King's College London

The one‑day event, Heart Innovators – Young people shaping the future of heart technology, gave young people the chance to explore cutting‑edge health technologies, engage with HealthTech researchers, and contribute to shaping future care for those living with heart conditions.

Delivered by the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) in partnership with Evelina Children’s Heart Organisation (ECHO), a charity supporting families with congenital heart conditions, the event was designed for ECHO Teens - young people with congenital heart conditions, treated at Evelina London, Royal Brompton and partner hospitals, and their siblings. The event welcomed around 16 teenagers alongside their parents and carers.

The sessions focused on identifying and capturing unmet needs among those impacted by congenital heart conditions. This HRC event was jointly led by PPIE lead Alice Taylor‑Gee and Paediatric Cardiology Nurse Samara Grant, with co‑theme leads Dr Nick Byrne and Dr Kuberan Pushparajah supporting the programme.

The interactive day was all about Health technology, creativity, and youth voice. Participants explored 3D technology in action, joined hands-on prototyping sessions, designed their own health tech ideas, and shared their experiences and insights. PhD students Dionysios Malas and Solene Dietsch spoke to the young attendees and parents about their research careers as and how new tech is designed and tested, while Specialist Senior Technician Gayathri Nantharatnam led a tour of the Surgical and Interventional Engineering Lab. 

During the workshop, parents and carers connected to share motivations for attending, with discussions ranging from the educational value of the day to ideas for new technologies that could support their children and families.