Supporting innovation

Innovation is at the heart of transforming healthcare. It is central to what we do and why we are helping to create an ‘innovation ecosystem’ for the West of England.

Over the last five years, England’s 15 health innovation networks (formerly AHSNs) have become known as the ‘innovation arm’ of the NHS. Together we operate a national network of Innovation Exchanges to identify common challenges and quickly bring people and organisations together to develop, test and spread solutions.

By being embedded in our local health and care systems, Health Innovation West of England understands the innovation needs of the NHS and social care, and we’ve earned a reputation for our ambitious, joined-up vision for healthcare innovation.

We bring a whole system approach to matching innovation to locally identified challenges by connecting and brokering relationships between innovators, industry, researchers and academics, and health and care colleagues:

The West of England Innovation Exchange

For healthcare innovators, we have created the West of England Innovation Exchange website, providing a variety of support and tools to get your ideas off the ground or help your business grow. We also signpost the latest funding and support opportunities available for businesses wanting to innovate in health. These include funded accelerator programmes, open innovation calls and upcoming health challenges.

Visit the Innovation Exchange here.

The Innovation Exchange

Our Innovation Exchange provides the support you need at any stage of your innovation. Get access to all our business services in one place as well as local and national funding opportunities.

Visit the Innovation Exchange

Innovation Exchange newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest healthcare industry and innovation news, funding and support opportunities from Health Innovation West of England.

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Academy resources signpost

The West of England Academy

Explore our free Academy resources to gain essential knowledge and skills for innovative thinking in healthcare. Our resources include events, toolkits and online training.

Explore the Academy