The publication of the Sinker Report is a great example of something important that slipped by largely unnoticed by most of the nation’s media.
The Financial Times did spot it but certainly didn’t find anything surprising in its pages.
True, seasoned health innovation watchers might argue that there isn’t anything concrete or new in the report. But it really deserves a closer read.
What’s good?
The recommendations are clear and sensible covering what’s needed and why it’s important.
Chief among the recommendations is that innovation funders should pool resources to create fewer, bigger pots of money. Simplifying, scaling and focusing funding may well give things a much-needed shove in the right direction.
What isn’t?
There’s plenty for Government and NHS leadership to chew on but a lack of concrete steps that the sector can take to help scale innovation across the NHS.
I would have liked to see more space given to the reflections and needs of those organisations who have managed to navigate the challenges of getting their innovations into the health service. And, whisper it, the companies who have given up on the UK market entirely.
Without a clear, actionable plan from the NHS and Government, providers risk waiting for reform to happen.
That’s why it’s so important that digital health and care providers have a collective voice and can shape reform while it’s being developed.
Where next?
One practical step to facilitate many of the report’s recommendations is a requirement for ICBs to have a named executive lead with specific responsibility for innovation. They would be responsible for engaging the market well in advance of any procurement activity.
That director would ideally have clinical and technical expertise, but must join up the conversations happening nationally, regionally and across their systems.
Giving digital providers certainty about who they need to talk to at a system-level is critical, especially as the national NHS prepares for reform.
Congratulations Holly Health
It was fantastic to see one of our members featured as a case study in the report. Holly Health is a great example of the quantifiable impact of innovation and how it can improve people’s quality of life.
A big thank you to all the DHC members that contributed to the work. If you’re interested you can find more information here.
Whether the Innovation Ecosystem Programme actually changes the system remains to be seen, but what is encouraging is that digital health and care providers are becoming more and more visible.
That’s the sort of news we like to read but we doubt it’ll make the front page any time soon.
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