Spread and Scale

Agor Innovation is driving the development of Wales’ innovation ecosystem, empowering business growth through leadership, learning and collaboration.

Agor Innovation acts as a ‘switchboard’ for all the University has to offer, signposting businesses to the expertise we can provide, bridging the gap between industry and academia.

• • Intellectual Property knowledge and support
  • Early-stage feasibility studies for new innovations
  • Personal and business growth opportunities through bespoke leadership development programmes, professional learning and the Help to Grow Management programme
  • Support to identify and apply for grant funding
  • Internships and Student Placements
  • An extensive network including SMEs, Higher Education Institutions, Health Boards and professional bodies
  • Identify, scope and develop innovation and skills partnerships across industry and academia
  • Access to academic expertise in a variety of areas including Science, Engineering, Business, Healthcare etc

Agor Innovation strives to support stakeholders from all sectors – industry, academia and the community – to build a thriving innovation ecosystem across Wales.

We work with key partners including the Royal Academy of Engineering, M-SParc, NHS Wales and national and international businesses and institutions, to drive the innovation agenda.

Agor Innovation is ready to work with you to identify and address your needs.

At the Academy for Health Equity, Prevention, and Wellbeing (AHEPW) our mission is to advance health equity and promote wellbeing in Wales and beyond. The academy is hosted by Bangor University, and we offer comprehensive postgraduate programmes (PGCert, PGDip, MSC, ProfDoc), individual courses, and flexible learning modules in Prevention, Population Health, and Leadership. We employ a mixture of online and in-person experiences to meet the needs of busy professionals. In addition, we provide free online workshops and consultancy services led by a team of experienced professionals and educators dedicated to empowering you to make a positive impact in health,wellbeing and leadership. As one of Welsh Government’s Intensive Learning Academies, we are acollaborative hub focused on enhancing skills, sharing knowledge, and turning research into real-world solutions. Our mission is to create a healthier, more equitable future!

Our Academy significantly contributes to the six stages of the Health and Social Care Innovation Framework; from defining health equity challenges and identifying solutions (stages 1 & 2), to developing and rigorously evaluating interventions (stages 3 & 4), and finally facilitating adoption and widespread implementation (stages 5 & 6). Through our research, community engagement, and knowledge translation we aim to ensure that the needs of all populations are met and that health equity can be achieved.

Swansea Bay University Health Board covers a population of around 390,000 in the Neath Port Talbot and Swansea areas. The Health Board employs approximately 12,500 staff. It has three major hospitals providing a range of services: Morriston and Singleton in Swansea, and Neath Port Talbot Hospital in Baglan, Port Talbot.

The Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery covers south and mid Wales and the southwest of England. Morriston also delivers one of two cardiac surgery services in Wales. Other specialist services include cleft lip and palate, renal, fertility and bariatric (obesity). The self-funding, Joint Clinical Research Unit conducts commercial studies and collaborates closely with other centres in key health areas which include cardiovascular disease, diabetes and renal disease.

The National Strategic Clinical Networks are designed to drive change, improve outcomes, reduce variation, and improve the health and lives of people in Wales.

They are an important vehicle for realising the ambition set out in the National Clinical Framework and describe ‘what good looks like’ in each of their respective areas, as well as expectations for delivery across health for our population.

Working between operational service delivery in health boards and trusts and the formulation of policy and strategy in Welsh Government, each network has clinical leadership at its core. They draw directly on the expertise of clinicians working in front line service delivery in primary, community, secondary and tertiary care.

The networks use and contribute data and evidence, as well as engaging widely with the third sector, patient representatives, and industry.

