Healthcare innovators developing digital solutions for primary care are being invited to apply for Primary Care Ready – a new innovation accelerator from Health Innovation West of England and One Care that will help innovators prepare their products for adoption across the NHS.
Health Innovation West of England and One Care, one of the largest GP federations in the UK, are working in partnership to deliver a five-day innovation accelerator programme for businesses looking for the next step in their journey towards adoption and spread within primary care.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how primary care operates, what drives innovation within general practice and how digital solutions can be aligned to the needs and priorities of NHS organisations. The programme also explores key areas including neighbourhood health, reducing health inequalities, funding routes and communicating effectively with NHS customers.
Alongside five in-person sessions in Bristol, participants will receive dedicated one-to-one support from a Health Innovation West of England Innovation Adviser to help them apply their learning and accelerate their route to adoption.
Alex Leach, Deputy Director of Programmes at Health Innovation West of England, said:
“Primary care presents enormous opportunities for innovators to improve patient care and support the sustainability of NHS services, but it can also be one of the most challenging parts of the health system to navigate. Primary Care Ready has been designed to give innovators direct access to the expertise, knowledge and practical experience they need to understand the sector and successfully position their solutions for adoption.
“By combining specialist innovation support from Health Innovation West of England with the operational expertise of One Care, we’re providing participants with a unique opportunity to develop their commercial approach, strengthen their value proposition and build meaningful relationships with NHS stakeholders.”
Speaking of One Care’s involvement in delivering the accelerator programme, Morgan Daly, Deputy Digital Director – Transformation and Strategy, commented:
“One Care supports practices and primary care networks (PCNs) to identify and implement the digital tools and innovations best suited to their organisation. Our partnership approach has given One Care an in-depth understanding of the realities and complexities of implementing new technologies in primary care settings.
“Through the Primary Care Ready programme, we’ll help innovators understand procurement, operational workflows, clinical priorities and what successful adoption looks like in practice. By sharing those insights, we can help companies develop solutions that are better aligned to the needs of the NHS and more likely to achieve sustainable scale.”
What participants will gain
- A deeper understanding of NHS primary care as a marketplace and how innovation is commissioned and funded.
- Insights from clinical and operational experts working across primary care.
- Support to tailor messaging for NHS customers and end users.
- Opportunities to refine and practise pitches to healthcare stakeholders.
- Learning around neighbourhood health, health inequalities and future NHS priorities.
- Bespoke support from Health Innovation West of England’s innovation team.
Who should apply?
Applications are open to innovators from anywhere in the UK developing digital solutions for primary care. The programme is particularly suited to innovations supporting:
- Tools to support workforce efficiency.
- Neighbourhood health.
- Long-term condition management.
- Frailty.
Applications are also welcomed from innovators whose solutions support one or more of the UK Government’s three shifts for the NHS – moving more care from hospitals into communities, making better use of technology and focusing on prevention. Applicants should already be working with at least one NHS organisation and have regulatory approvals in place or be actively working towards them.
The programme will take place in Bristol across five in-person sessions on 12–15 October and 5 November 2026.
Applications are now open and close at midnight on Sunday 23 August 2026. Find out more and apply here.
For further information or to discuss whether Primary Care Ready is the right programme for your organisation, email healthinnowest.innovation@nhs.net.
Posted on July 14, 2026
