Healthcare innovators developing technologies to improve patient care and transform health services have gained practical knowledge, expert advice and valuable new connections after attending Health Innovation West of England’s inaugural Breaking into the NHS: A Masterclass for NHS Innovators.
Held at the Engine Shed in Bristol on Thursday 9 July, the one-day event brought together early-stage HealthTech founders, digital health start-ups and university spin-outs with NHS specialists and industry experts to help innovators better understand how to successfully navigate the NHS and prepare their products and services for adoption.
Designed to demystify one of healthcare’s most complex markets, the masterclass combined expert presentations, interactive workshops, one-to-one mentoring and networking opportunities, giving attendees practical guidance on the realities of bringing innovation into the NHS.
Innovators attending the event represented a broad spectrum of health technologies, including solutions to improve clinical training, diagnostics to enhance clinical decision-making, menopause support solutions, mobility assessment and improvement technologies, digital solutions streamlining the work of dietitians, as well as optimisation solutions for pharmacy delivery.
Throughout the day, delegates explored every stage of the innovation journey, from understanding how the NHS buys and adopts innovation, through to developing a compelling value proposition, navigating medical device regulation and quality requirements, and generating the evidence needed to demonstrate clinical effectiveness, economic value and real-world impact.
Sessions were led by experts from across the innovation ecosystem, including Claire Denyer, Programme Manager for Innovation at Health Innovation West of England; Ruth Barker, Senior Evaluation Manager at Health Innovation West of England; and Sam Bacon, Associate Consultant at SGB Consulting, who shared practical advice, lessons learned and real-world examples to help innovators avoid common pitfalls and accelerate their route into health and care.
A particular focus of the day was the importance of generating high-quality evidence early in the innovation pathway. Delegates were encouraged to think strategically about evaluation from the outset, helping ensure their innovations are not only clinically effective but also capable of demonstrating meaningful benefits for patients, clinicians and the wider health and care system.
Alongside the expert-led programme, attendees had the opportunity to network with fellow innovators, NHS colleagues and mentors, building relationships that will continue beyond the event and strengthen the region’s growing health innovation ecosystem.
Claire Denyer, Programme Manager for Innovation at Health Innovation West of England, said: “This programme offered a great opportunity to bring together a range of local healthcare innovators for a unique mix of expert insight, collaborative learning and personalised mentoring. It was a privilege to connect with promising companies from the West of England, providing tailored advice and insights throughout the day,and we’re excited to be part of their journey ahead.”
Ruth Barker, Senior Evaluation Manager at Health Innovation West of England, added: “It was really exciting to be in a room that was filled with innovators who had real energy and passion about solving health and social care problems. It was great to get people thinking early about how they would evaluate their innovations and provide a space to think about how to effectively generate real-world evidence.”
The value of bringing innovators and NHS expertise together was also reflected in attendee feedback, with one innovator commenting:
“This session showed the power of that collaborative insight that I think will be super helpful to create a longer-term relationship.”
The masterclass forms part of Health Innovation West of England’s wider commitment to helping innovators develop solutions that address real NHS priorities and improve outcomes for patients. By providing practical support, specialist expertise and access to regional networks, the organisation is helping accelerate the adoption and spread of evidence-based innovation across health and care.
Following the success of the inaugural event, Health Innovation West of England will continue working with innovators to support the development, evaluation and adoption of technologies that have the potential to transform care and improve lives.
Posted on July 17, 2026
