There are 15 health innovation networks across England, established by NHS England in 2013 to spread innovation at pace and scale – improving health and generating economic growth. Each health innovation network works across a distinct geography serving a different population in each region.

We are the health innovation adoption experts. We tackle national problems, with local understanding. And local problems, with national expertise.

Each health innovation network is fully-embedded in their local health and research ecosystem. This drives economic prosperity and growth in all parts of the country, and ensures that everyone benefits from innovation.

The health innovation networks are:

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF HEALTH INNOVATION NETWORKS?

We are the health innovation adoption experts. We are the only bodies that connect NHS and social care, academic organisations, local authorities, the third sector and industry.

We transform lives through innovation by supporting health and social care teams to find, test and implement new solutions at scale to the NHS’ greatest challenges, driving economic growth. Collectively we focus on driving local change and achieving national impact.

Our decade of experience innovating in the NHS, alongside industry and academic partners, leads us to believe that to the best way to tackle the adoption challenge is to focus on implementation.

HOW ARE HEALTH INNOVATION NETWORKS DIFFERENT AND DISTINCT?

Everything health innovation networks do is driven by two imperatives: improving health and generating economic growth in our regions. We are the only partnership bodies that bring together all partners across a regional health economy to improve the health of local communities.

We have a remit from NHS England to occupy a unique space outside of the usual NHS service contract and performance management structures. This enables us to foster collaborative solutions. We use our local knowledge and harness the influence of our partners to drive change on the ground and integrate research into health improvement.

We are interested in seeing healthcare businesses thrive and grow, creating jobs and bringing in investment to the UK, as the healthcare system improves and we transform lives through innovation.

WHAT DIFFERENCE ARE HEALTH INNOVATION NETWORKS MAKING?

The Health Innovation Network showcases some of the best examples from across the Network of how to spread high-impact innovation across the health and care system.

Since 2018:

  • More than 3.2m patients have benefitted from our national programmes and initiatives.
  • More than £2.6bn investment leveraged by companies we have supported.
  • 10,000 jobs either created or safeguarded in companies we supported.

Our impact report shows the difference we are making for patients and the public, for innovators, for clinicians and for the healthcare system.