There are 15 Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) across England, established by NHS England in 2013 to spread innovation at pace and scale.

As the only organisations that connect NHS and academia, local authorities, the third sector, industry and citizens, we are catalysts working to create the conditions needed to facilitate change across whole health and social care economies, with a clear focus on improving outcomes for patients.

AHSNs work collaboratively, identifying and supporting the successful development of innovations in our local regional healthcare communities and helping to spread these across our national network.

AHSNs work locally and benefit from being part of a national network.

Each AHSN is embedded in its regional health and care community, understanding the system and patient needs on the ground. We develop projects, programmes and initiatives that reflect the diversity of our local populations and healthcare challenges.

Each AHSN is also part of the national AHSN Network, linked into a unique collaborative of expertise and experience, sharing learning, pooling intelligence, and benefitting from a pipeline of emerging and proven solutions from around the country.

This means we are uniquely placed to identify and spread health innovation at pace and scale; driving the adoption and spread of innovative ideas and technologies across large populations.