Northern health leaders unite for Health Innovation North conference

NHS leaders, government, industry and innovators came together at the Hilton Hotel, Newcastle Gateshead on 22 October 2026 to demonstrate how collaboration across the North can help promising solutions reach patients and frontline teams faster.

The four northern Health Innovation networks for the North East and North Cumbria, Yorkshire & Humber, Manchester, North West Coast, take turns to host the annual conference.

This was the first time Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria (HI NENC) had hosted, bringing the event to Newcastle Gateshead.

Sir James Mackey, Chief Executive of NHS England, joined an opening panel facilitated by Samantha Allen CBE, Chief Executive of NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB). The panel explored how devolution, digital innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) can improve health and care, increase productivity and support economic growth.

Panellists highlighted the disproportionate investment in research compared with innovation adoption and noted that NHS teams often lack the capacity to try or embed proven solutions. They called for greater funding to support adoption, and highlighted opportunities for northern mayoral authorities to prioritise health and life sciences on the devolution agenda.

Sir James challenged procurement barriers and questioned why products needed by the NHS could not be manufactured and bought in the North.

Practical examples of innovation making a difference were shared throughout the day to help delegates adopt similar approaches in their own services. These included community health checks with PocDoc, the WorkWell programme in the North East and North Cumbria and the Live Well programme in Manchester.

Amy Lochte’s patient perspective became a reference point throughout the day. She called for patients to be included in shaping innovation, challenging delegates to see the whole person and measure ‘NHS productivity’ by meaningful benefits to patients, not simply more appointments. Later sessions echoed her message, exploring more patient-centred care that addresses mental and physical health needs together.

Women’s health was a central focus, with keynote speaker Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Women’s Health Ambassador for England, exploring the revised NHS Women’s Health Strategy priorities. A panel discussion followed on women’s health and workplace productivity. Delegates were also invited to donate women’s health products to Newcastle Foodbank.

Across sessions, including those on cardiovascular care, speakers called for adoption at scale through stronger collaboration across organisations, sectors and regions, including local authority and the voluntary sector. They explored what the NHS could learn from industry about tailoring services to people’s needs, offering access through multiple channels and working across organisations to support people with multiple conditions.

Innovators featured throughout the day, from showcases and exhibitions to closing pitches. OPCI, ELAROS and Big Health explored how digital innovation and AI could boost productivity and address economic inactivity.

NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme participants closed the conference with two-minute pitches showcasing a range of innovations, including pelvic health support from Know Your Floors, clinical information from Buku Medicine and practical help at home from Myfolks.

Dr Nicola Hutchinson, Chief Executive of Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria; Professor Richard Stubbs, Chief Executive of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber; Professor Ben Bridgewater, Chief Executive of Health Innovation Manchester; and Dr Phil Jennings, Chief Executive of Health Innovation North West Coast, said jointly: “Working together gives us greater reach across the North and beyond.

“It means we can connect innovators with the right NHS partners, share learning between regions and help proven solutions reach patients and frontline teams faster.

“This collective approach supports the NHS shifts towards more care in the community, greater use of digital technology and a stronger focus on prevention, while supporting economic growth across the North.”

Dr Nicola Hutchinson, Chief Executive of HI NENC, this year’s host, added: “We were delighted to take our turn hosting the conference and to welcome colleagues and innovators to the North East.

“Across the North, our health and care system faces unique challenges, such as isolated rural and coastal communities, high levels of deprivation and deep-rooted health inequalities. But we also have a proud history of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.

“Today (22 October 2026) gives us an opportunity to share how innovation can help us address these challenges and explore what we can achieve by working together.”

As the conference came to an end, the message was clear. The North has the ideas, expertise and passion. The priority now is to adopt proven innovations at scale so more patients benefit from better care, and health inequalities are reduced.

Health Innovation Manchester will host the next Health Innovation North Conference, with the date and further details to be announced.