Wessex AHSN becomes Health Innovation Wessex

In 2023 we celebrated ten years since Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) were established by NHS England, to transform the way the NHS discovers, adopts and spreads evidence-based innovations to improve health outcomes.

This milestone was recognised in May 2023 with an announcement from NHS England and the government’s Office for Life Sciences confirming its intention to relicence AHSNs for a further five year period, as part of a £650m investment package to boost innovation within the UK’s life sciences sector. 

From 1 October, Wessex AHSN becomes Health Innovation Wessex. The new name reflects our key role in supporting the development and spread of innovation across health and care services in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Dorset and south Wiltshire.

Nicola Bent, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Innovation Adoption, Health Innovation Wessex, said, “2023 has provided an opportunity to acknowledge our collective achievements over a decade of accelerating innovation into the NHS and supporting investment into the regional economy. We’re delighted that our impact has been acknowledged with the issue of a further five-year licence.  

“Under our new name of Health Innovation Wessex, we’ll continue to build on the strong foundations established over the last decade, supporting the priorities of our local systems to transform the health and lives of our regional communities.” 

In the short video below, Chief Executive Bill Gillespie outlines the change and the importance of partnership in innovation adoption:

The new licence takes effect from 1 October 2023.