HIW Blog


  • HIW blog

    Celebrating five years of Wessex innovation in polypharmacy training

    29 November 2023

    We are delighted to launch this ‘Polypharmacy Action Learning Set: Five Year Synopsis’ report which showcases the Polypharmacy Action Learning Set model, its development journey and current national rollout by the Health Innovation Network (formerly the AHSN Network). The learning sets are an evidenced-based education approach to upskill pr... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    World Patient Safety Day 2023

    15 September 2023

    Working together with patients, families and the public is fundamental to identifying opportunities to innovate in ways that improve lives. The theme of this year’s World Patient Safety Day is ‘engaging patients for patient safety’ and here we share examples of where patients have significantly influenced the direction of Academic Health Science... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Breathe Easy: Celebrating Clean Air Day on 15 June

    14 June 2023

    In an era where climate change and environmental concerns have become increasingly pressing, it is crucial to address the quality of the air we breath. Clean Air Day, observed on 15 June, provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the significance of clean air and the actions we can take to ensure a healthier future for ourselves and the p... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Maternal and Neonatal Safety Improvement Programme and the Ockenden Reports

    11 October 2022

    Maternity services and midwifery are working through difficult and challenging times. The continued staffing crisis and covid pandemic pressures along with the investigating lens on services is resulting in high level burn out. The effects of the pandemic on the workforce have highlighted the need for a spring clean of culture within our service... Read more >


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    New Team, New Commission, New Opportunities await for the Wessex Patient Safety Collaborative

    6 May 2022

    Firstly let me introduce the fabulous Wessex Patient Safety Collaborative Team that has grown over the last 18 months to support a widening portfolio of safety improvement programmes informed by the Patient Safety Strategy, and the National Patient Safety Improvement Programmes (known as NatPatSIP) which are led by NHS England and NHS Improvemen... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Blog: Olivia Hamilton shares her experience of working for the AHSN Network and her career path that has lead to her current role

    26 January 2022

    Olivia joined Wessex AHSN in July 2021 as the Programme Manager - Digital & TEC (Care Homes and Community), in the Primary Care Team. Tell us about yourself and your role I’m a Programme Manager within the Primary Care Team at Wessex AHSN, with a focus on Digital and Technology Enabled Care within Care Homes and the Community. It’s a broad remit... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    My now 85-year-old mum, Maureen has been a proud owner of an iPad for nearly a year

    23 September 2021

    To help celebrate the United Nations International Day of Older Persons - 1 October 2021 – the theme being digital equity for older people. I thought it appropriate to write an update on my mother's progress using her iPad, here's a link to the first case study about my mum and her iPad. Now that we’re no longer in a crisis my (fully vaccinated)... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    A simple device has been a lifeline during the pandemic – and could change how we provide care for good.

    23 March 2021

    AHSN NETWORK BLOG: What do you know about pulse oximeters? If you work in a hospital, this simple device will no doubt be extremely familiar. You might have seen one at your GP, but not known what it’s called. And if you’re in a high-risk category, you may have been offered one to monitor the oxygen levels in your blood at home if you’ve had cor... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    How to get funding - hacks, hints and tips

    18 February 2021

    The latest Innovation Exchange podcast is out now!How to get financial support for developing and commercialising innovation is hugely important to the innovators out there, and it is an area that our teams in the Wessex region are regularly asked about. In this episode: How to get funding – hacks, hints and tips, we offer some insights into how... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    My mum gets her first iPad

    1 October 2020

    Meet Maureen, my 84-year-old mum, now the proud owner of an iPad.This case study was originally written to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons on 1 October 2020. My role in the Communications Team at Wessex AHSN is to share the good work the teams do. To contribute towards the valued work at Wessex AHSN, I thought it would be helpfu... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Supporting the health and care reset in community mental health services

    19 August 2020

    Isorropia means balance in Greek, and that’s exactly what the Isorropia Foundation - a mental health wellbeing service on the Isle of Wight – is supporting people to achieve.Working in close partnership with the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, the service was founded by Vicki Haworth and Charlie Bell who both have extensive backgrounds working in menta... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Diversity²: health innovation and the LGBT+ experience

    5 June 2020

    By the AHSN's associate director of communications, Michael Goodeve, on behalf of the AHSN Network's Equality and Diversity working group.“No, my partner is a man.”“My ‘girlfriend’ is actually called Neil.”These are just a couple of the lines I have trotted out to colleagues or acquaintances in the past year alone. And this does not account for ... Read more >


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    Guest blog: Professor Martin J Vernon describes the national health policy on clinical frailty

    14 February 2020

    Martin qualified in 1988 in Manchester. He trained as a Geriatrician in North West England and London and has been a consultant geriatrician in Manchester since 1999. He has a MA in Medical Ethics and Law from King’s College London which he teaches at Salford University and is a visiting Professor at the University of Chester, with academic inte... Read more >


