Collaborate to innovate: learning from NHS, charity and life sciences industry experience to build a culture of research and innovation in the UK

NHS Confederation – 16 April 2024

Key points

• In recent years the UK has fallen behind in research, which means the NHS, healthcare professionals and the UK population risk reduced access to new treatments, diagnostics and state-of-the-art care. Although signs of recovery are starting to emerge, combining the resources and expertise of NHS, charity and life science industry partners is essential for changing this trajectory. This report, based on a roundtable discussion between the NHS Confederation, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (APBI) and health charity leaders, explores practical ways to boost UK research and engender a culture of innovation.
• Despite barriers to building a culture of cross-sector collaboration in health research and innovation, good practice exists. Charities are critical partners in the research and innovation ecosystem, bringing resources, expertise, public profile and trusted brands, convening power, professional networks, links with people and communities, and mechanisms for sharing good practice. More can be done to raise awareness of the value that working with health charities can offer the NHS, and this report highlights research case studies where charities play a key role.
• Insights from the roundtable convened to discuss these issues suggest there are five practical action areas that can drive progress:  1. Define a shared purpose. 2. Research and build on what already exists. 3. Invest in infrastructure for mainstreaming research and spreading innovation. 4. Value success to stimulate research and spread innovation. 5. Equip teams with the capacity to collaborate and change culture.
• This report is relevant to national and local policymakers, as well as those who are supporting patients and healthcare professionals to improve outcomes from research and innovation in systems. This includes those with leadership responsibilities for driving research, innovation and transformation at system or local level, managers with day-to-day responsibility for implementation, and charities leading on research, engagement and network development.

Read the report – Collaborate to innovate