Academic Health Science Networks accelerate the development and uptake of innovation into the NHS by:

  • Supporting innovators to determine whether the innovation matches a need and how wide spread that need might be.
  • Where further product development is necessary, signpost innovators to appropriate resources along the development pathway including finance.
  • Supporting innovators to understand the real world impact of their innovation for the NHS.
  • Assessing and advising on scale up plans when innovations have achieved initial uptake.

We help companies to understand NHS complexity, prepare for scale-up and gather the evidence they need. We support adoption and spread for prioritised innovations.

Four stage process

At KSS AHSN, we offer a four stage process, with each new stage building on the previous one. It all starts with the Innovator Engagement Form which we ask you to complete and send to us ahead of an initial meeting. This will help us to understand your journey to date and how we can support you. As you progress towards market entry we will need to understand in detail how your product or service will impact on NHS services, your ambitions and how you have set your expectations.

Only companies with realistic expectations, affordable products or services and a clear scalable business will be able to progress to the final stages of the services we offer.

Please send your completed company engagement form to  kssahsn.bridgingthegap@nhs.net

Market Insight

Innovation Surgeries

Validation

Diffusion

Trusted partners 

We work in partnership with selected external companies to help us to deliver our support for innovators. We only recommend people who we trust ourselves with our own business, so you can rest assured knowing that this small selection of suppliers is vetted and come with our personal recommendation.

What AHSNs don’t do

AHSNs are not sales offices. Our primary focus is not to provide sales leads or introductions. AHSNs are NHS bodies, but we are not users or buyers of clinical products.

Data sharing

Data is shared across the 15 AHSNs.  We understand the need for commercial confidentiality but need to be able to share information across the 15 AHSNs and the NHS to effectively support the development and uptake of innovation.

Response time

Information you submit will be reviewed within 30 days. You may be initially contacted to better understand the support you need.