The NHS Innovation Accelerator has celebrated a decade of driving healthcare transformation by supporting groundbreaking innovations, overcoming systemic barriers to adoption, and shaping the future of NHS innovation through collaboration, sustainability, and workforce efficiency.
Celebrating 10 Years of NHS innovation
Over the past decade, the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) has played a crucial role in fostering and scaling healthcare innovations across the NHS. Chamber UK sat down with Mindy Simon, Co-Director of the NIA, to reflect on its journey, successes, and future ambitions as it marks its 10-year anniversary.
Driving Impact: Success Stories from the NHS Innovation Accelerator
โThe most powerful innovations are often those that integrate seamlessly into the system, support other innovations, and foster collaboration,โ – Mindy Simon, Co-Director, NHS Innovation Accelerator
The NHS Innovation Accelerator has been instrumental in supporting healthcare solutions that improve patient outcomes, boost efficiency, and drive system-wide adoption. Mindy highlighted several standout innovations, including DrDoctor, a patient engagement platform integrated across multiple NHS trusts. While not widely recognised by the public, its ability to streamline patient interactions has been transformative.
Similarly, Deep Medical has leveraged commercial solutions, such as Uber, to ensure patients make it to their appointments, reducing missed visits and improving service efficiency. Meanwhile, MediShout, a seemingly simple but highly effective innovation, has addressed long-standing logistical issues in hospitals. By enabling staff to report maintenance issues – such as broken lights that could delay surgeries – using a mobile app, the platform ensures smoother hospital operations.
โThe most powerful innovations are often those that integrate seamlessly into the system, support other innovations, and foster collaboration,โ Mindy explained.
Overcoming Barriers to Scaling NHS Innovation
Scaling innovations within the NHS remains a challenge due to its complex and fragmented structure. Mindy pointed to Thalamos, a mental health software platform, as a prime example of how regional collaboration can accelerate adoption. By securing a partnership across North London organisations, Thalamos streamlined Mental Health Act processes, demonstrating that coordinated regional efforts can break down silos and drive system-wide change.
However, Mindy emphasised that funding must follow innovation to ensure successful scaling. โWe often see great ideas emerge, but without proper investment, they struggle to move beyond pilot stages,โ she noted. She also stressed the importance of the NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) fostering knowledge-sharing across regions. โProblems faced in one locality are rarely unique, and cross-region collaboration can lead to scalable solutions,โ Mindy shared.
Supporting innovators: The next decade
โInnovations must not only be clinically effective but also shaped by real patient experiences to ensure they are truly impactful,โ – Mindy Simon, Co-Director, NHS Innovation Accelerator
For start-ups and SMEs, navigating NHS procurement and regulatory pathways can be daunting. The NHS Innovation Accelerator plays a critical role in guiding innovators to communicate effectively with NHS stakeholders. โUnderstanding the right language and presenting innovations in a way that resonates with decision-makers is key,โ Mindy explained.
She also highlighted the NHSโs growing focus on Net Zero initiatives, health inequalities, and patient involvement in innovation design. โInnovators need to think long-term. If their solutions donโt align with sustainability goals or address health disparities, they may struggle to secure NHS adoption in the future.โ
Additionally, patient and public involvement (PPI) in innovation is becoming non-negotiable. โInnovations must not only be clinically effective but also shaped by real patient experiences to ensure they are truly impactful,โ Mindy noted.
The future of the NHS Innovation Accelerator
Looking ahead, the NHS Innovation Accelerator aims to support the NHS in tackling its most pressing challenges, including workforce shortages and system inefficiencies. While the NHS Innovation Accelerator cannot directly increase workforce numbers, it can champion innovations that alleviate pressure on healthcare professionals. Examples include digital therapeutics for mental health support, streamlined workforce management tools, and AI-driven solutions that reduce administrative burdens.
โOur goal is to ensure that innovations enhance staff well-being and operational efficiency, making daily tasks easier so that clinicians can focus on patient care,โ Mindy stated.
Final thought: The power of collaboration
Reflecting on a decade of impact, Mindy underscored the importance of collaboration, funding, and adaptability in sustaining innovation within the NHS. The NHS Innovation Accelerator’s success lies not just in the innovations it supports, but in its ability to bring together healthcare providers, policymakers, and industry leaders to drive meaningful change.
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For full details about the NHS Innovation Accelerator visit ย www.nhsaccelerator.com.