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    Guest blog: Chloe Davanna, Sport & Physical Activity Officer at Winchester City Council explains the ease of implementing the ESCAPE-pain programme at a Winchester leisure centre

    22 November 2019

    ESCAPE-pain is an evidence-based group rehabilitation programme for people with chronic joint pain resulting from hip and or knee osteoarthritis. It integrates educational self-management and coping strategies with a personalised exercise plan.Winchester City Council’s Physical Activity Team and River Park Leisure Centre have found the ESCAPE-pa... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Guest blog: Professor Jane Murphy, Bournemouth University - Malnutrition; a significant threat to our health as we age

    14 October 2019

    Whilst improved life expectancy is to be celebrated, it is unfortunate that many older people will not live longer lives in good health because of poor nutrition. Malnutrition (as undernutrition) is a huge issue in the UK and becoming malnourished is a significant threat to our health as we age. Malnutrition is largely preventable and treatable ... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Nadia Kuftinoff shares her work experiences at HETT Show (1:25 on 2 Oct) Building an NHS culture ready for rapid technological disruption

    30 September 2019

    My role encompasses the implementation and evaluation of innovation adoption at the front line of NHS care, which is both hugely rewarding and challenging. I often find pockets of enthusiasm to trial new technologies outlined with scepticism and resistance. This is when we in the AHSN Network need to go beyond project management and engage the t... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Guest blog: Martin Withers from Spearmark Health discusses his innovation 'Droplet' and working with us.

    19 September 2019

    I feel very privileged to write a blog for Wessex AHSN. I hope I can rise to the occasion!My name is Martin Withers from Spearmark Health and our innovation is Droplet. It is a unique hydration reminder system that has a base unit that reminds people verbally to drink regularly and can also alert carers visually so they can assist their charges ... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Healthcare in Wessex - A Digital Future Part 2: First Lessons from the NHS Digital Academy

    18 July 2019

    Before I knew anything about digital health, health informatics or the NHS, I worked on a national project implementing software and coordinating data collection from Children and Young People’s mental health services for the CYP-IAPT project. To say it felt like being thrown in at the deep end is a massive understatement. I was in my early twen... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Lucy Lewis, Consultant Practitioner Trainee, shares her experience of being part of the Acute Expert Group for the Wessex Acute Frailty Audit

    11 July 2019

    Being part of the Acute Expert Group and Clinical Coordinator for the Wessex Acute Frailty Audit has been a hugely positive experience.  It has been excellent to work collaboratively with multi-professional colleagues from throughout the Wessex region who share the same enthusiasm for improving pathways for older people and those living with fra... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Guest blog: Dr Jane Williams, Divisional Director of Transformation, Southern Health Foundation NHS Trust

    10 June 2019

    I’ve been in a reflective mood for some months! The 70th Birthday celebrations of the NHS last year, publication of the NHS Long Term Plan, New GP contract, Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday next year to name just a few and I also have a significant ‘0’ birthday in 2020 which has led me to contemplate next steps for me.This year feels like a... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Is Wessex Frailty Fit?

    2 May 2019

    Do you know how many people in your hospital are living with frailty? Do you know where these patients are in your hospital? Why does it matter?Understanding how our local health systems can support patients living with frailty will be fundamental in delivering the Long Term Plan, but the question remains: what does frailty look like in Wessex (... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Healthcare in Wessex – A Digital Future: AHSN Innovation Adoption Programme Coordinator Nadia Kuftinoff Joins NHS Digital Academy

    23 April 2019

    Much of my role is dedicated to implementing digital innovations.I’m helping GP practices try new technology and apps to not just save time but improve the quality of time spent with patients. I’m trying interventions with dentists to see if they can seamlessly help patients in ways other than oral health. I’ve shadowed community nurses and matr... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    The First Wessex Healthy Ageing Blog - what are the best ingredients for an interactive session?

    13 November 2018

    What are the best ingredients for making a great, interactive day to improve the health and wellbeing of our ageing population within Wessex? Cheryl Davies, programme manager for Healthy Ageing, shares her insights below. And don't forget to click the links and see below for resources! Thursday, 1 November was my first Wessex Community of Practi... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Pills, a purple cat called Mister Soft, turquoise scooters and turkeys

    1 November 2018

    Below is a guest blog by Simon Priestley, from NHS Creative, about how the latest 'Meet Mo' film was developed.Could this mean the return of our favourite character with the big round yellow head? If you hadn’t already guessed – Mo is back!The third movie in the Mo series was created for Wessex Academic Health Science Network, and launched on 27... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Meet the innovator: Dr Partha Kar, Portsmouth

