A new report highlights the transformational contribution being made by the country's 15 Academic Health Science Networks – including the East Midlands – to driving innovation, improving health and promoting economic growth.

The report "Spreading Innovation, Improving Health, Promoting Economic Growth" is launched today (3 June) at the NHS Confed Annual Conference and Exhibition in Liverpool.

It sets out a series of case studies from the across the AHSN network, which provide a snapshot of the organisations' work to connect the NHS, academics, researchers and industry to spread innovation, improve health and generate economic growth.

Highlights include:

• Small Business Research Initiative for Healthcare (SBRI Healthcare), a £20m initiative led by all the AHSNs. Targeted at SMEs and early-stage businesses, it runs competitions that offer a fast track to funding for product development matched to needs specified by the NHS

• Driving the adoption of TECS (Technology Enabled Care Services) to transform the way people manage their own health and communicate with clinical professionals

• Establishing networks and partnerships across sectors in order to develop, identify and adopt innovation

• Work to address major health challenges and transform patient care pathways by connecting clinicians, frontline staff, academics and researchers to share best practice and catalyse improvement.

Chair of the AHSN Network, Professor Rachel Munton, said: "Successful transformation is built on a foundation of committed collaboration, inspiring leadership and an enabling environment. The 15 Academic Health Science Networks bring together every part of the health and care system to spread innovation, improve health and generate economic growth.

"AHSNs are already delivering results and this report selects just a few examples to illustrate how our work is starting to make a difference for patients and the public, for innovators, for clinicians and for the healthcare system."

NHS England Medical Director Sir Bruce Keogh said: "The challenges that face our healthcare system require the NHS, academia, industry and social care to come together to share ideas, develop approaches and spread them. Each AHSN brings something different to the table but collaboration and innovation in the interests of a positive impact for patients is a constant theme. I see a very promising future for AHSNs."

You can access the impact report here.