Accelerator programme selects innovations to help the NHS address some of its most pressing challenges

A digital self-service AI solution that empowers patients to help themselves and an innovative clinical platform that helps reduce health inequalities by matching patients to the right care pathway are some of the innovations selected for Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network’s digital health accelerator programme, Propel@YH.

Eleven SMEs have been selected for the programme who all have innovations that can help NHS and social care organisations address some of the most pressing challenges including tackling health inequalities; improving their environmental impact; supporting the workforce and helping to manage the increasing patient backlog.

Now in its fourth year, Propel@YH will provide SMEs with a six-month course of structured support and advice. The programme is aimed at companies that already have a base in Yorkshire and the Humber or would be willing to establish one helping to create new job opportunities. It will also help them accelerate their company growth and increase market presence.

This year’s cohort are:

• ai is a platform that supports patients to help themselves through digital self-service powered by artificial intelligence.
• Enable2 makes it easy for the NHS and local authorities to help non-English-speaking people and communities via rapid online booking of interpreters.
• Careology provides digital support to cancer patients by connecting them to their clinical team and caregivers from the point of their diagnosis, throughout their treatment and into recovery.
• Weather Flare is an app that sends patients real-time personalised weather forecasts that can predict your ‘good’, ‘bearable’ or ‘bad’ days up to 5 days in advance.
• CareNetworx provide a care management app for families who need help coordinating care for loved ones with long term health conditions.
• ehealth Compass is a clinical CRM platform that helps to reduce health inequalities and optimises outcomes in a cost effective and sustainable way by mapping, measuring, and matching each patient to the right care pathway.
• Better Medicine’s Artificial Intelligence powered tools enable doctors to diagnose and fight cancer in more efficient and accurate ways.
• ai is the search engine designed for healthcare professionals to find information at the point of care.
• The Pulse Health app is a secure communication and community platform designed for the NHS that connects 2 million health and social care workers in one place.
• ADDVantage Technologies delivers efficiencies and sustainability through tech-enabled solutions and associated data-driven insights.
• Recreo VR packages are designed for care home residents and their carers helping them to relive past memories, create new ones and bring people together through shared experiences.

The accelerator started on 5 October and the chosen companies will receive support from several expert partners: Hill Dickinson (legal advice); Nexus, University of Leeds, (networking opportunities); Barclays Eagle Labs (funding guidance), Leeds City Council will bring networking contacts to the programme and West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership and their sustainability leads will support the SMEs to help improve their environmental sustainability impact.

A number of supporters including Thrive by Design, ORCHA, YHEC and HMA will also support the selected companies by providing a series of masterclasses and Yorkshire & Humber AHSN will deliver 1-2-1 and group mentoring sessions.

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.

Dr Neville Young, Director of Enterprise and Innovation at the Yorkshire & Humber AHSN said: “We’re excited to launch this programme again in 2022 with an increased focus on sustainability this year that has been encouraged by our latest sponsor, the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership. This is a fantastic opportunity for the chosen SMEs to receive expert advice and guidance from the AHSN and our key partners, so they can navigate the NHS market, increase their presence in the region and spread their innovations for the benefit of those living and working in Yorkshire and the Humber.

“Our work with innovator companies is a central element of our role as we seek to encourage health innovation and stimulate growth in life sciences and industry across our region”

Talking about the Propel@YH programme, Rakeeb Chowdhury – Founder of Hummingbirds Medical – who was part of last year’s cohort, commented: “The Propel@YH programme helped me to see what the realistic next steps was for us, define a clear roadmap for the future and plan how we keep growing our business”. Its product ‘BookYourGP’, is a tool for GPs that enables them to organise complex care for their patients.