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AI and digital transformation will be vital to delivering on the ambitions of the 10 Year Health Plan – to increase NHS productivity and deliver on the three shifts.   In this episode, recorded live at Digital Health Rewired, we delve into a real-world example of this, exploring a project in North East London, where AI-guided clinical coaching is being used to ease pressure on urgent and emergency care services.  Claire Portsmouth, Director of Communications and Engagement at the Health Innovation Network, is joined by Dr Chris Laing, CEO at UCLPartners and Hugh Lloyd-Jukes, CEO of Health Navigator, who share more about this three-year programme of work with NHS North East London, which takes a proactive, preventative approach to reduce demand on the system and support patients to access the right care, at the right time. They also share their biggest learnings from embarking on an AI implementation project in the NHS.

To mark International Women’s Day 2026, this special podcast episode explores how innovation in women’s health can improve health outcomes and drive economic growth, featuring Women’s Health Minister Gillian Merron.  Chaired by Dr Dominique Allwood, Chief Executive of Imperial College Health Partners, and with Dr MaryAnn Ferreux, Chief Medical Officer at Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex, the episode asks a powerful question: what can we give to advance women’s health, and what do we all stand to gain as a result?  The government has committed to updating the Women’s Health Strategy for England, and innovation will be central to delivering its ambitions. Baroness Merron describes her role sitting at the heart of the government’s commitment to driving change in women health and confirms in this episode, the updated strategy will include new diagnostic technologies, digital tools and advances in research.

Innovation is central to the delivery of the 10 Year Health Plan. In this episode, Chief Executive of Health Innovation South West, Jon Siddall, chats to Dr Malte Gerhold, Director of Innovation and Improvement at The Health Foundation about the 'Implementation Challenge', exploring the barriers to the implementation of innovation and how we can better support it at a local level.

In this episode, Neville Young, Director of Enterprise and Innovation at Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber, is joined by Michael Wood, Head of Health Economic Partnerships at NHS Confederation, and colleague Amy Lochtie, West Yorkshire Innovation Hub Director also from Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber.  The Chancellor reconfirmed this week that economic growth is the number one mission of this government. Nev, Amy and Michael discuss the role health innovation plays in delivering economic growth, and why health is a driver for wealth. They discuss the importance of working in collaboration and share insight into how to take a place-based approach.

In this episode, Richard Stubbs, Chair of the Health Innovation Network and Chief Executive of Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber is joined by Professor Bola Owolabi, Director of the National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme at NHS England.    Richard and Bola discuss what we actually mean when we talk about health inequalities and how the Core20Plus5 approach is tackling this complex issue.  They also shine a light on some of the great working taking place across the country and share advice for innovators who want to help.

In this episode, Piers Ricketts, Chief Executive at Health Innovation East is joined by Rebecca Cosgriff, Programme Director for the Data for Research and Development Programme at NHS England.The Programme's vision is a thriving health data ecosystem for research that improves care, boosts innovation, and sustains the NHS. Its mission is to deliver sustainable, secure and rapid access to the world’s largest linked health datasets.They discuss the developments that are giving researchers rapid, secure access to the data they need, and increasing transparency for the public about how their data is used.They also look at the issues facing researchers and how NHS England's Data for Research & Development Programme is tackling them, including areas such as diversity in research, speed of access to data and the importance of public trust.

In this episode, Nicole McGlennon, Managing Director of Health Innovation East Midlands, is joined by Dr Amit Aggarwal, Executive Director of Medical Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).Dr Amit shares more about the ABPI’s mission to make the UK the best place to research, develop and use the medicines of the future and explains the importance of the pharmaceutical industry to the UK and its economic benefitThe discussion shares examples of collaborative working across the innovation ecosystem and the barriers to adopting innovation.   It also covers a new piece of guidance which the ABPI has launched, in partnership with NHS Confederation, on how to develop effective industry partnerships - a practical how-to guide both for companies and NHS organisations about how you can set up a partnership. You can find the guidance here.

In this final episode, we hear from some of those who’ve contributed to the podcast series and get reaction and comment from Tayo Owodunni, the NHS Programme Manager for Health Innovation Network Commissions. Tayo, who has a public health background and previously provided programme management for the COVID-19 multi-agency test and trace programme, explains where the idea for NIPP came from and his involvement in its rollout.Hear Tayo’s reaction to discussions in earlier episodes in this series about programmes that are improving disparities in healthcare including remote monitoring, community engagement, and digital technology. We are reminded of the importance of co-production and community involvement in addressing health inequalities through the example of the Heal-D programme, which is a response to people of African and Caribbean heritage being at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. We close with an insight into Tayo’s thoughts on what the future holds for NIPP and how he sees the programme progressing over the coming months and years.In conversation with Nigel Thompson is:Tayo Owodunni, NHS Programme Manager for Health Innovation Network Commissions

