In this blog, Nicole McGlennon, Managing Director, reflects on the recent East Midlands innovation showcase event. She explores why health innovation is more important than ever and the conditions needed to make it successful.
On Thursday 18 September, we welcomed NHS leaders, innovators, and system partners to the East Midlands Health innovation showcase. The event was more than an exhibition: it was a platform to accelerate the adoption of proven innovations that can help transform health and care in our region and beyond.
Why innovation in healthcare matters
The showcase was a reminder of why innovation is more important than ever. In a review of NHS performance and delivery in March 2025, projections show that by 2037, there will be 55% more people over the age of 85 who are likely to have complex health needs. Without embracing innovation, we put at risk not having a sustainable healthcare system that meets the needs of our population.
Importantly, innovation is also how we will deliver on the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan. From embedding digital tools to preventing ill health and shifting more care into communities, the Long Term Plan relies on tested innovations being adopted at pace and scale. The showcase provided a platform to bring proven evidence based innovations forward. The defining the size of the health innovation prize report highlights that strategic investment in health innovation could unlock £278 billion in economic value for the UK each year. And that innovation has the power to free up an estimated 233 million hours, which is worth £8.55 billion. This impact is huge and just reinforces why the need for innovation is so vital, not just for patients but also for our economy.
Reflections from the showcase
It was inspiring to see the wealth of innovation in the room and how these innovations can make a massive difference for patients. Being able to witness healthcare colleagues connect with innovators and have the space to find out about new technologies was incredibly fulfilling. This buzz of collaboration is exactly what accelerates adoption and drives change.
Our keynote speakers, Will Warburton, Dr. Amanda Sullivan, and Prof. Nigel Brunskill, shared powerful insights on how innovation and research are transforming the NHS nationally and locally. Their perspectives framed the showcase within the wider ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan, reinforcing why innovation is critical to the next decade of health and care.
The innovation exhibition area showcased 24 proven innovations already making a difference, including:
SiSU Health Station – a five-minute self-service health check empowering individuals to monitor blood pressure, BMI and cardiovascular risk.
Genedrive system – a rapid genetic testing platform, enabling clinicians to make timely, evidence-based decisions at the bedside.
These and other solutions, spanning maternity and neonatal care, mental health, cancer, surgical innovation, primary care access, and community care, showed what is possible when evidence-based innovation meets the needs of patients and services.
Building the conditions for adoption
Innovative technologies will only succeed under the right conditions. We know that some systems may want to introduce innovative solutions, but barriers such as funding can halt this. Health Innovation East Midlands are experts in supporting the adoption of health innovations. Recently, we opened a productivity innovation fund offering awards of £25,000 each to the East Midlands healthcare system. The key aim of the fund is to support the deployment of innovative solutions that can respond to productivity challenges. The expression of interest window is now open and will close on 16 October 2025. Find out more here.
In our work, we have seen five key factors that support innovation adoption at pace and scale.
- Understand the context – Adoption starts with a clear case for change. We must understand clinical and operational drivers, align with national and regional strategy, and ensure a robust evidence base.
- Raise awareness – Adoption depends on visibility. Identifying those who can implement change and providing consistent communication and messaging makes innovation understandable and actionable, helping to spread solutions across the system in line with national ambitions.
- Build will – Change happens when there are champions. Listening to patients, engaging stakeholders, and finding advocates across the system creates momentum and commitment, echoing the Long Term Plan’s emphasis on co-production and patient voice.
- Support implementation – Innovations need support to take root. This means ensuring capacity, tracking progress, and involving partners to sustain change.
- Change behaviour – Adoption is a journey. Celebrating success, sharing stories of impact, and providing ongoing support ensure innovations continue to deliver benefits over time, ensuring that progress is both visible and sustainable.
If you would like to know more about how we may be able to support health transformation within your organisation and the adoption of innovative technologies, contact us at
View the full list of innovators from our showcase on our webpage.