NHS accelerator programme launches call for applications

The NHS accelerator programme has launched a call for applications to the 2024 intake in a bid to “transform” healthcare delivery.

The NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) aims to support entrepreneurs in scaling and adopting mature innovations across NHS England.

Working with NICE, NHS England, the Academic Health Science Network (AHSN), the MHRA and industry organisations, the initiative offers a programme of support to help individuals develop a partnership-led “roadmap” to scaling across the health and social care ecosystem.

The programme provides mentoring from industry experts and a pipeline to provide health tech products to the NHS.

“At the NIA, our core belief is that no one can solve health and social care’s biggest challenges alone,” said Konrad Dobschuetz, NHS Innovation Accelerator national director.

“That’s why we champion a collaborative and mutually supportive approach to innovation that makes an impact.

“We’re looking forward to receiving another strong set of applications this year, and to meeting our new cohort of innovators who are committed to creating an NHS that is fit for the future.”

The recruitment call is focused on innovations that can address health inequalities and is open to start-ups with solutions in the field of maternity, mental health, cancer, respiratory disease, hypertension/ cardiovascular disease, diabetes, epilepsy, oral health and carbon reduction in healthcare.

Successful applicants to the NIA will benefit from three years of support, followed by access to the alumni network and peer community.

Professor Bola Owolabi, director, healthcare inequalities at NHS England, said: “The NIA is a world-leading programme that I would strongly encourage innovators to apply to.

“Its offering is uniquely positioned in several important ways and on account of the expertise in the team and amongst the mentors, the reach it has into and across the NHS, and the access it has to the health and healthtech industry.”

NIA alumni include the founder of healthcare staffing solution Locum’s Nest, the creator of skin cancer melanoma tracking app SkinVision, the founder and CEO of patient-controlled records system Patients Know Best, and the chief executive of The Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps (ORCHA).

According to NHS England, the NIA programme has already supported the creation of 1,244 jobs and generated revenue of more than £18m through solutions deployed across more than 3,000 NHS sites.

Applications for the 2024 edition of the accelerator close on October 22.