New programme launches to optimise tobacco dependency support across the West of England and East Midlands
News
Working in partnership with Health Innovation East Midlands, we are launching a transformative new programme designed to tackle tobacco dependency by improving access to hospital-based services and community support. Operating initially across our regions, the initiative aims to optimise the existing NHS Model Tobacco Pathway by leveraging digital technology to increase inpatient engagement with stop…
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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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Redefining ‘the system’: moving from transaction to co-creation in health innovation
Blog article
In this blog, our new Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships and Delivery, Logan Ryan, challenges us to reconsider who needs an equal seat at the table when we’re planning how to transform health and social care services and unlock impactful innovation. When we talk about the ‘system’, we often use the term as a catch-all…
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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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New coalition will transform the lives of thousands with respiratory disease
News
Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed today, Tuesday 17 March 2026, launched an ambitious new national coalition which will speed up diagnosis, improve treatment and transform the lives of thousands of people affected by asthma and lung disease. The Respiratory Transformation Partnership (RTP) brings together health innovation networks alongside NHS systems, leading industry partners, the Office…
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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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Working together for safer births: supporting Brain Injury Awareness Month through maternity safety improvement
News
As the UK marks Brain Injury Awareness Month, organisations across the health and care system are highlighting the importance of preventing brain injuries and improving support for those affected. Brain injuries can occur in many ways, including around the time of birth. One rare but serious condition is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which occurs when a…
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Looking back and leading forward: Martha’s Rule celebration event
Blog article
Siobhan Lanigan is a Critical Care Nurse at the Bristol Royal Infirmary on secondment to Health Innovation West of England to support the local rollout of Martha’s Rule. In this blog, Siobhan reports on a recent event to celebrate our collective achievements to date in rolling out the Martha’s Rule patient safety initiative across our…
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