Local change, national impact: the Health Innovation Network 2023-24 Impact Report

In 2023-24, as a Network, we delivered national programmes and initiatives that benefited over 1,228,000 patients, created wealth and health by leveraging £467m through our support to innovators, and worked alongside health and care teams to tackle some of the NHS’s most pressing challenges including cardiovascular disease, patient safety and health inequity.

Highlights from the last year include the Innovation for Healthcare Inequalities Programme (InHIP) which engaged with 34,000 people from under-served populations; and our lipid management programme, which is estimated to have prevented over 9,000 serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.

We also saved almost 1,200 babies’ lives through maternity and neonatal safety interventions delivered by our 15 Patient Safety Collaboratives (PSCs).  Over 1,300 jobs were either created or safeguarded in companies we’ve supported.

Health innovation is a key proponent to delivering health and growth and these successes, delivered in partnership with our commissioners, NHS England and the Office for Life Sciences, and with colleagues across the innovation ecosystem, means that since 2018, a total of 3.8 million patients have benefited from our national programmes and initiatives and our support to innovators has leveraged more than £2.6bn investment for the UK economy. 

The Health Innovation Network delivers a 3:1 return on investment delivered through our innovator support (using Treasury Green Book methodology). 

Richard Stubbs, Chair of the Health Innovation Network, said:

“I’m delighted to share our 2023-24 Impact Report – and the first as the Health Innovation Network. As the key organisation in England responsible for implementing innovative practice in health and care we have a unique mission: improving the health and wealth of our nation, with patient and citizen benefit as the ultimate goal to all our endeavours. This report truly captures the Network’s collective strength – 15 locally-embedded organisations which come together to form a national network that delivers greater impact.”  

Dr Vin Diwaker, Interim Director of Transformation for NHS England, said: 

“Innovation will be vital to the transformation of the NHS over the next decade, whether being used to improve care for patients or prevent them from becoming ill. Innovation networks will continue to play a key role in encouraging, evaluating and supporting the adoption of cutting-edge diagnostics, technology, and treatments. The latest report highlights that investing in innovation, research and life sciences can significantly enhance patient outcomes and benefit the UK economy and society.”

Rosalind Campion, Director of the Office for Life Sciences, said: 

“The Health Innovation Network continues to be an invaluable resource to support the development and adoption of innovation, and this report brilliantly highlights the real growth and resilience it delivers for the companies it supports, as well as the patient benefit this creates.

“Innovation is central to the Government’s health and growth missions to build an NHS fit for the future and to kickstart economic growth. The Network continues to be a strong local and national catalyst to support these ambitions.”

Download the Impact Report here: https://thehealthinnovationnetwork.co.uk/news/local-change-national-impact-the-health-innovation-network-2023-24-impact-report/