Digital North 2025: Supporting digital health innovations across the North of England
What is the Digital North Accelerator Programme?
The Digital North 2025 program is a collaboration between the four northern England Health Innovation Networks in its fifth year, aiming to positively impact patient outcomes through innovation. With a focus on elective recovery and patient flow, innovators will receive bespoke support and guidance, with the ultimate aim of their innovation embedded into the healthcare system.
We are pleased to announce that the brochure for this year’s Digital North programme has now been released. The brochure goes into detail about the eight innovators selected to take part in this years’ programme, along with more information on the focus area for this year’s programme: Elective Recovery and Patient Care.
Read the Digital North Brochure
The Innovators
Digital North 2025 will take a three-pronged approach to accelerating the adoption and spread of these digital health technologies by:
1. Bespoke Support for Innovators: Tailored guidance and resources are available to help innovators refine their solutions and navigate the complexities of the NHS.
2. Business Growth Support: Innovators can access expert advice and support to help develop sustainable business models and effectively engage with NHS stakeholders.
3. Showcasing Innovators: There will be opportunities for innovators to showcase their solutions to key decision-makers and potential partners across the region.
“The Digital North Accelerator is a vital initiative that supports the rapid adoption of innovative digital health solutions to tackle some of the NHS’s biggest challenges, including elective recovery and patient flow. By working collaboratively across the four northern Health Innovation Networks, Health Innovation Manchester are helping to empower companies to bring game-changing technologies into real-world healthcare settings, improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency. We are proud to support these pioneering innovators in their journey to scale and make a meaningful impact across the NHS.”
– Sig Mikladal, Senior Programme Development Lead – Industry & Commercial Partnerships, Health Innovation Manchester.
“The Digital North 2025 program, now in its fifth year, is a game-changer for digital health innovation in the North of England. By providing tailored support and resources to innovators, this program is accelerating the development and adoption of solutions that will have a real impact on patient care.”
– Steve Lynn, Associate Director – Commercial, Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria.
“This years’ Digital North Accelerator is focused on two of the big universal challenges: elective recovery and patient flow. Our goal is to support the introduction and implementation of innovations to improve care and services for patients and staff. The programme has three key components: Providing bespoke support to innovators; business growth support needed to help to get into the NHS; and to showcase innovators to relevant stakeholders.”
– Steve Adams, Commercial Programme Manager, Innovation and Industry Partnerships, Health Innovation North West Coast
“The Digital North Accelerator Programme supports the NHS’s priorities around elective recovery and patient flow by focusing on the adoption of innovative technologies which reduce waiting lists and improve access to care. Aligned with the government’s three shifts—moving care into communities, leveraging technology, and prioritizing prevention—the programme supports key NHS Planning Guidance priorities, including shorter waiting times and enhanced patient pathways. Collaboration across the four northern Health Innovation Networks, aims to highlight the spread of impactful solutions.”
– Helen Hoyland, Head of Commercial Innovation and Growth, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber.
The Digital North 2025 programme serves as a regional hub, bringing together a diverse community of NHS experts from across the region. These experts are all working together to harness digital solutions that can be accelerated and make a tangible difference to patients and the healthcare system.
Innovation Review Panel Events
There will be two Innovation Review Panel Events (IRP Events) held as part of the Digital North 2025 programme.
The Digital North Accelerator Programme IRP Events bring together innovators, healthcare professionals, and thought leaders to explore the latest advancements in digital solutions for healthcare.
Event dates:
NHS waiting lists have dramatically increased. Between March 2010 and June 2024, the elective waiting list surged from 2.4 million to over 7 million, with those waiting over a year rising from 20,000 to 300,000. Over a million people await community services, including 50,000+ for over a year. Mental health service waits affect roughly a million people, with 345,000+ waiting over a year for initial contact (109,000+ children/young people). A&E departments face immense pressure; in May 2024, only 60% of Type 1/2 A&E attendees were seen within four hours, and nearly 10% now wait 12+ hours. Despite increased hospital staff and spending, appointments, operations, and procedures haven’t kept pace, resulting in decreased productivity. Daily outpatient appointments per consultant are down 7%, surgical activity per surgeon is down 12%, and emergency medicine clinician activity is down 18%.