• The Value-Based Health and Care (VBHC) Academy in the School of Management, Swansea University (part of the Welsh Government Intensive Learning Academy programme) provides education, research and consultancy in VBHC.  Our experienced international faculty of academics and practitioners work with innovative health, health policy, social care, third sector and global life sciences companies in Wales and across the World to accelerate the adoption and understanding of Value-Based Healthcare, innovative and value-based procurement and value-based supply.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest NHS organisations in Wales. The Board employs approximately 14,500 staff and provides health services to a population of around 472,400 people living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan as well as serving a wider population across South and Mid Wales for a range of specialties. The Board supports a varied research agenda and work with industry partners on a range of diagnostic and prognostic developments and clinical trials. The medical physics and clinical engineering services, Rehabilitation Engineering Unit and CEDAR Health Technology Research Centre welcome opportunities for research and development collaborations in a variety of areas.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board provides a full range of primary, community, mental health and acute hospital services for a population of around 676,000 people across the six counties of North Wales (Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham) as well as some parts of Mid Wales, Cheshire and

Shropshire. The Health Board has three acute hospitals. It provides industry and business partners with opportunities to work with mental health, acute, community and primary care services delivered by general practices, dentists, opticians and pharmacists.

• Accelerating the adoption of transformative technologies and practices.
• Enhancing patient outcomes while reducing system pressures.
• Collaborating across sectors to drive innovation in healthcare.
• Building a sustainable framework for innovation, research, and improvement.

Part of the NHS Wales family and a trusted partner, DHCW is taking forward the next generation of services needed to transform health and care delivery:

• Supporting frontline staff with modern systems and secure access to information about their patients, available wherever they want to work
• Delivering new digital solutions to support care for cancer patients, to help nurses, to modernise critical care units, to update hospital pharmacy, prescribing and community care
• Using data to provide insight and improve how health and care services are delivered and accessed by patients
• Helping Welsh people manage their own health and recovery from illness by putting health services in their pocket. Giving people access to their own digital health record and apps from any device making it easier to connect with health and care services
• Combatting cyber crime through a dedicated cyber resilience unit
• Using digital standards to allow for faster development and delivery of digital services
• Protecting valuable data assets by modernising data storage and adopting a ‘cloud-first’ policy

WHSSC (hosted by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board) was established in 2010 by the seven Local Health Boards in Wales to ensure that the population of Wales has fair and equitable access to the full range of specialised services.

WHSSC are responsible for the joint planning of Specialised and Tertiary Services on behalf of Local Health Boards in Wales.

In establishing WHSSC to work on their behalf, the seven Local Health Boards (LHBs) recognised that the most efficient and effective way of planning these services was to work together to reduce duplication and ensure consistency.

The Dragon’s Heart Institute was established in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the lessons learned from the Welsh Health and Social Care sector’s response would shape a stronger, more resilient future. Built on the principles of good leadership and shared purpose, the institute serves as a hub for fostering networks of colleagues united by a commitment to excellence and compassion. By leveraging these collaborative connections, it promotes the rapid dissemination of innovation and best practices across the sector. Through this work, the Dragon’s Heart Institute embodies a legacy of learning, demonstrating how collective effort, underpinned by visionary leadership, can drive meaningful and lasting improvements in health and social care.

Through the All-Wales Intensive Learning Academy for Innovation in Health and Social Care (ILA:IHSC), the Dragon’s Heart Institute, has firmly established itself as a driving force in the practice of innovation, leadership, transformation, and the scale and spread of improvement. Our vision remains for Wales to be a world leader and global authority in advancing transformational change within health and social care, ensuring that the benefits of innovation are equitably distributed to improve outcomes for all.

Central to this vision are our flagship training programmes: Climb, launched in 2021, and the Spread & Scale Academy, established in 2019. Together, these programmes have engaged 879 participants to date, equipping leaders and practitioners with the confidence, skills, and practical tools needed to realise meaningful change. These initiatives are designed to foster a new generation of health and social care leaders who are adept in the knowledge, science, and application of innovation. They provide the capabilities and relationships necessary to nurture, spread, and scale proven solutions at pace, creating a ripple effect of improvement and innovation across the system.

Who we are

The SBRI Centre of Excellence, established in 2018 and funded by the Welsh Government, is hosted within Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Its purpose is to identify and address unmet needs in health and care across Wales. Our goal is to drive innovation within the public sector, ensuring that innovators focus on solving the challenges we face – essentially, we act as a bridge between innovation and the needs of the public sector.

What we do

We do this by working with Public Sector colleagues across Wales, offering support to frame those persistent problems for which there is no readily available solution, framing them as an open competition, and inviting specialists across industry, third sector and academia to propose their innovative ideas.

