Member News
Samson Forth Associates Ltd, an engineering consultancy and training provider based in Darlington,
is delighted to announce the winning of a bronze award at the recent HSJ Partnership Awards held at
the Evolution venue in Battersea Park, London.
The business was shortlisted for an award in the “Best Healthcare Provider Partnership with the
NHS” alongside its partner South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, following its
engineering input into helping the Trust work towards commercialisation of its Shoulder Reduction
Bench device which has been developed to help improve the speed and efficiency of treating
patients with a dislocated shoulder.
The use of the device has led to proven time and cost savings for the A&E departments at the Trust,
with the majority of patients suffering shoulder dislocations avoiding the need for an aesthetic via
the use of the Shoulder Reduction Bench which offers a quicker treatment route and negates the
need for a valuable and in demand hospital bed.
Feedback from patients, including those who have suffered repeat dislocations, showed the use of
the device was favourable and was even requested by those who had previously experienced its use.
The award followed a rigorous application process which led to the shortlisting and a subsequent
team interview with a panel of experienced judges from senior positions in the NHS, before the
results were announced at the awards ceremony in London.
Director of Samson Forth Associates, Andy Stevenson commented “that the award was testament to
the collaboration and working relationship between Samson Forth and the Trust, with two small
innovative teams working together to commercialise a product with the longer-term benefits to the
NHS and its patients always being kept in mind.”
