This common condition causes 25,000 deaths a year in UK hospitals but could be easily prevented, without the need for medical treatment, by wearing compression stockings.
The trouble is that anti-embolism stockings, which work by compressing the ankle and leg to encourage blood flow around the body, are often too tight for elderly patients to be able to put on themselves. Registered nurse Neomi Bennett, an agency nurse with Your World Healthcare, saw her patients and colleagues struggling and decided to find a solution. The result is the Neo-slip.
Neomi created a sheer, slipper-style sock that you wear over your foot and ankle before applying an anti-embolism stocking, preventing sticking to make the process as quick and easy as pulling on a regular sock. This simple solution could revolutionise the use of such stockings in hospitals and in the home by dramatically reducing the time, effort and supervision required to put them on.
The Neo-slip has already delighted both patients and health professionals, scooping 11 awards for its effectiveness and usability including a win at the Royal College of Nursing Awards and a runner-up at the Patient Safety Awards. Full of confidence after her idea's positive reception, Neomi seized the opportunity to take her invention on TV's Dragon's Den to secure investment. Sadly she came away empty handed, although she was still delighted to draw attention to such a common and unnecessary complaint.
Neomi commented: "The experience of developing a product to raise awareness on such an important issue has been hugely rewarding and the thrill of developing something to help others has given me tremendous confidence to progress this journey. The support I've received from Your World Healthcare as an agency nurse has given me the flexibility, positivity and opportunity to do something I truly believe in."
Fortunately for patients around the UK the Neo-slip is still going ahead, and will provide comfort and relief for thousands of people recovering from operations as well as people concerned about thrombosis from taking long-haul flights. The Neo-slip currently has a patent pending which can be found on the Intellectual Property Office website. Neomi's story should also serve as an inspiration for anyone who has spotted an opportunity to solve a problem at their work, create a ground breaking solution and the value of committing yourself to something you believe in.