The best and brightest applicants will receive funding to collaborate with us (and the challenge owners) as a team, to develop a tailored solution, guided by the Centre’s Project Management Office which oversees aspects such as contracts, deliverables, governance, and safety. By the end of the process, the solution will be successfully developed, evaluated, and prepared for scaling, commercialisation, and wider adoption.

How we can help at stages of the Innovation Framework

• Describe, Understand & Define – we work with colleagues to help them define and scope out the challenges they face, through sensitive and confidential conversations and workshops. Rather than focus on the solution, we work with the problem and what a good outcome would achieve.
• Explore & Identify Solutions – whilst we don’t identify solutions, due diligence will be carried out to ensure that there are no ‘off the shelf’ solutions that might be a suitable path than SBRI. Once established that SBRI is the correct path, the Centre will launch the competition and invite innovative proposals.
• Develop Solutions – the best applications will be developed further; some challenges might be based on very early-stage feasibility, others will be pilots and demonstrators – this depends on the specific need, market, and timescale requirements of the challenge.
• Creating Evidence, & Proving Value – innovations are thoroughly evaluated in collaboration with colleagues; Phase 2 and 3 challenges will prototype and demonstrate solutions, capturing real-world evidence for evaluation and improvement.
• Adoption, Adaption & Deployment Readiness – solutions are tested and refined, creating ‘fit-for-purpose’ products and services that have been developed through a partnership between colleagues and supplier, preparing the conditions and culture for change.
• Spread & Scale – ongoing collaboration with health boards and the wider Innovation Ecosystem across Wales ensures key stakeholder support and engagement, whilst the facilitation of multi-site trials contributes to the adoption and scaling of innovations.

Based at Swansea University’s School of Management, the IHSC Academy develops programmes to support senior and aspiring leaders in driving innovation within health and social care. Through practical approaches, these programmes help organisations enhance systems, processes, and technologies to improve outcomes.

The IHSC can support NHS Wales staff at all stages of the innovation framework, offering several scholarships part funded by the Welsh Government to professional learners from across Wales. Content from our courses has been made available to assist with your journey through the pathway, including lecture videos, interviews, tool summaries, and infographics.

Fostering Innovation in Healthcare Through Collaborative Learning and Research

Healthcare systems worldwide face increasing pressures from rising costs, aging populations, and complex patient needs. To address these challenges, the All-Wales Intensive Learning Academy for Innovation in Health and Social Care at Swansea University is developing new models of collaborative learning and research. Led byDr. Daniel Rees and Dr. Roderick Thomas, the Academy works with healthcare providers, industry partners, and academic institutions to drive healthcare innovation.

Addressing Healthcare Challenges Through Innovation

Healthcare demand continues to outpace available resources, making traditional spending increases unsustainable. The Academy focuses onInnovation Management, aiming to maximize patient outcomes relative to costs. This approach reorients healthcare systems to compete on delivering better patient care rather than just controlling costs. Supported by the Welsh Government, the Academy fosters transformation through learning, research, and consultancy.

Developing Skills for Healthcare Research and Innovation

Since its 2021 launch, the Academy has developed postgraduate programmes, including MSc, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Certificates in Advanced Health and Care Innovation, Complex Systems Management, and Healthcare Technology. These flexible, blended-learning courses cater to working professionals and are accredited byCMI, FMLM, and CPD. The Academy has successfully trained 885 students (2021-2024), with many securing promotions or leadership roles. Applied learning is central, with work-based projects replacing traditional dissertations, allowing professionals to apply insights directly to industry challenges.

Research and Engagement for Real-World Impact

The Academy emphasises applied research, securing over £2 million in funding (Welsh Government, UK Government, MOD, Innovate UK, ESRC & EPSRC) and supporting 60+ industry-led projects. Notable initiatives include  PhD research scholarships, where professionals conduct doctoral studies on healthcare challenges. Research has directly influenced the Welsh Government’s Innovation Strategy, showcasing the Academy’s role in bridging academia, industry, and policy. Current research topics range from clinical burnout and compassionate leadership to stroke severity prediction and cancer care innovation.

