Foreword
By embracing and implementing digital health innovation at scale, we can build a more efficient, resilient NHS that not only reduces waiting lists and improves access to primary care, but also improves patient outcomes and moves the focus of care from hospitals into communities. Our PocDoc project, focused on preventing cardiovascular disease, has enabled people to access health checks within the community. These screening checks have enabled highrisk groups, who may have otherwise not been picked up by the system, to get their cholesterol levels tested in community settings.( page 51).
With public sector budgets continuing to be under enormous pressure, our work to drive economic growth in our region is more important than ever. This year we supported 545 companies, including providing our expert input for 55 grant applications. Of these, 10 were successful, leveraging investment of £ 5.1million into the region( page 23). Additionally, our Propel @ YH digital health accelerator has now completed its sixth year. During that time, it has helped 70 innovators, driven £ 800k of investment into the local economy and created 52 jobs( page 27).
Richard Stubbs, Chief Executive of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber and Chair of the Health Innovation Network
All of this positive progress is only made possible through the support and hard work of our staff and stakeholders, and we look forward to continuing to work closely together in the future.
Finally, we would like to say a huge thank you to our outgoing Chair, Professor Will Pope, for his outstanding leadership and dedication in the role since our inception and for all his contributions to the organisation. We are delighted that he will continue to support us as a non-executive director.
Christine Outram MBE,
Chair of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber
3 Transforming Lives Through Innovation