HIN parliamentary reception | MTC partnership | New Human Factors webinar
Health Innovation West Midlands
Transforming health and social care through innovation
Innovators and MPs promote economic growth through health care
West Bromwich MP Sarah Coombes sponsored the Health Innovation Network parliamentary reception, aimed at building support for innovations helping to address urgent NHS priorities such as reducing waiting lists, tackling health inequalities and improving the update of medicines.
Sarah Coombes, MP for West Bromwich, said: “Meeting with and hearing from innovators from across the country has been so inspiring. These programmes are delivering real results for patients across the country, and I know that my constituents in West Bromwich will feel the benefit of improved healthcare. The Health Innovation Network are positively impacting health outcomes and also driving regional and national growth. They are truly the engine of both health and growth in the UK.”
West Midlands organisations agree to turbo charge innovation
Health Innovation West Midlands and MTC - Manufacturing Technology Centre have formalised a partnership to collaborate on the development of innovative ideas and technologies to transform health and social care.
HIWM Chief Officer Tim Jones said: “There is huge potential for synergy in working more closely with MTC and I am looking forward to bringing together our different skills and networks to turbo charge innovation across the West Midlands.”
Andrew Barnes, Managing Director Civilian Sectors at MTC said: “We’re delighted to launch this new, stronger collaboration which will be particularly valuable for medical device manufacturers who can benefit from the innovative expertise of MTC and the NHS market access knowledge of HIWM.”
Health Innovation Network news
Report: Forging a more equitable future through Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement
Patient voices are often cited as central to healthcare innovation, yet in practice, those voices can be overlooked or engaged too late in the process.
In partnership with The Patients Association, the Health Innovation Network convened a roundtable discussion to explore how Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement can deliver more inclusive, sustainable healthcare innovation.
This new report sets out recommendations, exploring how patient voices can be embedded in the development of digital technology, the need to move beyond conventional pathways, and how to build trust through local communities.
Accelerating NHS transformation through industry collaboration
Tuesday 3rd June, 11am-12pm, online
Hosted by the Health Innovation Network and The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), this session will provide practical advice around how NHS and industry partnerships can be powerful catalysts for driving transformation and improve access to cutting edge treatments for patients.
The webinar is for people working within NHS organisations and local health systems and will explore:
How the NHS can develop effective industry partnerships to accelerate innovation and improve patient care
The benefits to local NHS organisations and ICBs of working with industry, including access to additional funding, resources, and expertise
The unique role of Health Innovation Networks -15 networks across the country who can help broker connections between the NHS and industry.
1,000 innovations supported by NHS Innovation Service
Since the NHS Innovation Service launched in 2022, over 1,000 healthcare innovations have now been assessed and given access to tailored, end-to-end support from expert support organisations, including The Health Innovation Network.
The service is designed to support innovators, and ensure a ready pipeline of ideas that meets the NHS’s biggest challenges, by bringing together 11 partners with the experience, knowledge and expertise in developing and supporting wide-spread adoption of healthcare innovations.
HIWM news
Join the HIWM Discover webinar series
Human Factors Support for Innovation, 15 May, 1-1.45pm, online
Gain insight in to how Human Factors can contribute to and support innovation. Enhance your understanding of Human Factors to better assist in fostering innovation.
Speaker: Fran Ives, President Elect at Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors and Human Factors Specialist at Health Innovation West Midlands.
Fran Ives new President Elect at CIEHF
We are delighted to share that HIWM Human Factors Specialist, Fran Ives, has been elected as the new President Elect for the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors!
Fran, who has been a member of the CIEHF for over 20 years, said,
"It is an honour to have been elected and I look forward to working more closely with Ben Peachey, Martin Thody and the rest of the team!"
Congratulations Fran!
Appreciating Health and Care resources - one year on!
It's been a busy year since the launch of our Appreciating Health and Care resource, created in partnership with Appreciating People and Advancing Quality Alliance (Aqua). From hosting webinars and workshops, to producing blogs and podcasts, the resource has been shared far and wide.