    14 May 2018

    We're supporting Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust in their NHS70 campaign to profile their amazing staff. Read our joint piece below. In honour of the NHS in its 70th year, we are celebrating our wonderful staff.This time, we’ve worked with Wessex Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) to celebrate our ongoing work to innovate our services for pat... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Ageing well is everyone’s business

    26 March 2018

    NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Older People and Person Centred Integrated Care previews a series of regional events on frailty care: In its 70th year, the NHS has been challenged by the busiest of times yet witnessed for health and social care systems.Our shared values put people at the heart of everything we do and there is much g... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Breaking Barriers Without Breaking the Law: Information Governance in Wessex

    26 February 2018

    The Information Governance (IG) landscape in Wessex continues to be a fascinating and challenging environment for those navigating their way through the subtle complexities of safe and secure legal data sharing. From obtaining lawful consent to creating accessible channels for information, the IG structure at every stage adheres to processes and... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Guest blog: Why to apply for the Health Innovation Programme 2018

    1 February 2018

    By Laurence Pearce, CEO and founder of xim. We’ve developed a new digital technology called Lifelight which is able to measure patient vital signs: heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation in 60 seconds using just the camera built-in to an everyday device such as a smartphone, tablet or computer.Lifelight doesn’t need a... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    It all started with a pencil, some paper…and an idea: Meet Mo!

    23 June 2017

    Simon Priestley from NHS Creative introduces us to Mo and how he came to be. Mo is the protagonist in a soon to be released campaign encouraging patients to book a medicines review and highlightling the difficulties that can occur with polypharmacy.Meet Mo. A simple figure – deliberately ageless, sexless, of no fixed religion or race, but with o... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Q: Another draw on my ever shrinking capacity or a rare opportunity not to be missed?

    18 May 2017

    When immersed in a day job which is all consuming, I think one of the essential skills is to weed out the good new opportunities from the energy sapping and slightly off-piste initiatives that fly our way on a regular basis. I tend to triage them using a couple of simple criteria – will they deliver a positive impact and is it within my area of ... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Latest digital health blog: UHS, the global centre of digital excellence

    19 April 2017

    I have tried a couple of times over the last week or so to get this blog written, but owing to a number of distractions (yes you know who you are) I have found time on a gloriously sunny afternoon, as I look forward to my Easter chocolate, to complete this with no interruptions.As many of you will know, following the publication of the Wachter R... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    What is the concern about Atrial Fibrillation (AF)?

    24 March 2017

    By Sharron Gordon, Pharmacist Consultant Anticoagulation, Faculty Fellow of The Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Wessex AHSN AF leadAtrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia affecting 1-2% of the UK population. AF is affecting approximately 10% of the population over 75 years old and 18% of those over 85 years old.... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Evaluation Matters: Happy, Healthy, at Home

    20 January 2017

    Philippa Darnton, programme lead at Wessex AHSN, describes the first symposium to report findings from the independent evaluation of Happy, Healthy, at Home (North East Hampshire and Farnham Vanguard):As Happy, Healthy, at Home implements new ways of working across North East Hampshire and Farnham, an evaluation programme has been established to... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Healthcare technology saves lives. The Healthcare Innovation Programme could change yours.

    16 December 2016

    Have you got an idea for a new healthcare technology?SETsquared is working with Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) to help you develop your idea into a business and secure your first customers either in the NHS or the commercial market.Technology pervades every area of our lives, from the way we shop, the way we communicate with friends an... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Better conversation: Better health - join the social movement for #betterconversation

    20 October 2016

    NHS Innovation Accelerator Fellow, Penny Newman, explains the motivation behind her new #betterconversation campaign; empowering people to take control of their health and care.Our aim is to enable people to thrive by feeling motivated, confident and in control of their own health and care, achieved through #betterconversation (www.betterconvers... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Guest digital health blog: Ian Thompson, my mhealth

    1 September 2016

    Foreword by Katie Cheeseman, digital programme manager: Despite the holiday season having been upon us, we continue to have some very exciting work going on across the Wessex region including the implementation of myCOPD, an exciting online self management tool mentioned by Simon Stevens in his keynote speech to the annual NHS Confederation Conf... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Latest Patient Safety blog: guest blog from Dr Rosie Benneyworth, AHSN Network Lead for PSCs

    4 July 2016

    Patient Safety Collaboratives – delivering on a promise. It has been two years since Patient Safety Collaboratives (PSCs) were set up in response to the Berwick Report, A promise to learn – a commitment to act.Professor Don Berwick wrote: ‘The most important single change in the NHS in response to this report would be for it to become, more than... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Latest digital health blog: guest blog from Dr Philip Scott, University of Portsmouth