Building an Innovation Ecosystem

Beyond education and research, the Academy fosters collaboration across healthcare, social care, and industry. Initiatives such ashackathons, leadership development programmes, and knowledge transfer partnerships strengthen the innovation landscape. Collaborations with Swansea University’s iLab and Agor Innovation further connect academic research with industry applications. One example is the Partnership Development Programme, an 18-month initiative designed for clinical and executive leaders within Welsh health boards.

Health and Care Research Wales is a networked organisation, supported by Welsh Government, which brings together a wide range of partners across the NHS in Wales, local authorities, universities, research institutions, third sector and others.

We work in close partnership with other government agencies and research funders (both in Wales and across the UK); industry partners; patients; service users; public and other stakeholders.

We work together to promote research into diseases, treatments, services and outcomes that can lead to discoveries and innovations which can improve and even save people’s lives.

The TriTech Institute’s mission is to research, develop and evaluate health and well-being innovations on a local, national, and global scale. The TriTech Institute offers a single point of access to Health & Social Care in Wales with academic experts, a regional clinical NHS testbed, and an agile and efficient approach.

Collaborating with the life science sector and various Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across Wales and the UK, the team of clinical scientists, researchers, engineers, data scientists, nurses, pharmacists and doctors conducts research and real-world evaluations on healthcare innovations. The team is composed of individuals holding dual NHS/HEI honorary contracts and encompasses a variety of backgrounds including NHS, HEI and industry.

Describe, Understand, and Define

Support 

The TriTech Institute employs a structured approach to drive healthcare innovation. This methodology begins with Describing the unmet needs and challenges within the healthcare system, ensuring a clear understanding of the context and requirements. Next, the institute focuses on Understanding these needs through comprehensive research and stakeholder engagement, which includes gathering insights from patients, healthcare professionals, and industry experts. Finally, the Define phase involves outlining precise solutions and strategies to address the identified needs, ensuring that innovations are both practical and impactful. This approach ensures that the TriTech Institute’s initiatives are well-informed, targeted, and capable of making a significant difference in healthcare delivery

Training  Quality Management

Resources  Clinical scientists, researchers, engineers, data scientists, nurses, pharmacists and doctors

Find out more  Testimonials – TriTech Institute

Explore and Identify Solutions

Support 

1.Horizon scanning, Demand signalling

2.Regulatory support & Quality Management

3.Pilot studies, clinical trials, clinical investigations or initial testing of an innovation.

4.Research – this involves organisations commissioning clinical investigations and trials to ensure the effectiveness and safety of their innovations

5.Real World Evaluation – this will involve organisations commissioning evaluative research to understand the wider impact of their health and well-being innovations; clinical pathway models, Med-Tech, Digital / AI and services, as part of routine care.

Training  Quality Management & RWE

Resources  Clinical scientists, researchers, engineers, data scientists, nurses, pharmacists and doctors

Find out more  Our Institute – TriTech Institute

Develop Solutions

Support 

Regulatory support & Quality Management

Pilot studies, clinical trials, clinical investigations or initial testing of an innovation.

Research – this involves organisations commissioning clinical investigations and trials to ensure the effectiveness and safety of their innovations

Real World Evaluation – this will involve organisations commissioning evaluative research to understand the wider impact of their health and well-being innovations; clinical pathway models, Med-Tech, Digital / AI and services, as part of routine care.

Training  Quality Management

Resources Clinical scientists, researchers, engineers, data scientists, nurses, pharmacists and doctors

Find out more  Our Partners – TriTech Institute

Creating evidence & Proving Value

Support

Real World Evaluation – this will involve organisations commissioning evaluative research to understand the wider impact of their health and well-being innovations; clinical pathway models, Med-Tech, Digital / AI and services, as part of routine care. Such evaluative research provides the opportunity to assess, for example, service and staff user experiences of the innovations including patient reported outcomes and experience, health economic analysis and the costs associated with their introduction, useability design and whether operational and service improvements will result.

