Case study: The Art of the possible: How innovation can improve health and care for children and young people in Surrey

Challenge

There are many amazing health and social care innovations being developed to support children and young people. However, those working within the health and care system do not always have time to see these innovations or understand their potential benefits.

In November 2022, Kent Surrey Sussex Academic Health Science Network (KSS AHSN) co-hosted a Children and Young People’s (CYP) Innovation Roadshow with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Surrey Heartlands ICS, The Surrey Heartlands Health Tech Accelerator and NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Kent Surrey Sussex (ARC KSS). The aim of this roadshow was to showcase innovations available to support work with children and young people.

Our approach

The event was held at the Surrey Heartlands Health Tech Accelerator in Guildford. Young Innovation Ambassadors from Surrey User Voice and Participation team supported the event to ensure that young people remained at the centre of discussion.

Through a series of five minute virtual pitches, a selection of innovators showcased their products and services aimed at improving health and care for children and young people.

48 delegates attended the event and were made up of commissioners and system leaders from the integrated care system (ICS), local authority, mental health trusts, acute trusts, community services and third sector organisations.

Although this session was not geared towards procurement of any innovations presented, it provided examples of the solutions that can be used to improve patient outcomes for CYP in Surrey. It also provided innovators an opportunity to hear the kinds of queries and criteria that their solutions need to speak to, such as ensuring platforms work with diversity in mind, and whether apps designed for younger children could also help teenagers.

The roadshow provided space for attendees, including the young innovation ambassadors, to work together, and share views and ideas.

The follow-up requests between innovators and commissioners demonstrate the enthusiasm for collaborative working, which is further cemented by the connections made between commissioners and leads within the room on the day.

Our impact

From the success of the roadshow:
• A follow-up event is taking place in March 2023, focussing on the key innovation needs in Surrey, identified from the inaugural workshop.
• Over 30 introductions made to commissioners for specific innovations.
• Requests from further areas across the region to run CYP innovation roadshows.
• Young people in attendance have requested to become Innovation Ambassadors, supporting this work moving forward.
• University of Surrey Clinical Doctorate students have offered to support collecting digital evidence.
• In-depth demonstration sessions set up for innovators and commissioners with two innovators.
• Co-design opportunity for a young people’s weight management platform being explored.

Innovation ambassadors from Surrey User Voice and Participation team

More information

• Jenny Partridge (KSS AHSN) for more info about roadshow innovators
• Ginny Common (The Surrey Heartlands Health Tech Accelerator) for more info about future roadshows
• Becca Randell (KSS AHSN) for more info about our work in children and young people’s mental health