The power of partnership: how collaborative innovation is improving 60,000+ lives in the West
News
We have published our 2025-26 Impact Report, showcasing how collaboration is at the heart of everything we do as a regional network. By bringing together the right people and organisations, including all NHS service providers in the West, three integrated care boards, four universities, charities, VCSE organisations, and the life sciences sector, we have helped…
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Health innovation in action
Blog article
Marking the publication of Health Innovation West of England’s new impact report for 2025-26, our Chair and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West of England, Steve West, and our Chief Executive, Natasha Swinscoe, reflect on a year of transformative progress in embedding innovation into everyday care. Over the past year, Health Innovation West of…
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Do you see me? Reflecting on what it truly means to be seen in healthcare
Blog article
To mark Learning Disability Week, Monday 15 June – Sunday 21 June 2026, Kim Huelin, Project Support Officer reflects on the importance of truly “seeing” people with a learning disability in healthcare; not just providing access to services, but understanding individual needs. Drawing on personal experiences supporting her sister and her work with the South…
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Black Maternity Matters opens 2026 Anti‑Racist Leadership Development Programme
News
Senior NHS and health and social care leaders across the West of England are invited to join a new cohort of the Black Maternity Matters (BMM) Anti‑Racist Leadership Development Programme, running from July to November 2026. This programme is part of Black Maternity Matters, a cross‑organisational anti‑racism collaborative launched in 2021 to address the racially…
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Celebrating six years of success: colleagues gather for PERIPrem anniversary
News
On Thursday 7 May 2026, colleagues from across the South West region gathered at the Somerset Cricket Ground in Taunton to celebrate the six-year anniversary of the PERIPrem (Perinatal Excellence in Reducing Injury in Preterm birth) programme. The event was an opportunity to share best practices, learn from experts, and recognise the outstanding achievements of…
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Celebrating midwives driving safer care across the West of England
News
Today, on International Day of the Midwife, Health Innovation West of England is proud to celebrate and thank midwives across our region for the expertise, compassion and commitment that underpin safer pregnancies and births for all. This year’s theme, ‘one million more midwives globally’, highlights the urgent need to expand the workforce to improve access…
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From community activism to system accountability: highlights from the Black Maternal Health Conference
Blog article
During Black Maternal Health Week, our Head of Communications, Vanesther Hamer, shares her reflections on attending the Black Maternal Health Conference UK 2026 in London last month. In March I had the privilege of joining colleagues to represent Black Maternity Matters at the Black Maternal Health Conference UK 2026 in London, and I’ve found myself…
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Strengthening our multidisciplinary team to support maternity and neonatal services
News
Building on our portfolio of patient safety collaborations, we are further strengthening our multidisciplinary maternity and neonatal team by expanding the role of Dr Sarah Bates, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Sarah has worked with Health Innovation West of England since 2020 as Operational Clinical Lead for the PERIPrem…
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Preventing Problematic Polypharmacy: Getting the balance right in older people and those with frailty
News
Addressing problematic polypharmacy – the use of multiple medicines that may no longer be necessary or may cause harm – remains a critical national priority and a major challenge for the NHS. Studies indicate that up to 50% of medications prescribed to older people could be inappropriate. Currently more than 765,000 people aged 65 and…
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A look back at the Respiratory Showcase
Blog article
Mohua Siddique, Senior Innovation Advisor at Health Innovation West of England, reflects on the recent Respiratory Innovation Showcase, an online event on 3 March hosted for the NHS in collaboration with our neighbouring health innovation networks in the South of England. Mohua discusses what the selected innovators achieved, what attendees gained from the event and…
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