Stakeholder research reveals perceptions of AHSNs  

A survey of AHSN Network stakeholders shows the networks are proving effective at engaging with their partners, fostering partnerships across sectors, and facilitating the spread and adoption of innovation across England, including in the South West.
Last year AHSN Network commissioners NHS England and NHS Improvement and the Office for Life Sciences commissioned research to explore and evaluate the views of AHSN stakeholders.
The independent evaluation was conducted by Savanta ComRes. With input from AHSNs and commissioners, Savanta ComRes developed and ran an online survey and telephone interviews with stakeholders of each of the 15 AHSNs across England and the AHSN Network.
Those taking part in the survey were stakeholders in health and social care, private and voluntary sectors, national and local governance bodies, research and academia, patient groups and the general public. Topics covered included familiarity with and perceptions of AHSNs, evaluations of AHSNs’ communications, services, support, work programmes and cross-regional working, and perceived opportunities and challenges for AHSNs in the future.
The evaluation shows AHSNs are performing well at strengthening partnerships across sector boundaries, facilitating the spread and adoption of innovation, and effectively employing tailored models of communications and engagement with stakeholders. Highlighted areas for AHSN growth and development included communication and exchange between AHSNs, and AHSN visibility among local government, patients, and voluntary and care sector organisations.
In the South West, engagement with stakeholders of the South West Academic Health Science Network (SW AHSN) reveal a positive perception of the SW AHSN, built on strong individual relationships with SW AHSN staff, connections and signposting across multi-sector networks, and robust and impactful training programmes such as our Spread Academy.
To read the report for the SW AHSN click here.
To learn more about the national findings please visit the AHSN Network website.