Children requiring mechanical support for heart failure are usually committed to staying within an intensive care unit or hospital ward. Emma Simpson, Paediatric Intensivist at the Freeman Hospital has recently led a multi-disciplinary collaboration with Aachen University and industry partner ‘Berlin Heart GmBH’, funded by European Institute of Innovation and Technology. The aim is to bring to market a mobile driving device for the Berlin Heart Ventricular Assist (VAD) and thus transform patient experience. Qualitative work, with Judith Rankin and Lisa Crowe, exploring parents and children’s views contributed to the development of a new educational platform for professionals and families to learn about VAD therapy and the team was awarded the prestigious Horizon Impact Award along with a prize of €5k to support future work. 

For more information please contact: emma.simpson29@nhs.net