Health Innovation Wessex publishes Impact Report 2023 – 24

We’ve recently published our Impact Report for 2023-24 which outlines our continued work with regional and national partners to improve the health outcomes of the local population and support economic growth. 

Watch our short animation that shares a selection of highlights from the report.  

In October 2023, we marked ten years since the inception of health innovation networks, with the announcement of a further five-year licence from NHS England. Alongside the new licence came a clearer name for our network, and we welcomed fresh leadership with Nicola Bent stepping into the role of CEO to drive us in continued success. 

Improving patient outcomes through the adoption and spread of innovation remained at the centre of our work. Working with academics, health and social care systems, innovators and industry we contributed to improvements in patient care through the spread of innovation and best practice, while simultaneously delivering economic growth to the Wessex region. 

We provided 4,838 hours of support to Wessex innovators, helping 263 innovators via our Innovation Exchange service 

Our teams contributed to £475m economic growth leveraged nationally in grants and private investment as part of the Health Innovation Network. 

In Hampshire, we helped people from under-served communities to receive blood pressure monitoring at community outreach events, with over 33% referred for further care. 

Over 12000 referrals were made for further investigation to detect cancer at an early stage as a result of the innovations we supported, and 1,094 NHS staff received cancer education and training through our partnership with Wessex Cancer Alliance.

We helped the Dorset health system to identify and diagnose 800 people with the genetic condition familial hypercholesterolaemia, which if untreated can lead to early heart disease, stroke and heart attack. 

Our Impact Report for 2023 – 24 demonstrates that we have the networks and capabilities to find, test and embed innovation, creating significant, widescale and lasting impact .  

Adopting innovation creates transformational change, and we have bold ambitions to build on our contribution to healthier, longer lives for our communities in Wessex. 

If you would like to work with us, please contact us.