Discover the opportunities for innovation

The priorities listed here reflect what the NHS needs most from innovation. They have been identified through engagement with patients, staff and system leaders, and show where new ideas can have the greatest impact. If your innovation is aligned with these areas it's more likely to be adopted, funded and scaled, helping you deliver real value to the health and care system.

10 Year Health Plan - Fit for the Future

The 10 Year Health Plan (10YHP) for England outlines three major shifts for the NHS: moving care from hospitals to communities, transitioning from analogue to digital systems, and prioritising prevention over treatment.

This plan, also known as "Fit for the Future," aims to make the NHS more efficient and effective by leveraging technology and focusing on proactive healthcare.

  • A doctor wearing a stethoscope.

    From Hospital to Community

    The plan emphasises bringing more care closer to people's homes and communities, reducing the reliance on hospitals for routine care and enabling earlier intervention. This includes utilising community diagnostic centres and other local healthcare facilities.

  • Someone using a smart watch.

    From Analogue to Digital

    The plan seeks to embrace digital tools and technologies to improve patient care, streamline administrative processes, and empower individuals to manage their health more easily. This will allow patients to access and manage their health information online.

  • A person holding a hair net, wearing a hospital gown.

    From Sickness to Prevention

    The plan prioritises preventative measures to address the root causes of ill health and reduce the need for treatment. This involves promoting healthy lifestyles, early detection of health issues, and proactive interventions to prevent illness from developing or worsening.

NICE Priority Topics

NICE identifies and prioritises key clinical areas to focus its efforts, as outlined in the NICE Forward View.

These priority topics are reviewed annually and may also be updated throughout the year in response to significant developments or emerging innovations in life sciences, health, and care.

The overarching mission is to ensure patients receive the most effective treatments quickly and efficiently, while delivering value for the taxpayer. Through the Forward View, NICE aims to clearly communicate the areas of focus that are most impactful across the health and care system.

NHS England Demand Signals

NHS England are seeking innovations with the potential to transform care in high priority clinical areas and make a positive impact for large communities.

Clinical experts within NHS England, working alongside NICE, have collectively identified the areas of greatest opportunity, based on need in high priority clinical areas with consideration towards the areas likely to have the greatest impact per patient and the likelihood of adoption.

To help drive the development of innovations likely to have the greatest impact on patient care, new areas of need will continue to be identified and signalled here.

If you have an innovation that meets any of these needs, create an NHS Innovation Service account and fill in your innovation record to start receiving support.