About us Latest News The difference donations make Research & Innovation How technology is transforming patient care right here in Leeds Our showcase in November highlighted the innovation thriving at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Our Innovation Showcase event in November took place in the Old Medical School - a Grade II listed building at Leeds General Infirmary. In the coming years, this iconic building will be transformed as part of the first phase of the Innovation Village - a premier hub for science, innovation and technology adjacent to the new hospital development at Leeds General Infirmary. The showcase highlights the spirit of innovation already thriving at Leeds Teaching Hospitals and sets the stage for the exciting developments in the forthcoming Innovation Village. The event was hosted by Leeds Hospitals Charity, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and the Leeds Innovation Pop-Up. Read more: How donations fund Research and Innovation Exhibitor 1: Photobiomodulation for Oral Mucositis Dr. Bob Philips Honorary Consultant Paediatric OncologistLeeds Children’s Hospital This treatment uses a special laser to prevent severe mouth ulcers in children undergoing cancer therapy. By shining the laser inside and outside the mouth daily, it helps avoid complications that can lead to treatment delays and longer hospital stays. Funding: £9,710 grant from Leeds Hospitals Charity Read more: Supporting Research at Leeds Children's Hospital Webinar Exhibitor 2: Interventions in the care of older people Alison RaycraftLead Nurse for Older PeopleSt James’s University Hospital Therapeutic Aids for Dementia PatientsLifelike pets and dolls are used as interventions to reduce stress and anxiety for dementia patients. These aids can provide comfort to older people and reduce social isolation, helping to provide calm and reduce incidents of severe behaviour. Funding: £5,149.40 grant from Leeds Hospitals Charity The ‘Happiness Programme’ – light technology for therapy Using interactive light technology as part of rehabilitation and therapy is shown to support with a patient’s recovery. By introducing games in a hospital environment that a patient has to work through, the patient is encouraged to interact and keep moving, improving cognition and aiding in physical activity. Funding: £13,908.00 grant from Leeds Hospitals Charity Read more: Donations help make Older Persons Wards dementia friendly Exhibitor 3: Histopathology block tracking and block image capture Dildar RathoreSpecialist Biomedical ScientistSt James’s University Hospital This innovation improves histopathology processes by using RFID tracking chips for real-time location of tissue samples, enhancing lab efficiency and reducing unnecessary re-biopsies. Additionally, it digitises patient sample blocks, allowing scientists to compare digital slides with block images, speeding up delivery of results and improving accuracy Funding: £9,999.05 grant from Leeds Hospitals Charity Read more: Gift in Wills enable Leeds Hospitals Charity to kickstart UK first innovation at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Exhibitor 4: Enhancing Surgical Training with Extended Reality Mr Tim Stansfield & Professor Homer-Vanniasinkam Consultant Vascular SurgeonLeeds General Infirmary This Simulation Training Centre uses virtual reality (VR) to simulate a pre-procedural run through in how to perform a femoral endarterectomy. This will improve surgical training and ensure fair access to learning opportunities. It also enhances the current remote learning quality for trainees, making education more effective and engaging Funding: £9,955 grant from Leeds Hospitals Charity Read more: Leeds Hospitals Charity Research Webinar Exhibitor 5: FibriCheck app for Atrial Fibrillation Patients Dr. Ramesh NadarahCardiology RegistrarLeeds General Infirmary This project transforms post-ablation care for atrial fibrillation patients using a smartphone app (called FibriCheck) to monitor heart health. It reduces the need for in-person visits, making care more accessible and efficient for patients and improves the process for NHS staff. Funding: £8,000 grant from Leeds Hospitals Charity Read more: Charity funded app helps improve outcomes for cardiology patients in Leeds Exhibitor 6: Augmented Reality Heads Up Display Mr. Asim SheikhConsultant NeurosurgeonLeeds General Infirmary An Augmented Reality (AR) headset is used in endoscopic skull base surgeries, allowing surgeons to visualize instruments and endoscope images in real-time. This innovation streamlines procedures, making them faster and safer by minimizing damage to nasal structures. Funding: £2,100 grant from Leeds Hospitals Charity Exhibitor 7: Leeds Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Radiotherapy Centre of Excellence (RadNet Leeds) Professor David Sebag-MontefioreConsultant Clinical Oncologist Dr Bashar Al-QaisiehLead for Research & Innovation and Radiotherapy ImagingSt James’s University Hospital RadNet is a network of Cancer Research UK centres of excellence with access to cutting edge facilities working to tackle major challenges in radiobiology and radiation oncology. Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust is one of seven funded sites and aims to deliver smarter and kinder radiotherapy treatments, that are more specific to the individual patient and their tumour, using the latest radiotherapy technology and research. These treatments will reduce side effects and improve survival. This is achieved through research that happens in the laboratory as well in face-to-face research with patients. Demonstrated today are two innovations in radiotherapy. The first is medical device development for re-irradiation treatment planning and the second is the use of AI in auto-contouring for MR & CT scans. Funding: £2 million from Leeds Hospitals Charity between 2012 and 2020 leading to further funding from the University of Leeds, Cancer Research UK, and other national funders. Read more: MRI Simulator to revolutionise radiotherapy treatment for cancer patients Exhibitor 8: Virtual Reality within Leeds