In the second part of our NHS NIPP podcast about reducing impact on hospitals, we explore innovative approaches to patient care post-COVID-19.  We are joined by Professor Dame Caroline Watkins, Professor of Stroke and Older People's Care within the University of Central Lancashire’s Faculty of Health and Care for an insightful discussion on collaborative team efforts in the Northwest, specifically in neonatal care, highlighting initiatives to reduce preterm babies' hospital stays by offering additional support at home and highlighting the importance of understanding needs and tailoring support to suit different family circumstances.Stuart Jeffery, a Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (NIHR ARC Kent, Surrey and Sussex) at the University of Kent, shares insights into a discharge-to-assess model for older patients, emphasising the need for improved efficiency and improving access to healthcare. The discussion delves into the role of technology with considerations for remote monitoring and digital advancements and highlights barriers to be overcome, such as culture, funding and governance.In conversation with Nigel Thompson are:Professor Dame Caroline Watkins, Professor of Stroke and Older People's Care within the University of Central Lancashire’s Faculty of Health and Care ,one of just two nursing professors of stroke care in the UK, and Implementation lead for the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast (NIHR ARC North West Coast).Stuart Jeffery, Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (NIHR ARC KSS) at the University of Kent

Hear about NHS NIPP initiatives that are reducing impact on hospitals and addressing health inequalities. Louise Hall, Evaluation Lead for Health Innovation South West explores their Community Assessment & Treatment Unit (CATU) initiative to enable frail, older patients to be treated closer to home while also reducing hospital admissions. In Sheffield, a different approach is being taken and Professor Suzanne Mason from the University of Sheffield’s School of Health and Related Research discusses how multidisciplinary teams working in urgent care hubs are reducing hospital admissions, mainly in older people, by accepting referrals for patients who don’t need to go to hospital. Professor Dan Lasserson, who is the only Professor of Ambulatory Care in the UK and is based at the University of Warwick, focuses on a research programme examining hospital-level care at home for frail older adults. All three emphasise the importance of understanding culture change in healthcare and the importance of different groups working together to meet diverse needs and enable sustainable innovation. These initiatives aim to improve patient and carer experiences and offer solutions to health inequalities by providing effective care outside of traditional hospital settings.In conversation with Nigel Thompson are:Louise Hall, Evaluation Lead from the Health Innovation South West team (before joining the team in 2016, Louise worked in the charity sector, leading evaluation activities and analysis at Marie Curie and Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse).Professor Suzanne Mason is from the University of Sheffield’s School of Health and Related Research. She is Deputy Director and Urgent Care theme lead at the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration Yorkshire and Humber (NIHR ARC Yorkshire and Humber) and the national NIHR ARCs lead for Urgent and Emergency Care. With close ties to Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, she’s also a consultant in the emergency department at the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.Professor Dan Lasserson is the only Professor of Ambulatory Care in the UK and is based at the University of Warwick. He is Acute Care Interfaces theme lead at the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (NIHR ARC West Midlands).

In this episode, four guest discuss health inequalities in England.Listen in as Aoife Molloy, NHS England’s Senior Clinical Advisor for Health and Equality, and Jo Dumville, Professor of Applied Research at the University of Manchester, where she leads the Manchester Wounds Research Group, discuss healthcare inequalities in England. They emphasise that these inequalities are systematic, avoidable and result in unfair differences in health outcomes among different groups of people. They reference the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid implementation of vaccination programmes. The conversation moves into how the Core 20 plus 5 strategy, which is taking learning from COVID-19 into the longer term, aims to address inequalities by focusing on the 20% most deprived in the country and five key clinical areas through community engagement, national support programmes and by tracking inequalities improvement.We are also joined by Sophie Lowry, Implementation and Involvement Manager from the Health Innovation Network South London and Sandra Tomlinson, who is a lay educator in the HEAL-D programme, which is a response to people of African and Caribbean heritage being at higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, particularly at a younger age than other groups. They discuss the success of the HEAL-D programme (Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyles for Diabetes) which addresses a lack of awareness about food choices, and the importance of community involvement in its design. Hear about the role NHS NIPP has played in evaluating and scaling up HEAL-D.In conversation with Nigel Thompson are: Aoife Molloy, NHS England’s Senior Clinical Advisor for Health and Equality  Jo Dumville, Professor of Applied Research at the University of Manchester and deputy lead for Evaluation at the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester (NIHR ARC Greater Manchester) Sophie Lowry, Implementation and Involvement Manager from the Health Innovation Network South London and part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration South London's (NIHR ARC South London) Implementation and Involvement team.  Sandra Tomlinson, who is a facilitator for the HEAL-D programme

