NHS waiting lists Innovation Exchange

We held a virtual innovation showcase focused on the theme of NHS waiting list reduction on Thursday 14th November.

HIEM understands that there are challenges with addressing NHS waiting lists and finding solutions that can address this is a key priority. Following conversations with system partners we identified three specific areas where digital and MedTech solutions could play a significant role.

Delegates heard from nine companies with innovations and technologies available to you now, and which are already being used in the Midlands and nationally, to address waiting list challenges.

You can watch the recording and get in touch with us for any more details.

The event featured innovations aiming to address one or more of the following:

  • Referrals – specifically, digital solutions that support referrers to ensure the patient is ready for their referral and is in the best possible position before their procedure.
  • Triage – digital solutions that enable acute trust teams to quickly and efficiently determine when patients need to be seen, by who and in what location. 
  • Waiting well – digital or MedTech solutions that enable patients to remain as well as they can while waiting for planned interventions or procedures. 

The technologies showcased at the event included AI virtual clinical assistants, SMART referral forms, digital triage and risk assessment to optimise surgery theatre use, waiting well and prehabilitation as well as MSK and speech and language therapy support.

Companies presenting on the day were: Tucuvi, Best Pathway, Isla Health, HealthForms, Tellmi, Remcare, Surgery Hero, Sword Health and Super Penguin.

Recordings and slides

If you were unable to attend on the day or would like to rewatch the session, you can watch a recording here.

You can view the slides from the session here.

You can view the delegate pack featuring a summary of all innovators that joined us.

If you would like to connect with any of the innovators featured as a part of this session, please let us know by sharing your email address with us and we can put you in touch.

 If you have any further questions that you would like to ask, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Funding opportunity available

As mentioned during the event, we are happy to announce that we have launched an Innovation Fund with awards of up to £50,000 available to support East Midlands NHS organisations to implement innovations on the theme of waiting lists. The deadline for initial expressions of interest is Friday 6th December 2024. Successful applicants will be required to complete a full application by Friday 17th January 2025.

Expressions of interest must involve a digital or MedTech device and should have the support of an executive sponsor within the bidding organisation.

For more information on the fund and to receive the form to express your interest please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.