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We helped to secure £ 2.25 million to accelerate the adoption of Lucida Medical’ s Prostate Intelligence AI, an artificial intelligence-powered tool that supports the identification of cancer from MRI scans. By improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing unnecessary biopsies, this innovation has the potential to improve patient experience while enabling more efficient use of NHS resources( page 12).
Over the past year, we achieved a major milestone in improving access to care for people with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell is a debilitating condition causing painful crises, reducing life expectancy and profoundly impacting the lives of those affected.
In England, there are around 17,000 people living with this condition, with 250 new cases a year. As the national lead for this programme, we were instrumental in securing £ 9 million to expand access to automated red cell exchange services across England. This will help more people access effective treatment closer to home, improving outcomes and quality of life for thousands of patients( find out more on page 16).
Generating real-world evidence is essential to turning promising innovations into proven solutions.
By demonstrating what works, for whom and in what context, evaluation helps healthcare systems make informed decisions about adoption, implementation and scale.
Early findings from one evaluation show that a pilot project delivering X-ray services in the community can reduce costs by around £ 1,600 per patient, compared with hospital-based imaging, reducing unnecessary hospital attendances and admissions and releasing capacity within acute and ambulance services.
Innovation has a crucial role to play in addressing longstanding health inequalities. The publication of the renewed Women’ s Health Strategy, as part of the Government’ s 10- Year Health Plan, reinforces the importance of supporting innovations that improve outcomes for women and ensuring women are represented within the health innovation ecosystem.
We are proud to champion gender equality through initiatives such as our new Springboard programme for female innovators. This programme addresses structural barriers like limited access to capital for female-led ventures and helps female founders gain the confidence, skills and networks needed to make a real impact in health innovation( page 27).