Grow Digital Health Midlands
Grow Digital Health Midlands: A new collaboration to scale digital health innovation
Health Innovation East Midlands (HIEM) and Health Innovation West Midlands (HIWM) are proud to launch Grow Digital Health Midlands 2025, an ambitious new programme designed to support UK technology companies in developing and scaling high-potential digital health innovations within the NHS and care sector.
Launched on Thursday, 27 February 2025, applicants have until Monday, 24 March 2025 to apply.
The programme invites innovators to bring forward digital solutions to address some of the most pressing challenges within the NHS and care system.
Formerly known as the East Midlands Digital Health Accelerator, the new programme builds on the success which has been running since 2018. Grow Digital Health Midlands offers an increased reach, scale and impact for successful applicants with exposure to the Midlands health and care system. Spanning the largest NHS England region and encompassing 11 Integrated Care Systems, Grow Digital Health Midlands will provide unparalleled support for businesses aiming to drive transformative change in healthcare delivery.
Tailored to the needs of the business. Successful applicants will benefit from a bespoke package of expert support, including:
- One-to-one business coaching.
- Access to subject matter experts to aid product development.
- Significant opportunities to showcase innovations to NHS and care system decision-makers and influencers.
The programme’s focus has been shaped by engagement with local health and care leaders, aligning with national policy priorities, including the 2024 Darzi Review and the ‘Three Shifts’ outlined by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. The 2025 cohort will focus on two key themes:
- Enhancing NHS productivity and communication:
- Technology to reduce the administrative burden for NHS staff e.g. ambient voice / decision-support tools.
- Patient-facing technologies to streamline engagement with NHS services e.g. self-service, appointments, patient history / data gathering / conversational AI.
- Reducing demand for hospital-based care:
- Supporting people with long term / chronic conditions in the community to avoid unnecessary primary and secondary care attendance.
- Making the most of the capacity available by improving patient flow and avoiding Did Not Attends (DNAs) / late cancellations.
Local NHS representatives will play an active role in selecting candidates for the programme, ensuring that the chosen innovations align with regional priorities and have the highest potential for adoption.
Tim Robinson, Health Innovation East Midlands Commercial Director said: “We are thrilled to be launching Grow Digital Health Midlands. The programme provides vital support to innovators while addressing some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare”.
“Delivering this as a collaboration with our West Midlands counterparts significantly impacts the scale and reach of the programme, spanning 11 Integrated Care Systems and a population of 11.8 million across the NHS Midlands region and combining our considerable expertise, networks and resource. This is an incredible opportunity for innovators. As a Health Innovation Network, we are part of a connected network of 15, not only will this programme help with Midland’s awareness and spread but there is also an opportunity for exposure at a national level.”
“By working closely with NHS and care leaders, we ensure that the technologies we support are both impactful and scalable.”
Judith Stewart, Health Innovation West Midlands Director of Economic, Commercial and Business Development added:
“We are excited to launch Grow as a Midlands wide programme in collaboration with our East Midlands colleagues. The programme has a strong legacy and has seen many success stories from companies that have really benefited from the programme.
“We look forward to seeing the innovative solutions that apply to be part of our 2025 cohort and wish them the best of luck.”
How to apply and more information
Applications are now open and will close at midnight on Monday 24 March 2025.
Q&A briefing sessions will take place on the 4th March and 13th March 2025, to allow potential applicants to engage directly with the programme leads and ask any questions.
Find out more about the programme, application, its legacy and how to join a Q&A session to support your application here: www.healthinnovation-em.org.uk/growdigitalhealthmidlands
For queries on the programme email healthinnovation-em@nottingham.ac.uk