Yorkshire & Humber AHSN digital health accelerator open for applications

Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) is calling for SMEs to apply for the fourth edition of its digital health accelerator program Propel@YH.

This year’s program will be aimed at early-stage SMEs who would benefit from a wide range of support, mentoring and masterclasses to help increase market presence and accelerate company’s growth.

In particular, applications are welcomed from innovators that can support the NHS deal with some of the most pressing challenges such as the increasing patient backlog, tackling health inequalities and improving service delivery.

Companies will need to make a commitment to growing and spreading their innovations into the Yorkshire and Humber region. Yorkshire & Humber AHSN will also be working with the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership and their Sustainability Leads to support the SMEs to help improve their environmental sustainability impact.

Propel@YH provides a six-month course of structured support and advice to SMEs to help navigate the complex NHS landscape, while generating new investment and creating new job opportunities for the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Talking about joining last year’s program, Matthew Booth, a physiotherapist and co-founder of PhysioBuddie, said: “The Propel@YH program has been excellent for PhysioBuddie. It has given us the exposure we need and monitor its success using a health economic review.

“We have had great support from the Yorkshire & Humber AHSN to grow and develop. The AHSN have always been on hand to answer any questions and support us with our implementation into the NHS.”

PhysioBuddie is an online therapy service that provides its users with remote step-by-step progressive rehabilitation.

Whilst taking part in the program, the chosen companies will receive support from several partners: Hill Dickinson (legal advice); Nexus, University of Leeds (networking opportunities); Barclays Eagle Labs (funding guidance), Thrive By Design will curate and run the program of masterclasses with us and Leeds City Council will bring networking contacts to the program.

The Yorkshire & Humber AHSN will also provide mentoring support consisting of 1-2-1 and group sessions. This year we are aiming to run face-to-face sessions, with plenty of time for networking and building local and national relationships with key stakeholders.

The AHSN is one of 15 AHSNs set up by NHS England to operate as the key innovation arm of the NHS. It acts as a bridge between health care providers, commissioners, academia and industry and accelerates the spread and adoption of proven innovations across the local healthcare system to improve the health and prosperity of our region.

Neville Young, enterprise & innovation director at Yorkshire and Humber AHSN, said: “We are really pleased to be able to offer this unique level of support to healthtech innovators. The value and level of support they will receive on the program will put them in a really strong position to grow and spread their offering into the NHS.”

Tim East, digital navigator at Yorkshire and Humber AHSN, added: “Propel@YH is one of the leading digital healthtech accelerator programs in the UK, and we are really pleased to offer this to another cohort of SMEs. The Yorkshire and Humber region is a great place to support our local NHS system and I look forward to working with the SMEs.” Med-Tech Innovation