More than 300 delegates attended a ground-breaking event that showcased innovations with the potential to tackle some of the NHS’s toughest challenges.

Professor Stephen Powis, National Medical Director, NHS England, and Richard Barker, Regional Director, NHS England, were the keynote speakers at the Health Innovation North conference.

The event marked the first time the four northern health innovation networks (HINs) had jointly hosted an innovation conference. The inaugural event was at the eye-catching The Spine building in central Liverpool, headquarters of the Royal College of Physicians.

The HINs are: Health Innovation Manchester; Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria; Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber and Health Innovation North West Coast.

Prof Powis said: “The northern health innovation networks are successfully supporting innovators and the spread of innovation across the region.

“Innovation continues to have a crucial role in the work of the NHS. It transforms patient care and it helps the health system to effectively meet the opportunities and challenges it faces.

“It leads to the prevention of ill health, breakthroughs in care, earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments and faster recovery.”

Laura Rooney, Director of Strategy, Health Innovation Manchester said: “This exceptional event provided an opportunity to showcase the role of innovation, and how instrumental it is for the future of the NHS.

“Throughout the day we addressed some of the NHS’ biggest challenges whilst highlighting innovations that are already working with the Health Innovation Networks to provide solutions.”

The conference allowed senior health and care leaders to scrutinise the work of commercial innovators whose innovations have the potential to support clinical teams.

Prof Tony Young, National Clinical Director for Innovation at NHS England, led a session on in which clinical entrepreneurs – NHS innovators – showcased their work. Senior healthcare figures led discussions on the best way to overcome some of the obstacles to implementing innovations that promise to improve patient care and cut costs.

The conference was formally opened by Richard Stubbs, Chair of the Health Innovation Network and Chief Executive of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber. It featured contributions from Prof Dean Fathers, Chair of Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria, and Ben Bridgewater, Chief Executive of Health Innovation Manchester.