It came as a surprise to me really to learn that some of the largest University Hospital Trusts in the UK have no involvement whatsoever in innovation/R&D in terms of MPCE Departments, I guess most are so busy with operational matters, R&D takes a back seat, which is regrettable, the benefits activity of this nature brings are massive
People often ask me whether innovation can be taught. In terms of breakthrough science. the truth is, it’s a lot like football in the Bill Shankly era: people talk about luck, talent, or inspiration, but the real engine is work. Shankly used to say that the harder he worked, the luckier he seemed to get — and innovation follows exactly the same pattern.
The breakthroughs don’t come from waiting for a spark. They come from pushing deeper into the problem, stripping away noise, understanding the mechanism underneath, and refusing to stop until the physics lines up. When you work like that, “luck” isn’t luck at all. It’s the natural by-product of discipline, graft, and clarity.
So yes, you can teach innovation — not as a mystical gift, but as a way of working. Teach people to frame problems properly, to think in systems, to analyse mechanisms, and to iterate with purpose, and they’ll find that the harder they work, the more “innovative” they become.
WRT innovation, how are things in your Trusts or Medical Device Manufacturing or Service organisations , I think I will seek option and views from the Southern Clinical Engineering Network - many proactive and enthusiastic folkhere,
Last edited by Alf; 19/06/26 12:03 PM.
