Publications

The work of England’s AHSNs is transforming lives through innovation – delivering better health outcomes, improving patient experience and safety, driving down the costs of care and supporting economic growth.

This document refreshes the 2018/2020 Innovation Agency Business Plan, describing how we will achieve the updated 2019/20 national programmes, with highlights from the first year. The NHS Long Term Plan names the Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs), as integral to its delivery and we were relicensed for a further five years, with an additional commission from the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) to deliver Innovation Exchanges, which will support the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC) and the spread of Rapid Uptake Products (RUP).

We deliver the national Patient Safety Collaborative programme in the North West Coast, in collaboration with the AHSN Network and NHS Improvement. The focus has been on three areas: early identification of deterioration; maternal and neonatal health safety; and a culture of continuous improvement. In addition, we help to introduce and spread innovations which improve patient safety

Our support for local businesses has had a measurable impact on economic growth – creating jobs and securing investment, as well as helping NHS providers to reduce costs and improve care.

Our involvement with national digital initiatives means we are well placed to support partners in our region with their own digital transformation projects.

Preventing strokes has been a flagship programme for the Innovation Agency since its inception and we are very proud of the impact of our work, in particular identifying unknown cases of atrial fibrillation.

We involve patients and public in all our work programmes – testing tech and apps; providing feedback and helping to shape plans and projects; and as volunteer AF Ambassadors.

As new networks and systems evolve in our region, our teams are delivering programme management support and helping to introduce innovations which are improving care.

Our calendar includes many events to support our partners and different programmes of work. Last year was a special one for the Innovation Agency, marking our fifth birthday, the NHS’s 70th – and a new five year licence from our national NHS commissioners. Here are some of the highlights.

PIONEERING NEW WAYS TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE. Connected Health Cities is a Government funded, North of England initiative using NHS data and technology to improve health care.

Much of our work is in collaboration with the AHSN Network, spreading an endorsed set of innovations and connecting partners in our region with national NHS initiatives, such as the NHS Innovation Accelerator and NHS Clinical Entrepreneurs.

The Innovation Agency Coaching Academy provides a variety of learning experiences aimed at building a healthy culture for spreading and adopting innovation.

Success stories and highlights from across the North West Coast

Survey of local research and innovation needs of the NHS

The latest thinking and innovations for improving workforce productivity across our health and care systems