Researchers & academics Translating research into action We work closely with academia, connecting you with innovators, health services and the public to inform your research and translate it into clinical practice. By working with our regional networks, we can drive change locally and spread it nationally. The Applied Research Collaboration for Kent, Surrey and Sussex Health Innovation KSS has a close working relationship with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS). It is one of 15 Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) set up across England, to support applied health and care research that responds to and meets the needs of the local population and local health and care systems. It part of a £135 million investment by the NIHR to improve the health and care of patients and the public. The NIHR ARC KSS brings together NHS trusts, local authorities, universities, communities and other partners to develop and implement innovative translational research to improve health and social care for patients and families in the south east. Health Innovation KSS’s unique Implementation Leads are embedded within the organisation and focus on translating ARC KSS research into practice. Find out more Get in touch Local partnerships We are also part of local academic partnerships in our region which bring together academic and health and social care organisations in order to take forward meaningful research for each population: Surrey Academic Health and Care Partnership Brighton and Sussex Health Research Partnership We are also partnering with Kent and Medway Medical School on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, to support with research and innovation activity in the region. Our work 1/9. Working with People and Communities Our people and communities across Kent, Surrey and Sussex are at the heart of research and innovation. 2/9. Digital, Data & AI Through partnerships and collaboration with other organisations, Health Innovation KSS is working to enable the development of digital, data & AI innovations, from idea conception through to real world adoption and spread. 3/9. Health inequalities At Health Innovation KSS, we are committing to ensuring socially excluded groups have a voice and to promoting equity, amplifying diverse voices, and tailoring innovations to meet the needs of populations affected by certain health issues. 4/9. Ageing well At Health Innovation KSS, we work closely with our integrated care systems and research partners to support our population and health and care system challenges. 5/9. Primary, community & social care At Health Innovation KSS, we work with our local integrated care systems (ICSs), GP practices and primary care networks (PCNs) to understand their priority needs and how we can help to meet these needs. 6/9. Mental health & neurodiversity Health Innovation KSS is working with other organisations and those with lived experience to support the spread and adoption of innovation in mental health. 7/9. Medicine optimisation & safety At Health Innovation KSS, we’re working to support healthcare professionals to identify patients at risk and encourage better conversations around medicines. 8/9. Cardiovascular disease At Health Innovation KSS, our cardiovascular disease prevention programme is planned and delivered collaboratively with partners across Kent, Surrey & Sussex. 9/9. Patient safety The national patient safety improvement programme aims to test and spread effective safety interventions and strategies, learn from excellence and support systems to continuously improve. ← → News and case studies Building public trust in health data: co‑designing a social licence for Kent and Medway Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) worked with NHS Kent and Medway to co design a social licence for the use of health and care data. The social licence is a clear, community shaped commitment that sets out how data should be used across the Integrated Care System (ICS). Case Study 30 Jun 2026 More Scaling acute virtual wards: generating real world evidence at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex helped Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to generate robust, real world evidence on the impact of an acute virtual ward model using Luscii’s remote monitoring platform. Case Study 29 Jun 2026 More SECAmb call handling: improving decision‑making and efficiency in emergency call management Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) worked with South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) to support a structured review of emergency call handling processes across the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and Unscheduled Care Navigation Hubs. Case Study 29 Jun 2026 More Developing an innovation hub blueprint to support digital, data and AI innovation Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) worked with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) to support the development of a practical blueprint for an Innovation Hub. Case Study 29 Jun 2026 More Risk stratification and proactive care in NHS Sussex Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) worked with NHS Kent and Medway to co design a social licence for the use of health and care data. The social licence is a clear, community shaped commitment that sets out how data should be used across the Integrated Care System (ICS). Case Study 29 Jun 2026 More Supporting people with health conditions to stay in or return to work Working with NHS Sussex to explore how a WorkWell service could be developed locally to support working‑age adults whose health affects their ability to work. Case Study 29 Jun 2026 More From survival to quality of life: why PROMs must become routine in cancer pathways Guest blog from Dr Charlotte Roberts, Client Delivery Lead, My Clinical Outcomes on why England's landmark National Cancer Plan could finally move patient-reported outcomes from a good idea to everyday reality and what that means for cancer care at scale. Blog 27 Apr 2026 More New fellows announced to bridge research and frontline care The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS) has announced the second group of Knowledge Mobilisation Fellows in Sussex. News 11 Sep 2025 More NHS Sussex Research Strategy: Embedding research across the health and care system The strategy was co-produced with partners across the Sussex Health and Care Partnership to ensure services are evidence-informed, research-active, and responsive to population needs. Case Study 3 Jul 2025 More Enhancing data security and accessibility across the region By providing a secure platform for data storage, sharing, and analysis, the Kent, Medway and Sussex Secure Data Environment (KMS SDE) supports researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to develop insights that improve patient care. Case Study 3 Jul 2025 More Secure environment for de-identified patient data accelerates move from research to impact New report reveals success of platform to share anonymised patient data. News 30 Jun 2025 More “Language matters,” and other insights from equity academic and campaigner Professor Chloe Orkin As part of Pride 2025, distinguished British physician and health equity campaigner Professor Chloe Orkin shares ten action-provoking insights. Blog 25 Jun 2025 More ← → Stay up to our newsletter Receive the latest health and care news, funding opportunities, case studies and events. Subscribe