In this edition we discuss how digital monitoring is making a difference and hear the experiences of three guests. Hear a conversation that navigates through the healthcare disparities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic and moves on to discuss the critical role played by NHS NIPP in evaluating innovative projects, revealing that overcoming cultural acceptance challenges is more pivotal than financial or technological hurdles in healthcare innovation. The discussion includes real-world examples from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Oxford and Thames Valley, Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley's virtual stroke clinics, and NIHR ARC Wessex and Health Innovation Wessex's exploration of remote monitoring for frailty in an aging population. A theme throughout is how adopting digital monitoring innovations is a team game, requiring a balanced approach between virtual and face-to-face care, and understanding what’s most important to patients, carers and doctors.In conversation with Nigel Thompson are:Dr David Kryl, Director of Insight at Health Innovation WessexDr Jennifer Lynch, Senior Research Fellow and project lead at the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration East of England (NIHR ARC East of England).Tracey Marriott, Director of Clinical Innovation Adoption, Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley

Patient safety programmes form a large part of the AHSN Network’s work – a refreshed patient safety plan was delivered earlier this year – and patients play a central role in their development.Greg Stringer talks to four individuals about their contributions to patient engagement.Wendy Westoby is a stroke survivor and Heart Hero who campaigns to raise awareness of high blood pressure.Debbie Parkinson is Public Involvement Lead at the Innovation Agency and organises Heart Hero activities.Graham Smith is a patient who suffers from chronic pain.Natasha Callender is a Senior Project Manager at Health Innovation Network and runs a project to which Graham has contributed.Read about the AHSN Network’s patient and public involvement work: https://www.ahsnnetwork.com/priorities/patient-and-public-involvement-and-co-production/Read the AHSN Network’s Patient safety in partnership report: https://www.ahsnnetwork.com/national-publications/patient-safety-in-partnership-june-2023/Find your regional AHSN: https://www.ahsnnetwork.com/about-us/your-local-ahsn/

Climate change causes health emergencies, with more intense storms and floods, more frequent heatwaves and the spread of infectious disease. We hear how the NHS is aiming for a net zero carbon emission target, to save lives and protect the planet. Our guests are UCLPartners Chief Medical Officer Dr Dominique Allwood; AHSN Network Net Zero Lead Pete Waddingham; and Greener NHS Deputy Director Dr Natalia Kurek – talking to Caroline Kenyon. Useful resources:Delivering a Net Zero NHShttps://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/a-net-zero-nhs/https://nhsaccelerator.com/news-item/nhs-innovation-accelerator-nia-partners-with-greener-nhs-to-help-fellows-get-climate-ready/UCLPartners Climate Collaborative – Connecting for Change to help achieve NHS net zero - UCLPartners Climate - UCLPartners Contact details for speakers:[email protected]@[email protected]

Innovations which improve efficiency but fail to reduce health inequalities ‘hit the target but miss the point’ according to the AHSN Network’s vice chair Richard Stubbs. He is joined by three people key to the delivery of AHSN Network innovation programmes which have had a big impact on targeting parts of the population which often miss out when new products or services are introduced. After Richard Stubbs, who is also chief executive of Yorkshire and Humber AHSN, we hear from Sally Irwin of the Health Innovation Network on ‘Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyles for Diabetes (HEAL-D) for adults of African or Caribbean heritage’; Laura Boyd of UCLPartners re the National Blood Pressure Optimisation Programme; and Cathy McCabe of South West AHSN on ‘Keeping urgent care in the community: How Community Assessment and Treatment Units can enable systems to manage urgent care for the frail and elderly closer to home’, in conversation with Caroline Kenyon.The episode was recorded at NHS ConfedExpo 2023 following a session in the Innovator Zone Theatre. Useful links:How AHSNs are addressing health inequalities: https://www.ahsnnetwork.com/priorities/health-inequalities/HEAL-D website BMJ Open article: Mixed-methods implementation study of a virtual culturally tailored diabetes self-management programme for African and Caribbean communities (HEAL-D) in south London and its scaling up across NHS regions in England: study protocolHEAL-D case study: NHS England » Addressing health inequalities through co-developing the Healthy Eating & Active Lifestyles for Diabetes (HEAL-D) programmeCommunity Assessment & Treatment Units (CATUs) - The South West Academic Health Science Network (SWAHSN)Blood Pressure Optimisation Impact report: ahsnnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AHSN_BPO_Report_Final_.pdf?trk=public_post_comment-text Proactive care frameworks: Proactive care frameworks - UCLPartners Size of the prize: Size of the Prize for high blood pressure (uclpartners.com)