How can NHS organisations improve their ability to adopt innovation in line with the 10-year health plan?

The NHS InSites Programme—our sister initiative coordinated by Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust and funded by NHS England—has just published a powerful new learning report. Developed in partnership with the Innovation Unit, the report explores how 18 NHS organisations across England are building the capability to adopt and scale innovation from the ground up.

The findings offer practical insights for anyone working to embed innovation in health and care, including those in the Clinical Entrepreneur Programme. Key lessons include: 

Focusing innovation on real-world problems
Innovation thrives when it’s rooted in the lived experiences of staff and patients. The report highlights how sites are using surveys, workshops, and AI tools to surface challenges and define innovation needs.

Mobilising resources through partnerships
From NHS charities to academic institutions and industry collaborators, successful innovation functions are leveraging external relationships to secure funding, share expertise, and scale impact.

Creating the right culture and conditions
Innovation teams are acting as enablers—coaching staff, simplifying processes, and building inclusive cultures where everyone can contribute. Fellowship programmes, innovation champions, and cross-functional steering groups are just some of the ways sites are embedding innovation into everyday practice.

Evaluating impact and learning from experience
Sites are developing new ways to measure success, from ripple effect mapping to long-term outcome tracking. These approaches are helping build the case for sustained investment in innovation.

This report is a must-read for anyone passionate about transforming the NHS through innovation. It compliments the work of the Clinical Entrepreneur Programme by showcasing how organisational infrastructure, culture, and strategy can support innovators to thrive.