Convening for innovative cancer care in the South West
Cancer innovators and health and care system partners from across the South West have connected, for the first time, to create a new shared strategy for cancer care in the South West.
The partners, convened by Health Innovation South West and Peninsula Cancer Alliance in our Event and Innovation Space earlier this month, are together set to level-up how cancer innovations are found, adopted, and scaled into routine practice across the region.
Building connections
Innovations in Cancer, held at Health Innovation South West on 5 February 2026, was crafted to strengthen collaboration across the cancer system in South West England – where cancer incidence is higher than the national average.
Over 50 South West-based innovators and system partners convened under one roof for the very first time. Innovators brought their ideas to showcase and connect with representatives from the health and care system in Devon, Somerset, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, while these system partners had the opportunity to see current and future innovation happening across the peninsula.
“Devon and Cornwall have one of the highest incidence rates of skin cancer in the UK. For Skin Analytics, one of the innovators showcasing their innovation, the event was a great opportunity for them to meet with system partners to develop and explore collaborations and partnerships going forward.”
Jane Bamby, Portfolio Director, Health Innovation South West
Image: Innovators from Boost show system partners their innovative post-mastectomy breast forms
Real-world insights
From artificial intelligence speeding up prostate cancer diagnosis in Somerset, to evaluating a new way of analysing blood tests in Devon, delegates heard local case studies of innovation successfully adopted in the real world.
“In primary care I’m always thinking, how does that innovation reach the people on the coal face? What do [the innovations] mean for the patients in front of me? From a primary care perspective, [it was] really helpful to have those insights.”
Daniel Korn – GP, Pathfields Medical Group
Showcasing solutions
Innovators with solutions for better cancer care gathered in our Innovation Marketplace. Exhibitors included Boost, C the Signs, Entia, Map My Mole, MySunrise, Lucida Medical, Optellum, Skin Analytics, SAH Diagnostics, and PreActiv. Each company showcased their innovation operating or emerging within our local health and care system here in the South West.
“It’s been great to have a platform to share innovation around [our] early detection piece in community pharmacies in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and to build on the work that we’re already doing in this space with pilots that we’re running around finding cancers earlier and improving patient outcomes.”
John Ashton-Barnett, Pharmacist, Community Pharmacy Cornwall
Image: Health and care system partners try out MySunrise’s digital platform for cancer patients
Shared strategizing
Shared confidence and capability will be key to driving cancer innovation that can improve outcomes for patients in the South West. Together, delegates shaped shared priorities, approaches, and measures of success for a Peninsula-wide Cancer Innovation Strategy.
“I’m interested in health inequalities and advocating for how different groups and populations in communities are going to benefit. The benefit of today is that we’re looking at a wide spectrum of professionals that work in different parts of the system, so you’re hearing all those voices and understanding all those views.”
Daniel Korn – GP, Pathfields Medical Group
Image: Health Innovation South West Portfolio Director, Jane Bamby, convening delegates in our Event & Innovation Space
“It’s been really helpful to hear views on the National Cancer Plan, and to see connectivity between researchers, Health Innovation South West, Peninsula Cancer Alliance and other stakeholders. We can all work together towards a common goal of improving diagnosis for people who are unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with cancer but also enabling people with cancer to live better lives.”
Sunita Berry, Managing Director, Peninsula Cancer Alliance
“The conversations were engaging, there was a lot of curiosity, and hopefully we’ll have even more collaborative ways of working and partnerships going forward, for the greater good of patients in our region.”
Jane Bamby, Portfolio Director, Health Innovation South West
The emerging system-wide strategy will shape the approach to cancer innovation in the South West, aligning to the local priorities and needs of our rural and coastal region.
To learn more about how to make innovations a success, hear about new innovators in your area, and explore how Health Innovation South West and the Peninsula Cancer Alliance can support you, please get in touch.
Innovations in Cancer was an interactive, in-person event hosted in our Event and Innovation Space near Exeter. Find out more about our inclusive and innovative spaces to hire and find one to suit you.
