South West Academic Health Science Network

The South West Academic Health Science Network (South West AHSN) is one of 15 AHSNs across the country set up by NHS England to spread innovation at pace and scale across the country in 2013.

 As the only bodies connecting NHS and academic organisations, local authorities, the third sector and industry, AHSNs 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.

Collectively, over the last year AHSN’s spread and adoption programme has benefited 479,000 patients. As an example of our direct intervention, the AHSN’s atrial fibrillation work has helped prevent 11,734 strokes and saved 2,933 lives. The work of the network has supported 2,540 companies, created 580 jobs and generated over £332m investment.

Our work is funded by NHS England and NHS Improvement, nationally commissioned programmes, and contributions from our members, as well as income generated through other activities aligned to our core mission and purpose.

In 2018, NHS England and NHS Improvement relicensed AHSNs for a further five years, setting out a clear long-term vision to drive health innovation and stimulate economic growth, and meeting the goals of the NHS Long Term Plan and NHS Patient Safety Strategy.

We are an independent company limited by guarantee, governed by a board of directors made up of senior NHS and university leaders from across our region as well as independent non-executive directors. Based in our award-winning office on the outskirts of Exeter, we work across the counties of Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly