health impact. Find out more EasternAHSN.org/innovators V isit washseat.co.uk