AN Airedale Hospital doctor-turned-inventor has won a national accolade.

Dr Joel Copperthwaite has received a Medipex Innovation Award after producing a device to help safe training in a vital procedure for critically-ill patients.

Joel's Bucket realistically trains clinicians to safely insert arterial and venous catheters – long, thin tubes used to administer medicines, fluids or blood over a long period of time.

Dr Copperthwaite, a clinical fellow at the Steeton hospital, won the medical devices category of the awards and received his prize – £2,000 to further develop the device and business – from BBC broadcaster Harry Gration.

"I am delighted to be awarded the prize," he said.

"The funding and business support given will allow us to progress the project with the final technical tweaks, develop the business to look after it and foster relationships with other teaching hospitals to review the product.

"There is real value in demonstrating to NHS frontline staff like me – and our employing organisations – that innovation is a worthwhile endeavour that reaps its own rewards and is worth investing in.

"Innovation in the NHS is essential as demands are increasing."