Parliamentarians join local Health Innovation Network innovators in promoting economic growth through health care

The Health Innovation Network brought together MPs with its 15 local networks, including Health Innovation North East North Cumbria (HI NENC), to discuss the importance of innovation in tackling the most pressing challenges in the NHS, such as reducing waiting lists, supporting recovery, tackling health inequalities, and driving digital transformation.

The reception in Parliament showcased six innovators from across the country including PocDoc, supported by HI NENC, Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber, as well as a number of the other local networks.

PocDoc Healthy Heart Check is an easy-to-use home test kit aiming to improve access to cardiovascular disease testing thereby preventing millions of premature deaths.

In less than 10 minutes, the PocDoc test can provide lipid readings, an indication of an individual’s heart age, as well as alerting a person if a referral to a GP is necessary.

The test is already being used in the North East as part of the Healthy Heart Checks Programme being delivered by HI NENC and the Integrated Care Board for the North East and North Cumbria.

It has so far tested hundreds of people across the North East and North Cumbria region, with a focused health inequalities project supporting underserved communities in Middlesbrough, which has the highest cardiovascular disease mortality rate in the region and is the 11th highest nationally.

Dr Nicola Hutchinson, Chief Executive for HI NENC, said: “It was a pleasure to meet Chi Onwurah and discuss how health innovation is transforming patient care and driving economic growth in the North East and North Cumbria.

“Our region has a thriving health and life sciences ecosystem, with world-class research, innovative health tech companies, and a strong collaborative network.

“At HI NENC, we are well placed within that ecosystem to help innovators navigate NHS pathways, secure funding, and scale their solutions – creating jobs, generating revenue, and strengthening the economy.

“By accelerating innovation, we’re not only improving health outcomes but also positioning our region as a leader in the UK’s life sciences sector.”

The health and life sciences sector offers a huge opportunity for driving economic growth. Since 2018, Health Innovation Network’s support to innovators has contributed £2.6bn to the UK economy, have safeguarded or created over 10,000 jobs and for every £1 invested in the Network, there is a £2.81 return.

Karin Smyth, MP, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, said: “Meeting with and hearing from innovators from across the country has been so inspiring.

“Health innovation is vital to helping the Government deliver on our core missions of developing sustained economic growth and building an NHS that is fit for the future.

“With so many programmes delivering real results for patients, Health Innovation Network is improving patient outcomes while also driving regional and national growth.”

Innovators used the reception as an opportunity to urge the Government to take action to ensure innovation is at the heart of reforms to the healthcare system by:

• Ensuring a national focus on the implementation of innovations within the health and social care sector, including creating the right environment where innovation can more easily be delivered
• Defining multi-year health innovation priorities within the 10-year plan

Richard Stubbs, Chair, Health Innovation Network, said: “As the key organisation in England responsible for implementing innovation in health and care and driving economic growth the Health Innovation Network was delighted to meet with Chi Onwurah to discuss innovations in Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West.

“Working closely with MPs and policymakers enables us to deliver local change faster and more widespread ensuring all patients benefit from innovation.

“By doing this we can support a thriving life sciences sector across the regions with a growing economy.

“We are proud that, every year, our programmes release more than 100,000 hours of NHS staff time, increasing productivity to help tackle waiting times and get through the backlog.”

Bringing together innovators and MPs at this event, Health Innovation Network continues to demonstrate the vital role the network plays in making the UK a global powerhouse for health and life science.