DigitalHealth.London has opened applications for its Accelerator programme, with the aim of finding the ‘next generation of digital health companies’ that can help ‘transform’ healthcare.
The flagship scheme, an NHS delivered programme, is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and has provided a platform for a number of digital innovations that are now being used by the NHS in London. Now in its sixth year, the Accelerator has supported over 122 digital health companies overall.
Well-known industry names such as LIVI, Oxehealth, Patchwork Health, Echo, Sweatcoin, and Health Navigator have all been part of the Accelerator programme before, with innovations from an array of areas, ranging from enabling remote GP appointments, to NHS temporary staffing solutions and patient facing self-management apps.
Aiming to speed up the adoption of technology in the NHS and in London, and to help relieve pressure on services and empower patients to manage their own health, the programme is open to applications from digital health companies with either a product or service that has ‘high potential to meet the challenges facing the NHS and social care…as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and as detailed in the NHS Long Term Plan’, according to DigitalHealth.London.
The scheme works with up to 20 SMEs over a 12-month period, and provides bespoke support, advice, a programme of expert-led workshops and events, as well as creating connections between suitable innovators and NHS organisations with specific challenges.
Successful applicants will complete a ‘rigorous and highly competitive selection process’, including panel assessments by NHS and industry experts, interviews and due diligence checks. Applicants that secure a place on the programme usually have a ‘product or service that has already been piloted in the NHS and is ready to scale’ and suitability is assessed based both on ‘product maturity’ and whether the company has the time and staff to participate and benefit.
Jenny Thomas, Programme Director, DigitalHealth.London Accelerator, said: “The last year and a half in the NHS has seen profound challenges but also incredible progress. NHS Staff and patients have been introduced to new ways of doing things through digital health, and technology has enabled many key services to continue during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am extremely proud of the companies and NHS organisations we have worked with and the role they have played during the pandemic and the vital roles I know they will continue to play as we start to look at supporting the NHS to recover. I am very excited to announce the opening of applications to be part of the next cohort of innovators on the DigitalHealth.London Accelerator programme – innovators who we will support in being part of this next, pivotal stage for our healthcare system.”
Tara Donnelly, Chief Digital Officer of NHSX, added: “The DigitalHealth.London Accelerator programme is a key player in helping the NHS and social care to make the most of the opportunities digital technologies bring.
“This has never been more important as the NHS looks to recover from the pandemic and I look forward to seeing the next group of innovators bringing their solutions to London’s NHS.”
