Opportunities are available to join our team. In this blog, Project Manager Beth Askey shares her experience working for HIEM, what attracted her to apply and gives some insight into projects that she’s enjoyed working on the most.

Take a look at our current job vacancies here.

I joined Health Innovation East Midlands (HIEM) in July 2024 after spending six years working in primary care, and I've genuinely enjoyed being able to take the experience and insights I gained on the frontline and apply them at a wider system level.

What attracted me to HIEM was the opportunity to support innovation and support the NHS to make meaningful, lasting changes that improve people's experiences of health and care. I wanted to be part of an organisation that doesn't just talk about innovation but actively helps good ideas spread and stick, so more people can benefit from them.

Since joining HIEM, I've had lots of opportunities to learn, develop and get involved in projects that have challenged me in all the right ways. I started HIEM as a Project Officer and have recently secured a new role as a Project Manager within the Neurodiversity Portfolio, leading the digital tools workstream.

It's a fascinating area to work in and combines so many of the things I love about my job: innovation, collaboration, creativity and a genuine focus on improving people's lives.

One of the things I enjoy most about working at HIEM is the variety. No two days are ever the same, which suits me perfectly because I like being kept on my toes! One day I might be meeting with NHS colleagues, the next working with innovators, researchers, charities or people with lived experience. I love bringing people together from different backgrounds and perspectives and seeing what can happen when everyone is working towards the same goal.

One of the biggest highlights of my role has been the opportunity to support innovations that have the potential to make a real difference to people's lives. Whether that's exploring new digital solutions, helping organisations think differently about a challenge, or supporting the adoption of innovative approaches across the health and care system, it's incredibly rewarding to see ideas move from discussion into action.

A particular highlight, and something I'm really proud of, has been helping to develop HIEM's Digital Tools for Neurodiversity platform. A shameless plug, perhaps, but it's a great example of the type of work you could find yourself involved in at HIEM. It's brought together innovation, evidence, collaboration and lived experience to

create something that can genuinely support people navigating neurodiversity services and support.

Throughout my career, one thing that's remained constant is my passion for patient and public involvement. My time working alongside a Patient Participation Group in general practice had a huge impact on how I think about service improvement. It reinforced my belief that the best ideas come from working with people, not for them. That's something I've been encouraged to bring into my work at HIEM, and I love that there are opportunities to build on the things I'm passionate about and use my strengths in ways that support projects across the organisation.

If you're thinking about applying for a role at HIEM, I'd say it's a great place to work if you're curious, enjoy building relationships and want your work to make a difference. You'll have the opportunity to work on projects that tackle real-world challenges alongside supportive colleagues who are passionate about improving health and care.

What I've valued most since joining HIEM is the people. Everyone is incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable and generous with their time. There's a real culture of collaboration, and you're encouraged to bring your ideas, get involved and develop in areas that interest you.

I'm genuinely proud to be part of the team and excited to see what comes next.

Find out more

For more information about the current roles available and to apply for the role, visit the NHS Jobs website.