Children's Hospital Lucy DickinsonVR Play SpecialistLeeds Children’s Hospital The VR service at Leeds Children’s Hospital helps children cope with the stress of hospital visits. By using VR headsets, it reduces anxiety before, during, and after medical procedures, providing a calming experience for young patients and their families. Funding: £12,308 grant from Leeds Hospitals Charity Read more: Donations fund the expansion of Virtual Reality within Leeds Children’s Hospital Exhibitor 9: Virtual Emergency Learning Environment (Vir-SITiLe - ED) Dr. Taj HassanConsultant in Emergency MedicineLeeds General Infirmary Vir-SITiLe is a blended learning programme combining online and in-person training for emergency department clinicians and international fellows. This virtual reality environment offers a safe space for practice, helping clinicians prepare before and during their time in the emergency department. Funding: £50,000 grant from Leeds Hospitals Charity Exhibitor 10: Remote monitoring for Preoperative Risk Assessment in Major Abdominal Surgery (REMOTES) Dr Alexios DiosisClinical Research FellowSt James’s University Hospital This project explores using wearable devices for remote monitoring to assess patients’ fitness for major abdominal surgery. Traditional cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) can be challenging for frail or disabled patients, who are often at higher risk. This approach aims to enhance patient care and the effectiveness of pre-operative evaluations. Funding: £249,449.07 grant from Leeds Hospitals Charity Read more: Making surgery safer for patients with bowel cancer Exhibitor 11: 3D Simulation Model for Conduitoscopy Dr. Chandra BiyaniUrology Consultant, St James’s University Hospital This innovative 3D model of the bowel, ureter, and kidneys helps train surgeons in conduitoscopy, a procedure requiring specialised skills. Traditionally, training happens during actual surgeries, which are infrequent. This model, created from CT scans, allows for more effective practice and skill development. Funding: £7,200 grant from Leeds Hospitals Charity Read more: Revolutionary surgical equipment funded at Leeds Children’s Hospital Exhibitor 12: IMPRESSeD: Improving Facial Prosthesis Construction Dr. Rachael JablonskiNIHR Academic Clinical LecturerLeeds Dental Institute Professor Sue PavittProfessor of Translational and Applied Health ResearchUniversity of Leeds The IMPRESSeD study uses digital technology to enhance facial prosthesis creation. By employing 3D scanning, modelling and printing techniques, it aims to replace uncomfortable impressions, improve aesthetics, and speed up the rehabilitation process for patients. Funding: £24,699.07 grant from Leeds Hospitals Charity Read more: I'm Still Me exhibition inspired by research project Exhibitor 13: ‘CAIN’ Trial for the treatment of renal tumours Professor Tze Min WahConsultant RadiologistSt James’s University Hospital The “CAIN” Trial is a prospective, multi-centre study designed to evaluate the safety and technical success of the Histosonic histotripsy system, in targeting and destroying primary solid renal tumours, completely non-invasively and without the need for incisions or needles. HistoSonics’ image guided sonic beam therapy system uses advanced imaging and sensing technology to deliver personalised treatments with precision and control. The science of histotripsy uses focused sound energy to produce controlled acoustic cavitation that mechanically destroys and liquifies targeted tissue at sub-cellular levels. Funding: Trial funded by HistoSonics Read more: Funding research to improve outcomes for liver cancer patients Exhibitor 14: Leeds Artificial Eye Service (LAES) Tim ZoltieClinical PhotographerLeeds General Infirmary/Leeds Medical Photography Each year, there are approximately 11,500 artificial eyes needed in the UK to meet demand from both new and existing patients, who need regular replacements. The novel manufacture method uses digital photography of the existing eye and printing onto adhesive paper, which replaces the traditional hand painting approach. By making artificial eyes faster, more life-like and at a cost-saving to the NHS this can allow patients to return to normal life much more quickly. Funding: £74,600 grant from Leeds Hospitals Charity Read more: New charity funded technology improves artificial eyes Exhibitor 15: Gerlis Congenital Heart Project Ms Carin Van Doorn Congenital Cardiac SurgeonLeeds General Infirmary The Leeds Congenital Heart Unit is creating a virtual archive of heart scans using MRI technology. These scans will be turned into 3D models and holograms for training and education, helping NHS professionals, and their patients, better understand congenital heart defects. Funding: £115,800 from Leeds Hospitals Charity, Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, and Heart Research UK Exhibitor 16: Digital Therapeutics for Parkinson’s Disease Professor Rory O’ConnorLead Clinician for RehabilitationChapel Allerton Hospital The Strolll software, enhanced with augmented reality (AR), developed by company ‘Magic Leap’, improves physical therapy for people with Parkinson’s Disease. It gamifies therapy, allowing patients to choose when and where to engage in their exercises, making rehabilitation more accessible and enjoyable. Funding: NHS Digital Read more: Yorkshire Brain Appeal Exhibitor 17: Building the Leeds Way Alec MussonProject ManagerBuilding the Leeds Way Our planned new hospital building at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) will include a new adults’ hospital, a new home for Leeds Children’s Hospital, and one of the UK’s largest single site maternity and neonatal centre. This project forms part of a wider vision to renovate the existing hospital estate in the heart of the city and provide a new home for healthcare innovation.The virtual reality platform showcases the internal design of a children’s ward, maternity suite and operating theatre. Read more: Our new hospital programme - Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustLink opens in new window Manage Cookie Preferences