Ground-breaking geko™ Technology honoured at the Medilink Awards

An innovative device developed in partnership between University Hospitals of North Midlands and Sky Medical Technology, has been crowned winner of the 'Innovation Award' at the prestigious Medilink North of England Healthcare Business Awards 2020.

The Medilink Innovation Award recognises the successful partnership and how it has changed clinical practice thanks to Sky's revolutionary geko device. The appliance works to increase blood flow in the deep veins of the calf and thereby reduce the risk of patients developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). A recent study of 1,000 acute stroke patients found that no patients wearing the geko™ device developed VTE.

Dr Indira Natarajan, UHNM Consultant Stroke Physician, said: "Acute stroke patients are at a higher risk of developing VTE due to their reduced mobility and it is a major risk to hospitalised patients. About 40,000 people die every year in England from VTE and what's particularly sad is that 62% of these deaths are preventable, given proper management. The geko™ device marks a significant change to our nursing practice and provides an option where previously patients would have had no other intervention available to them. We are really thrilled that the Sky Medical team have won this award."

Andrew Thelwell, Sky CCO said: "I would like to thank Medilink for recognising excellence in technology deployment achieved through outstanding industry and NHS partnering. Partnership makes us who we are and we are enormously proud to bring to market an innovative therapy that completely redefines the way VTE prevention and vascular related conditions can now be treated and to have achieved this in partnership with the Royal Stoke acute Stroke team."