The clusters will improve the knowledge and skills of NHS staff, by providing best practice education and training for nurses, doctors, dentists and the full range of professions in all healthcare settings. This in turn will quickly bring the latest innovations in care and treatment, including new medicines and devices to NHS patients.

Health Minister Lord Darzi said:
“I encourage organisations from all relevant sectors to apply to become Health Innovation and Education Clusters (HIECs).

“HIECs are special partnerships that draw on the wealth of skills and experience of their members to improve the development of high quality care and services by quickly bringing the benefits of research and innovation directly to patients.

“These projects will attract and encourage the best talent who can recognise and rapidly adopt new and innovative healthcare and treatment.”

Dr Moira Livingston, Strategic Head of Workforce and acting Postgraduate Dean and Director for North East SHA said:

“HIECs are an exciting opportunity for us to work together locally across health, education and industry.

“They’ll help to drive up quality standards in education and training and ensure fast adoption of innovation for the benefit of local people.

“The flexibility of the HIEC model means that we can link with our regional vision and develop HIECs in ways which are appropriate and specific to our local area.

“The clusters are much more likely to be successful as they
build on work we’ve already done to develop our regional strategy with our local clinicians.”

To help applicants the Department of Health has published a guide ‘Breakthrough to real change in local healthcare: A guide for applications to create Health Innovation and Education Clusters (HIECs)’.

The guide marks the start of a period of informal discussion with prospective bidders over the next four months, leading to a national selection process in September this year.