OCE Launches Program to Support Innovation-Based Healthtech Procurement
TORONTO, Jan. 20, 2017 /CNW/ - Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) is now accepting applications for an innovative program designed to help Ontario healthcare providers more rapidly adopt ground-breaking medical technologies. Healthcare organizations can apply for support to do innovation-based procurements, applying new methods to deploy innovative solutions that address high priority healthcare system needs.
REACH (Resources for Evaluating, Adopting and Capitalizing on Innovative Healthcare Technology) is an $8.2-million grant funding program being delivered by OCE on behalf of Ontario's Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. Formerly with the Health Technology Exchange (HTX), OCE is offering the second round of REACH with a $4.8-million program investment from the province.
"Our investment in the REACH program will help bring innovation to public sector procurement in the healthcare sector," says Tracy MacCharles, Minister of Government and Consumer Services. "The solutions that will come from this program will make a difference. By sharing knowledge and best practices, healthcare providers will be more nimble, and able to serve Ontario patients. Investing in Ontario's world-class innovators through the Ontario Centres of Excellence and REACH creates jobs, and grows our economy."
Public healthcare service provider organizations can now apply for the program, supported by the Government of Ontario, which provides up to $1 million in funding to competitively-selected projects.
"The launch of the REACH program will support healthcare providers in the vital area of procurement in our healthcare system, and will help our best and brightest innovators get their products to market faster," says Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science. "Initiatives such as REACH improve quality of care and patient experience, increase the adoption of innovative healthcare technologies, and support highly skilled job creation."
Support through the REACH program will enable healthcare provider organizations to:
- Effectively identify and procure innovative technologies focused on solving priority system challenges;
- Build internal capacity and expertise in applying alternative and more flexible methods of procurement;
- Share knowledge and best practices in innovation procurement with peer organizations;
- Be seen as innovation leaders in Ontario and globally.
"When it comes to conceiving and executing innovative programs in education and healthcare that support high-quality jobs and growing the economy, OCE is a leader in Ontario," says Dr. Tom Corr, OCE's President and CEO. "The REACH program is a natural extension of OCE's growing portfolio of work in health innovation procurement, which also includes AdvancingHealth and the Health Technologies Fund."
More information about the REACH program and the application process can be found here.
About Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc.
OCE drives the commercialization of cutting-edge research across key market sectors to build the economy of tomorrow and secure Ontario's global competitiveness. In doing this, OCE fosters the training and development of the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs and is a key partner with Ontario's industry, universities, colleges, research hospitals, investors and governments. A champion of leading-edge technologies, best practices and research, OCE invests in sectors such as advanced health, digital media and information communications, advanced manufacturing and materials, and cleantech including energy, environment and water. OCE is a key partner in delivering Ontario's Innovation Agenda as a member of the province's Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE). Funded by the Government of Ontario, the ONE is made up of regional and sector-focused organizations and helps Ontario-based entrepreneurs rapidly grow their company and create jobs
SOURCE Ontario Centres of Excellence Inc.
Media Contact: Andrew Robertson, Manager, Media Relations, t: 416.861.1092 x 1092, [email protected]
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