Introduction to the Academic Health Science Network (AHSN NENC)

What do we do? Academic Health Science Networks are tasked with: Improving patient and population health; and Generating economic growth to create wealth. They do this by connecting partners across a regional health economy so they can work together to: Accelerate the process of Innovation; and Facilitate the adoption and spread of innovative ideas and technologies. The AHSNs are funded by NHS England to improve health and create wealth across the healthcare sector. In a fragmented NHS system there is a pressing need for connections to be made between relevant stakeholders, and for innovation to be promoted where it will benefit health economies in the regions. The AHSNs were set up to fulfil this role. Established in 2013, AHSNs are working with stakeholders as part of 5 year plans to deliver health improvements and to embed innovations both within and across regions.

The AHSN Network There are 15 AHSNs across England. The North East and North Cumbria NENC is one of the largest, covering a diverse health economy; some deprived urban areas in the North East have life expectancies well below the national average, and large rural areas in Northumberland and Cumbria with poor access to healthcare services. Geographical location, and the shape of the health economy in regions, has helped shape the differentiated priorities of respective AHSNs.

The Remit of the AHSN NENC Acting as system wide integrators, the Academic Health Science Network for the North East and North Cumbria seeks to: Facilitate interactions across stakeholder groups; Access the expertise of delivery partners; Work as an honest broker to support collaborative working; and Support health improvement and wealth creation through innovation. With a remit to provide system-wide integration, the AHSN NENC facilitates interactions across the NHS Trusts, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and Universities which are Member Organisations. We support the inclusive, collegiate approaches that are needed to address shared problems at a system level. Working with multiple other stakeholders and agencies, including companies, charities and Local Authorities across health and social care as well as the private sector, the Network acts as an honest broker to support collaborative working. As well as the influence and capabilities of our Member Organisations, we have access to the expertise of delivery partners such as NHS Innovations North and the North East Quality Observatory System to ensure that best practice and innovation are identified, disseminated and adopted at pace and scale, regionally and nationally.

Health Improvement Programmes We have clinical programmes in Atrial Fibrillation, Respiratory, Frail Elderly, Mental Health and Falls and Fractures which are all well-established throughout the North East and North Cumbria. We also have cross-cutting programmes in Medicines Optimisation, Digital Health, Measurement, PPI, Patient Safety and Quality Improvement. They have been developed from previously successful AHSN projects or in response to known health challenges across our region. All the programmes have engagement strategies, interventions, and partnerships with industry. The managerial and clinical leadership of the programmes are responsible for developing measurable impacts and returns on investment. All of the programmes are active in supporting greater integration of activity between primary and secondary care and where we have the option to do so we seek to work on issues relevant to disadvantaged communities and hard-to-reach populations.

Wealth Creation - Innovation Pathway We articulate our support for the wealth creation theme through the Innovation Pathway. The Pathway has been created to support the development and commercialisation of innovative ideas and provide a unique opportunity for SMEs to access and benefit from the healthcare sector. Indeed, many of the services available to SMEs under The Innovation Pathway will also be critical to NHS Foundation Trusts and Clinical Commissioning Groups in terms of the successful commercialisation of their new ideas. We support all aspects of innovation across healthcare from creating a culture (culture) that is supportive of innovation to disseminating and adopting novel practices and devices once they are proven (success).