The book is a practical guide for the health and social care sector, enabling professionals from across the UK to adopt an appreciative inquiry approach in the workplace. If you haven't seen it yet you can request a copy from Daniel Hodgkiss, Assistant Programme Manager at HIWM and co-author of the resource: daniel.hodgkiss@healthinnovationwm.org
WMHTIA extended as UK-wide Innovation Accelerator programme
The West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator - WMHTIA – which is led by the University of Birmingham – is pleased to announce it will continue its support of health tech innovators following an additional funding of £4m for 2025/26.
HIWM is part of the WMHTIA which is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, in partnership with Innovate UK and the West Midlands Combined Authority.
NIA Fellows announced at Rewired 25
28 people were selected for this year's NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) prestigious fellowship, including two innovators from the West Midlands, Richard Howells at The Tribe Project and Andy Davies at Mackwell Health.
The NIA is an NHS England Accelerated Access Collaborative initiative delivered in partnership with England’s 15 Health Innovation Networks, hosted at UCLPartners. Find out more here.
Life Sciences Week launch
HIWM's Commercial Business and Economic Development Director, Judith Stewart, attended the launch of the inaugural WM Life Sciences Week.
Pictured is Judith in a panel discussion with Prof Gino Martini - CEO of PHTA Ltd, Melanie Davidson - CEO of Medilink Midlands, Lord Steve McCabe - former Member of Parliament for Birmingham Selly Oak, and Alex Richter - Director of Clinical Immunology Services at University of Birmingham.
This major event for the region celebrates innovation, collaboration, and the future of life sciences and will take place 15-19 September.
Delivering Innovation Across Integrated Care Systems Conference
HIWM's Chief Officer, Tim Jones, and Health Innovation East Midlands Managing Director, Nicole McGlennon, joined a panel at the Delivering Innovation Across Integrated Care Systems Conference to explain the support Health Innovation Networks can provide to systems and innovators, to secure innovations that make a real difference to our communities.
If you would like more information on the support we can offer, please contact the team at discover@healthinnovationwm.org
stay in your lane. An unconference for public sector comms professionals
Thursday 23rd September, 9am-4.30pm, The Studio Birmingham
Health Innovation West Midlands is on a mission to transform health and care through innovation. We’re incredibly proud of the work happening across our region — whether it’s with or without our support. However, one of our ongoing challenges is finding the right way to shout about the positive impact this work has on patients and the wider population — and it seems we’re not alone.
We’d like to invite public sector communications professionals at all levels to join us for our inaugural Unconference, hosted in partnership with Dan Slee (unconference expert). This participant-driven event will mark the launch of a brand-new Community of Practice.
This event is open to communications professionals at all levels across the West Midlands in the following public sectors:
Integrated care systems
Healthcare
Academia
Third sector and charities
Local authorities and councils
Medicines and the environment community of practice
Thursday 8th May, 12-1pm, online
Health Innovation West Midlands invites you to join our regional Medicines and the Environment Network meeting.
The network has been developed to bring together healthcare professionals across all sectors located in the West Midlands. Medicines have a significant impact on the environment, contributing to 25% of the NHS carbon footprint alongside contributing to environmental pollution, this group focuses on sharing best practice and learning to reduce this impact.
Guest speaker from Greener Practice Sustainable Quality Improvement Platform
This clinician-developed platform offers easy, practical, step-by-step projects for general practices to improve patient health, boost efficiency, save money, and reduce carbon emissions. The platform will connect users to a network of engaged professionals across the UK to activate, engage and support action.
Updates from our stakeholders
Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2025
Thursday 15th May, 6.30pm-late, Grand Station Wolverhampton
HIWM are proud to be sponsoring the Delivering Innovation in Healthcare Award at the Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2025.
With 10 categories, including two new categories for 2025, Innovation in Service Delivery and CSR Champion, this event will highlight and celebrate the vast achievements and innovations in the life sciences and medtech sector.
