How do we best support healthcare innovation within the NHS?

4 February 2022

This was the key focus of a networking meeting held for our NHS members at the end of January.

Individuals involved in supporting healthcare innovation and research shared some great information with the other organisations, providing ideas on how best to support innovation. This meeting also allowed Medipex to gain a better understanding of what our members need and how to engage with them.

Key take home messages were that there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach, but that most organisations have similar needs such as the requirement for buy-in from a number of stakeholders, protected time for innovation, better methods of communication across the organisation and sharing of success stories. Having a clear purpose and strategy can shape what this may look like for your organisation, which is something we would be delighted to support with.

Attention was also given to how to find those individuals with good ideas, recognising that many NHS staff do not have time (particularly at the moment) to take an idea forwards. Reducing barriers to engagement, such as simplifying the process of telling us about an idea, and highlighting that support is available to progress the idea (certain activities may not require much inventor time), may be key.

Communication was cited as a major barrier, recognising that not all members of staff have access to a computer during the working day. Therefore we will work with our member organisations to identify the best strategy for them to inform a wider audience of the support available to ensure that we're aware of as many good ideas as possible.

Interested in Medipex Membership? Please get in touch and we will be happy to discuss your needs and the bespoke support that we can provide. Membership is a cost-effective means of bolstering innovation capacity and skills availability for your organisation.