Funding Newsletter - September 2024

In April, we introduced a new funding model which included themed funding calls as well as funding for strategic projects. We’re pleased to report that so far this year we’ve approved 73 applications (67% of all applications received), totalling over £1million. We’re reaching more staff across all hospitals through these open funding opportunities and this funding has the potential to make a difference to over 2 million patients, families and staff.

Read more: The difference donations make

Q1 Funding Highlights

In the first quarter of this year, we successfully launched several key funding opportunities that have already begun to make a difference patients, families and staff across Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

Patient Experience:

We awarded over £26,000 to support projects that will improve the experience of patients treated and cared for at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, leading to enhanced service delivery and improved clinical outcomes. 

Project Example: Funding to increase the number of therapeutic lifelike cats/dogs/kittens and dolls available for people with dementia. The use of these interventions has become more popular within dementia care, to reduce distress and ease anxiety.

Innovation in Healthcare:

We awarded over £36,000 across eight projects that are being led by staff pursuing a new way of doing something, that has the potential to enhance patient experience or patient outcomes.

Project Example: Paediatric dental telephone clinic and virtual appointments for children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism. These patients and families would benefit from preparation prior to attending an unfamiliar clinic or hospital.

Education:

We awarded £5,000 for proposals to develop non-clinical skills of frontline staff to improve patient care and treatment. 

Project Example: This funding will support the professional development of the Phlebotomy Team within LTHT (around 80 staff), supporting tailored learning sessions to enhance their skills, boost morale, and improve patient care delivery.

Research Seed Funding <£10,000:

We awarded £32,000 across four projects. This funding will support research that aims to reduce health inequalities, advance understanding in a particular area and will act as a springboard for projects that lead to more development. 

Project Example: Continuous monitoring of drain pH and electrical conductivity in patients with gastrointestinal anastomosis. This is a mixed methodology feasibility study aiming to assess how practical and acceptable the Origin™ monitoring device is for patients for patients, surgeons, and nurses following bowel surgery.

Find out more about our previous Funding Opportunities

Looking Ahead to Q2

We are excited to announce new funding opportunities designed to support staff well-being and education:

Workforce Wellbeing Grant: £75 to £2,500

Application window open: 6 September – 14 October 2024

We’re interested in receiving applications that will enhance the wellbeing of the LTHT workforce by end of December 2025. 

We would like you to work with your colleagues to identify an issue around workforce wellbeing, substantiate this with data/evidence and identify creative solutions.

Find out more: Workforce Wellbeing

Education Grant: £75 to £2,000

Application window open: 6 September – 14 October 2024

We are looking for Education and training proposals that will enhance non-clinical skills and knowledge to support the patient experience, outcome, and journey. We’re interested in receiving applications that: 

• Will develop non-clinical skills in a clinical setting. 
• Clearly link to patient treatment and care.
• Evidence the opportunity for the funding to deliver impact to a greater number of staff (rather than being limited to one individual).
• Evidence compliance with Leeds Teaching Hospitals study leave policies and processes: LTHT policies and processes
• Outline how learning gained will be sustained and shared.

This funding opportunity is open to all staff at Leeds Teaching Hospitals who are working in a clinical area.

Find out more: Education

Leeds Hospitals Charity is proud to fund a range of projects across Leeds Teaching Hospitals to make a real difference to patients, families, and staff.

If you have any questions, please contact the Grants Team on 0113 539 7091 or email [email protected]

Best wishes,

Becky, Charlotte, Alex, Jess & Andrea