News

We welcome the emphasis on health innovation in the NHS 10 Year Health Plan published by the Government yesterday (Thu 03 July). It recognises that the successful use of innovation is mission critical for the NHS. We understand that local cross-system partnerships offer a proven model for translating research and technological advances into real-world impact, ensuring that innovation reaches patients and frontline services efficiently.

The opportunity innovation affords to us is significant from both a population health and an economic growth perspective. By investing in cost-effective, evidence-based health innovations we can help stop the cycle of poor health and unemployment by breaking down the health-related barriers to work.

Building on over a decade’s experience of partnering with the health and care systems in our region, as well as academia, industry and local government, we deliver innovative change in the NHS and drive economic growth. Our work aligns with the Government’s three strategic shifts for the NHS – hospital to community, analogue to digital and sickness to prevention. We help find, test and implement new innovations across our region that improve patient outcomes, increase NHS productivity and reduce waiting list.

Our CEO Richard Stubbs said:

“Innovation is vital to the Government’s mission to deliver an NHS fit for the future, through the three shifts. But for innovation to thrive in the changing NHS landscape, a focus on the implementation (not invention) of new ideas, technologies and medicines must be supported through a collaborative effort that requires shared accountability and action at all levels.

Getting this right will not only increase health outcomes and satisfaction for our population, it will also boost Yorkshire and the Humber’s burgeoning life sciences sector which could, as the Health Innovation Network’s Defining the Size of the Health Innovation Prize report found, contribute towards growth of up to £278bn a year to the UK economy.“

How we are already supporting government ambitions in Yorkshire

We are helping to cut waiting lists by reducing demand, reducing pressure on frontline services and better supporting the workforce. For example:

• In South Yorkshire, we are working with partners to evaluate a ground-breaking digital therapeutic app. Daylight offers a structured cognitive behavioural therapy programme through a dedicated app, to help patients manage anxiety. This approach aims to improve access to treatment, reduce waiting times and the use of medication. As of June 2025, 1,369 people have enrolled to begin treatment as an alternative to medication.
• A pilot we ran with the Innovation, Research and Improvement System (IRIS) at Humber & North Yorkshire ICB in collaboration with Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust showed that personalised post-surgery videos following knee surgery could cut follow-up appointments by 67%, free up 360 appointments a year, and boost cost efficiency by 60% for that pathway.

We are enhancing patient outcomes and experience by driving improvements, better access and helping to tackle health inequalities. For example:

• In collaboration with West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, we launched an innovative CVD screening programme in the community. Using app-based technology, PocDoc provides quick heart assessments, in particular reaching out to those most at risk, including those in deprived areas, with learning disabilities and severe mental illness and people from Black and South Asian communities.

We are driving economic growth by supporting innovators and the wider life sciences sector. For example:

• This year we supported 545 companies, including providing our expert input for 55 grant applications. Of these, 10 were successful, leveraging investment of £5.1million into the region.
• Propel@YHis our flagship accelerator programme helping health innovators to grow their businesses. Now in its sixth year, the programme secured additional funding to expand this year’s cohort to 19 companies. They raised £11.4m of investment during their time on the programme and created 22 jobs.

These are just some examples of our work. Find out more about how we’re making an impact across Yorkshire and the Humber – explore our latest Impact Report.