THE Welsh Health Hack will return for a ninth iteration in 2022, in an effort to support Wales’ innovators and clinicians in developing solutions for the NHS’ COVID-19 recovery.

With funding available for winning innovators, sessions will take place online on Wednesday, February 16 and St. David’s Day (March 1).

At the event, some of the nation’s brightest minds will attempt to secure start-up funding to develop plans to support Wales’ health sector.

The theme of this year’s Hack is assisting NHS Wales’ COVID-19 Reset and Recovery, and the organisers are inviting clinicians and professionals to submit their challenges for individuals to pitch their innovative solutions.

Health and social care workers have also been invited to share their challenges before being guided to collaborate with innovators and develop a solution, which is pitched to a panel in the hope of securing said funding.

Managing director of Menai Science Park, Pryderi ap Rhisiart, said: “The Welsh Health Hack is an incredible event and showcase of innovative solutions to real-world challenges that can make a positive difference to patients and clinicians in our health and social care sector in Wales.

“It is a very inspiring event and we’re proud to be playing our part in making it happen.”

The event has a proven history of attracting a range of talented professionals from across the health and social care industry to compete for funding, with previous winners having presented projects that have been actioned in various health boards across Wales.

Minister for health and social services, Eluned Morgan, added: “Our health and social care colleagues continue to go above and beyond in their response to COVID-19.

“We also recognise that innovation has been crucial in finding new ways to respond to the pandemic, which has provided both new challenges but also new opportunities to learn and work differently.

“A key component of the Welsh health and care innovation landscape, the Welsh Health Hack continues to be a platform that stimulates and supports innovation by bringing dedicated NHS Wales staff together with universities and industry partners to develop new technological solutions.

“The solutions developed by the Welsh Health Hack 2022 will further help us in our path to COVID-19 recovery.”

Minister for economy, Vaughan Gething, added: “During the COVID pandemic, I saw for myself how many Welsh companies stepped forward with innovative new products that helped the NHS provide life-saving care and treatments for people across the country.

“The Health Hack creates the conditions needed for the development of new ideas and solutions, enabling us to continue to support a pipeline of new products, services and ways of working that will deliver real-life benefits in Wales throughout our recovery from COVID-19 and beyond.”