Innovation Champions
Research & Innovation
Innovation Champions
Meet colleagues across BCHC who support research, innovation and new ways of improving the care and services we provide.
Supporting Innovation
Connecting People, Ideas and Innovation
Innovation Champions help create connections between people, ideas and opportunities across Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Whether you are interested in research, digital transformation or have an idea that could improve the way we deliver care, our Innovation Champions can help support conversations and encourage innovation across BCHC.
Our Champions
Meet Our Innovation Champions
Innovation Champion
Jon Higham
Consultant in Oral Medicine
Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO)
Jon is a Consultant in Oral Medicine at Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry and Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO) at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
As a CCIO, Jon provides a clinical voice and leadership in digital health transformation and has led the implementation of video consultation within the Trust.
He is particularly keen to foster digital innovation and transformation to support the delivery of high-quality patient care and welcomes conversations about new ideas.
Research & Innovation Champion
Darren Castle
Research Champion – Learning Disabilities Division
Darren is a highly specialist physiotherapist and has worked within BCHC's Community Learning Disabilities Division for more than 20 years, supporting adults with intellectual disabilities with their healthcare needs.
Darren has completed a Clinical Academic Training Programme Internship, a Master's in Health Research at the University of Birmingham and a Masters to Doctorate Bridging Programme.
He believes research and innovation are important to BCHC providing best practice for service users and contributing to evidence-based practice.
Darren can provide information and support to colleagues who would like to become involved in research and innovation. The Learning Disabilities Division also has a Research Interest Group supporting staff who are active in research or interested in becoming involved.
Innovation Champion
Andrea Grace
Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO)
Andrea is one of BCHC's Chief Clinical Information Officers and has been involved in the development of the Trust's core electronic patient record (EPR).
Before moving into her current area of work, Andrea had a long career as a paediatric physiotherapist in acute and community settings and worked as an operational manager for Children's Therapy Services.
Andrea works closely with clinical staff across BCHC to help ensure that the right information is available at the right time to support the delivery of high-quality patient care.
Her CCIO role provides a clinical voice and leadership for digital transformation, helping BCHC explore how technology, research and innovation can support staff and service users now and in the future.
Working Together
Innovation Starts With People
Innovation can begin with a new idea, a problem that needs solving or simply a question about whether something could be done differently. By sharing ideas and working together, staff across BCHC can help identify opportunities to improve services and patient care.
Research & Innovation
Have an Idea or Innovation Challenge?
If you have an idea, challenge or opportunity that could benefit from an innovative approach, get in touch with the BCHC Research & Innovation team.
Contact the R&I Team