How to engage with innovation: a system leaders' perspective

Innovation is no longer optional for health and care systems, but making it work at scale remains a leadership challenge. This session brings together senior system leaders to lead an honest, practical conversation about what it really takes to make innovation possible across the NHS. Drawing on real system experience, the NHS Innovation Accelerator is bringing together speakers to explore how leaders can create the conditions for innovation to thrive. The session will unpack how systems can engage more effectively with innovators, whether from the NHS, industry, academia or the voluntary sector, without adding burden or distraction to frontline teams. Hear how system leadership can unlock innovation by simplifying pathways, supporting clinical and operational ownership, and embedding innovation into core transformation programmes rather than treating it as a ‘nice to have’. The session will also address common barriers and how leaders are overcoming them in practice.