Our Chief Executive, Professor Gary Ford, and our Chair, Peter Ellingworth, played key roles in the newly published Innovation Ecosystem Programme report, co-chairing two of the four workstreams.
Gary led the ‘Learning by doing’ element alongside Dr Sam Roberts, the Chief Executive of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Gary said: “The report sets out a practical blueprint to improve the NHS and support economic growth by coordinating the adoption of innovation at scale.
“The ‘Learning by doing’ workstream generated insights from successful national innovation adoption programmes, identifying common factors behind successful implementation. We supported two of the featured case studies – Placental Growth Factor testing for pre-eclampsia and Brainomix stroke AI imaging.
“Achieving widespread adoption across the NHS relies on aligning the expertise of Health Innovation Network (HIN) teams with national policy, programmes and clinical leadership.”
Peter, who is also Chief Executive of the Association of British HealthTech Industries, led the ‘Preparing for the NHS of tomorrow’ workstream with Dr Kristin Anne Rutter, Executive Director at Cambridge University Health Partners. It focused on the enablers needed to access and adopt innovation.
He said: “Collaboration has been key to this, demonstrating exactly what is possible when we align our efforts toward a common goal of improving patient outcomes and securing the NHS’s future through innovation.
“I look forward to supporting implementation, ensuring that this blueprint lays the foundation for lasting improvements to our health service and the patients it serves.”
Gary added: “It is critical that all of the report’s recommendations are taken forward through the Government’s forthcoming ten-year health plan, life sciences sector plan and the innovation and adoption strategy.
“I particularly welcome the recommendation to strengthen HINs. This needs to be underpinned by stabilising and increasing funding in the same way as has been secured for research infrastructure in the NHS.”
The programme was led by Roland Sinker, Chief Executive of Cambridge University Hospitals.