Intellectual Property (IP) and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) describes the tangible results of any intellectual or creative activity that results in the formation of novel ideas, innovation or research that can be legally protected and which, consequently, has a commercial value.  IPR includes, but is not limited to, patents, trademarks, registered designs (including applications for rights to apply for any of these), unregistered design rights, unregistered trademarks, copyright, database rights, confidential information (know-how, and any similar rights in the UK and all other countries in the world. The NHS has a responsibility to manage its intellectual property assets and the Trust ensures it complies with this requirement by appointing an IP Lead who is tasked with assisting in the identification and commercialisation of intellectual property. 

The IP Lead (Angela Cooper  020 7352 8121 x2610) is your first point of contact if you believe you have an invention which you would like to protect or commercialise. 

It is important to remember that the key to commercialising intellectual property is ensuring that the information remains confidential and so the ideas should only be discussed on a restricted basis through the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDA’s or Confidentiality Agreements). These agreements are available from the R& D office. Prior disclosure of this information may render the invention unpatentable in many regions of the world.