Training  Quality Management

Resources  Clinical scientists, researchers, engineers, data scientists, nurses, pharmacists and doctors

Find out more Live Projects – TriTech Institute

Adoption, Adaption & Deployment Readiness

Support 

TriTech systematically evaluates the readiness of new innovations for clinical implementation. This involves assessing various factors such as regulatory compliance, financial viability, and the potential impact on patient outcomes and staff experiences. The goal is to ensure that innovations are not only effective but also seamlessly integrated into existing healthcare systems. This comprehensive evaluation process helps to maximize the benefits of new technologies while minimizing risks, ultimately leading to improved patient care and operational efficiency

Training   Quality Management

Resources. Clinical scientists, researchers, engineers, data scientists, nurses, pharmacists and doctors

Find out more.  Live Projects – TriTech Institute

Spread & Scale

Support

Our approach to spread and scale involves a multidisciplinary strategy that combines clinical and scientific expertise with academic research and industry partnerships. By focusing on Value-Based healthcare, TriTech aims to ensure that innovations are not only developed but also effectively implemented and evaluated in real-world settings. This comprehensive approach helps to improve patient outcomes and promote healthier lives on a larger scale

Training  Quality Management   

Resources  Clinical scientists, researchers, engineers, data scientists, nurses, pharmacists and doctors

Find out more Case Studies – TriTech Institute

Who we are

Life Sciences Hub Wales connects innovative companies with NHS and healthcare providers to drive meaningful health and economic impact. By supporting the adoption of cutting-edge solutions, we help transform healthcare in Wales and beyond.

We work closely with frontline health and social care teams to identify critical challenges and match them with high-impact innovations. Our tailored approach, backed by deep expertise, ensures real-world benefits for patients and healthcare providers alike.

What we do

We provide expert support to accelerate the adoption of innovation in health and social care. Our services include:

• Partnership Development – Connecting organisations with innovators, industry events, and collaboration opportunities.
• Project Management – Supporting innovation from setup to large-scale implementation.
• Business Case Development – Helping create strong, evidence-based business cases for clinical adoption.
• Adoption-Ready Proposals – Tailored implementation plans based on structured assessments.
• Market Reporting & Rapid Scans – Insights on innovation landscapes, regulatory pathways, and health economics.
• Innovation Assessments – Evaluating market readiness and offering strategic feedback.
• Funding Advice – Identifying investment opportunities and supporting bid development.
• Showcasing Innovation – Publishing case studies, industry news, and guest blogs to amplify impact.

How we help

Partnership Development

We connect organisations with the right innovators to accelerate adoption. Whether through strategic partnerships, industry networking, or expert-led roundtables, we facilitate collaboration that drives real change.

Business Case Development

We support innovation projects with data-driven business cases aligned with the Five-Case Model, ensuring robust and evidence-based decision-making for clinical adoption.

Adoption-Ready Proposals

Our structured innovation assessments ensure proposals are tailored for successful adoption, including evaluation reviews, implementation plans, and ongoing support.

Market Reporting & Rapid Scans

Our sector intelligence team provides market insights, regulatory guidance, and health economic analysis to help organisations navigate the innovation landscape.

Project Management

We support the full innovation lifecycle, from pilot testing to large-scale rollout. Our team ensures effective change management and connects organisations with the most suitable innovation partners.

To find out more about our support services, visit: Innovation support | Life Sciences

Showcasing Health and Social Care Innovation in Wales

We provide a platform for partners to share best practices and amplify their work.

• Submit a Case Study – Click here to submit a case study
• Submit a News Story – Click here to submit a news story
• Promote an Event – Email us at hello@lshubwales.com
• Write a Guest Blog – Send us your idea at hello@lshubwales.com

Resources & Insights

We provide key resources to support health and social care innovation, helping organisations access funding, networks, and expert insights.

• Funding Database – Access the latest funding opportunities.
• Organisational Directory – Find innovation ecosystem partners in Wales.
• Innovation Projects – Stay updated on collaborative projects happening across Wales.
• Training & Development – Discover health and social care innovation training providers.
• Industry Newsletters – Stay informed with the latest sector updates.

Explore resources – Visit our website

Regional Partnership Boards have been established as part of the Social Services and Well Being Act to improve the well-being of the populations and improve how health and care services are delivered. Each regional collaboration in Wales oversees strategic methods to deliver integrated health and social care services, bringing together health boards, local authorities, and the third sector to fulfil the care and requirements of people in their area. All RPB’s must produce a regional population assessment and a regional are plan and report.