DaRe2THINK Webinar - Dr Kazem Rahimi - Antihypertensive Therapy: Why and in whom
Thursday 22 May, 12-12:30pm, Online
This talk is part of a series hosted by the DaRe2THINK trial to provide information to allied healthcare professionals and general practice staff across the UK.
Speaker Dr Kazem Rahimi will summarise the latest evidence on the importance of blood pressure lowering. It will address some of the less-well known effects of antihypertensive therapy on various health outcomes and contrast them with LDL-lowering therapy.
NHS ConfedExpo
11th - 12th June, Manchester Central
NHS ConfedExpo is the UK's leading health and care conference, dedicated to driving innovation and improving care for patients and the public.
The Health Innovation Network is hosting the Innovation Theatre at this year's event, with a packed agenda showcasing how innovation can transform healthcare. View the agenda here.
MPFT Pharmacy Research Engagement Programme Showcase
The Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) Research & Innovation Department is hosting the first MPFT Pharmacy Research Engagement Programme (PREP) Showcase.
Thursday 12th June, 12.00 – 14:00, online
What’s the PREP Showcase Event about?
The MPFT PREP project team will be hosting a showcase where you can hear about the findings of the initiative, the experiences of pharmacy professionals and their involvement in research, and future plans. There will also be the opportunity to participate in an open forum discussion regarding enhancing pharmacy professionals’ engagement in practice-based research. The event is open to anyone working in health and social care.
Transitions to Research webinar
Wednesday 18th June, 12-1pm, online
Aims: To understand the key challenges in the transition to research (e.g. protected research time, support networks, links with practice, confidence, gaining the support of line managers and access to research facilities.)
This webinar, delivered by the University of Warwick Medical School, is for undergraduate Healthcare, Social Care and Public Health students and early career Healthcare, Social Care and Public Health Professionals may also find it interesting.
Registration: Students can register on the NIHR engagement programme website where more information about the webinar can be found.
Social Care and Public Health Professionals can book directly here at the link below.
Wonder: LFE6 in partnership with Civility Saves Lives
Friday 14th November, 9am-5pm, The Rep Theatre Birmingham
The 6th Learning from Excellence conference will be returning to Birmingham in November. Register at the button below.
Call for abstracts now open!
You are invited to submit an abstract on any topic related to LFE, Civility, appreciation, safety-II, workplace cultures and of course, Wonder.
Deadline for submissions is 14th September 2025. Successful submissions will be informed by end of September and invited to submit an electronic poster for display at the conference, and online.
Register and submit an abstract.
Funding opportunities
Reaching Communities Fund
The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) announced that from April 2025, the Reaching Communities programme has new priorities which will help the funder to deliver its missions and create fairer, stronger, more resilient futures for communities across England. Not-for-profit organisations, including schools, statutory or public bodies, serving communities in England can apply as long as they meet the new priorities, which are for projects that:
Support places, people or communities experiencing poverty, disadvantage or discrimination, and
Support people and communities to shape the decisions that affect their lives.
Cardiomyopathy UK launch catalyst grants
Deadline: 9th July 2025
The Cardiomyopathy UK catalyst grant round is now open for applications. Offering up to £25,000 for projects lasting up to 24 months, these awards are intended for researchers to test new ideas, develop proof-of-concept studies or gather data that could help you attract further investment from other sources.
A webinar to support applicants, with a Q&A, will take place on Wednesday 7 May at 4pm, where they’ll share more details about the grant round and answer your questions. If you have questions you'd like them to cover, please send them in advance to: research@cardiomyopathy.org
Novel non-pharmacological approaches for diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Deadline: 5th August 2025
NIHR Community have announced their latest round of funding opportunities and HIWM can help you with your application!
The MRC-NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme is inviting applications to evaluate the efficacy of novel non-pharmacological approaches to improve the diagnosis, treatment and/or management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adults.
If any of our industry partners are looking to apply for this opportunity please get in touch with the team at discover@healthinnovationwm.org
Upcoming events
