Breaking down barriers for safer systems: a day of inspiration, innovation and insight
Blog article
In this blog, Jenn Garner and Ann Remmers report on our recent regional learning event, bringing together maternity and neonatal colleagues from across the region. On Wednesday 30 April, we were delighted to welcome colleagues from trusts across the West of England to the regional learning event for our Maternity and Neonatal Safety Improvement Programmes…
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New e-learning to supporting healthy weight in adults with a learning disability
News
A new e-learning programme has been launched for people who care for or support adults with learning disabilities. It has been designed to provide people with information on how to support an adult with a learning disability to achieve a healthier weight. The training aims to help people understand the importance of nutrition and activity…
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Ben Bennett retires as Chief Operating Officer
News
The team at Health Innovation West of England has bid a fond farewell to our Chief Operating Officer Ben Bennett, who retired at the start of May after 34 years with the NHS. Ben has led the corporate, HR and finance functions for the organisation since 2018. Before joining Health Innovation West of England, Ben’s…
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Exploring the potential for a health and life sciences cluster in the South West
News
In recent months, Health Innovation West of England has been working with a number of partners to gather stakeholder views on the benefits and opportunities a health and life sciences ‘cluster’ might offer the region. Currently the South West is the only region in the UK that hasn’t created a formal life sciences cluster. In…
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Evaluation shows Black Maternity Matters is increasing the knowledge, skills and confidence of maternity and neonatal staff
News
An evaluation of the second training cohort of Black Maternity Matters demonstrates the programme has successfully helped maternity and neonatal staff in the West of England to increase their knowledge, skills and confidence in both understanding the impacts of racism and how it penetrates healthcare institutions. Black women in the UK remain more likely to…
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Karin Smyth MP joins local Health Innovation Network in promoting economic growth through health care
News
Last week, the Health Innovation Network brought together MPs with its 15 local networks, including Health Innovation West of England, to discuss the importance of innovation in tackling the NHS’s most pressing challenges, such as reducing waiting lists, tackling health inequalities and improving the update of medicines. The health and life sciences sector offers a…
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Rhys Blake joins Health Innovation West of England’s leadership team
News
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Rhys Blake as our new Director of Corporate and Development. With over 25 years of senior management experience in the NHS, most recently as Associate Director for Planned Care with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in Wales, Rhys will be a senior leadership team member and will…
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“Deeply affirming” – Black Maternity Matters collaborative celebrates winning national award
News
Members of the Black Maternity Matters collaborative are celebrating after scooping the award for ‘Community Project Impact’ at the prestigious Black Maternal Health Awards UK 2025. Held in London on Saturday 22 March to celebrate excellence across maternal healthcare, The Black Maternal Health Awards were hosted by The Motherhood Group. Black women in the UK remain…
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Three innovators supported by Health Innovation West of England announced as NHS Innovator Accelerator 2025 Fellows
News
We are delighted that three health and social care innovators we have been working with have been announced as NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) 2025 Fellows. They join a cohort of 28 exceptional health and social care innovators to be welcomed onto the programme, ready to support the NHS in the areas that make the biggest…
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PreCiSSIon shortlisted for an HSJ Digital Award
News
Our PreCiSSIon (Preventing Caesarean Birth Surgical Site Infection across a region) project has been shortlisted in the category of ‘Driving Change through Data and Analytics’ in the HSJ Digital Awards 2025 for our work with Cemplicity and the maternity units across the West of England to reduce the impact of surgical site infections (SSI) following caesarean birth. This year marks…
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