Exceeding expectations: expanding access to disruptive innovations across the NHS

This year marks a significant milestone for us, as we successfully exceeded our corporate Key Performance Indicator (KPI) on the NHS being able to access disruptive innovations.

Against a target of eight innovations, we delivered 16, with a strong pipeline of further solutions progressing. This achievement reflects both the scale of our ambition and the strength of collaboration and expertise across our organisation.

Collaboration driving impact 

This success has been made possible through close collaboration across clinical, category, sourcing and communications teams, alongside wider colleagues and partners. By working together as one team, we are accelerating access to innovative solutions that support frontline healthcare delivery.

Enabling innovation through procurement 

A key factor in this achievement is the effective use of procurement routes that enable safe, compliant, and efficient access to new technologies. These include Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS), Direct Award routes and established framework agreements, each playing a vital role in supporting innovation adoption at pace.

Supporting national priorities 

Our work directly supports delivery of key national strategies, including the NHS Long Term Plan and the Life Sciences Vision, ensuring that the NHS can identify, adopt and benefit from cutting-edge technologies.

The 16 innovations delivered span a wide range of clinical areas, including radiology, cardiology, obstetrics, infection prevention and control, urology, physiotherapy and emergency medicine, reflecting the breadth of system need and opportunity.

Delivering value and improving outcomes 

Through our growing pipeline of Value Based Procurement activity, we are: 

• Improving patient outcomes through access to advanced technologies.
• Supporting equitable access to innovation across regions and populations.
• Enabling supplier growth, with 90% of innovations coming from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
• Driving measurable value for the NHS .

Looking ahead

We are building on this momentum by strengthening industry partnerships and continuing to develop our innovation ecosystem.

Looking forward, we are proud to support the adoption and spread of innovations, ensuring that they are not only introduced but embedded and scaled – to deliver maximum impact across the NHS.