What we do
We find, test, and implement innovation in health and care.
We find, test, and implement innovative solutions to the NHS’ greatest challenges.
We do this by working in partnership with health and social care teams at the centre of the South West’s innovation ecosystem, using our knowledge and expertise to help find, test and prepare solutions in health and social care, for adoption at scale.
FIND
Identifying innovation needs and horizon scanning for innovative solutions
TEST
Preparing innovation for adoption through real world evaluation
IMPLEMENT
Accelerating the adoption of proven innovation at scale
Everything we do is shaped by our partners and the people who live and work here in the South West.
We have built an integrated, place-based, partnership approach to drive innovation at scale to benefit a population of 2.3million.
Challenges in our rural and coastal region are distinct from urban and suburban areas. We have a rapidly ageing population and travel time to a Type 1 Emergency Department is twice the national average. Our Peninsula is home to some of the most deprived areas in the country and stark health inequalities across our rural, coastal and urban communities.
We play an active and distinct role in the national network as an expert in rural and coastal health innovation and work closely with neighbouring health innovation networks in Wessex and West of England, and the NHS England South West regional team to deliver impact at regional scale.
To maximise impact, we work cross-sector, at local, regional, and national levels, developing solutions with the potential to benefit rural and coastal areas across the country.
Supporting three major shifts in the delivery of health and care.
Our plans for 2025/26 directly address the national agenda, where we are tackling immediate NHS operational priorities, supporting the three major shifts in the delivery of health and care: hospital to community, treatment to prevention, and analogue to digital; as well as supporting the life sciences industry to promote economic growth.
Hospital to community
Longer lives mean more complex health needs and rising hospital pressure. Supporting care within communities, via GPs, pharmacies, and home support, can help people stay healthier and reduce hospital demand.
Analogue to digital
Parts of the NHS still rely on outdated systems. Investing in digital tools, including remote monitoring and AI, can improve access, speed up care, and reduce inequalities.
Sickness to prevention
Catching health problems early and addressing their causes helps people stay well and reduces pressure on the NHS and other care services. Increased access to early screenings, smoking cessation support, and exercise programmes have a role to play.
All three of these shifts are especially important for a rural and coastal region like the South West.
We’re making real progress. From scaling up GPs’ use of AI to predict the risk of hospital admissions to testing new approaches in coastal towns to improve early detection of cancer.
We’re at the forefront of developing strategic partnerships with life science companies who are beginning to see the South West’s potential as a test bed for preparing and adapting innovation for adoption in rural and coastal populations; and opportunity to accelerate economic growth.
