A SKIPTON firm has been recognised by its health care industry peers for a pioneering medical product which can be life-changing for patients.

Trio Healthcare, of Gargrave Road, Broughton, has been given the ‘Innovation Award’ in the Medilink North of England Healthcare Business Awards at a ceremony in Leeds.

The company won for its creation of a custom-formulated silicone adhesive to deliver instant adhesion on ‘ostomy’ bags without causing the skin disorders often found with older products.

Trio’s breakthrough silicone technology is used to help patients with bladder cancer, Crohn’s or colitis, who have abdominal ‘stomas’ - surgically created intestinal openings. The adhesive is used to combat the leakage which is almost inevitable in ‘ostomy’ patients.

The Medilink event, held at the Hilton Hotel in Leeds city centre, celebrated the outstanding achievements made across the North of England by healthcare organisations.

Areas of commendation included export, innovation, partnership with the NHS and academia and business growth.

Kevin Kiely, chief executive officer of Medilink North of England, said: “I’d like to congratulate all of those shortlisted for our awards this year, and especially the winners.

“The hard work of these companies has a huge impact in the region’s economic growth, affecting the health and well-being of the general public, and delivering transformative healthcare.”

Trio’s founders John Chacksfield and Lloyd Pearce said that innovation will differentiate Trio Healthcare from the dominant companies in the healthcare sector as competitors are not able to compete with their unique selling points.

The winners in the other categories were: Export Achievement Award - Paxman; Advances in Digital Healthcare Award - Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Primary Care Award - Damibu; Acute Care Award - Sky Medical Technology; Start Up Award - NeedleSmart; Partnership with Academia Award - Femeda; Outstanding Achievement Award - Steeper Group.

The region’s most pioneering health sector organisations have had their achievements recognised at the Medilink North of England Healthcare Business Awards 2019.

The event, held at the Hilton Leeds City, celebrated the outstanding achievements made across the North of England from healthcare organisations. Areas of commendation included export, innovation, partnership with the NHS and academia and business growth.

Health Innovation Manchester, the Innovation Agency and the Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network were headline sponsors of the evening and individual awards were also sponsored by Nexus (University of Leeds), HGF and Baxter Hoare Travel. Networking booklets were sponsored by Grow MedTech.

The winners are as follows:

Innovation Award – Trio Healthcare

Export Achievement Award - Paxman

Advances in Digital Healthcare Award - Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Primary Care Award – Damibu

Acute Care Award – Sky Medical Technology

Start Up Award – NeedleSmart

Partnership with Academia Award – Femeda

Outstanding Achievement Award - Steeper Group

Kevin Kiely, Chief Executive Officer of Medilink North of England, said: “I’d like to congratulate all of those shortlisted for our awards this year and especially the winners.”

“The hard work of these companies has a huge impact in the region’s economic growth, affecting the health and well-being of the general public, and delivering transformative healthcare.”

Winners of the Medilink North of England Healthcare Awards 2019 will be put forward as nominees for the Medilink UK Awards where they will compete against finalists from across the UK wide Medilink network.

The Medilink UK Awards will be held on May 15 at the MedTech Innovation Expo.