    27 June 2016

    Katie Cheeseman: Hopefully, some of you will have had the opportunity to read our last digital health blog, featuring Laurence Pearce the CEO at XIM. I am equally delighted to pass the reins over this week to Dr Philip Scott, from the School of Computing at Portsmouth University. Take it away, Philip!Can “digital medicine” improve patient care?M... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    Latest digital health blog: the Xim Lifelight™ guest blog

    17 June 2016

    Xim Lifelight™: a digital health innovation supported by Wessex AHSN. Katie Cheeseman: I am delighted to be able to welcome our first guest author to the digital blog, Laurence Pearce (Founder & CEO) from xim. Over to you, Laurence, and thank you for taking the plunge (so to speak): Guest blog:Our new and exciting digital health technology calle... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    The third digital health programme blog

    16 May 2016

    A few weeks have now passed since our inaugural Wessex Big Data event, which was attended by just over 150 people. This was a great turnout, and reflects the amount of interest people have in making use of the wealth of data at our fingertips.For those of you who were unable to attend, but are interested in finding out more about the event, you ... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    The second digital health programme blog

    18 March 2016

    After a rather hectic few weeks, I suddenly realised I had effectively failed dismally to meet my self- defined timescale for producing the AHSN’s fortnightly digital health blog; for which, I must humbly apologise.I read an article recently about the top ten best ever home computers, and spent time reminiscing about the past - the commodore 64,... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    The first digital health programme blog

    23 February 2016

    Welcome to Wessex AHSN’s digital health (DH) programme blog. This is week one of fortnightly updates about digital health related topics.We may even include the odd guest writer, so if you fancy yourself as the new JK Rowling or Philip Pullman, and would like to get involved, please do drop me a line at katie.cheeseman@wessexahsn.net or follow a... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    CEO Blog - September 2015

    22 September 2015

    This will be my final blog as CEO of Wessex AHSN, a time to reflect on the last three years and to look forward to some changes – personal and for the AHSN. I joined the AHSN venture in October 2012 – picking up the proposals developed by leaders across Wessex. We then went through application & interview process becoming licenced in August 2013... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    CEO Blog - July 2015

    1 July 2015

    I’m pleased to announce the release of our Wessex AHSN Annual Report 2014/15, which demonstrates the difference being made for patients and for the economy in Wessex. The report pulls together some of the stories about the work being undertaken by our teams across universities, healthcare and commissioning groups in Wessex.This year we have help... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    CEO Blog - June 2015

    1 June 2015

    Impact Report 2015The AHSNs’ impact report highlights the transformational contribution being made by the country’s 15 Academic Health Science Networks to driving innovation, improving health and promoting economic growth. The report Spreading innovation, improving health, promoting economic growth was launched last week at the NHS Confed Annual... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    CEO Blog - June 2015

    1 June 2015

    The Q initiativeWessex AHSN has been working to help recruit the inaugural participants of a ground-breaking new initiative to improve the quality of care for patients in the NHS throughout the UK.The Q initiative, run by independent health care charity the Health Foundation together with NHS England, will connect people dedicated to improving t... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    CEO Blog - March 2015

    1 March 2015

    Nutrition MattersIt was a great privilege to be get along to several events during Nutrition & Hydration Week. Nutrition is one of our focus areas as an AHSN and as you can see from our nutrition newsletter we’ve a number of projects around Wessex. Whilst obesity is certainly a significant issue we know that under nutrition in older people has s... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    CEO Blog - February 2015

    1 February 2015

    Academic Health Science Networks have a dual responsibility – ‘improving health and creating wealth’. These are, of course, intertwined for example, as we seek to secure improved health for those with respiratory disease care costs will fall and fewer working days will be lost to ill health. Likewise, as we implement innovative medicines or devi... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    CEO Blog - January 2015

    1 January 2015

    Happy New Year. I am looking forward to working with the AHSN team, member organisations and partners in 2015, building on what has been achieved over the last eighteen months. It was great to close 2014 with the news the Wessex bid to become a genomic medicine centre had been successful (read the announcement here: http://www.genomicsengland.co... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    CEO Blog- December 2014

    1 December 2014

    As 2014 draws to its close it encouraging to reflect on the progress made in the AHSN –a year ago premises were not quite ready, the team was not in place & the company not set up, whilst we have successfully addressed these issues the most important aspect of progress over the year has been the difference are projects are making for patients an... Read more >


  • HIW blog

    CEO Blog - October 2014

    1 October 2014

    It's just over a year since we received confirmation of our licence as an Academic Health Science Network and it has been great to see the plans created with members begin to deliver results. Year 1 summary – covering set up & first 6 months from licence – gives the detail and our business plan sets out this year’s aims. This blog gives me a cha... Read more >


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