ICB Health and Growth Accelerator: National Innovation Call

Health Innovation North East North Cumbria (HI NENC) is looking for evidence-based digital innovations to support people getting back into work or keeping them in work.

Apply for your chance to take part

HI NENC is partnering with the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), to source innovations from across the country to support people living in the region to remain economically active. Evidence links poor health and economic activity. By preventing ill health in the first place, or helping keep people healthy, we can support people to remain in work.

There are three sites that have been allocated funding including the North East and North Cumbria as part of a £45m NHS England 12-month pilot scheme.

The Accelerator focuses on improving health and reducing economic inactivity in the following ways.

Supporting people of working age who are impacted by these health conditions:

  • Musculoskeletal (MSK)
  • Mental health
  • Menopause
  • Cardiometabolic-related conditions such as cardiovascular disease, or diabetes

Supporting people who have risk factors for poor health associated with:

  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol

 

Why take part?

We are inviting expressions of interest to work with HI NENC and the North East and North Cumbria ICB. These innovative digital solutions must:

  • include a digital element
  • support people with, or at risk of the conditions listed
  • have strong evidence base demonstrating their efficacy

Applying to the Accelerator will give innovators an opportunity to showcase the best innovations to the North East and North Cumbria ICB with the intention of piloting and implementing them.

 

Who should apply?

Businesses that have an innovative digital solution which is ready to roll out. There is also an opportunity for North East and North Cumbria projects which has a different application process. You should only complete one. If you are working on a North East and North Cumbria NHS project, please visit this page.

 

The application process

Before applying, please make sure your innovation meets the criteria listed below:

  • Includes an element of digital technology
  • Has a strong evidence base
  • Is ready to be adopted by the healthcare system
  • Improves patient outcomes in the following health conditions:
    • MSK
    • Mental Health
    • Menopause
    • Cardiometabolic related conditions
  • Or improves health for people with risk factors such as:
    • Obesity
    • Smoking
    • Alcohol

 

If your innovation ticks the boxes, we’d love to hear from you! You can apply using the form below.

Applications close on 31 March 2025. Your innovation could play a vital role in improving lives and supporting people back to work.

Click here to apply

For further information, please get in touch with HI NENC Project Manager, Niko Urli at [email protected]

Please note applications for this are now closed.