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East Midlands Strategic Health Authority
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Regional Development Fund

Request

1.       Does the SHA allocate money to promote innovation via a regional innovation fund?

2.       How has regional innovation fund money been used in the last five years?  Please provide details of projects and grants awarded.

3.       If there is a current fund, how much is allocated to NHS applicants and how much to the private sector?

4.       If there is a current fund, what is the process of application for and allocation of money for projects?

5.       If there is no current fund, how does the SHA promote innovation in line with its statutory responsibility?

6.       If there is no current fund what has happened to the funds previously allocated to support innovation?

Our Response

I refer to your email requesting information in respect of the Regional Development Fund. 

I can confirm in accordance with S.1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) that we do hold most of the information that you have requested.

I will address each of your points in turn:

1.         Does the SHA allocate money to promote innovation via a regional innovation fund?

  • Yes we have allocated monies in 2009/10 and 2010/11 and are just agreeing budgets for a third round of funding in 2011/12.

2.         How has regional innovation fund money been used in the last five years?  Please provide details of projects and grants awarded.

  • The Regional Innovation Fund (RIF) was introduced in 2009/10, as part of the previous Government’s strategy for the NHS, High Quality Care for All.

  • You can find details of how we have allocated and used the RIF at our innovation website, The Improvement Network. You can access the main page at: 

http://www.tin.nhs.uk/innovation-nhs-east-midlands/innovation-funding-opportunities/east-midlands-regional-innovation-fund/

  • There are links on this page to details of projects supported in 2009/10 and 2010/11. In addition, there is a brochure detailing all of our projects, on the following webpage under Useful Documents:

http://www.tin.nhs.uk/innovation-nhs-east-midlands/

3.         If there is a current fund, how much is allocated to NHS applicants and how much to the private sector?

  • Our process requires RIF funds to be applied for by an NHS organisation in the East Midlands. We do encourage applications in partnership with other organisations, including those from the private and third sectors, in line with due process on procurement where applicable. You can see at the links above where the private sector have been involved in such applications.

4.         If there is a current fund, what is the process of application for and allocation of money for projects?

  • You can access the Guidance for applications for the 2010/11 fund at:  

http://www.tin.nhs.uk/innovation-nhs-east-midlands/innovation-funding-opportunities/east-midlands-regional-innovation-fund/

  • We are currently developing the criteria and approach for the 2011/12 RIF. Watch this page for updates for when the 2011/12 fund is launched, possibly sometime in June:

http://www.tin.nhs.uk/innovation-nhs-east-midlands/innovation-funding-opportunities/east-midlands-regional-innovation-fund/

5.         If there is no current fund, how does the SHA promote innovation in line with its statutory responsibility?

  • In addition to the RIF, NHS East Midlands promotes innovation through a range of local and national showcasing events, meetings, learning events, literature, web information, brochures and networking. We work through a network of innovation leads in all NHS bodies in the region.

  • See the main web at  http://www.tin.nhs.uk/innovation-nhs-east-midlands/ for details of our overall approach. We have produced an Annual Innovation Report for 2009/10 which is loaded here under Useful Documents. (The 2010/11 report is currently being written).

6.         If there is no current fund what has happened to the funds previously allocated to support innovation?

  • Not applicable.

I hope that this information is of use.  If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we have dealt with your request you can ask us to review our decision by writing to:-

Mr Moosa Patel
Director of Corporate Affairs
NHS East Midlands
Octavia House
Interchange Business Park
Bostock's Lane
Sandiacre
Nottingham
NG10 5QG
 
If at the conclusion of any review you remain dissatisfied you may complain to the Information Commissioner who can be contacted at:-

The Office of the Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF